Jordan Luka 4 Summary
The Jordan Luka 4 is a much better basketball shoe than the previous model and just might be the best Luka shoe to date.
Pros:
- Excellent traction for indoor courts
- Improved fit and sculpting
- Great support
- Modern, durable materials
Cons:
- Zoom Air placement isn’t ideal
- Rubber may wear down quicker outdoors
- No premium material options
Jordan Luka 4 Show
Jordan Brand has made some significant changes in the Jordan Luka 4, seemly based on Luka Doncic’s on-court preferences, which also simply make this a much better shoe than the Luka 3. While the Luka 3 felt bulky and uninspired, the Luka 4 corrects a lot of its missteps. Even after just a first try on you will instantly notice the refined feel and sleeker profile. It’s as if they blended the best parts of the Luka 1 and 2, added some Zoom Air in there, and served up a shoe that feels purposeful again.
Out of the box, the Luka 4 already feels more dialed in. From the visual design to on-foot comfort, it’s clear Jordan Brand took feedback from the last model seriously—and more importantly, they responded. So, how will it perform on the court? Let’s break it down.
Jordan Luka 4 Review and Tech Specs:
Jordan Luka 4 Traction
Traction was one of the few standout features of the Luka 3, and thankfully, the Jordan Luka 4 doesn’t fall off in this department. While the 3s featured a radial herringbone setup that gripped like crazy (and was rather durable outdoors), the Luka 4 switches things up with a fanned-out implementation of a herringbone traction pattern. It still should perform exceptionally well.
The rubber on the Luka 4 feels a bit thinner than what we got on the 3s, and we have a mix of translucent and solid rubber. As far as outdoor use is concerned, while they’ll hold up fine for a while, there might be better options out there durability-wise. That being said, the Jordan Luka 4 should still offer top-tier traction in most situations.
Jordan Luka 4 Cushion
Cushioning in the Luka signature line has been all over the place up to this point. The Luka 1 featured the now defunct Formula 23 foam, the Luka 2 came with a mix of Formula 23 and Cushlon, and the Luka 3 a mix of Cushlon 3.0 and light weight EVA. Now, in Luka 4, we have a mix of Cushlon 3.0 and Zoom Air.
This lack of consistency in cushioning setups is surprising, but even more surprising is that Jordan seemed to miss the mark worse and worse with each model. Luka barely played in the Luka 3 and the Luka 2, always reverting to the Luka 1. Now, Jordan is reaching further back and reproducing the cushioning setup of one of Luka’s favorite shoes with Jordan, the Jordan Zoom Separeate.
The Luka 4 setup, in general, is low-profile and feels bouncy underfoot; however, the Jordan Luka 4’s midsole has 2 distinct portions. The shoe feels more plush in the heel and firmer in the forefoot. This setup is geared towards shifty but heavier guards who need a lot of responsiveness while executing their footwork (the forefoot of the shoe) and a little extra impact protection on landings (midfoot and heel). If you liked the Jordan Luka 1 or the Jordan Zoom Separate, you will enjoy this setup.
Jordan Luka 4 Materials
Premium materials at this point feel like they are a thing of the past for most performance models, and the Jordan Luka 4 sticks with the trend. We’re talking about textiles all over, with no leather or suede to be found. That might bum out some old-school heads, but honestly? It works here.
The upper feels strong, supportive, and flexible. There are multiple layers and textures, with stitching and color hits that actually make the design pop a bit. It’s modern but not boring. You won’t need much break-in time, the tongue is nicely padded as well, and, all in all, the Luka 4 doesn’t feel plasticky or cheap in hand. There’s structure where you need it and flexibility where it counts. So, even though there is nothing premium as far as materials go, functionality is on point.
Jordan Luka 4 Support
Support has always been a standout feature in Luka’s signature line, and it is in the Jordan Luka 4 as well. The shoe features a full-length isoPlate system, similar to what we saw in past models, but this time, it extends all the way to the heel. That being said, where the isoPlate is really noticeable is the forefoot of the shoe.
It acts similar to a spring plate in that section of the shoe, assisting with stepbacks and cuts and creating a stable platform for your jumper. This is huge for shooters and perimeter players. The outsole of the shoe is wide, which also helps to keep you stable during spot-up jumpers or off-the-dribble movements. Combine that with a sculpted heel cup and the overall fit that actually locks your foot in, and you’ve got one of the more secure-feeling shoes in Luka’s line to date.
One potential concern: the placement of the isoPlate underneath the Zoom Air unit. Time will tell if this affects the longevity of the Zoom unit. But hey, Nike’s warranty is solid, so you’ve got that safety net if needed.
Jordan Luka 4 Fit
Fit was one of the main issues with the Luka 3. That shoe felt way too snug up front. The Jordan Luka 4 fixes that with a true-to-size fit that actually feels tailored from the first moment you lace them up. The forefoot has enough room for toe splay without feeling sloppy, and the internal heel sculpting really locks you in.
If you’ve got a standard foot shape, stick to your regular size. Wide-footers might still want to try them on in-store if possible, but overall the fit is way more forgiving and performance-ready.
Jordan Luka 4 Overall
The Jordan Luka 4 is a clear improvement on the Jordan Luka 3. The Jordan Luka 4 just might be the best-performing Luka signature to date. It’s a refined package with key upgrades in fit, support, and responsiveness. Is the Zoom placement perfect? Maybe not. Are the materials premium? Not really. But the shoe still delivers where it matters most.
This is a shoe built for Luka Dončić’s game: low to the ground, shifty, and control-focused. And in doing so, it ends up serving the needs of a wide variety of players, from guards to wings, who want a snappy, secure feeling basketball shoe with grippy traction.
There are shoes with more plush cushioning and better materials, but all around, the Jordan Luka 4 is a solid performance basketball shoe. For $130–$140, it finally feels like we’re getting value again. And with Luka’s move to LA, these might start getting more attention from casual hoopers and sneakerheads alike.
If you were disappointed with the Luka 3, the Jordan Luka 4 is the redemption arc you’ve been waiting for. Whether you’re looking for dependable traction, a supportive platform, or a shoe that just feels right out the box, this one checks a lot of boxes.
