Nike's Charging $315 for its New LeBron James Sneakers [PHOTO]

Unless You Are LeBron James, That's a Lot of Money for Sneakers

We won't even get into how fug the shoes are -- the cheesy gold swoosh and all -- because, despite the cheesy swoosh color and the outrageous price tag, there's no doubt that Nike's new LeBron X shoe is going to be a big seller.

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Even at $315 a pair.

$315. A pair. Or $157.50 per shoe, which is still way more than anyone should be paying for gym shoes, unless, again, you are LeBron James, the basketball superstar who inspired the shoes.

Nike is touting the sneaks as digitally enhanced, because the LeBron X doesn't just protect your feet from the elements … the shoes also contain motion sensors that can let you know how high you can jump, and records the data so you can see it later.

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The other thing the footwear system will do: prove to people that you can be persuaded to pay $315 for a pair of gym shoes.

The LeBron X, which is the 10th edition of Nike's LeBron James line of shoes, is also the company's most expensive pair of shoes ever.

Nike says the cost of shoe materials has increased, and it's passing along the cost to the customer, the Wall Street Journal reports, and Nike is not the only company whose athletic shoes cost more this year.

Adidas and Converse have also raised their prices, with, for example, a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star sneakers that cost $45 last year now ringing up at $50.

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So, crazy prices for sure, especially with so many families doing their back-to-school shopping right now.

But, in fairness to the athletic shoe companies, is a $315 pair of basketball shoes really any more outrageous than an $800 pair of strappy Manolo Blahniks or Christian Louboutins red-soled heels?