Sneaker Tribe Jordan Zion 1 PF
Welcome to the Sneaker Tribe! We are a bunch from SG Basketball who love our kicks and will be reviewing a pair every week in our new program, The Practical Sneaker Review!
Kickstarting our lineup will be the signature sneaker of a young rising star in the NBA, the high-flying Zion Williamson! Zion signed with Jordan brand at the start of his NBA career, becoming the youngest NBA star to own a Jordan signature shoe. We will be taking a close and personal look at the Jordan Zion 1 PF in our show on YouTube, so do watch it for the full review here.
The Zion 1 PF is the first release from Zion Williamson, who only started playing in the NBA in 2019. Let’s see if his shoes are as promising as Zion’s career is!
The shoe is a size US9.5 in a Bred (black and red) colourway.
Design
Upon unboxing the shoes, the first thing we noticed were the different logos on the tongue – on the left is Zion’s signature and on the right is the famous Air Jordan Jumpman logo. The overall design of the shoe reminds us of the KD13 and PGs. The bright crimson of the outsole as well as the intense black mixed material (matte and shiny) body makes for a very eye-catching shoe (I mean, do you expect less from a pair of Jordan brand sneakers?). On the inner side of the outsole are the words “Shock the world / Let’s dance”, which is a nod towards Williamson’s own catchphrase.
Usage
Our first impression was that the shoe itself is lightweight which definitely helps with agility. The front portion of the shoe is made up of mesh material which provides better airflow, making the Zion 1 breathable. We felt that there was ample cushioning for jump landings due to a full length air strobel as well as a Zoom Air unit. Furthermore, the thick padding of the tongue and the high walls made the fit snug and stable. The traction of the shoes amazing and potentially prevents you from getting a ‘broken ankle’ oncourt. We also found that the wide base of the shoe helps with lateral movements.
However, the rubber material of the soles could potentially lead to dust build up especially since we will usually be playing on our own indoor court at Shot Zone. Therefore, this shoe would be more suitable for outdoor courts and require frequent cleaning if used on indoor courts.
Is it worth the money?
The Zion 1 PF is retailing at SGD199, which we think is decently priced for a shoe debuting under the Jordan brand. The material and feel of the shoe are adequate, with the design and range of available colourways being plus points.
Summary
Overall, the Zion 1 PF fits well around the feet and give much needed stability and cushioning for basketball players. It is a lightweight pair that is suitable for players quick on their feet. To see the shoes in action, we have conducted a functionality test and the video version of this review is on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/WmVO6cRzRjc