The Soldier X had the distinction of being named the worst shoe of 2016 by yours truly, so the good news for the XI is that it had nowhere to go but up. In short, let’s just say that everything I said that was wrong with the Soldier X has been corrected. Glad to see Nike has been reading my reviews. 🙂
Second or Eleventh time’s the charm I guess ?
Pros: traction, decent Zoom feel after break in, improved fit, good stability overa, containment
Cons: Zoom could feel better, heel is a little narrow and wobbly due to protruding Zoom but still stable, ankle fit can get sloppy without readjustments.
Sizing: true to size, narrow and regular footers can go down half a size for a tighter fit
Best for: any position
Buying advice: can’t go much lower than $55
Weight
14.5 ounces is about half an ounce lighter than average for a mid
Traction
Just based on looks this pattern didn’t look like it would work great, but it surprised me. It has a surprising bite and held up even on dusty floors without much wiping at all. The rubber on this colorway doesn’t pick up a bunch of dust and even when it does it still works pretty well.
I guess it works like the Kobe micro tread but it just isn’t micro sized.
It isn’t a grippy as the HD 17 but did a really good job keep dust at bay so I didn’t really have to wipe. Much better than the Soldier X’s traction without question.
Not quite top tier but better than most and easily better than the Lebron XV. Nice job Nike!
Cushioning
The Soldier X featured Nike’s C-Zoom ( C as in crappy) in the forefoot and heel. The XI actually feels a lot better, almost as good as the Hyperdunk 2016. It does start a little stiff but breaks in within a few hours of play.
One very subtle thing I didn’t notice until I saw the outsole from a weird angle was that the Zoom protrudes just a wee bit in the heel and forefoot (at the ball of the foot) similar to the Hyper Rev 16 and Aj 31 but to a much smaller extent. This helps exaggerate the Zoom feel.
The protrusion in the heel made a little wobble like the AJ 31 but it wasn’t unstable since it compresses with each step and the full outsole catches it.
With the protrusions, there is a decent amount of bounce to the Zoom but still not as lively as my standard, the Soldier VI. At least you can feel it this time (that’s what she said?)
Sizing
True to size for everyone. Players that want a more snug fit could go down half a size but I like a finger width of space at the toe box and that’s exactly what I got. Kudos to Nike for consistent sizing because even without trying them on in store, I have a 90% chance of getting it right. Are you listening Adidas and UA?
Fit
Nike added another strap, what a great idea ?! Who would have thunk it?
If you don’t remember I had heel slip in the Soldier X and by adding the miraculous fourth strap, heel movement was eliminated. The placement of the second from the top strap is the key to the improved lockdown because it really pulls the ankle back and down. Last years two front straps just pulled the foot down and not back while the top strap just held the ankle.
These straps also feel sturdier than the X as well. The only issue I had with the fit was the ankle collar. It just seems to loosen with play so some readjusting is needed to keep a nice one to one fit. I’m still not a fan of the strap only set up because it feels like four specific straps holding my foot down, where as a traditional lace set up would spread that pressure across the foot.
Other than that very, very slight issue, I had no movement side to side or front to back, no heel slip, well done Nike! Get it right the first time next time.
Materials
Nothing fancy just mesh similar to what was on the Lebron II. This version feels at least twice as thick as the Soldier X so has some actual strength to it. As you can see in the pic above, the “tongue” is composed of the standard thin mesh for breathability and flexibility.
Support and stability
Support really comes from the fit and the firm heel counter. It’s interesting how the Soldier and Curry 4 employ the sculpted midsole. The difference with the Soldier is that it uses a much larger and firmer heel counter.
The ankle collar is flexible so don’t expect any ankle saving from the collar.
Midfoot support is about average. Nothing really great but not terrible like the Mamba Instinct.
Stability is also very good on the Soldier XI even though the heel feels slightly narrow and the Zoom protrudes. It isn’t super narrow but you can see a difference from my Soldier VI.
However, thanks to a low to the ground ride, flat outsole and double outrigger set up stability is sill very good.
Well done Nike!
Containment
Thicker mesh and more importantly a raised midsole all the way around similar to the Curry 4 keeps your foot in on all cuts. Where was this idea last year Nike? Oh had to save it for this year I see. No issues at all here.
