As the title states, the Jordan Tatum 1 is the lightest basketball shoe on the Jordan performance basketball line. Contrarily, it carries a lot of weight for the Jumpman Brand as it continues to navigate this newly begun phase after its 25th Anniversary.
There will never be another face of Jordan Brand other than the man himself, but a strong case can be made on behalf of Jayson Tatum being the leader of the robust new class. Zion’s got the bounce and the highlights, and Luka’s got the insane stat-lines, but JT has accomplished far more in terms of meaningful basketball, at least in MJ’s eyes.
After signing with Jordan Brand in the summer of 2019, Tatum’s first signature shoe could not have arrived at a better time. Fully grown into a perennial MVP candidate and a fixture at All-Star Weekend for the next decade-plus, Jayson Tatum embodies what a true signature athlete should be. A “total package” shoe is only right for a once-in-a-generation star like Jayson, and the JT1 delivers on all the marks considering basketball shoe trends, performance shoe demands, and the stress of the economy.
An ultra-light basketball shoe requires a supportive and protective frame. The JT1 features a lightweight, yet strong TPU frame that provides the structure and torsional stability for Jayson’s side to side movements. The outsole also features a plate technology, designed to help with quick transitional movements. Without these components, lightweight for the sake of being light can be ineffective. Contributing to the weight reduction is the mesh knit upper. A padded ankle collar provides additional support, while a large-volume Zoom Air at the fore-foot provides the proper cushioning.
I want people to feel like they can connect to me…The moment I saw the shoe or put the shoe on, I felt like I was in sync and closer to them in a way.
Jayson Tatum on getting his own signature shoe
Four colorways have officially been revealed as part of this introductory launch. all inspired by past Player Editions of the past. Each of these colorway iterations have existed on previous Air Jordan models, but are now being offered to the public to further connect Jayson’s personal life to his fans. The “Zoo” colorway is confirmed by Jordan Brand to hit stores on April 7th, 2023 in full family sizes. The remaining three will release throughout April, May, and June.
Just below is the “Pink Lemonade” is an homage to Jayson’s favorite beverage. Bright and vivid pink and yellow shades cover the upper, while condensation marks or embossed onto the tongue. A release date is tentatively scheduled for June 20th, 2023.
When Tatum gets a fresh cut, his confidence receives a boost and he truly believes he’s Top 5 in the league. It explains why his hair is always freshly cut. A release date is tentatively scheduled for May 2023.
One of Tatum’s favorite activities with his son Deuce is visiting the Zoo. The black/red colorway features a mix of wild prints and patterns around the shoe. A release date is scheduled for Aprill 7th, 2023. $120 (adult), $90 (grade school), $75 (Pre-School), $55 (Toddler).
A hometown homage is only fitting considering St. Louis is avidly tattooed on Tatum’s body. Featuring the colors of throwback St. Louis Cardinals uniforms, this release also nods to Archer Ave., the street he grew up on. A release date is tentatively scheduled for April 18th.