Woj and Boban star in Jordan Luka 5 Ad

In many ways, the Luka 5 builds on the foundation of its predecessor. The IsoPlate technology that added stability to the 4 now gets an ‘IsoBand’, a strip of more flexible material that means flexing moves and cuts on the pitch aren’t lost in the pursuit of overall stiffness. An Air Zoom unit now defines the forefoot, creating a full-length setup for the proprietary cushioning, wrapped in Cushlon foam for the complete package. While the Luka 4 used herringbone from edge to edge, the sequel keeps it centered underfoot while surrounding it with lined patterns as you move towards the upper. About the new hardware notes, Doncic shares the following:

“Collaborating with Jordan Brand on the Luka 5 was about creating something that fits my game and continues to evolve with me. The full-length Zoom Strobel and ISO strap give me that extra pop and control so I can attack from anywhere on the floor. Every time I strap them on, I know I’m ready to go.”

Aesthetically, the significant shift is a move away from the curvilinear side patch, instead towards a sharper-lined design, fitting considering the ‘Viper’ inspiration running through the first few colorways. Like the ‘Lake Bled’ colorways, the Luka 5 ‘Viper Edge’ and ‘Venom’ find their roots in Slovenia, drawn from the local wildlife and the cold-blooded confidence Luka sees in them. We’ve also discovered a ‘Black/Bright Crimson’, launching in January.

Finally, Jordan Brand’s marketing efforts maintain the vicious candor we first saw in the Luka Doncic Trial, exploiting the disconnect between #77’s understated demeanor off the field and his sharp-witted personality on the field. While he and the Jumpman teased that “Luka has been doing some thinking,” the revealing spot “Bad Luka, Nice Shoes” features the All-NBAer passive aggressively sending pairs of the Luka 5 to longtime opponents, from referees to Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Jordan Luka 5 will launch on January 8th in “Venom” and “Viper Edge” colorways and will retail for $130 and $140 respectively. The black/green colorway will also be available in kids sizes, with a sticker price of $105. Check out detailed images of all three colorways mentioned in this piece via the galleries below, and check out our Jordan Release Dates page for more updates.

Matt Varga is an editor at SneakerNews. Initially pursuing a degree in Video Art and Technology, he moved into video editing and writing in the music business, primarily in the fields of hip-hop and electronica. A long-standing interest in sneakers led him to switch to shoes. He is an avid collector and his favorite sneaker of all time comes down to the Air Jordan 1 ‘Black Toe’ and the Air Jordan 5 ‘Laney’, his very first pickups. When he’s not writing, you can find Matt cooking, traveling, going to concerts and, weather permitting, on the handball court.