Few shoes have such a long and iconic history in the industry as Jordans do (with Air Jordan being one of the longest-running sneaker lines). While they’re basketball shoes at heart, the silhouette has become a timeless piece of history that’s transcended into a style icon. After all these years, Air Jordans still see innovations and remain relevant in basketball and fashion. And it’s always big news whenever there’s a new addition to the lineup. What’s especially big news is this Air Jordan 38 announcement, a new shoe that incorporates new plate technology based on insights gathered from Michal Jordan’s footwork on the court.
The X-Plate technology was designed for intricate footwork and inspired specifically by Jordan’s fadeaway. The design is also an homage to the Air Jordan 8’s straps and keeps your feet secure while moving quickly. On the outsole, there’s a radial herringbone pattern for traction, along with a full-length Zoom Strobel unit (designed to be springy yet soft) and full-length Cushlon 3.0 foam to provide the right amount of cushioning and responsiveness. On the shoe’s upper, subtle details nod to MJ’s insane performance during the 1993 championship series. Specifically, there are 41 crosshatches on the collar representing the 41-point average that Jordan had for every game in the series, and three diamonds on the side celebrating the Bulls’ three-peat.
The Air Jordan 38 is also the most sustainably made Air Jordan signature shoe since the line began because it’s made with a minimum of 20% recycled material. But no sacrifices in performance have been made to achieve a more sustainable product.
The Air Jordan 38 shoes will be released in the “Fundamental” colorway on August 18th. However, there are two additional colorways set to release later: The “FIBA,” which honors the International Basketball Federation, coming out on September 7th, and the “Center Star,” inspired by women on the court, coming on September 25th.
