Jordan Tatum 3: The Best Tatum Signature Model to Date

Traction on the Jordan Tatum 3 is very solid. The features a modified herringbone pattern and a mix of translucent and solid rubber that make up the outsole. This setup provides a reliable grip, minimizing slippage even in dusty indoor environments. Even if the shoe starts picking up dust, a quick wipe is generally enough to maintain traction on indoor courts.

Outdoor performance is equally great, however, durability may be an issue. Although the rubber is on the tougher side, the traction pattern itself is thin and shallow. But talking strictly about performance, the Tatum 3 has decent stopping power on the blacktop

Cushioning on of the Tatum 3 might be the shoe’s best feature. The midsole is housed within a cupsole, similar to the one we saw on the Jordan 39. There are several portions of that cupsole that are cored out to expose the foam cushioning within. In this case, the foam Jordan used is Cushlon 3.0, and housed within that, in the forefoot of the shoe, is a bouncy Zoom Air unit.

This setup is very well-balanced and versatile. It has something for every position and playing style: enough responsiveness to cater to lighter, shiftier guards, and enough impact protection and compression for the bigger and more powerful hoopers out there. This setup shines brightest indoors but will be serviceable outdoors as well. The one issue this midsole has is stability, but more on that later.

Considering that the Jordan Tatum 3 retails for $130, the material setup is ok. Good, not great. The shoe features three distinct parts: the rubber cupsole, the TPU foot frame, and the textile upper. The cupsole and the foot frame add containment and support to the shoe, while the textiles used for the upper help keep the shoe light, airy, and flexible.

The break-in period for these materials is minimal, which makes the shoe comfortable from the first wear. The Tatum 3’s design also includes strategically placed ventilation zones, keeping feet cooler during extended play sessions. Although the materials may not feel as premium as those on other Jordan models, they provide solid performance and durability.

The support system in the Tatum 3 is non-traditional but it works well in general on court. It also has one important issue you should keep in mind. The Tatum 3, similar to the Jordan 39 and the Nike GT Cut, has no torsional plate, but unlike those models, it doesn’t really need one. The combination of the rubber cupsole and the TPU foot frame adds enough torsional rigidity to keep up with on-court demands.

The cupsole and the foot frame also add a ton of containment to the shoe. There are portions of the cupsole that wrap the upper that act as sidewalls and the foot frame also provides arch support. In the heel, there is a substantial heel counter that does its job well. The one issue the Tatum 3 has, as far as support goes, has to do with the exposed portion of Cushlon 3.0 in the forefoot.

The Jordan Tatum 3 fits true to size and conforms well to your foot, but is built on the same last as the Sabrina 1, which some find to be very straight. It’s not a problem, just something you have to get used to.

One portion of the shoe that also needs getting used to and a bit more break-in time is the foot frame. It may feel restrictive at first, but after a couple of hours, it will loosen up and do its job seamlessly.

The Jordan Tatum 3 is a pretty decent performance model and is easily the best Tatum model to date. Traction is solid and relatively durable, cushioning is pretty great, and lockdown and fit are also on point. The materials on the shoe are decent and functional, but nothing spectacular, especially considering that this shoe retails for $130.

Stability and support are also good, except for the issue with the exposed foam portion in the shoe’s forefoot. As a bonus, and this has nothing to do with performance, the Tatum 3, aesthetically speaking, is pretty darn great. It’s nice to see the improvements Jordan Brand implemented in this model and to see that the Tatum 3 signature line is finally on track.