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Design a sneaker for a 6’8″, 250+ pound small forward that passes like a point guard, gets to the rim at will and elevates like few others ever have. Oh, and it has to retail for $110.
Poised with the above situation, designers at Nike Basketball were given a lofty task. LeBron James is a physical specimen, even by NBA standards. By mixing awe-inducing physicality with point guard-rivaling open court speed, King James presents a tough task for anyone challenged with building him a sneaker. Add in the fact that it has to cost almost a third less than the extremely well-received, game-changing Air Max LeBron VII and the plot thickens even more.
The results of the Oregon brain trust’s efforts is the Zoom Soldier IV, which introduces Air Max to the Soldier line. Built for the same player, who needs the perfect cocktail of strength and speed, this sneaker was destined to turn out as either a watered down Air Max LeBron VII or a solid performer at a more affordable price point. Put through the same tests as other sneakers who have come before it, how did this shoe fare? The results are below.
Strengths:
Cushioning
Lockdown Support
Traction
The Phylon sole forefoot owns a responsive Zoom Air bag, which can easily be felt with each step. Combine that with the Max Air heel unit and you can count on your entire foot being cushioned with every stride taken. The result is a sole that is responsive up front to help you explode and make quick steps from the balls of your feet. Come down from a jump and the Max Air heel provides a cushioned landing. This design helps serve players whose game includes both speed and power-based moves.
A second strength of this shoe is its lockdown support. Beyond just having a tongue that’s attached at the base to the rest of the shoe, the Nike Zoom LeBron Soldier IV provides a huge advantage by owning the option to adjust the lockdown support (via the midfoot strap) for different player types and levels of comfort. The broad strap is an improvement of previous Nike releases, thanks to its over-and-back design. Compared to the KD II, which uses two short strap pieces connected with a small piece of velcro, the midfoot strap of the ZSIV provides an extra level of confidence when you plant and/or cut. It also helps distribute pressure over the top of the foot better than a thinner strap, though not quite like a full-length sock liner.
With a wide outsole, this shoe stays planted, distributing weight across a broader area. This leads to less slippage and more traction. Combined with the aforementioned lockdown, this attribute allows a player to take each step with confidence, whether in a straight line or when moving laterally.
Weaknesses:
Breathability
Weight
Aesthetic Durability
Spoiled by Flywire, Hyperfuse and low-cut silhouettes, consumers may be surprised at the relative heaviness of the Zoom Soldier IV. At 15 ounces, it’s 1.6 oz lighter than the Air Max LeBron VII, but over 4 oz heavier than the Zoom Kobe V and 3 oz heavier than the comparably-cut Zoom Hyperfuse. The dual cushioning systems in the sole and the mostly leather upper are the likely culprits.
Though not a major concern, breathability is not great on this sneaker. While the mesh-like quarter panels help a little, the leather mudguard and midfoot strap lock in a lot of heat.
Structurally, the shoe received an 8 for its durability.?Aesthetic durability was put to the test though, even in a short (relative to the life of a shoe) test period. Because white leather is used for the mudguard of the pair tested, the appearance of normal wear and tear was accelerated. While no performance attributes were affected, this may be something to consider when choosing a colorway.
Overview: The Zoom Soldier IV is a great performance shoe. By combining structural elements that cater to a wide range of players, it serves almost as a hybrid on its own. What flaws it does possess (weight, breathability and aesthetic durability) can be overlooked thanks to its other essential elements are in place. The Nike Zoom Soldier IV won’t blow you away with any one attribute, but it also won’t let you down.
