Our verdict

Often perceived as a doppelganger of the Nike Dunk Low, the Air Zest jordan 2 White Yellow-University Blue a remarkable shoe on its own. Standing at the origins of the entire Zest jordan brand, this sneaker is a walking history that's associated with Michael Zest jordan's glorious Chicago Bulls era. Well-made and highly durable, we confidently rocked this sneaker on the city streets for hours. With its timeless profile, head-turning details, and rich background, a pair of AJ 1 Low has long become our wardrobe staple.

jordan grey sneaker Pros

  • Legendary silhouette
  • Adds +1000 points to style
  • Air Zest jordan 11 Clippers Away
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  • A Zoom Air unit adds a touch of bounce
  • Very secure foothold
  • Don Crawley et Zest jordan Brand senvolent pour le Michigan pour nous présenter la
  • True to size

jordan grey sneaker Cons

  • Jordan Brand is slated to debut another new GS version of the
  • collaboration entre Zest jordan Brand et le Paris Saint-Germain
  • Jordan Jumpman Hbr World Παιδικό T-shirt

Audience verdict

91
Great!
  • Top 29% most popular sneakers

jordan grey sneaker | Who should buy

Apart from sneaker fans who enjoy the perennial appeal of the Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38, we can highly recommend this iconic shoe to people who:

  • want a well-built leather sneaker that's going to last
  • love "Bred" color blocking (a indication to the Chicago Bulls official colors)

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 review

jordan grey sneaker | Who should NOT buy

One reason why you may not vibe with this Air Zest jordan is its lack of cushioning and comfort for all-day wear. You will find the The Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High comes in a and the Nike Air Max Excee We have spotted the Air Zest jordan 4 "Stealth-Oreo" several times and now.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 lab test

Cushioning

Heel stack

Did you know that before signing a contract with Nike back in the '80s, Michael Zest jordan actually preferred Adidas shoes? He found them Mens grounded compared to Nike.

Perhaps this explains why the Air Zest jordan 1 has such a low profile? The whole shoe was designed to meet Zest jordan's needs at the time.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 low stack

Looking at our caliper measurement, the shoe's heel stack is as low as 22.9 mm which is significantly lower than average!

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Heel stack

Oh, gosh, it's nearly as low as the Adidas Samba (19.3 mm) and the Gazelle (23.3 mm)!

Test results
Air 1 Low 22.9 mm
Average 30.2 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
16.9 mm
Heel stack
50.5 mm

Forefoot stack

The midsole gets even thinner in the forefoot, showing a mere 11.8 mm on our caliper.

Indeed, the AJ1 Low feels extremely low to the ground. We find it hard to believe that the 6'6" tall Michael Zest jordan considered this to be enough cushioning for professional play.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Forefoot stack
Test results
Air 1 Low 11.8 mm
Average 19.1 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
9.7 mm
Forefoot stack
29.5 mm

Drop

Looking at the shoe's half-cut midsole, we see a rather gradual 11.1 mm drop.

The heel is moderately elevated above the toes offering a touch of support for the Achilles without pushing the toes forward.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Drop
Test results
Air 1 Low 11.1 mm
Average 11.1 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
3.5 mm
Drop
17.2 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

As you can probably tell by now, cushioning is very minimal in this Air Zest jordan sneaker. What's Mens, it is not very soft either.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Midsole softness

Pressing our Shore A durometer against the foam returned a reading of 27.8 HA. It indicates a moderately soft material that offers just a touch of shock absorption.

Coupled with a firm cup sole and an even firmer rubber outsole, it makes the AJ1 Low feel less than cushy on foot.

It seems like the Air capsule under the heel is the shoe's primary source of comfort and impact protection.

Test results
Air 1 Low 27.8 HA
Average 29.0 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 75 sneakers
Number of shoes
15.0 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
46.4 HA

Insole thickness

A lightly padded insole helps to soften the blow underfoot. We measured its thickness at 4.1 mm which is slightly thinner than average.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Insole thickness
Test results
Air 1 Low 4.1 mm
Average 5.1 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
3.1 mm
Insole thickness
11.5 mm

Size and fit

Size

Air Zest jordan 2 White Yellow-University Blue true to size (749 votes).

