The Nike Zoom Soldier VII Performance Review is finally upon us… will they suit your game?
Traction – Once again… a non-traditional pattern ends up working well… really well. I loved how consistent the traction was overall and this held true even on less than desirable court conditions. Outdoor ballers, the rubber is really soft so hoop in them outdoors at your own risk.
Cushion – Heel and forefoot Zoom but I really couldn’t feel it. They were very similar to the Nike Hyperdistruptor in terms of feel but a little more stiff. The impact protection was great and I had no issues with that but if you were expecting a spring-like responsiveness to the Zoom then you won’t receive it here. Compared to the Soldier VI, I preferred the forefoot feeling more in the VI and I preferred the heel in the VII… the heel in the VI sometimes felt a little squishy while these were pretty much perfect in the rear and offered more stability and support.
Material – The materials are good and bad. They are durable as hell but also pretty stiff. I was never really able to break them in and it reminded me a lot of ‘old school’ Fuse. I say ‘old school’ because Fuse really isn’t that old but it is just similar to the way they used to do it whereas nowadays the Fuse almost mimics leather in some cases. Overall, I liked its sturdiness but would have liked that sturdiness placed in high wear areas versus the entire shoe.
Fit – They fit true to size and while the lockdown started out a but rough – due to the midsoles stiffness – they eventually broke-in and became a pretty nice fitting shoe. Lockdown is good overall but I didn’t feel the strap did too much, especially when compared to last years model. Yes, I do prefer the look of this strap but I prefer the functionality of last years much more. The only thing I feel could have enhanced the fit is if the materials were less rigid/ stiff in certain areas – which I stated above in the Material section – since the softer materials would have wrapped around the foot a bit better than something this thick. All in all… it works so you can’t really complain too much.
Ventilation – Well… definitely a step back from the Soldier VI but on the other hand… the materials and fit kept your foot contained perfectly fine – even with the additional moisture. If this isn’t something you require then I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
Support – The overall support is great. The fit and materials do most of the work while the arch and midfoot are far less flexible than the Soldier VI‘s – I think that might be their one major upgrade after thinking about it for a bit.
Overall – I still personally prefer the Soldier VI overall but that’s mostly because I don’t enjoy too much stiffness in my shoes. Some do and if you are one of those people then you’ll enjoy them. There really isn’t anything that sticks out to me as a “man, these are so awesome” type of attribute like I’ve had recently and they basically just felt like the average team model coming from Nike as of late… like the Hyperdisruptor… just sort of an average all-around shoe good for whoever might think they look cool. Its a good bang for your buck type of shoe – especially compared to their much higher priced signature – so if your team plans on wearing these this upcoming season… just know that you’ll be covered.
Unless you wanna burn through it real quick lol! Great review as always
Okay here’s my question. Which would be better for outdoor hoopers, these or the VI’s?
Okay here’s my question, do you even read, think or analyze?
thanks for the review NW!!
Hey Nightwing enjoy the reviews. I saw that you wear the adidas compression shin sleeves. I have those too, but the 2xu compression sleeves are much better in my opinion. Highly breatheable, wick moisture away, and last longer. http://www.amazon.com/2XU-Unisex-Adult-Compression-X-Large/dp/B001JP96MI/ref=sr_1_6?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1373721910&sr=1-6&keywords=2xu+compression+sleeve
Thanks!
Hey night wing!!! Do u know how long the soldier 7 will hold up outside. And if its worth risking?
It seems like every shoe is getting a pretty high score these days. Get stiffer on those ratings!
Shoes have been improving dramatically since 2012.
Great review as always
BTW can you make a review of LeBron ST II?
Great review.
Sort of off topic. Are you planning on doing a review on the Nike Hyper Quickness?
The Hyperquickness is basically a cheaper version of the Hyperdisruptor.
a sole too soft to wear outdoors on a shoe called the “soldier”. now thats ironic
the previous soldiers were always beasts outdoor too!
I’ve been watching volleyball this weekend, Brazil X USA, and I noticed various player wearing basketball shoes. I’ve seen Kobes, hyperdunks and even crazy lights . I wondered if you ever considered playing in volleyball shoes, since their requirements seen quite similar to basketball.
Where’s the top 10 2013 list???
The soldier reference is based from the incredibly talented aau team: oakland soldiers
had these in hand at the store, man the phylon felt incredibly hard on the midsole.
break in time, lol
is it XDR?
I was expecting them to be XDR…. they’d be a beast if they have XDR with that kind of traction pattern
Are these better than the 6’s or this is a better model? Just by looking at your scores and comparing em the 6 has better ventilation.
jordan super fly, soldier vii, or super fly vii
sorry i wanted to say soldier vii, super fly2 or kd v, thanks!!!
I got these shoes for my basketball travel team ( I am still grade size in shoes ) And they were good in all except they were really hot but then after my first game I didn’t notice anything so I put them in my duffel bag and went home and then they stayed in my duffel bag for like 2 days and when I went and took them out I noticed a white stain on the tip of my left shoe and it sort of looked like the skin was peeled of but it wasn’t . I’m a bit scared right now cause I love my lebrons could you please tell me what happend thanks
Ps I know there not fake cause I got them from finish line
The shoes I’m talking about are the the solider 7
I bought these for basketball and i was wondering if its worth doing a insole swap to improve cushion
The cushion is good, but these got a 6.5 because the zoom isn’t responsive which cannot be fixed with an insole swap. An insole swap would help a little but not too much.
what is a better shoe for players that are quick and that need ankle support vII or 2013 hyperdunks
For people that’s asking are these for players who’s game is based on quickness and speed……Eric Bledsoe wears these every game and he’s probably the fastest or one of the fastest,quickest most explosive guards in the NBA, I’m pretty sure these are good, and these shoes are light.
I brought these yesterday and these are a 10/10. True, the zoom is not felt just standing in them however while sprinting or landing after a rebound or dunk, it is felt. No midfoot plate but one is not needed with the midfoot strap holding foot in place. I tried the rose 4.5 and hated them. Every jump had a hard landing. No, i’m not heavy, i’m 6 ft 3 in, 190lbs
Hey NightWing i have a wider foot than most yet i want to be quick(im a guard) while still have alot of support cuz my ankles are my “children” which one out of these would you recommend 1) Lebron Soldier 7 2) Nike hyperdunk 2013 3) CP3 7 4)Superfly 2 5)Air jordan 28 se
PRICE DOES NOT MATTER
I have these and have been wearing them for over 30 city league games and numerous pickup games at my local 24hr. The grip is great, never had an issue. i am 6ft and 220 so not a little person and play mostly in the post. The ankle support started out great and saved one rolled ankle on a rebound, but lately i’ve noticed they support isn’t as good as it used to be. Never had an issue with the cushion and i have some wonky knees, but damn if they arch isn’t narrow and hurts if the strap is to tight. If i roll a lacrosse ball under my foot for a minute or two before I play it’s fine, but if not, ouch! Overall i’d give this shoe a 8 out of 10. One last thing, take them out of your bag after you’re done playing or they will be moist the next time you go to hoop.
the don i would recommend the ektio breakaway if youre serious in supporting your ankles
well i brought these zoom soldier sevens
love everything but i realized the indoor traction isnt that good, why so? Even when they were fresh out of the box they did not like squeak like they should when rubbed on the floor with pressure, they actually kinda slid.