Way of Wade Way 808 5 Ultra has been previously unveiled, and the Li-NING Sonic 13 is set to launch soon. In March 2025, Li-NING Basketball will continue its tradition of introducing innovative products with a strong emphasis on performance. The Li-NING Sonic series, recognized as the "evergreen" line of team shoes from Li-NING Basketball, has undergone enhancements aimed at further improving running capabilities.
Here is the development history of the Li-NING Sonic series:
1
During the early days when Li-NING Basketball became the official sponsor of the CBA League, the brand had yet to establish a comprehensive range of practical sneakers or accumulate significant technological advancements. At that time, the Li-NING Sonic Series prioritized breathability while the Ultralight Series focused on lightweight design; both can be considered among Li-NING Basketball's most pragmatic product lines that aligned with international trends.
Reflecting on classic sneakers in Li-NING Basketball's history, it is undeniable that the Li-NING Sonic 3 holds a prominent position. As one of the top-selling models for its release year, this sneaker—available in blue and pink mandarin duck colorways—became ubiquitous across campuses and was even worn by He Tianju during NBA Summer League events. Although it featured only Bounse technology in terms of configuration, it included Carbon Fiber within its 300RMB(≈42USD) price range. Its "low price, high quality" design effectively balanced aesthetics and performance, leading to rapid popularity nationwide.
Li-Ning’s technology continues to advance. The Li-NING Sonic series has innovated . Transitioning from initial Bounse technology to subsequent developments such as Li-NING Cloud Plus and Light Foam Technology—and now featuring the cutting-edge Li-NING boom System—the evolution of these technological platforms has enabled the Li-NING Sonic series to remain contemporary and solidify its status as an enduring favorite among basketball team shoes offered by Li-NING.
At the beginning of the Li-NING Sonic series positioning is a pair of shoes for team cooperation. With the development of the times, the division of the sneakers become more refined, in addition to the positional factors, the type of player's style of play also prove the design of the sneakers to become more individual. Shoes designs of Li-NING Sonic series has gradually turns for the "running-type" players, emphasizing the wearing of the sense of rolling and running process of propulsion. The development of the Li-NING Sonic also entered a new phase.
2
In the previous generation of Li-NING Sonic 12, a last designed for running players and a forefoot spade TPU design, combined with a midsole construction similar to that of a racing shoe, gave the shoe a stronger acceleration ability of taking off . This design continues in the Li-NING Sonic 13, which appears to be more of a racing shoe, enhancing the rolling gait experience.
From the outside, the Li-NING Sonic 13 has a distinctly streamlined design, with the center of gravity shifted forward and a slightly upturned heel, giving it the appearance of a carbon plate running shoe. The unique Li-NING Lancers logo design also further enhances the visual sense of speed.
As a pair of summer shoes, the Li-NING Sonic 13 continues the core concept of the series, with COOL-SHELL technology on the upper and a mesh upper to ensure breathability and durability, which has been a classic feature of the Li-NING Sonic series for many years.
In terms of midsole technology, the Li-NING Sonic 13 is upgraded to a full palm boom, and wrapped in Li-NING Cloud Plus, and also uses the HC LOC honeycomb structure. Therefore,we can also see Li-NING's efforts in "de-formulaization" over the years, abandoning the standard midsole TPU wrap design and replacing it with a chemical foam technology wrapped in a supercritical foam midsole, which not only further strengthens the plasticity of the midsole, but also ensures the durability of the sneaker.
The outsole design of the Li-NING Sonic 13 is also exciting. The outsole pattern is a continuation of its predecessor's design, with TPU running across the entire palm, providing excellent rolling sensation and optimizing the running experience based on feedback from the previous generation. Abrasion resistance has been improvedby using TUFF RB rubber, making it suitable for a wide range of conditions on and off the court.
Notably, the Li-NING Sonic 13 features a HC LOC honeycomb outsole in the mid-sole, which not only reduces the weight of the shoe, but also frees up more space in the midsole for better rearfoot cushioning. This is a rare design in basketball shoes and shows the innovation of the design team.
Regarding the pricing, the Li-NING Sonic 13 is still priced at 799 RMB, which is in line with the Blitz series, and is positioned as a mid-range combat shoe in Li-NING's basketball lineup.
Of course, as a combat sneaker for the mass market, more affordable prices are expected to follow. As the weather warms up, how many players will this sneaker become for? Let's see what happens on the court!