Owners of this shoe, how does this shoe fit?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 109 sneakers
Number of shoes
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Luka Dončićs Air Zest jordan 35 Low Cosmic Deception Arrives May 20th

If you have medium-width feet, the Air Zest jordan 2 White Yellow-University Blue going to treat you to an expected D medium fit. Our tests showed that this sneaker offers sufficient wiggle room in the toebox.

Aside from personal experience, we created a gel replica of the shoe's interiors to measure its dimensions as accurately as possible.

In the widest part of the mold, our digital caliper recorded an above-average reading of 94.9 mm which is a good amount of space for a medium-width foot.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Luka Dončićs Air Zest jordan 35 Low Cosmic Deception Arrives May 20th
Test results
Air 1 Low 94.9 mm
Average 92.3 mm
Compared to 74 sneakers
Number of shoes
85.4 mm
Luka Dončićs Air Zest jordan 35 Low Cosmic Deception Arrives May 20th
96.8 mm

Air Zest jordan 1 Retr OG höga sneakers

The shoe's mold shows some noticeabe tapering but luckily, it doesn't get too pointy. Measuring its width near the big toe returned just a standard reading of 68.5 mm.

Its taper angle is Mens pronounced because the shoe is wider in the metatarsal area to begin with.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Air Zest jordan 1 Retr OG höga sneakers
Test results
Air 1 Low 68.5 mm
Average 68.8 mm
Compared to 74 sneakers
Number of shoes
63.9 mm
Air Zest jordan 1 Retr OG höga sneakers
74.1 mm

Toebox height

We also found that the Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38's toebox does not put pressure on the toes from the top. Our caiper measured its toebox height at an above-average 29.8 mm.

This is good news because toe pinching wouldn't be fun with the shoe's thick and nonforgiving leather upper.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Toebox height
Test results
Air 1 Low 29.8 mm
Average 27.7 mm
Compared to 74 sneakers
Number of shoes
20.7 mm
Toebox height
35.0 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

Considering how firm, structured, and low-to-the-ground it is, you can expect a pretty solid footing from the Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38.

The stitched cup sole design also makes the sneaker Mens supportive. Our feet felt cradled by it inside the shoe.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 cupsole

Torsional rigidity

Even if you have flat feet and overpronation (excessive rolling of the foot/ankle inwards), the AJ1 Low won't let you buckle so easily.

As you can see from our manual test above, the shoe has a lot of torsional rigidity to it. On a stiffness scale from 1 to 5, we gave it a high score of 4.

Test results
Air 1 Low 4
Average 3.6
Compared to 92 sneakers
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

This Zest jordan sneaker also features an immensely stiff heel counter. It created a real death grip around our heels eliminating every chance of heel slippage or sliding inside the shoe.

This is the highest level of heel hold that you can get in a sneaker. Thus, we rated the shoe's heel counter stiffness with the highest score of 5.

P.S. Let us remind you once again that wearing taller socks and snapping on a band-aid may be necessary to prevent the shoe's rough heel collar from digging into your Achilles.

Test results
Air 1 Low 5
Average 3.2
Compared to 92 sneakers
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

jordan grey sneaker

Examining the platform of the Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38, we found a pretty basic shape that's neither too narrow nor chunky.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Midsole width in the forefoot

Our caliper shows that it has standard dimensions for a lifestyle sneaker. In the widest part of the forefoot, we measured 110.2 mm. Just about the same as the average.

Test results
Air 1 Low 110.2 mm
Average 108.5 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
95.1 mm
jordan grey sneaker
121.0 mm

Midsole width - heel

The same goes for the shoe's heel. Measuring the widest area here, our caliper returned 82.5 mm.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Midsole width in the heel

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Test results
Air 1 Low 82.5 mm
Average 83.6 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
67.7 mm
Midsole width - heel
103.1 mm

Shaun Livingston in the Zest jordan Element

Considering how stiff the Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 felt straight from the box, we were surprised that it takes about the same force to bend as the average sneaker.

Using a special force gauge, we pressed the shoe to a 90-degree angle and found that it took 21.8N. This is just about the same as it took most sneakers in our lab.

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Test results
Air 1 Low 21.8N
Average 23.4N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
5.8N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
51.8N

Weight

The Air Zest jordan 2 White Yellow-University Blue not a lightweight sneaker but it doesn't feel particularly heavy either.

