Was I Wrong About the Air Jordan 1 Low OG 'Black Cement Elephant Print'? Review and On Feet!
The Air Jordan 1 Low OG 'Black Cement Elephant Print' releases in the United States on June 24 for $140. Featuring a nubuck black base layer with Jordan Brand's iconic elephant print that takes up half the shoe, I am admittedly not a big fan of using so much of a pattern that should be used as an accent or complement to a shoe. However, after spending some time with the shoe I'm left a little torn. Check out my in depth review including colorway, materials, quality, size and comfort. Extra lace swap and on feet footage included!
Colorway (3/5):
When images of this shoe and the Jordan 1 High OG ‘White Cement Elephant Print’ surfaced, I hated both. I think (and I still believe) elephant print is a pattern that should be used in limited amounts on a shoe. It should be a complement and accent to a shoe, it shouldn’t be nearly the whole shoe.
In hand however, I will say the elephant print used here is thinner and lighter than a lot of modern day elephant print seen on Jordan 3s (see my video for direct comparison). That relieves the heavy use of elephant print and actually makes the shoe look acceptable. I probably like black sneakers more than the average person so I don’t mind the black base layer. The midsole is muslin and while I would’ve preferred a white midsole, I think it goes well with the grey outsole and elephant print overlays.
Materials (3/5):
This shoe has a nubuck base layer and it’s decent nubuck. Nothing to get too excited over but nothing to be upset over. The elephant print as mentioned above is one of the better elephant prints in recent memory. It’s closer to the 1988 elephant print which was lighter and thinner, and that was supposed to be used on the Jordan 3 ‘White Cement Reimagined’ but we all know how that went.
Like other Jordan 1s this shoe features a rubber cupsole with a Nike Air unit on the heel. The insole is cheap nonsense and the cushioning is barely there.
Size and Comfort (2/5):
I’m a size 9.5 true to size but I do have wide feet, but for Jordan 1s I always go true to size. The Jordan 1 is a pretty stiff shoe no matter what but it does fit flat and wide footers pretty well. Comfort wise, the flatness of a Jordan 1 is very apparent especially if you own more modern day shoes. It’s a slight notch above shoes like the Air Force One or Nike Dunk Low but that really doesn’t say much.
Versatility (4/5):
The Jordan 1 is a legend for a reason, it’s one of the most versatile and wearable silhouettes ever, and despite the decrease in hype in 2023, that will never change. In terms of versatility of this colorway, even though I have my complaints this is essentially a grey and black sneaker which is extremely versatile.
Storytelling (1/5):
Despite generous use of a legendary pattern, there’s not really a story here. Just a general release for the public.
Laces and Box:
This shoe does come with an extra set of grey laces to match the elephant print overlays. I actually don’t mind this color but I’d still prefer the default black laces.
In terms of the box, Jordan Brand must’ve thought there wasn’t enough elephant print on the shoe so they made the box entirely out of elephant print.