Nike Flex Control 4 'Black Smoke Grey': Design, Fit and Styling

The Nike Flex Control 4 is Nike's lightweight, flexible training shoe, built for explosive workouts, HIIT and fast gym circuits. In 'Black Smoke Grey' it becomes a quiet, tonal black trainer: a breathable mesh upper, a strap across the midfoot and a sole cut with deep grooves so the foot can move the way it wants to.

The Nike Flex Control 4 'Black Smoke Grey' is live now in the Nike range at PUSHAS, with each one authenticated by hand. Below is how the shoe is put together, how it wears and how to style it.

The idea behind Flex Control

Nike describes the Flex Control 4 as a shoe for lightweight comfort and stability during explosive workouts, and its whole design follows from that brief.

Nike pairs a Flex sole, built with deep flex grooves to let the foot move naturally, with a midfoot strap for stability. Independent testers found it at home in HIIT and cross-training work.

Design and materials

Start with the upper. Nike uses an abrasion-resistant mesh that is lightweight and breathable, with a padded tongue on top. Across the midfoot runs a strap for stability. On the forefoot, a rubber reinforcement on the side of the shoe adds support for lateral movement.

Underfoot, the midsole gives a stable platform. Deep grooves are cut across the forefoot so it bends easily at the toe. The outsole is not full-length rubber: rubber is placed in the high-wear zones with a multidirectional tread pattern, and the rest is left as exposed foam to keep weight down.

The profile is low to the ground, with a low heel-to-toe drop, which keeps you close to the floor during jumps, lunges and quick direction changes.

How it fits and wears

On the foot, the Flex Control 4 is light and flexible. The shape is narrow, with a snug midfoot and a tapered, low-profile upper, so it wraps closely rather than leaving room to spare.

Sizing reports are limited and mixed. Nike's own listing suggests the shoe runs small and recommends half a size up, while independent reviewers found it true to size for narrow and medium feet and suggested the extra half size for wider feet. If you are between sizes or have a wider foot, start with the size guide linked below.

How to style the 'Black Smoke Grey' pair

Nike lists this colourway as Black/Dark Smoke Grey/Smoke Grey/White. The black mesh does most of the talking, with the greys layered through the details and white used as a light accent. The palette sits comfortably with a monochrome wardrobe, which makes it easy to wear outside the gym.

For a clean gym-to-street look, pair it with black or charcoal tapered joggers that finish just above the collar, a grey marl hoodie and a plain tee. For something sharper, try cropped black technical trousers, a black nylon jacket and white socks to pick up the white accents. The low profile sits well under a tapered hem.

The details at a glance

Detail	What it is	Try it with
Upper	Lightweight, breathable, abrasion-resistant mesh with a padded tongue and a midfoot strap	Black or charcoal tapered joggers that finish just above the collar
Sole	Flex sole with deep forefoot grooves, rubber in high-wear zones and exposed foam elsewhere	A grey marl hoodie and a plain tee
Profile	Low to the ground with a low heel-to-toe drop	Cropped black technical trousers and a black nylon jacket
Colour	Black/Dark Smoke Grey/Smoke Grey/White	White socks to pick up the white accents

Live now at PUSHAS

Every pair is authenticated by hand, so you can shop with confidence. The live listing shows the current price. Find the Nike Flex Control 4 'Black Smoke Grey' here.

Prefer a lighter shade? The Nike Flex Control 4 'Light Smoke Grey' is live too. For fit, read the complete Nike size guide before you choose.

FAQ

Is the Nike Flex Control 4 true to size?

Fit reports are mixed. Nike's own listing suggests going half a size up, while independent testers found it true to size for narrow and medium feet. The shape is narrow and snug through the midfoot, so wide feet may want the extra half size. Check the Nike size guide before you choose.

What is the Nike Flex Control 4 made of?

The upper is a lightweight, breathable, abrasion-resistant mesh with a padded tongue and a midfoot strap for stability. Underneath sits a midsole with deep flex grooves in the forefoot and rubber placed in the high-wear zones.

What colour is the Nike Flex Control 4 'Black Smoke Grey'?

Nike lists the colourway as Black/Dark Smoke Grey/Smoke Grey/White under style code CD0197-002. It is a black mesh upper with layered greys and white accents.

What is the Nike Flex Control 4 for?

Nike tailors it to explosive workouts, and independent testers used it for HIIT, cross-training and gym sessions.

How do you style the Nike Flex Control 4 'Black Smoke Grey'?

Treat it as a clean, low-profile black trainer. It works with black or charcoal tapered joggers, cropped technical trousers, grey marl fleece and a plain white or black tee.