Nike Air Zoom LeBron VIII 'Vice City'

This is the eighth installment of the LeBron James Nike line, the LeBron VIII. This particular colorway has caught my eye for a few reasons. The sea foam color is nothing short from striking, and the pink accents make it synonymous with Rock Star Entertainment's popular video game Grand Thief Auto 'Vice City.' Personally the clear sole really sets the shoe off. The shoes come with optional pink laces which look a lot better (to me). The popular flywire technology that Nike has been using a lot is back for LeBron's newest model. Nike has been going crazy with the flywire because it cuts a lot of weight from the shoe without losing support or shape. Bron Bron's shoes have gotten the rep of being too heavy for current hoop shoes, especially with increased popularity of Kobe Bryant's Nike line. I'm not a huge fan of the lions face on the top of the tongue but with this colorway it's not really visible. I've been reading reviews and a lot of people have been saying that the shoe is too bulky to sport this distinct colorway. The shoe resembles LeBron's 2010 All-Star game shoe.

The main difference being the lack of pink, but with the popularity of the last model, I doubt the VIII 'Vice City' will have problems selling. I don't think LeBron will ever have any problem selling shoes... since Nike releases two or three different models for LeBron every year. It's obvious that Nike has made the LeBron brand the flag ship of their basketball division, and it's obvious because this is the fourth color way of the VIII that we've seen before the first colors even drop in time for the NBA season in November. I like the direction Nike is going with LeBron this year. When he was still playing in Cleveland, a lot of his shoes were specialized for Cav's uniforms only. With his relocation to South Beach, Nike is experimenting with new colors that have nothing to do with the Heat.

My biggest problem with the shoe (along with other Nike releases) is limited number of models and retailers. The 'Vice City' models were released last Sunday (the 16th) at Nike's newest House of Hoops location in Miami, and to a select number of boutiques. I spend my time split between northern Minnesota and Vegas so the chances of me getting this shoe is limited and frankly, it makes me sad :( The sneaker is currently available at marqueesole.com for 219.99$. This is another problem for sneaker heads who are a little short on cheddar. The shoe retails for 160$ at House of Hoops, but unless you're living in Miami, you're not getting that price. To get these limited sneaks you need to pay a lot more. Nike has been very good at this marketing scheme by releasing largely desired shoes as quick strikes and exclusives only... common Nike, show your die hard fans some love. I have pretty much excepted the fact that I won't be getting these unless they are released in numbers later this fall. But this is just the start to the VIII's year long run as one of the most popular hoop shoes for ballers and sneaker freaks alike. I'm looking forward to what Nike has for us next.