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Jordan Luka 1
The Jordan Luka 1 is one of the best performance basketball sneakers of 2022 (so far). There’s a lot to get excited about with this highly anticipated Luka Doncic signature sneaker.
Colorway: Black/Metallic Silver
Release Date: 2022
Price: $110
Luka Doncic used the Air Jordan 36 and its low-top version for most of the 2021-2022 NBA Season. Once in a while, he would swap those out for the Jordan Zoom Separate. Then, at the end of the season, he broke out his first signature sneaker, the Jordan Luka 1 and Luke fans went nuts. Turns out that the Jordan Luka 1 lived up to all that hype and is currently one of the best overall basketball shoes out there. Check it out.
The Jordan Luka 1 also appears in Best Jordan Basketball Shoes, Best for Point Guards, Best Traction, Best for Ankle Support, Best Low Tops, Most Comfortable, and Best for Ankle Support.
Traction
The traction ties all the performance features together. It is the foundation of all basketball performance sneakers. The outsole on the Jordan Luka 1 is made of translucent rubber and works well with its multi-directional pattern to cover all your movements and changes of direction. Indoors is where it performs its best, even with dust. The pattern is raised enough that it isn’t an issue after wiping. Outdoors, however, was a bit different. There was slight slipping in the forefoot area that needed wiping, and the translucent rubber can’t be depended upon to last for a long time.
Cushion
Jordan Brand sells us their newest foam with the Jordan Luka 1. That new foam is called Formula 23. What you see on the exterior is the carrier foam and the real moneymaker is housed inside. There’s some space between the Formula 23 and the carrier, so when pressure is applied, it expands and contracts accordingly. However, if you’re expecting a Zoom Air-type experience, you might be disappointed.
Something to note is that there was a noticeable difference after extensive hours of play. The forefoot felt lower than the heel. This might be that the foam is molding to the foot or bottoming out. The insoles are standard Ortholite.
Materials
The materials in the Jordan Luka 1 are not premium whatsoever. They’re lightweight, consisting of textiles with fuse overlays and some synthetic leather in the heel and eye stay areas. They’re lighter than the Nike KD 15, a lightweight shoe on foot. FlightWire wraps around the whole upper for additional support and lockdown. The ankle collar material is soft and makes it easy for you and me to get our feet in and out of the shoe. The tongue is well-padded, comfortable, and rests nicely above the foot.
Fit
The fit of the Jordan Luka 1 is adaptable. Going up half a size works fine if you wear ankle braces or other accessories. If you have regular to narrow feet, going true to size should work for you. The shoe is accommodating, especially in the midfoot and forefoot areas. We can thank the tongue that’s slightly disconnected for that. There are only five eyelets that all work together efficiently to ensure that you quickly get your preferred fit.
Support
The IsoPlate system is unconventional yet functional, just like Luka himself. It does a few key things. First, it acts as torsional support. Second, concentrating it on the lateral side makes the shoe much more flexible than other shoes where the torsional plate is placed right in the middle. Third and most importantly, it aids lateral stability during defensive and offensive movements. You can make hard cuts without worrying if the shoe will give too much. The heel counter is also as solid as a rock in order to keep your heel locked in.
Overall
The Jordan Luka 1 provides a big bang for your buck, considering that it will fall in the $110-120 price range. Those who value traction (especially indoors), court feel, and an adaptable fit will enjoy the Luka 1 the most.
First Impressions
Rumors of him getting a signature shoe ran rampant while fans watched him lace up those Jordan models. Then, late in the season, he debuted the Jordan Luka 1.
Now, the wait for his fans is finally over: the Jordan Luka 1 has arrived. Although it doesn’t have any Zoom Air like the other shoes mentioned, it does have Jordan’s new Formula 23 foam. It’s comfortable and will more than likely perform well on the court.
We also got our hands on a pair of Luka 1s in the exclusive Quai 54 colorway. This version of the shoe is currently only available overseas.
The Quai 54 is an outdoor tournament held yearly in Paris, under the Eiffel tower. Jordan brand usually releases a slew of products in those years chosen Quai 54 design commemorating the event, and this year is no different. Check it out our close up look at this years colorway.
What’s in the video?
In the video, Chris provides detailed information from all the usual categories, providing the in-depth information you need. He supplies expert-level opinions on the materials, cushioning, traction, support, and fit. Here’s some of what he discusses:
- Bad Boys moniker
- Comfortable Formula 23 foam
- Extra grippy outsole
- Fascinating implementation of new tech
- Similar to Zoom Air feeling
- Additional support plates and pieces
- Mainly textile upper
- Return of Flightwire
- Synthetic heel piece
- Sizing recommendations
- Performance review coming soon
As an added bonus, Mrs. Wing gives her opinion about the lack of a leading athlete wearing the flagship Jordan model. Who do you think should wear the flagship Jordan model once Jayson Tatum starts wearing his signature sneaker?
Let us know your opinion on the Luka 1 in the comment section below or on YouTube or Twitter.
How to Buy the Jordan Luka 1
The Jordan Luka 1 is available now for $110 at Dick’s Sporting Goods and at Jordan.
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