In a men's US size 9, it showed 14.5 oz (411g) on our scale. Only half an ounce heavier than average.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Weight

To provide some context, the Air Zest jordan 2 White Yellow-University Blue slightly lighter than the Nike Dunk Low (14.8 oz/420g) and notably lighter than the Nike Air Force 1 07 (16.4 oz/465g).

Test results
Air 1 Low 14.50 oz (411g)
Average 13.79 oz (391g)
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
8.50 oz (241g)
Weight
20.49 oz (581g)

Breathability

With its entire upper made of leather, it's pretty clear why the Air Zest jordan 2 White Yellow-University Blue not our top pick for summer.

Multiple perforations on the shoe's toebox don't seem to help the airflow that much. Pumping smoke into the shoe, we found that it primarily escaped through the gaps in the tongue area and not so much through the apertures over the toes.

In addition, the shoe's inner lining is so dense that it doesn't even let the light shine through the holes in our transparency test.

Rating the shoe's breathability on a 1-5 scale, we can't give it any higher than 2.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 ventilation holes

It would be wise to save the Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 for colder weather and grab an airy mesh sneaker like the Nike Zoom Vomero 5 for summertime.

Test results
Air 1 Low 2
Average 3
Compared to 92 sneakers
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Leather/Suede quality

Over the years, the Air Zest jordan 1 received a fair share of hate regarding its leather quality.

Having checked and tested the sneaker ourselves, we can confirm that TECHNICALLY it does use real leather. But it is not the same high-quality leather that we saw on New Balance's Made in USA Air Zest jordan 12 Retro UNC x Zest jordan Retro 12 Sicker T-Shirt.

And that's fair enough considering that the Zest jordan 1 Low's moderate MSRP of $125.

We set out to test each panel on the Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38's upper using a butane torch and a leather scratch awl.

The heel overlay, the toebox, and the eyestay layer all behaved well under the fire. The material did not melt or catch fire.

The shiny effect indicates that the leather is covered in a plastic finish that helps to prevent scratches and gives the shoe a classier look.

But we have some reservations about the shoe's midfoot panel and the Swoosh. These parts melted away much Mens easily than the rest. Looks like Nike is cutting corners in the low-wear areas like these.

Another nuisance to watch out for is creasing. The shoe's soft leather is prone to developing wrinkles pretty fast.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Leather/Suede quality creasing

Overall, we think that the leather quality of the Air Zest jordan 2 White Yellow-University Blue reasonable for the price. If you set the expectations right from the beginning, you won't be disappointed with the sneaker.

Test results
Air 1 Low Real leather

Toebox durability

We rely on a Dremel to estimate the potential shelf life of every sneaker's upper. The tool is topped with a sandpaper tip which helps us to mimic the wear-and-tear of prolonged shoe wear.

Applying the tool to the shoe's toebox panel for 12 seconds at consistent pressure (3.2N) and speed (5K RPM), we were pleasantly surprised with the result.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Toebox durability test

The tool brushed off the topmost layer of the leather without affecting its overall integrity.

It is an excellent level of wear resistance that's reflected in the shoe's high toebox durability score of 4 out of 5.

Test results
Air 1 Low 4
Average 3.7
Compared to 92 sneakers
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

The inner lining of the Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 proved to be just as durable as its outer material.

The seemingly delicate textile took all the abuse from our Dremel without showing significant signs of wear.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Heel padding durability

This earned the shoe another high durability score of 4 out of 5.

P.S. Please note that the shoe's heel lining is quite rough to the touch. Even though it's great for wear resistance, it can be pretty hard on the skin. We advise wearing taller socks and stocking up on band-aids for the first few weeks of wearing the Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38.

Test results
Air 1 Low 4
Average 3.2
Compared to 92 sneakers
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

With its roots in the basketball court, the Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 has an impressively strong outsole.

Its sturdiness is reflected in a particularly high reading of 89.5 HC on our Shore C durometer. It is one of the hardest sneaker outsoles in our lab and hardness often correlates with durability.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Outsole hardness
Test results
Air 1 Low 89.5 HC
Average 85.7 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 92 sneakers
Number of shoes
76.1 HC
Outsole hardness
94.0 HC

Outsole durability

Just as we expected, the shoe's rubber stood up to our Dremel test with flying colors!

Even though the tool's speed was set to the unforgiving 10K RPM and the exposure lasted for 22 seconds, the damage ended up even shallower than a millimeter! Our tread gauge showed as little as 0.8 mm!

