Air Jordan 1 Low FlyEase Performance Review

Before I start my review of the Air Jordan 1 Low FlyEase, I want to give a big thank you to my good friend Ravi (@zerodeefex), a fellow member of the WearTesters Discord, for helping me secure my pair. I was unable to grab a pair on release day however, Ravi knew how much I wanted a pair and was able to grab a pair for me. Without Ravi, this review isn’t possible. Thanks a ton, Ravi!

My first pair of FlyEase sneakers was the Air Jordan 1 Hi FlyEase, which was released in 2019. That pair means a lot to me. It was the first pair of shoes made for people like me, people with physical limitations. In case you’re wondering, I have Cerebral Palsy. The FlyEase Jordan 1 was the first pair of shoes I could get on easily and independently. I wore them tons and I still love them. However, they’re pretty beat and I don’t wear them as much now. So when I first heard about the Air Jordan 1 Low FlyEase, I knew I had to grab a pair.

Pros

Easy Entry

The most important part of any FlyEase model is the FlyEase system, so how good is the one on the Air Jordan 1 Low FlyEase? In short, it’s really good. But, before I break it down, not every FlyEase system is made for every type of physical limitation. In other words, take my words with a grain of salt, if you have a physical limitation. Take a look at our other FlyEase reviews here.

Back to the sneaker at hand (or at foot?). I love this FlyEase system, it is very easy, and fast, to use. When fully opened, it offers a large enough opening to place your whole foot through. The zipper and all the velcro are good quality and should last.

Classic Looks

The Air Jordan 1 Low is one of the best-looking shoes ever made. They have a Nike Swoosh on both midfoot panels and the Jordan Wings logo on the top of the heel. The FlyEase version looks just like the classic from 1985. And, in my opinion, you can’t go wrong with this very original-styled White/Black/Gym Red colorway.

Good Materials

This sneaker has a full leather upper. The leather used is soft and buttery. And by Jordan Brand’s modern standards these materials are pretty good.

Low Retail Price

The Air Jordan 1 Low FlyEase retails for $130, which is $10 less than the FlyEase Hi. Seeing how Jordan Brand charges upwards of $200 for retros with poor materials, these seem like a good deal for the retail price.

Fantastic Traction

I’m not a basketball guy at all but, according to Chris, Air Jordan 1s have the greatest traction of all time (for performance basketball). The rubber feels like all my other Jordan 1s. It’s tacky, hard, and should last a while.

Cons

Outdated Cushioning

As I’m sure most of us know, the Air Jordan 1 was first released in 1985, and, sadly, Jordan Brand uses the same cushioning setup from 1985. The rubber cup sole with PU wedge and heel Air Sole unit is not up to snuff with modern sneakers. I wish Jordan Brand would update the cushioning with some React foam or Air Zoom, even simple Phylon EVA would be an improvement.

Lack of Heel Support

In order for the heel zipper to function, Jordan Brand removed the standard heel counter. For me, this makes no difference, but I don’t recommend buying the Air Jordan 1 Low FlyEase for performance.

Hard To Get

This colorway of the Air Jordan 1 Low FlyEase sold out very fast. I don’t know why they sold out as fast as they did, but it sucks. Nike has been previously accused of using disability to build hype and create sellouts so I’m crossing my fingers they’ve got more stock on the way. I just hope people with physical limitations were able to get a pair and that Jordan Brand will make more pairs in the future.

Air Jordan 1 Low FlyEase Summary

To sum up, Air Jordan 1 Low FlyEase is a fantastic model. They look so much like the 1985 original. The leather upper is very soft and buttery. And the low cut is perfect for the summer months. With the easy-to-use FlyEase system, I can put up with the poor cushioning. I can highly recommend the Air Jordan 1 Low FlyEase to those with physical limitations.