Jordan Session Review: Skate Looks, Average Performance

When I first got my hands on the Jordan Session, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The sneaker seemed to come out of nowhere, and while Nike’s product page described it as “skate-inspired,” I couldn’t help but wonder: Is Jordan Brand actually stepping into the skateboarding world, or are they just playing it safe with a nod?

This is my full Jordan Session review — based entirely on my personal experience skating in them, walking in them, and analyzing their build. I’ll break down the performance, comfort, style, and whether they’re really worth your time (and money).

First Impressions & Design

Right out of the box, the Jordan Session had an interesting vibe. The packaging itself didn’t scream “skateboarding” — it felt more surf-inspired, to be honest. That made me wonder: is Jordan Brand serious about building a skate line, or are they just testing the waters?

Visually, the shoe has that puffed-out ’90s skate aesthetic, reminding me of old-school Vans or Airwalks. It’s chunky in all the right ways and definitely on-trend with the retro look. But that’s about where the boldness ends.

Outsole & Traction: Solid But Not Game-Changing

One thing I appreciated immediately was the full herringbone traction pattern on the outsole. As someone who actually skates, I know how critical grip is — not just on the board, but when pushing on the pavement. Herringbone is a solid choice, and the gum rubber adds a nice tacky feel.

However, it’s not revolutionary. This is standard stuff you’d expect in any decent skate shoe, and while it performs decently, it doesn’t outperform dedicated skate brands.

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Midsole & Cushioning: A Major Letdown

Here’s where my Jordan Session review takes a dip.

The midsole is a mix of foam and rubber — technically a semi-cupsole. The front half is solid rubber for board feel, while the heel and sidewalls are foam. Unfortunately, it’s just that: foam. No Zoom. No Air. Nothing proprietary or responsive.

I found the back foam mildly comfortable, but after a long session, my feet begged for better impact protection. If you’re planning to skate in these regularly, I’d highly recommend swapping out the insole for something with actual support — like the Move Baseline or Ares PEBAX insole. The stock one is glued in and very basic.

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Jordan Session Review: Upper Materials & Durability

Now this is where the shoe redeems itself.

The upper on my pair is full suede, and it has a legit skate-ready feel. It’s soft to the touch, flexes naturally, and grips the board well. Compared to modern skate shoes, it’s in the same ballpark — maybe even slightly better in terms of material feel.

Still, durability remains a question. Any skater knows how quickly uppers get destroyed from ollies and kickflips. Only time will tell if the Jordan Session can take that kind of beating. For reference, I’d compare the upper’s quality to something like the New Balance Numeric 933 — a solid match in terms of feel, though the NB has more tech packed in.

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Style & Colorway Choices

This part felt… confused. My pair came with mismatched details and a tooling setup clearly borrowed from another colorway (probably to save cost). While the design is decent, it feels cobbled together — almost like they rushed to meet a deadline.

The extra laces were a nice touch, but the checkered pattern? Totally out of place. I swapped them out immediately for the white pair, which felt cleaner, but still didn’t quite match the rest of the shoe.

The color blocking overall was choppy — four or five different tones that didn’t blend well. I get that Jordan Brand might be testing this skate crossover concept, but it feels like they’re only halfway committed.

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Branding & Identity: Where’s the Jordan?

One strange omission is branding. If you took the Jordan name off the box, I’m not sure I’d recognize this as a Jordan sneaker. There’s a tiny Jumpman logo on the toe and heel, but it’s super subtle.

Skate culture thrives on identity and heritage. When I wear a Nike SB, I know what it stands for. But this? It feels like a generic skate shoe with some Jordan-like elements.

That missing identity hurts the overall value — especially considering the price point, which is on the higher side for a skate shoe.

Jordan Session Review: Fit & Sizing

The Jordan Session fits true to size. I wore my regular size and had no issues with length or width. The puffy tongue adds comfort and fills out the foot well, which helped with lockdown during board tricks.

If you’re planning to wear these casually, you’ll be fine sticking to your usual size. Just don’t expect plush step-in comfort.

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Final Verdict: Style Over Substance?

So, here’s the big takeaway from this Jordan Session review:

The shoe looks great, has decent board feel, and solid traction — but it’s missing the tech and cushioning that real skaters need. Jordan Brand clearly wants to flirt with the skate world, but it doesn’t feel like they’re all in yet.

For casual wearers who love the chunky ‘90s aesthetic, this might be enough. But for serious skaters? You can get better performance and durability from brands like DC, Globe, or even Nike SB.

Is this the start of a new Jordan skate division? Maybe. But if it is, I hope the next drop comes with better tech, cleaner colorways, and a stronger sense of identity.

• Would I Buy Them Again?

Honestly, probably not — at least not for skating. But if they release a cleaner colorway with some real cushioning tech? I’d reconsider.

• Jordan Session Review in One Sentence:

A visually appealing skate-inspired sneaker from Jordan Brand that plays it safe and misses the mark on performance.

If you’ve tried the Jordan Session yourself, I’d love to hear your take. Do you think Jordan Brand should fully commit to a skate line, or leave it to the pros? Sound off in the comments.

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