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The Air Jordan 1 was conceived as a basketball sneaker. But are Air Jordan 1s still good for basketball today? Read on to find out!
Air Jordan 1s WERE Good For Basketball
Although the Air Jordan 1 was designed for hoops, they are outdated compared to current offerings from sneaker brands. Still, the support and traction are good enough to play in if the AJ1 is your only option.
When the Air Jordan 1 was created, there was not that much actual tech out there for basketball shoes. Nike changed this by incorporating Air technology in the midsole. Theoretically, this would help with cushioning.
The reality is that previous Nike hoops shoes such as the Air Force 1 have a lot more of that “air” feeling in the midsole. Although the tech is there on the AJ1, that isn’t why the sneaker was good for basketball at the time.
Unlike the AF1, the Jordan 1 provides a slim midsole with more court feel. This makes them similar to the Converse and Adidas models that Michael Jordan initially wanted to wear. The goal of the AJ1 was not only to make a great hoops shoe, but also to sell MJ on Nike.
Of course, more than 30 years later, way better tech exists for playing basketball. The Air Jordan 1 is intended for casual wear at this point, much like many other retro sneakers. Still, in a pinch, the AJ1’s court feel, traction and ankle support can still function as a decent shoe for ball.
What the Air Jordan 1 Got Right About Basketball shoes
The Air Jordan 1s excel in traction, court feel and ankle support. These elements stand the test of time as far as basketball shoes go.
The traction on the Air Jordan 1 stands up to modern basketball sneakers easily. Whether cutting left and right or running up and down the court, the circle pattern on the forefoot and flexible rubber allow for secure movement. This works well when playing on either indoor or outdoor courts.
The AJ1 provides a decent lockdown for the foot as well. The collar on the high helps secure the ankle and cup the heel, which adds a stability to the sneaker. Additionally, the traditional leather makeup of classic Air Jordan 1s adds to the sturdiness and durability.
As mentioned above, the Air unit on this sneaker is encapsulated in the heel. This fact, combined with an already low-profile midsole means that the Jordan 1 gives plenty of court feel. You don’t feel like you’re hovering over the ground, rather you get a stable and low to the ground feeling underfoot.
Reasons Not To Wear The Air Jordan 1 For Basketball
The Air Jordan 1 was created as a basketball sneaker, but struggles compared to modern hoops shoes due to heavy materials, outdated traction and tech and lack of cushioning.
Ever since the first Chicago and Black Toe colorways were rocked by MJ on the court, the Jordan 1 has been put to the test. For it’s time, the J1s cushioning and materials were par for the course.
Nike would go on to innovate even better technology however. Zoom Air for example provides the same court feel on modern hoops shoes with increased durability and longevity. Modern tech adds a responsiveness that is missing in earlier b-ball sneakers such as the AJ1.
While the traction is quite good on the Jordan 1 (some might argue that the traction is the most enduring feature), the herringbone traction found on most modern basketball kicks is generally superior. Not by much, but enough to warrant looking at other pairs to play in besides the J1.
The heavy materials on the Jordan 1 can’t quite provide the same experience as flywire, flyknit and other current variations found on modern hoops sneakers. Modern basketball shoes are designed to provide even better lockdown while still being flexible and lightweight. This is a balance that had not yet been achieved in the 80s when the J1 first surfaced. Newer shoes also improve on the lackluster ventilation found in the old AJ1.
Probably the biggest failing of the Air Jordan 1 is the cushioning. The sneaker just isn’t comfortable in the way a newer basketball sneaker is. For brief casual wear, Jordan 1s are perfectly fine. However, extended wear either on or off court proves to be less comfy than a lot of other options out there.
Playing Basketball In Air Jordan 1 Lows
While many sneakers function well for basketball, it is inadvisable to play in the Air Jordan 1 Low. The sneaker has the outdated design of the AJ1 high and mid, minus the ankle support.
As mentioned above, one of the best things about the Air Jordan 1 for playing basketball is the ankle support. To this day, if you are forced to rock some Jordan 1s in a game, you can at least rely on your ankles being locked in.
This advantage is lost when transitioning to the Air Jordan 1 low. While some might appreciate the freedom of movement and perhaps increase in casual comfort on a pair of J1 lows, one of the main advantages of the model is stripped away in the lower cut. Cutting, juking, lateral movements and landing from jumps will all be impacted by the lower collar. Technically one could still play in some AJ1 lowtops, but there are better options.
For example, sneakers from the KD and Kobe lines have provided low top versions in the past that were perfectly suitable for playing while still feeling that support around the ankle. I personally played in the Kobe 6 often back in the day and never rolled an ankle! Well, almost never. Still, these sneakers made advancements in traction and ankle collar construction that helped negate the impact of a lack of physical material around the ankle.
What Air Jordan 1s Are Good For If Not Basketball
The Air Jordan 1 isn’t the WORST sneaker for basketball out there, but it certainly isn’t the most optimal today. It IS however great for casual wear and collecting. The model holds its value and looks great on feet.
Lets face it, most people rocking Air Jordan 1s probably aren’t wearing them on the court. The sneaker has become one of the most collectible shoes out there.
The timeless look of the shoe, the simplicity of the silhouette and the history of the AJ1 all tie into this. Even the less desirable colorways that come out manage to eventually sell out. There’s a reason the sneaker is kept in production even though Nike continues to innovate their sports offerings.
So if you ONLY own a pair of 1s, sure, play a game of basketball in them. However, if you have the means to purchase a different sneaker for playing a game in, by all means research the latest pairs from different brands to find the best tech for your playing style. But keep those 1s on hand for casual wear and your sneaker collection!