Jordan Air Jordan 38 Low

At a listed 14.7 oz, the Air Jordan 38 Low is lighter than 9 of the other 66 performance shoes in our database and heavier than 57. The average across all 67 performance shoes is 13.8 oz, so it runs 0.9 oz heavier than average. For reference, the lightest is the Anta KT 9 (12.4 oz) and the heaviest is the Nike GT Hustle 3 (15.8 oz).

Its 8 mm heel-to-toe drop is the most common figure in this group — 54 of 67 performance shoes list 8 mm. Drops across the group only run from 7 to 10 mm, so drop is a smaller differentiator than weight or cut height.

It is one of 25 low-cut models among the 67 performance shoes we track, and it sits in the premium price band (set from manufacturer MSRP), which 8 other models share.

Like 53 other performance shoes, it is rated for indoor courts; 13 in the group carry an outdoor rating.

Cushioning is listed as Formula 23 + Zoom Air, which puts it in our Zoom Air (28 shoes in the database) cushioning hub; 6 other shoes use exactly the same listed setup.

Going by its spec profile, we classify the Air Jordan 38 Low for shooting guards and small forwards with an all-around game. You can compare it against every shoe we file for that role in Best Basketball Shoes for Shooting Guards and Best Basketball Shoes for Small Forwards.

The low cut leaves the ankle free, so it suits players who want mobility and don't rely on a high collar for support. Being well over the average performance shoe weight, it suits players who value a more substantial build over a light feel.

It is rated for indoor courts. If most of your games are on asphalt or concrete, the closest outdoor-rated performance shoes on spec are the Air Jordan 1 Low and Air Jordan 1 Mid. Width is listed as standard; if you need more toe-box room, see the wide-feet hub.