Skip to main content
SoleFeedSF
Buyer's Guide

Air Jordan 38 Review & Sizing Guide

Published Updated

Buy Jordan 38 only on sale (sub-$120 USD) for forward play where stability matters more than break-in pain; skip it if you have arch sensitivity or want premium durability, since multiple owners report X-plate foot pain plus fast fraying inside the first season x-plate was hurting my feet, Made it bleed one time.

Shop all

Key facts

Position
Forward / wing signature with X-plate midfoot; reviewers compare ride to KD line.
Cushion
Plush and stable; the 38 Performance reviewer calls it the highest-stability Jordan of its era.
Fit
Runs slightly long; wide-footers need 30+ hours of break-in for the X-plate to settle.
Traction
Translucent rubber bites through dust well; solid-rubber colorways (FIBA) are more outdoor-friendly.
Sizing
5'8 52kg guard fits 8.5 with thumb-width room; wide-foot 6'1 buyer needs half up.
Watch-out
X-plate causes arch pain on flat-foot owners; inline upper frays inside the first season.

Full breakdown

Air Jordan 38 (and 38 Low) is the immediate predecessor of the better-reviewed 39 and 40: a forward-leaning shoe with an X-plate midfoot for torsional support, Cushlon-style foam, and translucent or solid rubber outsoles depending on colorway. The 6-12 month low-cut owner gives traction 9/10, cushion 9/10, stability 10/10, but comfort 5/10 due to the X-plate pressing into his foot — and durability 2/10 from fraying after just indoor use durability: 2/10 just NO. On slide 4 onward there's so much fraying almost all from indoor use.

FAQ

Does the X-plate on Jordan 38 actually cause foot pain?

For flat-foot owners and players with high arches, yes — and it takes weeks to ease off. The 6-12 month low-cut owner says the X-plate hurt his feet enough to bleed once during the first few months of use Within the first few months the x-plate was hurting my feet, Made it bleed one time. But after that it got better, still having occasional pains, and the 2.5-hour first review documents arch irritation from the rigid midfoot taper with flat feet the arch area of the shoe tapers inward and because I have flat feet in caused alot of irritation. The orthotic insole reduces the issue but doesn't eliminate it; if your usual hoop shoes are flat-arch friendly, skip the 38.

How long will Jordan 38 actually last?

It depends heavily on playstyle — D2 players get 90+ hours, recreational shifty guards see fraying inside a season. The 6'6 210lb D2 reviewer has 90+ hours of practice and 3 games on his pair with the bottom sole holding like new and only heel creasing as the issue ive played about 90 hrs of practice in them and 3 games. they still hold like new, while the 5'8 52kg guard sees fraying on slide 4 onward from indoor use only. Buy on sale if you're heavier and more controlled; skip if you're shifty and beat shoes up.

Should I pick Jordan 38 or wait for the Jordan 40?

Wait for Jordan 40 unless the Jordan 38 sale price is dramatically lower. The performance reviewer of the 38 calls it a KD-line-style ride with great cushion and stability but flags the X-plate and durability as the cut points this shoe is for someone that prioritizes cushion and stability above all else, while the Jordan 40 is consistently called the best Jordan hoop shoe in years. If Jordan 38 is at 50%+ off and Jordan 40 is full retail with scarcity, the 38 is the better wallet decision; otherwise wait.

Is the FIBA solid-rubber Jordan 38 Low better for outdoors?

Yes — and it has its own ankle-stability caveat. The FIBA-colorway reviewer specifically tracks the solid-rubber outsole and notes that even though it isn't the best for hard direction changes, the cushion is great with the trade-off that the rounded heel cushion gave him a near-ankle-roll moment on an undercut landing I would steer clear if your game involves lots of vertical movement and dangerous landings though, this shoe will not protect your ankles. Outdoor players who don't dunk hard should pick the FIBA solid-rubber version; aggressive vertical players should look at the Jordan 40 instead.

Why do owners keep calling Jordan 38 traction 'the best ever'?

Specifically the translucent-gum outsole version is what people are praising. A buyer asking for shoes like Jordan 38 calls the translucent outsole the best traction he has ever felt in a basketball shoe and is shopping for an equivalent the best traction I've ever felt in a basketball shoe. The solid-rubber FIBA version doesn't hit the same notes; if traction is your buy reason, pick the translucent-outsole colorways specifically.