Air Jordan 1: “Mocha”

Looks: 

As previously stated, the Mocha 1s usually stick to the "Black Toe" color scheme. The black toe guard, tie-down straps, lace eyelets, and swoosh contrast with the white toe, midfoot, and tongue. The heel counter and ankle straps are colored to match the shoe.

The black leather used throughout the front is sleek, which stands out even more against the somewhat milky white used on the toe box. The right shoe's toe box has a different form and offset than the left, indicating poor quality control. The white leather continues through the shoe's center, with a black swoosh and black eyelet leather on top.

The heel counter and ankle straps contain brown nubuck, which is broken up by the swoosh and the mid panel at the back of the shoe, giving the sneaker its name. These are stacked towards the back of the shoe to provide extra heel support and comfort (even if the original used a different shape).

The brown nubuck is somewhat variegated and finds a near-perfect balance between being totally flat and seeming stained.

The shoe deviates somewhat from the black toe design by having the cushioned region around the ankle completed in white rather than black. This is a somewhat brighter hue than the white leather, however that is most likely due to the materials used. While some may differ, I believe the black eyelet panel, white ankle padding, and brown strap are excessive, and this is perhaps my least favorite aspect of the shoe's design.

When you pull back the white tongue, you'll reveal a black lining and insole with a white Nike logo on a black backdrop on the tag. You may use the black laces that came with the sneaker, but there are also a pair of milky white laces included.

Finally, the textured midsole complements the white leather, while the black outsole contrasts with the smooth black leather everywhere on the shoe. The outsole features a traditional Jordan 1 design, with rings in the front and boxes in the back.

Fit & Comfort: 

The Jordan 1 Mocha is a shoe that fits like any other Jordan 1, that is, it is a thin shoe. Because the cup sole has little flexibility in breadth, broad footers should size up half a size from most sneakers and up a full size from brannock. Because there is some wiggle space in the length due to the padding in the heel, size by width.

Unfortunately, the padding was also a flaw with this model. With this sneaker, Jordan Brand reverted to old traditions, and the padding structure is a prime illustration. Out of the box, both pairs had gaps, holes, and misalignment that is irritating, verging on uncomfortable. This cushioning will most certainly collapse with time, but it's unfortunate that one of the few things making this 35-year-old sneaker design comfy is absent.

It's also worth noting that, despite the presence of an air unit in the sole, it's barely apparent. The most of the time, this shoe feels like it's walking on a firm rubber outsole.

Materials: 

Jordan Brand utilized a thin leather with a vinal covering on top, similar to most other Jordan 1s. This covering isn't anything you should be concerned about. While the colors on this shoe are subdued, you can't rely on natural dyes to produce anything like the Chicago Red or Carolina Blue, which requires this coating to truly explode in color. This leather is of poor quality and may wrinkle badly, but it will stretch to suit your foot.

This shoe's nubuck is synthetic rather than actual animal, which may not be a terrible thing. Jordan Brand was able to get precisely the perfect amount of thickness thanks to the synthetic material. And, as previously said, achieve the ideal color variety.

The tongue is composed of the same nylon as the rest of the Jordan 1 and has the same internal cushioning as the rest of the shoe. The white pad on the other side of the ankle is composed of regular Jordan 1 vinyl.

Jordan Brand went back to the earlier, wider-weave mesh on the inside, instead of the tight-knit liner found on most releases since 2019. This material will almost likely wear out faster and isn't as comfy as the original, but it is closer to the original, so it's not really a question of which is better. As previously mentioned, the typically pleasant cushioning has missing parts and other concerns behind it.

The strong compound rubber should last a long time, even if the sole isn't very comfortable. It also won't fall apart as some other Jordan retros do after a few years.

Ease of Care: 

The uppers' black and white sections should be simple to clean. Most of the filth may be removed with a damp cloth, and any remaining grit can be removed with soap. The white's milky tint will also assist to conceal grime and dust.

The nubuck is a little more difficult to work with. Because water can permanently stain and discolor the material, it's best to keep these shoes dry if at all possible. When compared to regular Jordan leather, it will be easier to scratch during wearing or cleaning. If you do decide to wipe the dirt off, there are specific brushes designed for nubuck.

Some individuals prefer to embrace the wrinkles, but a pair of shoe trees can assist to keep the truly deep ones to a minimum. Wooden ones are preferable since they help keep the shoes smelling fresh, but any material will suffice.