In my quest to find a comprehensive performance review of the Air Jordan 38, since I don’t personally own a pair, I came across another stellar review by Zach, the Foot Doctor on YouTube. I’ve taken the liberty to distill the key insights from his breakdown for your convenience.
Air Jordan 38: Performance Review
Design and Uppers: The Air Jordan 38 sports a high-top design with a heel counter that dips low at the back, providing improved north-to-south movement for your Achilles. This feature, combined with the high top lace eyelet, ensures excellent lockdown without sacrificing comfort at the back of the ankle.
Durability: The upper durability test reveals a high resistance to wear-and-tear. The shoe withstands high skirt sandpaper for 10 seconds without exposing the underside layer. However, extreme draggers or sliders might find the shoes showing signs of wear on outdoor courts. On indoor hardwood, they maintain a satisfactory durability profile.
Containment: The shoe excels in containment. Stitched panels on the medial and lateral sides give the shoe a rugged nature and protect the ankle from external trauma. Additional plastic clips connect into the shank, enhancing containment when the shoe is properly locked down.
Midsole and Cushioning: The midsole features a full-length zoom strobe unit and a full bed of cushlon 30. The zoom strobel unit almost acts as a buoyancy aid for the cushlon 30, providing a soft, elastic feeling on foot. However, due to the lack of a shank in the heel, don’t expect the same level of shielding as other shoes equipped with a shank.
Bounce Height: The shoe registered 385 centimeters of bounce height in the heel and 43 centimeters on average in the forefoot. This makes for a lively and bouncy shoe underfoot, despite having less energy return than shoes with smaller zoom air units.
Outsole and Traction: The outsole tread is relatively shallow, similar to the Air Jordan 36. Nonetheless, it provides excellent pivoting power in the forefoot, thanks to two flanges that act as platforms. The shoe’s heel transitions smoothly, making it easy to shift, but it lacks the same stability as the forefoot.
Fit: The Air Jordan 38 fits true to size for narrow to medium feet, and wide feet could also achieve a good fit with some break-in time. Despite the presence of a plastic clip, there’s enough netting to allow for some give, making the shoe adaptable to different foot widths.
Ventilation of the Air Jordan 38
The ventilation system of the is impressive and effective, ensuring a comfortable experience for the wearer. The shoe manages heat efficiently, with the temperature inside the shoe only rising to between 80 and 83 degrees Fahrenheit during active wear. This is an acceptable range that will keep your feet from overheating during intense gameplay.
Following active wear, the shoe cools down remarkably well, dropping another 372 degrees Fahrenheit. This rapid cooling is thanks to the excellent airflow facilitated by the design of the shoe. The air was observed to flow freely out of both the tongue and the side panels, which are key areas for ventilation.
Here’s a rating for the key categories of the shoe
| Foot Containment | 5/5 |
| Bounce | 4/5 |
| Shock Absorption | 4/5 |
| Speed | 4/5 |
| Durability | 3/5 |
| Comfort | 4/5 |
| Support | 4/5 |
| Playability | 4.5/5 |
The cumulative rating of the shoe is about 81.25% or a B-
In conclusion, the Air Jordan 38 is an excellent performer on indoor courts, with its high containment, good bounce height, and comfortable fit. However, its durability might be a concern for players who frequent outdoor courts. Despite this, the shoe offers a surprising and pleasant fit, making it a worthy consideration for any serious player.
Where To Buy It:
You can purchase it now via StockX
What is a good basketball shoe with great ratings?
If you’re looking for a lightweight basketball shoe that offers great cushioning, support and bounce, then look no further than the Adidas Dame 8. The shoe has been tested by experts and has been rated as one of the best basketball shoes of 2023. It’s lightweight design makes it ideal for players who need to move quickly without sacrificing comfort or performance. Whether you’re playing in an outdoor tournament or just shooting around at your local court, the Dame 8 will provide you with all the support and cushioning you need to stay comfortable and perform at your best.
You can purchase it now via Finishline, CLICK HERE
