COMPARED: Nike Ja 4 vs. Nike Twelve Time

Ja Morant may have had his struggles on and off the basketball court, but his signature sneaker line with Nike is thriving. Nike just dropped his fourth signature sneaker, the Nike Ja 4, and has prepped a new budget-friendly takedown model for Morant, the Nike Twelve Time. Of course, with a takedown model, footwear brands will change the tooling and materials to bring the price down, and that means some major differences from the flagship model.

With Morant now having two sneakers on the market, let’s break down the differences in the Nike Ja 4 and Nike Twelve Time.

Similarities Between the Nike Ja 4 and the Nike Twelve Time

Incorporating Ja’s Name

There aren’t many similarities between the Ja 4 and Twelve Time, but one major one is that both feature Ja Morant’s name in the design of the upper. It’s quite clear on the Ja 4 where his name sits, as the backward Swoosh and JA-Frame form his first name.

However, it’s a bit more hidden on the Nike Twelve Time. Take a look from the top down. The right shoe features a large Swoosh that cuts from the top of the tongue across the vamp and onto the lateral side. On the left, there is a fang-like jagged edge. These two combined create “JA,” which is clearly visible once you add an outline.

Cut

Both the Ja 4 and Twelve Time are done in the same low-top cut.

Differences Between the Nike Ja 4 and the Nike Twelve Time

Tooling

In order to reach the budget-friendly price that the Twelve Time and other takedown sneaker models aim for, there have to be sacrifices somewhere. This almost always affects the cushioning system, technology, and overall tooling of the shoe.

Inside the Ja 4 is a Cushlon 3.0 foam and a Super Critical Foam insole, both providing a cushioned, yet stable ride on the court. Contrast that with the no-name EVA foam used in the Nike Twelve Time, and there’s a clear downgrade. Now, that’s not to say the Twelve Time can’t perform on the court, but losing the premium foam cushioning and the JA-Frame shank from the Ja 4, you’ll clearly tell the difference if you switch between the two.

Price

Here’s where the Nike Twelve Time shines. Of course, with the removal of the high-end tech and materials, the Twelve Time is able to reach a lower retail price of just $90 in adult sizes. GS sizes are even cheaper, coming in at $85, and PS at $75.

For the Nike Ja 4, you’re paying $130 for most colorways, and even more for special renditions. Kids’ pairs are priced at $115 for GS sizes. The $40 price difference for adult sizes and the $35 difference for GS sizes are significant, especially if you’re replacing pairs regularly. Say you go through two or three pairs in a year, you’ll be able to save between $80-$120 if you’re buying the Twelve Time.

Material

The price reduction can also be attributed to the difference in materials used on the upper. With the Ja 4, Nike applies a textured, armor-like synthetic material that sits above the mesh base, while the Twelve Time keeps it simple with a molded synthetic upper reinforced with ballistic-woven materials in select areas.

Traction

Both the Nike Twelve Time and Ja 4 feature a grippy rubber on the outsole for traction on the court, but their traction patterns differ. The Twelve Time uses a herringbone pattern featuring triangles throughout to match Ja Morant’s signature logo. His logo is found on the back of the heel.

For the Ja 4, Nike incorporates the Ja Morant signature logo in the center, but the pattern across the rest of the outsole is different. Instead of large triangles, miniature versions of the shape are arranged in a precise pattern to enable quick changes in direction.

Nicholas Vlahos

Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy watching films and discovering music. Follow me on Letterboxd @nickvlah For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com