The Nike Ja 3 is the third signature sneaker in Ja Morant’s line, and it’s a massive step up from the first two. This shoe brings back some real fun to performance basketball footwear with a fresh, playful design that’s perfect for his explosive style. After putting serious court time in them, I’d call it an early contender for basketball shoe of the year—especially at that accessible price point.
Release Date: [Insert actual date if known; based on current info, around early 2025 releases]
Price: Around $120–$130 (great value for the tech)
Fit: True to size (with notes below)
Overall Score: 8.3 / 10 (Strong traction and cushion carry it, but the upper holds it back from perfection.)
Pros
- Ultra-grippy solid rubber traction that’s elite indoors
- Fun, low-profile ZoomX cushion setup that’s smooth and stable
- Huge improvement over Ja 1 and Ja 2 in ride quality
- Fresh aesthetic—easily one of the best-looking hoops shoes out right now
- Solid value for premium foam tech
Cons
- Soft upper loses containment during hard lateral cuts
- Not ideal for wide feet or aggressive play without adjustments
- Outsole wears down fast outdoors due to soft compound
The Nike Ja 3 brings serious energy to the court with a design that’s just cool. The way they’ve worked in the Ja logos everywhere, plus that unique look—it’s fun without trying too hard. But performance-wise, it shines brightest when you keep it indoors.
Nike Ja 3 Box
The packaging keeps the playful vibe going—clean box with nice detailing and a fun Ja sticker inside that adds personality. Nothing over-the-top, but it matches the shoe’s energy.
Traction
Traction on the Nike Ja 3 (especially in this solid rubber colorway) is hands-down its best feature. The outsole is super pliable and grippy—it literally screeches like it’s about to rip up the gym floor. That sound doesn’t always equal great grip, but here it does: the friction is insane. The pattern with all those Ja logos gives consistent multi-directional coverage, so no matter if you’re going forward, backward, or cutting hard, it locks in perfectly.
It covers any style of play. You feel unstoppable off the dribble or locking up on defense. The only downside? That soft rubber is perfect for indoor grip but will burn out super fast outdoors. I wouldn’t take these outside even on discount—they’re built for the hardwood. Indoors though? Go all out. It’s elite.
Cushion
The cushion setup surprised me the more I played in them. Everyone was saying unstable underfoot, but that hasn’t been my experience at all—even when I’m going hard. You’ve got dual-layer ZoomX: a top layer of standard ZoomX and a bottom recycled ZoomX, all caged inside a rigid rubber cupsole that’s split for flexibility (kinda like what Brand Black did with their Rare Metal before they shut down—RIP).
That cupsole keeps everything locked and stable; the foam isn’t going anywhere unless you force it. The ride isn’t crazy explosive like some running ZoomX, but it’s subtle, smooth, and gives nice feedback pops when you need them. It’s a unique ZoomX feel—fun and way better than the firm foam + rectangle Zoom unit in the Ja 1 and Ja 2. Those were hit-or-miss; this full-length ZoomX is consistent and enjoyable. Easily the second-best thing about the shoe.
(Pro tip: The stock insole is basic. Swapping to something with better arch support like a Move or similar aftermarket insole could make it even better.)
Materials and Support
Here’s where things get mixed. The upper is a full one-piece textile mesh—simple, breathable, nothing crazy structured. It starts off super snug (almost suffocating in my true size at first), but it breaks in after a few wears. I tried half-up and ended up sticking with true to size once broken in—the half-up got too loose.
The problem kicks in during heat and hard play: the mesh softens, and on aggressive lateral moves or digs, your foot starts rolling over the rounded footbed. I’ve had my ankle touch the floor a couple times (thankfully strong ankles), but it’s noticeable. The caged ZoomX below keeps the platform stable—it’s not the cushion that’s unstable, it’s the upper lacking containment. Needs a stronger midfoot panel, TPU Flywire like old Kobe 4s, or internal lockdown wings (like some Sabrina models) to really lock you down.
Support is half-and-half: bottom half (that cupsole + foam cage) is surprisingly good; upper half lets it down for all-out games. Fine for casual or lighter days, but not ideal if you’re going super hard.
Fit
True to size works best for me after break-in. It starts tight (snugger than previous Ja models), loosens a bit, then you dial in the laces. Wide-footers should probably stay away or try them on first—heel slip and rollover complaints will come if it doesn’t fit right. Narrow/medium feet: go TTS and give them time to mold. Patience pays off here—don’t rush the buy.
Read Full Review: Nike Ja 3 Basketball Shoes Performance Review
