US' Nike Jordan unveils Jayson Tatum's signature shoe

The Tatum 1 was born out of Tatum’s desire to wear a shoe that felt more connected to his foot. Built out of a lightweight, strong TPU frame, the shoe is wrapped by a ground-contact foam that also acts as an integrated traction pattern, with minimal rubber on the toe and ball of the foot for Tatum’s predominantly forefoot game. This detail allowed designers to cut back on the weight of the shoe while also providing a tight court feel. A large, uncaged zoom air bag in the forefoot helps provide high energy return without sacrificing court feel. The mesh knit upper is strong yet lightweight, while the collar is padded for ankle support, Nike said in a media statement.

Unique to the Tatum 1 is its focused attention on the kids’ design. Tatum wanted a shoe that was easy for kids to get in and out of. In partnership with the Jordan Brand design team, Tatum helped influence a kids-specific design for his signature shoe that used an innovative, injected TPU tailgate system to help with easy entry. The design has a specialised tooling that includes zonal rubber on the outsole with deeper grooves for durability. The tooling also removes the forefoot zoom air bag for a more comfortable feeling for kids.

The shoe is releasing at the same time as an apparel collection, inspired by the Zoo and Barbershop colourways of the Tatum 1. Select pieces include hoodies and tees for men, women, and kids.

“I want people to feel like they can connect to me. I remember being a kid, walking into the store, and looking for the signature shoes of my favourite players. The moment I saw the shoe or put the shoe on, I felt like I was in sync and closer to them in a way. So, I want this shoe to be a bridge between my fans and me to bring us closer together,” Tatum said.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (GK)