Decided to write a quick review on why the Lebron Soldier VI still remains in my top 5 despite being almost four years old. I stocked up when they hit clearance racks because I knew I found a near perfect shoe.
Pros: traction, real Zoom, fit, support and stability, price
Cons: some deadspace on top forefoot, hard forefoot area can cause pain to big toe
Best for: all positions
Sizing: true to size
Weight
So I had never weighed these until today and wow 13.5 oz. lighter than a lot of today’s shoes including the Curry Two, Rose 6, Lebron XIII, Soldier IX
Traction
So simple yet effective . Still one of the best patterns I’ve used and one of the reasons it remains in my top 5.
Soft pliable rubber on this pattern doesn’t pick up dirt but just brushes it away.
The heel doesn’t have the same pattern but I don’t stop and change directions with my heels and I’ve never had a problem.
Cushioning
If you’ve never experienced what Zoom is supposed to feel like, go find a pair of these. The Soldier IX does feel pretty good but these feel less “foamy” to me and just feel great. Firm yet bouncy in the heel and forefoot. The Soldier VII and VIII didn’t come close to this feeling.
Fit
I bought my normal sz 11 and these me perfectly with no movement side to side and a finger width at the toe. There is a little deadspace on top of the foot but I have never felt that deadspace on top of the foot hurts a shoe’s performance.
No heel slippage at all
The strap does help lock the ankle down but it isn’t the main component to locking in the foot. Most of the lock down comes from the lacing set up
The wrap around strap acts more like an enhancement to the lockdown whereas the straps on the IX are very important to how the shoe plays.
The Soldier VI is made of mostly of Hyperfuse and some mesh, not the other way around like a lot of today’s shoes. It doesn’t feel plasticky like Nike’s lower end or older fuse models and only takes a few wears to break in. Nike removed some weight and retained strength by cutting out sections of upper and overlaying it with mesh.
The only flaw with the materials is the hard toe box.
I’ve lost one or two toe nails during tournament play when I stopped full speed and had my toe slam into the Fuse. It still looks like this.
You’re welcome, enjoy your dinner.
Support and stability
Support comes from the fit as well as its assymetrical ankle collar (eat your heart out AJ XXX).
It isn’t uber flexible like the Clutchfit Drive but it isn’t overly stiff either; it’s just right and does its job. Although there is a little midfoot shank, I do wish there was a little more midfoot support because over time I feel the shoe gets a little “saggy” in the middle as the midsole foam breaks down.
Stabilty is excellent thanks to the forefoot outrigger and wide sole.
No tippiness in the heel either. I don’t think I’ve turned my ankle at all in these after three or four years of wearing them.
Containment
Lots of shoe companies have thrown this performance aspect at the wayside but the Lebron line has always been solid in this regard.
Containment is excellent on the Soldier VI due to the use of Hyperfuse, and a big footstay. If Nike would just use Fuse in the right places, mesh uppers would work for me. If I’m counting correctly, I count three to four layers.
- Skeleton
- Mesh
- Outer fuse
- Fuse toe box has another layer
Nowadays it seems like one layer all the same width and depth.
Conclusion
The Soldier VI takes a licking and just keeps on ticking. Every year I find one or two shoes that make my rotation but the Soldier manages to stay in my top 5 year after year. Sometimes it moves up because I realize it really has no weaknesses but it consistently just beats out the latest and greatest. I picked up a ton of these when they hit clearance shelves (I think I have 12-15 pair). I searched eBay a few times for friends and they are slowly becoming more and more scarce and closer to retail prices. Slightly used pairs go for sub 80 prices. If you want an exceptional all around performer for $130 or less, pick up the Soldier VI.
schwollo.com 
So glad I ate dinner several hours ago. Lol.
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I was so close to copping this shoe back in 2012…I had affection to it…and I regret it.
Hey, maybe there is still hope. Where can I get this shoe nowadays?
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eBay is the only place nowadays
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agreed, luckily was still able to find one pair last year and still my best pair of performance basketball shoes! the unending search for another pair is still on lol…
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Looking for one in good condition… but very satisfied with the Amanassador 8, I’m getting another pair. They’re just simply amazing, wear and play, hassle free shoes 🙂
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Damn sounds great
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I myself agree with the review,the only aspect that i dont like from them is their cushioning,for me(at least),they felt a bit goey(if that make sense),its just show how preference can play a big part on how see the shoes performance,as for me the zoom that i like is from aj 12 and nike sharkley(the hybrid model from 2010 i think??)
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AJ xii zoom feels great although I don’t think soldier vi zoom feels gooey at all lol. But yes preference and perception is subjective
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What other shoes are in your top 5 right now? I seem to always agree with your views on what is important in a shoe, and I look for similar criteria. Currently wearing the soldier 9 as my #1.
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Curry two is my goto #1 and hasn’t moved since it released. My main rotation (more than 5) is as follows
Soldier vi, Clutchfit drive 1, rose 5 and 6 (with my mod) and Kobe iv and Kobe I. I’m big on traction and cfd 1 is probably the weakest performer in that aspect but just a great shoe.
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And Hyperrev 16
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Schwollo, how do you store the unused sneakers to prevent glue fr hardening and sole separation?
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I keep my in my house in a closet with silica gel to absorb moisture. It works for the most part but vintage shoes like older Jordans still crumble.