Conclusion
Although the Soldier XI doesn’t do anything extremely well, it’s a very solid shoe all the way around. Each wearing, the shoe got better and better and it’s very likeable but not enough to get into the rotation. Everything that I said was wrong with the X was fixed and improved on the XI which is a positive sign that Nike might actually give a sh*t about actual performance. Or maybe Lebron does at least.
Thanks to my super backed up schedule this year I was able to cop these during a Nike sale around Black Friday for a whopping $55. Had Lebron and company somehow won the Finals this past year I’m positive that Soldier prices would be sitting much higher. I’m sure Lebron wearing them during the season is helping though. There are plenty of Soldier XI’s sitting everywhere so if you really want a pair just buy them at a low price or wait for them to get to outlets.
Are these the best out there? Certainly not as there are a lot of solid shoes out there and nothing really stands out to me about the XI aside from the traction and how much better it plays for me than the Lebron XV despite costing 1/3of the price thanks to sales. The Soldier XI does do everything well like its namesake and is pretty darn cheap after six months. It isn’t one of those shoes I get all warm and fuzzy about but it is an inexpensive, no frills, solid that can fit almost any playing style. If I were in a pinch for some shoes, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy these to play in. Thanks for saving my fingers Lebron, this was probably the easiest review I’ve done in years.
schwollo.com 
Nice review as always! Will you review the Kyrie S1 Hybrid?
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Nah but I think luvmykicks on YouTube might.
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Great work. I wonder if it’s hard to get your feet in them since shoes like soldier10 and kd9 were pretty much impossible to get in for my high-instep feet.
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Not really pull tab on the back and front
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Are these an improvement from the Soldier 9 in terms of fit, cushioning, support, stability and feeling light-on-foot?
I’ve played a few half-court games in the soldier 9s and the zoom does feel kinda muted. Tried the soldier 11s in-store and the wobbly-ness just couldn’t do it for me as I’m suffering from a partially torn meniscus and general knee instability. The issue can be seen in jahronmon’s video review where u can see how wobbly it is when he just tips it with his fingers. But the outriggers are supposed to allay those fears I guess? Duke said u get used to the wobblyness/narrow heel. For comparison, when I tried the Jordan 31s in-store I did not notice any wobbly-ness from the protuding zoom. while my PGs also feel wobbly from just walking if i try to notice it but haven’t played in them yet.
Thanks man.
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No not an improvement at all from the 9 . The wobble goes away when you step or plant. If you already have fears about the wobble I’d just skip them.
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Another nice review Schwollo.
I agree, the wobble feeling goes away once you take a few steps or go for that first run up and down the court.
Overall a really solid shoe in all areas. The biggest surprise for me was the traction; I read that a lot of people were experience below average traction but for me these have been pretty good overall. I play on fairly dusty courts and they’ve help up pretty well. Only thing I found slightly disappointing was that some parts of the traction is peeling/fraying a little but I’ve put a decent amount of hours in them already so it’s kind of expected. It’s happening just on the edges and hasn’t effected the overall traction so I’m not too concerned.
My Crazy Explosive 2016 Lows had peeling in less than 10 wears and it’s happening closer to the middle of the traction pattern. With the way the pattern is I’ve basically stopped wearing them for ball just in case they get worse.
Thanks for the review Schwollo.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
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Yep the traction surprised me. I was retesting the Lebron 8 since a lot of ppl were asking about it and the Soldier XI was way better with dusty floors even though the pattern doesn’t look that great. Fraying is normal but not like the crazy explosive. It’s like they made them out of twizzlers. Merry Christmas happy holidays to you too Don!
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Good to hear that you’re playing in some retro brons! Do you feel more nimble in the v2 than in the v1?
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No I don’t like the v2 I prefer the v1.
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So is there gonna be a lebron 8 performance review coming out in the near future!? 😮
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What’s a durian great name!
I’ll get around to it trying to go in order
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Thanks LOOL I can’t wait for your next review 🙂
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Kobe ad Mid is up next week
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Kobe AD Mid review coming soon…cool! Just got a pair myself but haven’t had time to test them out yet. Did you find that they required a break in period like the lows or were they good to go from the start?
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Break in only required to soften the upper. Other than that, no major break in. Great shoe overall, one of the more fun and better ones this year.
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THANK YOU BRAH FOR THIS PRE-CHRISTMAS GIFT lol. Keep up the good work!
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Thanks !
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So, Nike is really paying attention to performance reviews! Once again a very thorough review by Schwollo!
