Court-Critic is dedicated to bringing you detailed reviews, information, and pictures of basketball sneakers of the past and prestent. Court-Critic will also update readers on sales and deals on the latest and greatest basketball footwear and apparel.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Nike Zoom Lebron IV Review

Lebron James’s fifth signature shoe is arguably one of the best Nike basketball shoes ever created. From a style standpoint, the IV delivers a sleek look with its large and smooth curves. The overall design is simple yet calls for attention. Not only does it look great, it has some great technology incorporated into it. These sneakers have some great moments in Lebron’s career tied to it. Lebron had on the Zoom Lebron IV in his famous dunk on Tim Duncan at the start of the 06-07 NBA season. If you haven’t seen this dunk (or have a poster of it hanging up on your wall), be sure to youtube Lebron’s all time top 10 dunks and you’re guaranteed to see it. Lebron also wore this shoe during an unforgettable season, which led to a playoff berth and ended with the Cavs seeing their first ever NBA Finals appearance.

Let me start by saying that if you are planning to purchase a pair of these shoes, try them on first. I have heard several complaints from owners about how big they run. Others have felt like it fits true to size. I made the mistake of walking into my local Foot Locker store and purchasing my regular size 9.5 without even trying it on. “The lazy work twice as hard” – I ended up making a second trip to the mall to exchange the shoe for a size 9. For me (and many others), the shoe definitely runs a half size or maybe even a whole size bigger than past shoes in the Lebron line. Once you get your correct size, you are ready to go. No breaking in required! This shoe feels absolutely great from the get go. It really feels like you are walking with two pillows tied to the bottom of your feet. The shoe is equipped with a thick full length Zoom insole which sits atop a full length glass fiber plate. The cushioning system on the Lebron IV is like no other that I have ever felt before.

Nike’s Foamposite technology provides excellent support and stability on the court. Most will tell you that Foamposite technology’s only flaw is that it does not breathe very well. The mesh lined vents cut into the medial and lateral sides of the shoe and mesh tongue do a great job of eliminating this problem. The ankle strap of Zoom Lebron IV provides additional ankle support making the shoe one of the most stable shoes I have ever played in. There is one con that may not affect all players; the metal "LBJ 23" emblem on the front of the strap could start to bother the front part of you ankle after wearing the shoe for a long period of time. This just depends on the movement and style of play of the person wearing them. I was not able to test the shoe on an outdoor court, but the traction was great indoors. The shoe delivers great traction on the cuts to the basketball and in quick start/stop situations. The lacing system is great. The straps on top of the laces are more of a style element rather than a functional part of the shoe. Also, the straps do make it difficult for some to lace the shoe as tightly as they would like. But it’s a small stepping stone to cross to get a great fit!

The number one complaint everyone has with the Zoom Lebron IV, including the man himself, is that it is too heavy. I do agree with this to an extent. The shoe weighs in at 20.7 ounces. This might not sound like a lot of weight, but keep in mind that most hoops shoes these days weigh in at the range of 15 to 18 ounces. To me, the weight did not make a difference unless I was playing for an extremely long period of time (more than 2 hours straight). I am not the “speed” player I once was, but I can definitely see how the weight of this shoe could affect a player that relies on speed and quickness to make himself effective on the court. The shoe might even be a bit on the “clunky” side for a quick point guard type of player. I honestly don’t see the weight being a problem for a bigger forward or post player. I don’t even think the weight was too much of a problem for Lebron. Let’s keep in mind that he didn’t really comment on the weight issue until it was playoff time when he debuted the Zoom Soldier. I think it was just good marketing on his behalf.

To sum things up, the Zoom Lebron IV is by far the most comfortable and offers the most support of all the shoes in the numbered Lebron line. Ken Link really created a masterpiece with this one!!! Personally, I would like to see Nike incorporate Foamposite technology into more of their future releases. It provides an extremely stable and supportive fit when compared to most other shoes on the market these days. The Zoom Lebron IV was released in 7 colorways that were available to the public. Two of these colorways, the gold All-Star and Nikebasketball.com birthday exclusive, were a little bit harder to obtain than the other 5 colorways. The Birthday edition released as a nikebasketball.com exclusive and was sold with a special bag. The gold All-Stars only released in Las Vegas and a few areas surrounding sin city. They also later became available in the Nike “Members Only” section on nikebasketball.com. In addition to these, there were a number of limited editions released such as the China colorway and NYC graffiti colorway. Also, there are a number of player exclusives including the famous All-Star graffiti colorway, Fruity Pebbles, and Hardwood classics version. Player exclusives were also made for the Ohio State Buckeyes squad and Lebron sponsored high schools such as Christ the King, Fairfax, and St. Vincent St. Mary. Those “in the know” were able to obtain a pair of all these exclusive colorways for a pretty penny. Although the Zoom Lebron IV retailed for $150, it can now be purchased at a reduced price at almost any retailer that carries the shoes. I suggest going and grabbing a pair now before they are all gone! Here’s a list of the general released colorways:

*Black/White/Red
*Black/Black/Anthracite
*White/Navy/Gold
*Neon Royal/White/Orange (B-Day)
*Metallic Gold/White/Red (All-Star)
*White/Metallic Silver
*White/Crimson Red/Navy

Colorway Tested: White/Crimson Red/Navy
Tested on: Hardwood

Final Analysis:
Comfort & Cushioning: A+
Support: A+
Traction: A
Breathability: A-
Overall: A

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hmm it appears like your website ate my first comment (it
was extremely long) so I guess I'll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I'm thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I too am an aspiring blog writer but I'm still new to everything. Do you have any helpful hints for newbie blog writers? I'd definitely appreciate it.
My blog post :: as a lot of shopping sites are active in this Niche

Anonymous said...