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Hey Schwollo, nice review! New guy here (to your site as well as basketball, sort of) and I just wanted to get your advice as to what shoes would be the best fit for me (actually, I decided to ask since you seem very willing to help others based on your replies to other people’s comments, and we’re both around the same height and weight although I do sometimes end up reaching 190+ lol).
For my play style, I don’t cut a lot and I’m mostly a slow type of player (I lurk in the post and mid range area) so I don’t think containment is a deal-breaker for me. I’m pretty heavy though, as I mentioned earlier, so I appreciate good cushioning.
I’ve read many reviews, including yours, on the D Rose 6, which I’m waiting to hit below retail (I live in the Philippines so discounts are few and far between) but other than that, I’ve been eyeing the Hyperrev 16’s and found a pair of Hyperrev 14’s on eBay (I’m excited to try those out soon). I’ve only played in the Nike Zoom Hyperquickness (my first ball shoes), Curry 1, and M11 so far, and I enjoy my Curry’s the most (because I bought the M11’s a size too small on impulse so it ends up pinching my feet a bit, although I like its cushioning more).
I just realized this post is extremely long LOL but thanks in advance if you get to reply! I’m also down to discuss these things over email if that’s what you prefer.
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Hyperrev 14 feel great underfoot . The rest of the shoe is a sock. If containment isn’t a big deal you might like them (boogie cousins wore them awhile back). Fit is nice,’traction is pretty good (not great with dust )Support is very very minimal. What else do you look for a in a shoe?
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Thanks for the reply, man! Idk, I guess I’m pretty happy with nice cushioning and good traction. Everything else can be good enough. That’s because I don’t have much experience with other kinds of shoes plus the fact that it’s really hard to come by good sneaker options here in my country lol. Thanks again for taking the time to help me!
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You might like the hr 14 or 15 as well. I just like the hr16 overall more. How much is the 14?
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I got the 14s on eBay for about $40 second hand and they just came in today. Tried them out in a couple of games and they felt pretty good! Only real downside was it couldn’t keep my foot on the shoe (when I stop suddenly) but the shoe stayed on my foot at least (thanks to the strap). I think I like the cushioning of the 16s more though lol. Question though: how would you fix the strap problem of the 16s? I saw NW mention it in his review and my friend had the same problem with his pair when we played. That’s actually the only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger. I saw how you fixed the Rose 6 through unconventional ways, so I thought maybe you had an idea as to how to fix the Rev 16 as well.
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Yea the 14 has not structure to the upper or anything to hold your foot in since it was supposed to showcase Flywire
I had no problems with the strap on the 16 bc I used all the Velcro since my foot is wide so it was able to hold on better. The only suggestion I have is to buy Velcro and add on to the shoe. It just sticks on the shoe like a sticker (or you could sew it on as well).
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Nice suggestion, thanks for that! I’ll try that out if ever I end up buying the Hyperrev 16’s and I have a problem with the strap (and that’ll only happen if I don’t find a pair of Rose 6’s on discount sooner lol)
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So I went online and bought myself a Soldier VI after hearing you out. Right now I’m trying to figure out if my pair is legit or not. I’m confused with the colorway and code, my midsoles are all black but apparently some sites show what I have and some are showing one with black and silver midsoles. Mine is a 525015600. Also the tag (where you can see the sizing, barcode, where it’s made, etc) looks like it’s painted on the inside of the shoe wall it isn’t the white fabric tag I’ve been used to. Actually, this is the first time I’ve seen a sizing tag painted on the side of the inside walls of the shoe. Is this fake or not please?
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Send me a pic on Instagram or Twitter @schwollo. Doesn’t sound legit but gotta see it first.
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So this is my favorite shoe of all time. 10.5 is my size but I’ve found a couple pairs of these on EBay in size 11 for less than $50. Do you think a thicker insole and second pair of socks would make up the difference between a 10.5 and an 11?
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Yes that would work. The extra length might help keep your toes bruise free. 🙂 i bought a pair of 10.5 off eBay a few weeks ago for 100 for a friend of mine so just keep searching (use soldier vi and soldier 6).
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Awesome. Thanks for the reply.
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Hey Schwollo! I got a pair of soldier vi’s off ebay and had played in them for 2 hours today. I noticed that whenever I make a quick stop or land from a jump, my right big toe bumps into the front of the shoe causing some pain. Will going half a size up, or even a full size up fix this issue
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I guess you missed the part about the hard toe box and my bruised big toe nail. If you tie the top laces back you should be ok but you’ll probably still bump your toe. I haven’t tried half a size up but it should help but it may make the shoe wide. Sadly I’ve gotten used to it. Trying tying your top laces tighter as well.
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Must be an awesome shoe if bruising your toe nail wont stop you from playing in them eh?
Btw, by top laces, do you mean the laces at the ankle area or the laces at the midfoot area
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Haha yes. After first bruised toe it didn’t really hurt haha
Top of the ankle but might as well tighten them all to help prevent sliding
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thanks alot schwollo! Keep up the dope reviews
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Hey man thanks for all you do! Im about to pull the plug on ebay due to your referal. Hey what zoom is more bouncer? The hyperrev 2016 or Nike lebron soldier 6
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Hr 16 by a little bc it protrudes
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Is there any way to prevent the toe box from eating nails? Maybe double socking, or putting a piece of cloth under the toe?
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I find the best way is to make sure the top laces are laces tight .
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