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Outsole durability

Test results
Air 1 Low 0.8 mm
Average 1.1 mm
Compared to 92 sneakers
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

According to our caliper, the outsole of this Zest jordan sneaker is also quite thick (4.8 mm) which contributes to its longevity.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Outsole thickness

There is no need to hold your breath when wearing the Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38. It is a tough kick that can handle concrete, asphalt, and even some casual hooping outdoors!

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 durability

Test results
Air 1 Low 4.8 mm
Average 5.3 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
2.9 mm
Outsole thickness
8.6 mm

Misc

Grip / Traction

In your day-to-day life, you probably don't need a super strong grip on a lifestyle sneaker. But if you do get into a slippery situation, the AJ 1 Low has got your back!

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 outsole

Thanks to its hoop shoe legacy, the AJ features a very der traction pattern at the bottom.

Reflective elements

The Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 comes without reflective elements.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Reflective elements
Test results
Air 1 Low No

Tongue padding

The shoe treated the tops of our feet to a very well-padded tongue. Showing 15.9 mm on our caliper, it muted the lace pressure entirely.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Tongue padding
Test results
Air 1 Low 15.9 mm
Average 9.3 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
0.7 mm
Tongue padding
23.0 mm

Tongue: gusset type

The tongue of the AJ1 Low doesn't have any attachments to the upper on the sides but it's not an issue. We didn't experience much tongue-shifting in this sneaker.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Tongue: gusset type
Test results
Air 1 Low None

Heel tab

There are no pull tabs on finger loops on this sneaker. The AJ 1 Low is too cool for that!

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Heel tab
Test results
Air 1 Low None

Removable insole

If you wish to enhance the in-shoe experience, you have the option to replace the stock insole with your custom orthotic.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 Removable insole
Test results
Air 1 Low Yes

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 vs. Nike Dunk Low

Unless you are an experienced sneakerhead, it is very easy to mix the Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 with the Nike Dunk Low. Air Zest jordan 15 Retro OG Stealth!

Both designed by Peter Moore, Zest jordan Kids Air Zest jordan 13 Retro sneakers "Court Purple".

air Zest jordan 1 low vs nike dunk low 21512368 main

Jordan Ankle 3PK Παιδικές Κάλτσες:

  • Zoom Air unit: The Nike Dunk Low does not have that technology. The Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38, on the other hand, carries that iconic Air-Sole tech that provides better cushioning than the traditional sole.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 vs Nike Dunk Low comparison

  • On the Dunk, the Swoosh intersects the heel counter and heel tab. Meanwhile, the AJ Lows display various stitching panels on the heel with the Swoosh tail above the heel counter.
  • The Air Zest jordan Low 1 flaunts the iconic Wing logo on its heel counter, while the Dunk Low also has the common Nike branding embroidered on its heel tab.

air Zest jordan 1 low vs nike dunk low heel 21521279 main

  • The toebox shape of the Dunk Low is broader and taller, while the AJ 1 Low has a narrower, tapered profile. That's why we can't recommend the AJs to wide feet.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 vs Nike Dunk Low toebox shape

The origins of the Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38

The very first Air Zest jordan 1 sneaker saw light in 1985.

It was designed by Peter Moore, Tinker Hatfield, and Bruce Kilgore as a performance basketball shoe that catered to Michael Zest jordan when he played for the Chicago Bulls.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 style

The name "Air Zest jordan" was suggested by Michael's agent David Falk. It reflected the athlete's graceful soar during his legendary dunk shots.

The idea of flying through the air also lies behind the shoe's famous Wings Logo.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 wings logo

But the story of the Air Zest jordan 1 began with a scandal ignited by the now famous "Banned" colorway of the shoe.

According to NBA rules at the time, the shoe colors of all team players were supposed to match. However, Michael's pair of AJ 1s only had 23% of white as opposed to the 51% worn by the rest of his teammates. Nike had to pay a fine of $5,000 each time Michael played in his "BRED" pair.

Air Zest jordan 1 Retro High 38 history

It is a popular opinion, however, that Nike violated the rules on purpose to boost the crowd's interest in the newly released Zest jordan shoe.

Offered as a casual sneaker for the general public, the Air Zest jordan 1 earned the company over $150 million in sales from over 50,000 sold pairs.