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Thanks Greek Sneak! Lol
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What do you think about the new Kyrie 4’s? Have you played in a previous Nike shoe with cushlon before?
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Look pretty good. Cushlon is a little softer than phylon so I’m looking forward to them. Trying to see if my finish line has them yet lol
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I definitely went to my local finishline and Champs this past Friday and Saturday. Zero luck lol!
Just have to wait til the 20th.
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Lol
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just out of curiosity, how much did the lebron 8, 8 ps, 9, and 9 elite weigh? Those released around the time when all the companies were trying to go as light as possible. Wondered if it affected the lebron line
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No it didn’t. All in the 15-18 ounce
Range . Haven’t weighed them yet but I know they aren’t light
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so they’re around the same weight as DROSE 7, Dame 3, and CLB eh?
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Yea most likely a little heavier
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is all the extra weight noticeable tho? ie: do you get more foot fatigue/leg fatigue when playing in 15-18 ounce lebron/recent adidas shoes, compared to playing in lighter shoes, like hyperdunks, kobes etc
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Not for me but I grew up playing in heavy shoes
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Just weighed the 8 and 8 ps 18 and 17.5 ounces respectively
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Just wondering, how much do lebron 9s and lebron 9 elites weigh?
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I’ll weigh them when I have find them. Probably in the 17 ounce plus range in an 11 though
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9 weighs 16.5 ounces in an 11.5. My elites are hidden somewhere else not sure of weight.
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Looking forward to your next review! Great work
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just picked these up in the grey suede version…in exchange for the KD X which like the 9 was crazy bounce overkill…I really don’t think full length air is a good thing with the loss of court feel and the trampoline feel which I hate…these soldiers feel amazing and I’m looking forward to playing in them…they remind me of my much loved 2016 hyperrevs but likely improved support and lockdown…hoping the ventilation isn’t terrible…those suede parts might ramp up the heat…if they are too hot might give the dame 4 or explosive bounce or 2016 hyperdunk lows a go…I tried the 2017 flyknit ones and react feels like a brick plus i think flyknit is overhyped and priced…I tried the crazy explosives too and the boost in the forefoot was still too thin…i don’t get why they get so much love especially for the high price…wish i could try the rose 8’s but they aren’t available here in the north…thanks for all your feedback…have a great holiday and new years!
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Glad you finally found what you were looking for! Have a merry Xmas and new year as well!
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hey schwollo!
was the lebron 8 v2 much lighter than the v1, or did they feel the same?
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I didn’t weigh them but I couldn’t tell a difference on foot. Will do when I review them
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thanks, and merry christmas!
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Hey Schwollo, quick question: Post Xmas sales are here and I found a pair of Soldiers and PG 1’s for around the same price. Watched/read a few reviews and from what I gathered the PG has a better fit, cushioning is better in the Soldiers and both have pretty good traction. Am I missing anything…how would you compare the two? Thanks!
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That’s a good assessment. Pg1 feels more one to one than the Soldier but cushioning is pretty bland on the PG1. I personally like the PG1 slightly more but I don’t love either one. Go up at least half a size with the PG1 though. And yes post Xmas sales are great as all companies try to shed inventory before the end of the year! Good luck!
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Thanks! Happy holidays
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You too grittyman!
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Hey Schwollo! Could you please rank these shoes from best to worst in terms of traction?
LeBron 7, Lebron 8, Lebron 8 p.s, Lebron 9, Lebron 9 elite
thank you and happy new year 🙂
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All of them are only ok traction. 8 ps and 9 elite, then 7,8,9 all about the same
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thanks man!
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I have a stockpile of 8 Soldier VI’s, as those have been my favorite and have bought them used anytime they come up on Ebay.
I’m 6’6″ and pretty versatile player.
The only complaint I have about the VI’s, is the end of the shoe is hard, so I’ve bruised or lost my toenail about 4 times or so from running into the end. I normally wear size 13 and bought 14, but the problem still happens.
Do these or any other shoes improve on that, while staying pretty similar to the VI’s?
Thanks again,
Matt
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The bruising on the vi comes from that hard toe cap . The xi doesn’t do that since that cap is gone but it doesn’t have that same zoom feel as the vi. It’s a solid shoe but doesn’t do it for me like the vi does. I’ve sacrificed many toe nails in that shoe but don’t really regret it lol
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