words // Nick Engvall

Sometimes when it comes to creating a great colorway, it seems companies fall into the path of least resistence and grab something they know already works. The Cool Grey colorway is one of those colors that has been seen on countless Nike basketball shoes, as well as their casual shoes. However, just because it’s a familiar color combination doesn’t mean you should overlook the details, and the latest of the LeBron shoes is a perfect example of why.

The Cool Grey Zoom Soldier V is a can’t miss color but what really makes it, is the use of an incredible amount of textures that come together to create the landscape of a great variety. Tumbled leather wraps the toebox, while the embossed Nike Swoosh has pressed it smooth. On the ankle strap, exaggerated perforations break up the tumbled leather once again. On the lateral side of the Zoom Soldier V, Flywire is used extensively throughout the panel. Underneath the laces, a mesh tongue adds another another layer of texture while improving breathability. While the smooth finish of the tongue is embossed with the Lion crest logo that has become standard on LeBron shoes. All that, and we haven’t even touched on the neoprene inner lining, mesh on the medial side, or the outsole. Sometimes it’s crazy how a simple colorway can be so complex.

Available now: Nike Zoom Soldier V