Jordan Air Rev Performance Review

I’ve been wearing Air Jordans for just under 20 years, and I haven’t complained a single time about the shoes on my feet. Today, all of that is going to change…

I had the opportunity to put the Jordan Air Rev to the test, and let’s just say… It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.

Truth be told, the last few Air Jordan golf shoes I’ve had the opportunity to test have been, well, average. Average isn’t bad when it comes to golf shoes, but I’m still waiting for an Air Jordan golf shoe that is REALLY good.

The Jordan Air Rev has all the looks and features (on paper) to be a well-oiled machine, but the performance didn’t quite live up to the hype. When you add in a pretty absurd price point, a certain shoe tester might have a hard time giving it glowing reviews.

That’s probably enough spoilers. Let’s jump into the performance details.

Fit

Jordan incorporates its own dial lacing system on the Jordan Air Rev to provide customization to your fit.

[Editor’s Note: If the notion of a dial-based lacing system sounds familiar, it may be because we’ve reviewed lots of shoes—from the golf category, to cross training, to trail and road running—that utilize that type of tech. And the biggest name in “dialing in your fit” is BOA. Like Tyler said, JB appears to be using an in-house version of similar tech here with a leno-weave strap to hold the fit in place (you may remember leno weave from shoes like the AJ 36). The brand calls this setup—which also includes a moveable Air Zoom unit—Flight Lock technology and says it’s aimed at creating “a customizable system of containment”.]

My feet felt particularly cramped and tight where the Flight Lock straps were on both shoes. It obviously got a little bit better after loosening the straps, but I still feel like there was too much going on here. 

I shouldn’t have to fumble with multiple different things for my golf shoes to fit me how I prefer. Rather than providing ultimate customization, it instead ended up feeling overly complicated, cumbersome, and tight.

It should be as simple as putting them on and tying the laces.

This is NOT that.

For those of you that are willing to put up with a little bit more hassle in the fit department, the length is true-to-size. But given my experience as an average-footer, I don’t think I can recommend the Jordan Air Rev for those needing a wider fit.

Traction

One good flower doesn’t make a beautiful garden, but it sure helps push things in the right direction.

The traction is the flower in this implied metaphor.

Eight spikes across the bottom of the shoe create a great underfoot experience. I played some solid golf in my final round of testing, and I can attribute some of that performance to solid traction that allowed me to swing hard and not slip.

In addition to the spikes, there’s a tread pattern made up of different shapes and sizes spread throughout the bottom of the shoe.

So if traction and style are two of your big buy indicators, the Jordan Air Rev is technically a good option for you. 

***Be advised that you will sound weird while walking on concrete or any other hard ground until the shoes are broken in. They’re very squeaky at first.

Cushion

Jordan Brand cheaped out on the cushioning here by giving us Cushlon instead of something a bit lighter, plusher, and more comfortable.

[Editor’s Note: In now-typical Nike/JB fashion, the current website copy names the cushioning as Cushlon; whereas the original press release stated the midsole foam would be Formula23 (a foam we saw do an appearing—and then disappearing—act in the Luka line). So do with that information what you will. But the real issue is as Tyler describes below.]

Now tell me honestly, in what world should a golf shoe cost $280 and not even contain the best cushioning experience that the company has to offer?

I’m not exclusively criticizing the comfort level in the sense that I can better understand if Jordan Bradn was going for responsiveness over comfort, but I can’t help but feel some confusion on what makes the price so incredibly high.

The midsole is…fine… But don’t be deceived. Jordan should’ve given us more in this department for that price.

Support

This is where the train really started to derail in one sense. But in another sense, it’s where the Air Rev started to show some promise.

The upper is beautiful and clearly made of high-quality synthetic leather. The problem? When I stepped on any slope where I was going uphill, the tongue absolutely DESTROYED my ankle due to the lack of give. I got home after nine holes and thought I had a giant mosquito bite. After further inspection, I realized that it was from the tongue digging into my ankle.

Not a fun experience.

As for the positive side, there’s a movable Zoom unit (you pop it into the designated pouch of whichever shoe is considered your back foot) that is meant to benefit right and left-handed golfers. It’s intended to “[…help] you power a strong, stable swing by capturing the energy generated when your trail foot pushes off.”

The technology worked and added some extra oomph to my swing, but I’m not sure that this alone justifies how expensive the Jordan Air Rev is.

If the other problem areas are improved, and the movable Zoom unit sticks around for other Jordan models, I’m all in.

Price

If the train was at risk of derailing in the previous section, it’s off the tracks as soon as we have to directly confront the price.

$280!

$280 for the Jordan Air Rev.

I’m sorry, but the Air Rev is EXTREMELY overpriced [Editor’s Note: the two initial colorways were priced at $280 but subsequent colorways are priced at $255 despite no spec differences. We’re guessing Jordan Brand heard this opinion from multiple reviewers and consumers].

If the tongue didn’t dig into my ankle, and the fit weren’t super tight and fussy, maybe I’d be willing to spend $280 on the Air Rev. 

The key word is maybe.

I may be different than the average person, but for the same price that you’ll pay for the Jordan Air Rev, you can get a tee time at a very nice golf course, a dozen Pro V1s, and a pair of golf shoes that will give you performance that is just as good or better than the Jordan Air Rev.

If you’re a massive Air Jordan fan, I get it.

If you’re not, buy a more affordable pair of golf shoes, and spend the leftover money on other golf luxuries.

Jordan Air Rev Summary

I’m a big Air Jordan fan.

The Air Jordan bias that I contain has probably even shown up in my previous reviews of the Air Jordan 14 G and the Air Jordan 9 G. That’s why this hurts so bad.

I can’t imagine paying $280 for this shoe and then experiencing this type of performance. The movable Zoom unit, the traction, and the style saved the Jordan Air Rev from being an absolute disaster. As it is, this is a mediocre golf shoe.

Again, I wish that the Jordan Air Rev was better… It’s just…not.

Buy Jordan Air Rev at Nike

How the Author Golfs

Tyler Allred (19 handicap): Golfs 2-3 times a week spending the bulk of his time playing actual rounds. Mostly pushes himself to improve every part of his game, but also enjoys a casual round of golf every now and then.

Disclosure

While Jordan Brand did send a pair of the Jordan Air Rev to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.