What The Nike Ja 1 Says About Ja Morant ( Performance Review)

Summary

In this detailed review of the Nike Jaw One basketball shoe, Zach dives into its design, performance, and suitability for various players. He highlights its breathability, comfort, and impressive agility, particularly for elite players like Ja Morant. The shoe’s lightweight and low-profile design allow for quick pivots and jumps. However, concerns are raised about its traction on indoor courts, as well as its durability, especially in the outsole and midsole. Despite these issues, the Jaw One offers great value at $110, particularly for outdoor play and players who prioritize speed and movement.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Nike Jaw One features a simplistic design that resembles Nike tennis shoes, with a breathable upper made from jersey material and synthetic leather overlays.
• 😀 The shoe's upper provides decent breathability, staying cool on hot days, but it lacks strong support in some areas, such as the midfoot and heel.
• 😀 The midsole is made from phylon with a small Zoom Air unit in the forefoot, offering excellent bounce and responsiveness but average shock absorption due to the flat profile.
• 😀 The Jaw One performs exceptionally well for jumping and quick movements, thanks to its responsive and springy midsole, with impressive results in jump height and bounce tests.
• 😀 Traction on outdoor courts is excellent, thanks to the full-length tread pattern that grips well on gritty surfaces, making it ideal for streetball or outdoor play.
• 😀 Indoor court performance is hindered by the dense tread pattern, which struggles to provide traction during lateral movements and quick stops, especially on hardwood courts.
• 😀 The shoe is designed for speed and agility, providing a nimble feel with reduced weight in the heel, which allows for quick pivots and rotations, similar to Ja Morant's playing style.
• 😀 The fit is ideal for players with narrow feet, while those with wider feet may need to size up for better comfort and stability.
• 😀 The Jaw One has minimal heel slippage, even without a runner's knot, and the low ankle collar helps keep the foot locked in place during play.
• 😀 Durability may be a concern, as the foam tends to wear down relatively quickly, and the outsole tread depth is shallow, especially on outdoor courts, though it still performs well in these conditions.
• 😀 While the Jaw One is priced around $110, it offers great value for outdoor play but might not be the best choice for indoor courts due to traction issues and lack of shock absorption.

Q & A

What is the primary design feature of the Nike Jaw 1's upper material?

The upper material of the Nike Jaw 1 is primarily made of breathable jersey fabric with synthetic leather overlays, which enhance pivoting power and overall breathability.

How does the Nike Jaw 1 perform in terms of breathability?

The Nike Jaw 1 performs excellently in terms of breathability, with a heat gun test showing a temperature rise of only 90 degrees, cooling back down to 33.1 degrees, making it a good choice for hot, humid conditions.

What are the durability concerns with the Nike Jaw 1?

Durability concerns with the Jaw 1 mainly relate to the synthetic leather upper, which starts to scuff quickly, and the soft rubber outsole that wears down faster, especially on gritty outdoor surfaces.

How does the midsole design of the Nike Jaw 1 contribute to its performance?

The midsole of the Jaw 1 is flat with a slightly higher arch in the rear foot. It features a small, rectangular Zoom Air unit in the forefoot, providing impressive bounce and agility despite its simple design.

What is the difference in performance between the Nike Jaw 1 on indoor vs. outdoor courts?

On outdoor courts, the Jaw 1 excels, offering excellent traction and bounce, particularly on semi-slick or gritty surfaces. However, on indoor courts, the shoe struggles with traction, especially for front-to-back or axial movements, making it less suitable for indoor play.

How does the outsole tread pattern affect the shoe's performance?

The full-length continuous tread pattern of the Jaw 1 provides good grip on outdoor courts but is too tightly packed for effective traction on indoor hardwood, where it struggles to stop or change direction quickly.

What are the fit considerations when choosing the Nike Jaw 1?

Narrow-footed players can go true to size with the Jaw 1, but those with medium to wider feet may need to size up for a better fit, especially to accommodate the narrow midfoot and heel.

What is the best type of footwork to benefit from the Nike Jaw 1's design?

The Nike Jaw 1 is designed for players with elite footwork and quick movements. The reduced weight and cutouts in the heel and midfoot allow for enhanced agility, making it ideal for players who rely on rapid pivots and changes of direction.

What is the Nike Jaw 1's rating for bounce and shock absorption?

The Nike Jaw 1 scores a 5 out of 5 for bounce due to its impressive performance in jump height and agility tests. For shock absorption, it scores a 3 out of 5 due to the flat profile and limited cushioning in the heel.

How does the price of the Nike Jaw 1 compare to its performance?

Priced around $110, the Nike Jaw 1 offers good value for players who need a shoe that enhances agility and vertical jump. However, its traction issues on indoor courts and soft outsole may detract from its overall value for certain players.