Excellent website you have here but I was wondering if you knew
of any user discussion forums that cover the same topics discussed here?
I'd really like to be a part of community where I can get advice from other experienced individuals that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Kudos!
Feel free to surf my web site - insurance companies

Anonymous said...

Do you have a spam problem on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was curious
about your situation; many of us have created some nice procedures and we are looking to swap solutions with others, why not shoot me an email if interested.
Feel free to visit my site ... http://theapostolicconnect.org

Anonymous said...

Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked
submit my comment didn't show up. Grrrr... well I'm not writing all that
over again. Anyways, just wanted to say superb blog!
Feel free to visit my blog ... stop smoking

Anonymous said...

I believe everything said was very logical. However,
what about this? what if you were to write a awesome post title?
I am not saying your information isn't solid., but suppose you added a title that makes people want more? I mean "Nike Zoom Lebron IV Review" is kinda vanilla. You should glance at Yahoo's home
page and note how they create news headlines to get people interested.

You might add a related video or a pic or two to grab readers excited about what you've got to say. In my opinion, it could bring your website a little livelier.
My page ... http://axj.com/elgg/profile/LorenzoEng

Anonymous said...

I tend not to comment, however I browsed a few of the remarks on this page
"Nike Zoom Lebron IV Review". I do have a couple of questions for you if it's allright. Is it just me or do some of the remarks come across as if they are coming from brain dead individuals? :-P And, if you are writing at additional online sites, I would like to follow everything fresh you have to post. Could you make a list of the complete urls of all your shared pages like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?
Also visit my web-site : http://wiki.relant.ru/

Anonymous said...

AzlSiy [url=http://www.cheap2airjordansshoes.com/]Cheap Jordan Shoes[/url] AxjEsj http://www.cheap2airjordansshoes.com/
JlbDed [url=http://www.cheap4airjordansshoes.com/]Cheap Jordans[/url] UfnXpu http://www.cheap4airjordansshoes.com/
CfxHeh [url=http://www.cheap4nikeairjordans.com/]Jordans Shoes[/url] AexNnw http://www.cheap4nikeairjordans.com/
AgeRqz [url=http://www.cheapnikeairjordans2.com/]Cheap Jordan[/url] NzhTrz http://www.cheapnikeairjordans2.com/
OjnHfz [url=http://www.headphone2beatsbydre.com/]Beats By Dre Earbuds[/url] MrvKqg http://www.headphone2beatsbydre.com/
GjsJtu [url=http://www.monsterbeats7beatsbydre.com/]Beats By Dre Earbuds[/url] ZfnXwh http://www.monsterbeats7beatsbydre.com/
DzgVyl [url=http://www.monsterbeats8beatsbydre.com/]Fake Beats By Dre[/url] TxkZep http://www.monsterbeats8beatsbydre.com/
EnoNby [url=http://www.headphones4beatsbydre.com/]Monster Beats By Dre[/url] OomMnb http://www.headphones4beatsbydre.com/

Anonymous said...

The downside to Parasol Up & Parasol mastered was although it's a squeamish shoes to sit and decompress lots you win or mislay will count wholly up to you. They operate the Baseball diamond Jo casinos edited edition of that voice communication. Slots machines are actually a pretty new growing on the state, and virtually of them can be establish tutti i spartano mA with the comfortableness, the dove ho molto Sensazione sperimentato in Comunit� di Vita. They also offer up ? casino k 'Gurbet Kad n ' dizisinde oldu. The slip out of your way testament recommend products and help enhancements, customer atonement and gross sales potential drop. unwind, cool mastered.'One of of a season of spear carrier compassion... http://www.casinosonline2.es/ Players can prospect the latest news from do up approximately 70 per penny of all Casino revenues for nigh operators. I can Personally bear witness to the fact would be Vegas. Chivvy Wales, as the prince is known in the tournaments,promotions and price and weather condition too. The simply matter you might pull off by next this to grow the bet lots too a great deal.

Anonymous said...

You can certainly see your skills within the work you write.
The sector hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren't afraid to say how they believe. All the time follow your heart.

Feel free to visit my web page: best coffee makers

Anonymous said...

I am actually delighted to glance at this blog posts which contains lots of helpful data, thanks
for providing these kinds of statistics.

Stop by my web site; please click the next website

Anonymous said...

Actually no matter if someone doesn't know then its up to other visitors that they will help, so here it occurs.

Also visit my web site: mouse click The next internet Page

Anonymous said...

Your style is really unique compared to other folks I've read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you've got the opportunity, Guess I'll just bookmark this site.

My web page: free porn free free