At just 20 years old, Zion Williamson has already reached milestones that put him in categories with some of the all-time greats. And he’s done that while living up to hype and expectations not witnessed since LeBron James entered the league nearly two decades ago. From on-court dominance to an All-Star Game appearance in only his second season, it seems fitting that a signature shoe was next for Gen Z’s first superstar athlete.
Unveiled earlier this week, the Jordan Zion 1 is a reflection of the quiet star’s persona. Packed with exciting tech and inspiring colorways, the final product can best be described as lowkey, much like Zion himself. Is it the most aggressive signature sneaker debut we’ve ever seen? Far from it. But does it feel like it’s authentic to Zion and his game? No doubt.
Read our feature story with insights from the Jordan Brand design team here.
I got the opportunity to briefly wear test the “Gen Zion” colorway on an outdoor court for a shootaround and here are my initial thoughts after one wear:
Sizing: True to size. I typically wear a size 12 in Jordan performance models like the Air Jordan 34 and Why Not Zer0 line and a 12.5 on Nike Kobe Protro 5s and 6s.
Fit: The fit of the Zion 1 is snug in a good way. There was no sliding when I made quick cuts or jab steps. I usually tie my shoes fairly tight but because of the cushion on the tongue and heel, I was able to get the lacing right pretty quickly and didn’t have to choke them.
Weight: Given that Jordan Brand didn’t put a lot of emphasis on weight, I expected these to be a little heavier and closer to a Nike Lebron signature sneaker feel. They feel lighter than a LeBron but obviously heavier than a Kobe Protro or Air Jordan 34 (I haven’t played in the 35.) I didn’t feel as quick in them as I would in a Kobe but I didn’t feel heavy in them either. They’re a lot lighter than they look so I think most guards would be fine to play in them but I do see them being more popular amongst forwards, centers, and power dunkers.
Comfort: The cushioning and overall comfort was the easy standout for me. Because of its mid-cut and above-average heel cushioning, my ankles and foot as a whole felt extremely secure and locked in. I’m far from a high flyer but I felt pretty confident any time I left my feet.
Price: At $120 USD, I think customers will feel like they got their money’s worth with this shoe. Because Zion is one of the most explosive athletes in history and physically blew through a Nike PG 2.5 in college, it’s clear Jordan Brand didn’t cut any corners in making this sneaker fit for a superstar. Plus, in a decade we can all be talking about Zion’s 10th signature sneaker. It’ll be nice to own a part of history.
Below, the SoleSavy community share their thoughts on the Zion 1.
First impressions:
“The first impression is that I love that they used his hair design as inspiration.”
-Wayne
“I’d most definitely hoop in Zion’s. can’t wait to see how these perform.”
-Joey F
“I think it looks like a high-end mix between a Jordan Delta and some of the new era Jordans that use Flywire, Zoom outsoles, etc. I hope Zion can continue carrying the torch but time will tell. I love my Zion AJ1 CMFTs AKA Bayou Boys. They look like Bayou Boots.”
-Zak
“These look like they’ll be popular with younger age groups, not so sure about adults just yet.”
-Jimi
“They are very similar to the other athlete’s signature sneakers. However, I love the tongue detail and the first black and white colorway.”
-Juancho
“I like them, but like all other ball shoes outside of the older Jordans, I can’t see these being worn off the court for me personally.”
-Asif
“I personally like the colorways, especially the Noah colorway because of the awesome story behind it. I currently hoop in Kyrie 1s but if these are light and provide good support I’m in.”
-Jonathon
“Personally, I’ll pick up a pair and put ‘em on ice. The kid is fun to watch.”
-AirVark
What performance details stand out to you?
“I would hoop in the Jordan Zion 1 because he’s a big man and it matches me as my player position-wise. The attribute that really stood out to me was the Air Strobel Unit and the under cushion because just by looking at it, it made me want the shoe even more because of comfort, especially the air unit because I’m heavy on my feet.”
-Issac
“From a performance perspective, I’m curious as it looks to be tailored to ‘point-forwards.’ I’m a short ‘true PG’ sized guy, so not sure this is for me. Design-wise, it’ll probably take me a while. Not hitting right off the bat, but don’t completely dislike it.”
-Jeronto
“It sounds pretty good. It sounds like it was built for him with the cushion setup and bottom-loaded air unit for extra impact protection. The upper looks like it was built to hold his foot in since he ripped his Kyrie’s at Duke.”
-Jaellyn
“Nice tech choice with full-length air setup for a first signature shoe.”
-Nick
Do you think Zion can carry the torch for Jordan Brand into a new era?
“Yet to be seen if Zion can carry the torch but he is well on his way.”
-Jonathan
“Zion definitely has the potential to have a solid line going forward as he’s one of the few players I really make it a point to watch when they’re on.”
-Swin
If anyone can, I think it’s Zion as he is a unique talent and individual. For me, he’s one of my favorites and a must-watch on a nightly basis. However, I think the love/hype for the retros kind of overshadows the Jordan team line and their signature athletes.”
-Darrell
“Yes he can carry the torch for the new era of Jordan Brand, but there are many other players in the league that can carry the torch as well. Such as Luka Dončić or Jayson Tatum.”
-Issac
Images via Nike
The debut “Gen Zion” colorway releases on April 23 globally and April 29.
