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Nike LeBron Soldier 13 Performance Review

It is a pity for many fans that LeBron didn’t show up on the NBA court this time. And what was also absent was the Soldier series which had accompanied LeBron for many years. In addition, it was not until the NBA was over that the Nike LeBron Soldier 13 was then released. At most retailers’ or in online stores, it is available now. And out of question, it has set off a buying frenzy. Here I’ve also got a pair of Soldier 13. So  let’s check it together.

From an objective perspective, the appearance of Soldier 13 is not so outstanding. If it were placed among other sneakers, I wouldn’t even glance at it let alone pick it up for it is indeed so average. There is simply nothing special in the appearance; if anything, it is the regular style inherited from the previous versions. In the upper, there are the two similar straps which are essential for the shoe’s support and wrapping. Compared with the last version, however, the shoe’s style has changed a bit, which is based on the ground that the midsole no longer has the same curvature in the arch of the foot as the previous version. And the 12th edition is relatively monotonous whereas Soldier 13 has a more bright colorway.

It seems the side is rich in color and the way of stitching makes it somewhat different from the previous editions. As for the heel part, it is quite similar to that of the Soldier 16.

Another important factor when buying shoes is comfort. For all the integrated shoe body, there is still much room left at the neckline. So it can fit with most people’s feet.Some users don’t find the shoe’s collar height a hindrance to their mobility and range of motion due to the notched heel. On the other hand, the upper is made of fabric, thus making it very soft and comfortable to wear. Some buyers even remarked that “The padded upper conforms well to the foot after a couple of wears, creating a supportive and comfortable fit.”

After my testing this Soldier 13, I just felt like wearing it all day. It is so comfortable that I am unwilling to take it off. But here I suggest that you fasten the two straps before games or it may bother you  a lot.

It is certain that you know  Soldier series’ purpose is to maximize its performance and aim at protecting the wearer if you are a fan of Soldier. Similarly, let’s make a comparison between Soldier 13 and the other versions. In the strap part, Soldier 13 is designed simpler, but the wrapping has correspondingly decreased. However, I do not mean that the shoe doesn’t perform well in this respect, but that it still performs superbly or to some extent, much better than previous editions. So long as you fasten it before combat, you will feel your foot “confined” inside the shoe. But there is one downside: the sock-like construction of the shoe causes a lot of bunching and bulging especially when laces are tightened. So you’d better cautiously make choices when you are buying. As for the ankle part, it gives you enough support and protect your joint spontaneously.

Traction looks and feels amazing. But a large percentage of buyers share that the traction, at first glance, will not do too well. However, it just turns out that almost all of them are pleasantly surprised for the traction gripped both clean and dusty courts well and is even aggressive on outdoor courts. Made of XDR durable rubber plus the water ripple pattern, the outsole is specially designed for combat.  It can be said to be a beast on court! It performs far more better than the Soldier 12 which had really good traction already.

Therefore, it won’t be a challenge for the outsole to maximize its performance on average plastic ground.

Heel and forefoot Zoom Air is placed within the Phylon midsole. In spite of the setup, hardly can the heel cushion be felt when walking. Many a fans observed that the 13 has improved Hexagonal Zoom Air units in the midsole, therefore, they’ll choose the cushioning setup of the 13 over the Nike LeBron 12’s. And I also thing well of the cushion setup: as a result of the hexagonal shape of the Zoom Air cushioning, I find that I can flex my foot smoothly and it has for the most part the same level of flexibility as the LeBron 16. Above all, the Phylon foam  also “has extra bounce that complements the Zoom units’ responsiveness.”

Overall:

In short, nothing is perfect and so is LeBron 13 .  I always cling to the belief that imperfect is also beautiful.  To some degree, I should say this LeBron 13 is a reliable mate.  Making allowance for  those who has wide feet, it has been deigned to meet their require. Anyway, it is an excellent sneaker and you won’t get disappointed.