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Nike · 2017
LeBron Soldier 11
No playstyle summary available yet.
3.5
By dimension
Cushioning feel
4.0
Court feel
4.0
Bounce
3.0
Stability
5.0
Traction
3.0
Fit
3.5
Analysis
Performance profile
Performance scores
Cushioning Feel
80 / 100 · Very Good
Court Feel
82 / 100 · Very Good
Bounce
58 / 100 · Solid
Stability
92 / 100 · Excellent
Traction
72 / 100 · Good
Fit
84 / 100 · Very Good
Cushioning Feel
80Very Good
Court Feel
82Very Good
Bounce
58Solid
Stability
92Excellent
Traction
72Good
Fit
84Very Good
Is it for you?
If you like battle-grade lockdown from the four straps while staying light and flexible, and can live with a completely non-breathable, foot-baking upper, then this shoe is for you.
battle-grade lockdown from the four straps while staying light and flexible
a completely non-breathable, foot-baking upper
Forefoot midsole tech
forefoot Zoom Air
Heel midsole tech
heel Zoom Air
Outsole tech
durable traction with segmented grooves
Upper tech
BattleKnit/Flywire-inspired upper + strap
Cushioning feel
cushioned enough, slightly firmer than 10
Court feel
good
Bounce
moderate
Stability
high
Traction
good
Fit
secure, somewhat snug
Pro reviews
Paraphrased highlights from sneaker reviewers — not verbatim quotes.
Bilibili1 / 2
WEN鞋评
LeBron Soldier 14 shows improvement over previous generations with excellent cushioning and torsional stability, but suffers from weak heel containment, problematic lacing system, and poor indoor court grip; overall score 82/100, suitable for heavier perimeter and post players but falls short of its legacy
Excellent midsole cushioning technology with 10mm GM forefoot and 13mm LUNARLON heel, providing superior feedback and top-tier heel cushioning
Outstanding torsional resistance with hard TPU reinforcement running through the entire midsole exterior, combined with supportive insole structure to prevent ankle injuries
Inadequate heel counter wrap-around design fails to effectively secure the ankle despite internal collapsing design and padding
Poor lacing system with integrated tongue making shoe entry/removal cumbersome, single strap prone to loosening, and poor indoor court traction with multiple slipping incidents
LeBron Soldier 11 delivers comprehensive upgrades in durability and court performance but sacrifices wrapping and ankle support, better suited for athletes with strong feet and robust physiques
Upper material upgraded from 4D mesh to durable textile, eliminating delamination issues and significantly improving longevity
Outsole features aggressive triangle tread pattern with excellent grip and exceptional wear resistance, ideal for outdoor courts
Forefoot wrapping sensation reduced by approximately 15% compared to Gen 10, with insufficient midfoot containment due to rigid material
Ankle support weakened with lower collar height, four straps narrower than previous generation, losing the secure lockdown feeling of Gen 10
LeBron Soldier 11 shows improvement in cushioning and general traction, but the ball-of-foot grip issue is a notable flaw that even affected LeBron's on-court performance
Excellent cushioning with thick Zoom Air units (14mm heel, 8mm forefoot) providing good impact protection and propulsion
Traction pattern performs well in most areas of the shoe with reliable grip for lateral movements
Traction pattern underneath the ball of the foot is problematic, causing inconsistent grip and hesitation during directional changes and screens
While cushioning is improved, the Zoom Air is not as bouncy as previous generations, offering moderate responsiveness that may not satisfy players seeking more court feel
The LeBron Soldier 11 is a versatile basketball shoe with comfortable premium materials as its strength, but cushioning and lateral traction fall short of expectations for a mid-tier performance shoe
The mesh upper and suede materials are very soft and comfortable, conforming well to the foot and becoming softer over time for enhanced comfort
Good traction on the lateral forefoot with the triangular pattern design, providing confident support for quick cuts, jab steps, and step backs
Medial forefoot traction is inconsistent, with occasional slippage during crossovers and cuts when footwork isn't perfect, requiring regular court maintenance
Cushioning is above average but underwhelming, featuring only Zoom Air in heel and forefoot rather than full-length Zoom, lacking the impact it could have
LeBron Soldier 11 is a uniquely designed basketball shoe with strong support, ideal for larger forwards, but falls short in cushioning comfort and ground feel
Innovative design with four straps provides excellent foot lockdown and support
Excellent traction on clean courts and decent performance for outdoor use
Stiff cushioning with poor court feel, making the shoe feel too high off the ground
Moderate stopping power that deteriorates with dust, not ideal for guards requiring frequent directional changes
LeBron Soldier 11 shows improvement in cushioning and general traction, but the ball-of-foot grip issue is a notable flaw that even affected LeBron's on-court performance
Excellent cushioning with thick Zoom Air units (14mm heel, 8mm forefoot) providing good impact protection and propulsion
Traction pattern performs well in most areas of the shoe with reliable grip for lateral movements
Traction pattern underneath the ball of the foot is problematic, causing inconsistent grip and hesitation during directional changes and screens
While cushioning is improved, the Zoom Air is not as bouncy as previous generations, offering moderate responsiveness that may not satisfy players seeking more court feel
The LeBron Soldier 11 is a versatile basketball shoe with comfortable premium materials as its strength, but cushioning and lateral traction fall short of expectations for a mid-tier performance shoe
The mesh upper and suede materials are very soft and comfortable, conforming well to the foot and becoming softer over time for enhanced comfort
Good traction on the lateral forefoot with the triangular pattern design, providing confident support for quick cuts, jab steps, and step backs
Medial forefoot traction is inconsistent, with occasional slippage during crossovers and cuts when footwork isn't perfect, requiring regular court maintenance
Cushioning is above average but underwhelming, featuring only Zoom Air in heel and forefoot rather than full-length Zoom, lacking the impact it could have
LeBron Soldier 11 is a uniquely designed basketball shoe with strong support, ideal for larger forwards, but falls short in cushioning comfort and ground feel
Innovative design with four straps provides excellent foot lockdown and support
Excellent traction on clean courts and decent performance for outdoor use
Stiff cushioning with poor court feel, making the shoe feel too high off the ground
Moderate stopping power that deteriorates with dust, not ideal for guards requiring frequent directional changes
LeBron Soldier 11 released in 2017 as the follow-up to the iconic Soldier 10. Nike built it around trying to keep the playoff-line formula while moving the upper toward Nike's knit-heavy late-2010s language, which says a lot about where the line and the player were at that moment. In community memory, the pair is usually discussed for its respectable performance but difficult job of following a legend. That makes it important beyond simple specs: it captures a specific phase of Nike Basketball thinking about cushioning, containment, weight, durability and visual identity. Collectors still bring it up when later models move in a different direction, and performance-minded hoopers still use it as a reference point for how sequel models are often judged against memories more than against actual flaws.
