The Air Jordan 38 was released this month and since we got a pair of the first colorway we had a chance to inspect it and review its looks. Since 1985 every year the Jordan brand is coming up with a new model of their signature line and 2023 is no different. Since the Jordan 37 was a bit of a disappointment on the court for many the new model is a revamped one with all new features and looks that are surely an upgrade to what we’ve seen in the past several years. The release of the AJ 38 (XXXVIII) got many sneakerheads excited, many hailing it as the best performance basketball shoe at the moment. Aside from its upgraded tech specs it also has the looks that come closer to what the signature line was all about back in the day.
How They Fit
The pair we got on our hands was the white, black and siren red, dubbed as the “Fundamentals” , likely due to the colors that MJ was wearing while playing for the Chicago Bulls. The shoes come in a “Move to Zero” box that is unusual for the line but it aligns with Nike’s overall campaign for waste recycling. This means that at least 20% of the shoe is made with recycled content. If you’re disappointed in this you can take some comfort in the presence of MJ’s signature on the box. It is fairly lightweight for a high top sneaker, with size 12 weighing 16.55oz.
As you try these on they feel super comfortable and they fit true to size with a nice, roomy toe box. There is very little need to break them in, including getting used to the extra padded tongue. If unsure about your Jordan sizing you can check out a size chart here.
Upper
The upper of the Air Jordan 38 was designed to add both durability, breathability and comfort to the shoe. The sides feature a net like material made of strong wires that makes it so the air flow in these is top notch. The heel of the shoe is made of a synthetic material with an elaborate pattern that matches the side panels. The top of the shoe is made of what it seems to be synthetic, vegan leather that has a nice feel to touch and adds little weight to the shoe. The padding in the heel area is matched by a thick tongue made of neoprene material that has large perforations in the lacing area so it will contribute to the overall breathability of the shoe. As we tried these on for our Air Jordan 38 review the comfort and how breathable they are was what stood out about the upper.
Sole Unit
The sole unit of the Air Jordan 38 is quite elaborate, making it the top notch basketball shoe on the market in 2023. The shoes feature a full length Zoom Strobel unit encapsulated by Phylon foam throughout. Just under it there is a layer of Cushlon 3.0 which is the top cushioning foam at Nike nowadays. For ultimate stability the AJ38 features a clear , solid TPU material that is placed in the midfoot area and forefoot. Along with the x shaped forefoot shank this makes it a dream basketball shoe for point guards as it delivers ultimate stability and court feel. It is to be noted that the heel area is not as stable so those who tend to use their heels on their plays may not get the best out of this shoe. The outsole features a variation of the herringbone pattern and it delivers great traction, especially indoors. If you decide to use this $200 pair of shoes on an outdoor court they will not perform as well and likely will easily wear out the thin pattern of the outsole.
Bottom Line
To wrap up our short Air Jordan 38 review, this is the ultimate performance basketball shoe in 2023. It features excellent comfort, support and responsiveness on the court. It is a shoe that was designed for more indoor use and we’re sure that the low top version will be an excellent summer sneaker that will transcend its basketball court purpose. At $200 you get the top of the line if you want to make an impact on the court.
