Our verdict
Y2K babies have mixed emotions with the revival of the Nu Retro 1 Low, a very popular silhouette that was first released in 2002. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Jordan released new colorways of the basketball-inspired low-top in 2023 (belated happy birthday!). Fans love the familiar comfort of the kicks but the large wing design does not really fly in today’s sneaker scene. The saving grace: it is an affordable retro sneaker.
Pros
- Retro-fied silhouette
- Supreme comfort
- Head-turning aesthetic
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- Great for everyday use
- Affordable
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Cons
- Narrow-fitting
- Stiff soles
- Low-quality materials
Air Jordan 36 Luka PE DJ4483-400 | Who should buy Jordan Nu Retro 1 Low
- OG fans and those who dreamt of having Jordan Nu Retro 1 Low back in 2002.
- Sneakerheads who love retro-inspired kicks from Jordan.
- Desolate who are shopping for comfy scene-stealing basketball sneakers.
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Check out Jordan PSG Fleece Shorts for a better-feeling footbed. Go for Air Jordan 11 Retro Low for a snug and quality alternative.
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Several reviewers praised the comfort of Jordan Nu Retro 1 Low, noting that it is still as comfortable as it was two decades ago. “They are very comfortable right off the bat!” exclaimed one tester. Another reviewer reported that the cushioning in the Nu Retro 1 Lows is “way more comfortable than the Jordan 1 Low.” One sneakerhead also remarked: “It looks good and it's comfortable for everyday use. What else do you want?”
Remember to buy half a size up
In terms of fit, the sneakers were described to be narrow by multiple reviewers. “I think they may run a bit small based on my usual sizing,” admitted one sneaker fan. According to a wide-footed buyer, the Nu Retro 1 Lows are “way too narrow” for them. To know more about Jordan sneaker sizes, reading through this guide Air Jordan 36 Luka PE DJ4483-400.
The soles are stiff though
However, one issue that sneakerheads pointed out is the stiffness of the soles of the Jordan Nu Retro 1 Low. An expert explained that the midsoles are a combination of Phylon and cupsole. However, the forefoot area flexes “mad weird” because the cupsole is stiff, they explained.
Jordan Nu Retro 1 Low is unbelievably affordable
A pair of Nu Retro 1 Lows retail for $105. In comparison, an average Jordan low-top sneaker costs $126.8 which means Jordan Nu Retro 1 Low is 17.2% cheaper.
But don’t expect much with the quality of materials
The bad news is: the quality of the sneakers is a miss. According to a tester, the materials of the sneaker are awful. An expert seconded saying that the kicks feel “very weird, very low-tech.” They also pointed out that the material on the tongue and the laces feel “really cheap.”
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Originally released in 2002, the reincarnation of Jordan Nu Retro 1 Low draw much hype from OG fans. “I bought a pair as I saw them online!” exclaimed one reviewer. Another sneaker fan expressed their love for the kicks saying the nostalgia and the weirdness of the shoes are just their bag. However, some fans were disappointed that the sneakers are not as fire as they were before. “Something awkward about them now,” said one tester. “But I feel you about thinking they were fire back in the day.”
You can still look good with Nu Retro 1 Low
Those who copped the sneaker also shared some of their words of wisdom on how to style and look great with the Nu Retro 1 Low. A reviewer noted that the weird-looking silhouette of the kicks is a real eye-catcher. “Sometimes different can be better than trying to be part of the crowd,” they said. “It's all about how you wear them,” said one tester. According to another sneakerhead, “You can make anything look dope, just feel confident and comfortable in ‘em.”
