KICKZ PERFORMANCE REVIEW: JORDAN LUKA 1

Jordan Brand delivering Luka DONČIĆ’s first signature shoe has got the global basketball community excited! Given that the Slovenian sensation is one of the most promising young stars in the game, this will likely be the start of a long lasting signature line. In general, Jordan Brand is doing good things: adding Dončić and Zion Williamson to the lineup is certainly a good strategic move for the Jumpman, who for a while only had Russell Westbrook’s signature model. Adding some youth and two very different playing styles could really put Jordan right back on top! Every signature line has something different to offer and as a guard myself, I was quite curious about the Lukas. Here are my thoughts after playing in them for quite a bit:

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Design 

Jordan Brand went with a low-top design for Dončić’s debut, which aligns well with today’s image of a modern basketball shoe. It weighs 368 g, which puts these on the lighter side of the current sneaker range. It’s a minimalist shoe that sheds all unnecessary weight. Always a plus for shifty players. Visually, the Luka 1 looks solid and the available colorways add some good variety. While there are some options that look a bit too plain for my personal liking, some like this “Quai 54” definitely hit the mark. Stay on the lookout for new colorways dropping soon. Overall, I think Jordan Brand did a very solid job on the design on this first signature shoe. 

Materials 

The Embroidered Flight Wire used for the upper feels light, comfortable and is quickly broken in. One of the biggest positives about this shoe is how flexible and stable the shoe is because of that. A downside on the other hand are the fuse overlays. Especially the ones on the lateral side of the toe box require some break-in time, as it was stiff initially and put pressure on my toes. That went away after a few sessions though, so overall, not too bad.

Traction 

With the new Steph’s and KD’s we’ve recently seen some of the best traction on performance shoes. And the Luka 1 is right up there with them! I can definitely get used to that! The translucent outsole held up well on different kinds of court conditions and did not really show any signs of weaknesses. It had me covered in all directions and generated great bite even on hard stops. That’s due to the rubber compound which felt sticky right out of the box. All in all, the setup is nice and performs well under all kinds of circumstances. My only minor concern with this outsole is the translucent rubber. I can’t see it lasting for too long in an outdoor setting. The G.T. Jump, for example, performs much better outdoors. Apart from that, the traction is easily the best feature of this shoe. 

Cushion 

Jordan Brand went with their new Formula 23 foam, which is implemented full-length into the midsole. Further, a shank plate was added to the setup, which according to Nike “helps you feel quick when Euro-stepping through the lane". Which is exactly what you would expect from a shoe made for Luka Magic. In practice, the cushioning setup was solid and offers good court feel and responsiveness. However, the foam feels a bit dull as I did not feel much impact protection or bounce. So if that‘s specifically what you are looking for in a shoe, the Luka 1 might not offer that sufficiently. Shoes like the KD15 and PG6 are better in this regard. Other than that, it feels like a pretty good setup that especially shifty guards will appreciate.

Fit 

I went true to size, which was the right choice for me. The shoe felt comfortable once the fuse overlays broke in. The snug Flight Wire upper and the lacing system kept my feet in the right position at all times as I did not experience any heel slippage or unnecessary dead space in the shoe. The padding in the rear was solid as well and added to a good all-around experience. 

Support 

To match Dončić’s style, the Luka 1 offered plenty of support for lateral movement and step-backs. On abrupt stops and direction changes, I felt stable and in control. The combination of the Flight Wire and the raised midsole on the lateral sides take good care of lockdown. Yes, the ankles are exposed with this kind of build but even for someone like me, who usually appreciates a little extra support around the ankles, I didn’t miss it in the Luka 1.

Bottom Line 

The Luka 1 was definitely fun to play in and provided a promising start to an exciting new signature line. I really like how the shoe put an emphasis on Luka Dončić‘s game by strongly catering the design to his play style. If you are a shifty guard who likes to do a lot of step-backs and euro-stepping, the traction and support of the Luka 1s will serve you well. Where I see some room for improvement is the cushioning setup. For me personally, it was okay as I value court feel, but for those who need more impact protection, the cushioning on the Luka 1 is a bit too dense at times. Overall though, at roughly EUR 110.- the Luka 1 is a good mid-tier option that will be a top choice for guards that want the best traction and great court-feel. 

Feedback 

Any questions? Find me on Instagram at @ONEtothe2.