The Nike Ja 3 Year of the Horse lands as a Lunar New Year release that treats symbolism and performance with equal weight. Built on the third chapter of Ja Morant’s signature line, the sneaker draws from the Year of the Horse to frame ideas of speed, drive, and forward momentum, qualities closely tied to both the zodiac sign and Morant’s playing style.
SNEAKERS
Light Chocolate anchors the upper, layered with dense red texturing that runs across the knit surface. The red continues into the midsole and outsole, giving the shoe a high-contrast profile. Metallic Gold appears at the Swoosh, its reflective finish standing out against the darker upper.
Material choices differentiate this edition from the standard Ja 3. The woven knit upper follows the model’s performance construction, while the tongue switches to faux pony hair as a direct reference to the Horse theme. The contrast between knit and hair introduces a clear change in texture at the center of the shoe. Aside from that shift, the rest of the upper remains consistent with the Ja 3’s athletic structure.
The Ja 3 is engineered for responsiveness and control, with a ZoomX midsole tuned for explosive movement and quick recovery. The outsole pattern focuses on traction and lateral stability, supporting fast cuts and aggressive footwork.
Chinese characters appear on the insoles, translating to the phrase “take the lead,” while “TWELVE” at the heel references Morant’s jersey number. These elements connect the Lunar New Year theme directly to the athlete, ensuring the design feels personal and not generic. Even the packaging extends the concept, using red and gold tones that echo traditional New Year symbolism.
The Nike Ja 3 Year of the Horse releases on January 16, 2026, priced at $145 USD, and will be available through Nike SNKRS and select global retailers.
loving the red