COMPARED: Nike Ja 4 vs. Nike Ja 3

After years spent in Memphis dodging controversies, Ja Morant is ready for a fresh start in the city of Portland. The new Trail Blazer is headed out west just as his new Nike sneaker, the Ja 4, is set to hit shelves. Nike and Ja have some big shoes to fill, literally, as the Ja 3 was one of the most popular sneakers across youth and professional leagues, and it even hit that crossover into the lifestyle realm.

Some sneaker lines provide incremental updates when new models are released, like Sabrina Ionescu’s signature sneakers, which don’t provide radical change on a yearly basis. But the leap between models from the Ja 2 to the Ja 3 was significant. Again, Nike Basketball has provided a total overhaul for the latest Ja Morant sneaker.

Ahead of the retail release of the Nike Ja 4, we’ve decided to pit the Ja 3 and Ja 4 against one another to compare the similarities and differences in both sneakers.

Similarities Between the Nike Ja 4 and Nike Ja 3

Cut

Nike has stuck to a low-cut build across all of Ja Morant’s signature sneakers. This rings true once again for the Nike Ja 4.

General shape

In addition to the cut of the Ja 4 remaining the same as the Ja 3, the sneaker's overall shape is also identical. Obviously, with new materials and paneling (which we’ll touch on later), the shape isn’t 1:1, but the same general foundation is present. This includes the slightly asymmetrical tongue and lacing system, toebox, and mold of the shoe itself.

JA Name

Both the Nike Ja 3 and Ja 4 incorporate Ja Morant’s name onto the upper. With the Ja 3, the Swoosh acts as the letter “J” while part of the claw-like TPU structure forms the letter “A.”

Over on the Ja 4, the Swoosh also acts as a “J,” though it's not as vertical as the Ja 3. The “A” on the Ja 4 is formed by a new piece of technology dubbed the JA-Frame.

Sizing

Both the Nike Ja 3 and Nike Ja 4 fit a tad tight out of the box. While yes, it will break in over time, it’s recommended to go a half-size up for a more comfortable experience on both shoes.

Differences Between the Nike Ja 4 and Nike Ja 3

Materials

The first thing you’ll notice between the Ja 3 and Ja 4 is the difference in materials. Nike pursued a more modern, performance-led and simple design on the Ja 4 when compared to the Ja 3, but they ensured it still maintained its edgy attitude.

Both feature a textured armored upper, but the Ja 3 uses a claw slash-like design formed from a mini “JA” monogram pattern. For the Ja 4, Nike replaces that with a one-piece synthetic material that comes textured in a diamond pattern. This helps contain the mesh base layer, which is clearly visible on the Ja 3.

Tooling

Nike has switched the tooling used in Ja Morant’s signature shoe with the Ja 4. Where the Ja 3 uses a hybrid ZoomX foam throughout the whole midsole, the Ja 4 swaps that for a Cushlon 3.0 foam.

Technically, the Cushlon 3.0 is a “lesser” foam, but according to Nike, the swap was made to provide more stability. There’s also a new Super Critical Foam insole that gives the sneaker a more responsive, explosive, and stable ride.

A new addition to the tooling on the Ja 4 is the JA-Frame. It helps form Ja’s first name on the upper, but it also serves a practical purpose for performance. The TPU materials help contain the foot and provide stability when making quick moves on the court. On the outsole, Nike took inspiration from the Ja logo, but incorporated it in a more subtle manner compared to other entries in the Ja line.

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