361 Joker 1: Nikola Jokić’s first signing is a blast

The 361 Joker 1 features an outsole pattern inspired by Serbian culture, referred to as “Serbian ethnic traction” in official descriptions. It’s a strange name. However, traction lines are created that cover all possible directions along the sole; So in that respect it serves its purpose. The Joker 1 features the brand’s proprietary design Diamond Grip outsolewhich provides exceptional, long-lasting grip on the court suitable for outdoor use.

The forefoot area is covered in a durable cup-sole construction that improves stability and responsiveness during quick turns and quick breaks. Traction is excellent on polished hardwood courts, providing consistent and reliable performance. The robust rubber compound ensures durability and makes it an excellent choice for indoor and outdoor play. If traction is a priority for you, the Joker 1 is a great option.

Equipped with 361s Qu!kCQTECH cushioningThe Joker 1 provides a plush, responsive and springy feel underfoot. Unlike bulkier models, this shoe offers a balanced on-court feel and impact protection, making it versatile for players in all positions. Surrounded by a supportive TPU coating, the Joker 1’s midsole remains super stable underfoot while providing a soft, resilient ride.

For a shoe designed for a big, heavy NBA center, it feels surprisingly light and nimble; and this is mainly due to the Qu!kCQTECH midsole. Cushioning is another reason why the Joker 1 is a good option for outdoor play. It offers more than enough impact protection to keep your legs fresh even on harder surfaces. This setup is very balanced and versatile.

When you first open the box of your brand new pair of Joker 1s, you’ll be hit with the sweet, overwhelming smell of leather. Is the shoe actually made of REAL leather? We can’t be sure, though it definitely looks and smells like it. The 361 Joker 1, along with the Way of Wade 11, is one of the few basketball shoes from Chinese brands that feature this type of construction.

The white parts (of the colorway we tested) are made of leather or faux leather, as are the black parts on the outside; and the black parts on the medial side are made of nubuck. In the heel we have a robust, external TPU heel capand the eye area is also reinforced with TPU for extra durability. It may take a while for this structure to collapse; but if it is so, It conforms well to your foot and provides structure and support They will need on the pitch.

Despite its lightweight construction, it is 361 Joker 1 Should be a great basketball shoe in terms of support. The shoe features a robust TPU torsion plate and a TPU cover that wraps the midsole from the midfoot. The strong heel cap ensures a snug fit, prevents the heel from slipping and provides more stability in the back of the shoe.

All of this – combined with the robust upper material and the super stable midsole – ensures this a very safe shoe. Whoever designed Joker 1 did a very good job making it a versatile model. It’s light and agile like a guard shoe, yet supportive and sturdy enough for a taller post-style player.

Sizing for 361 Joker 1 can be a bit tricky. Chris, who tested this shoe, bought his pair It’s half a size larger than his normal size, but fits him very well. If you stick to the right size it might work too, but it offers a very precise 1-to-1 fit. Players with wider feet will almost certainly need to size up at least half a size for optimal comfort. The metatarsal padding and shaped collar contribute to an excellent fit and ensure a personalized feel after break-in.

There’s a saying in the sneaker-verse: “Tall men don’t sell shoes” – meaning tall men’s signature shoes tend to be particularly unpopular. This may be because they usually have very special performance characteristics. If that’s the case, Joker 1 has a very good chance of breaking that tradition. This is a very versatile basketball shoe. Whether you’re a big, powerful player or a light, fast defender, the Joker 1 has you covered.

361 has made some really great basketball shoes. The 361 BIG3 5.0 Quick Pro has a strange name but is a great basketball shoe, and Aaron Gordon’s AG 5 is one of the most technical and high-performance basketball shoes on the market. The Joker 1 is, simply put, a great first signature shoeand there aren’t many (or any) better featured basketball shoes for $129.