The concept of revisiting past Air Jordans when making new ones is one that makes me cringe. Jordan Brand has more than enough retro-inspired product coming out each week, and the current signature line has long represented innovation, not heritage, for the brand. Not only that, it has an impressive track record in delivering on-court footwear that’s among the very best each season. If there’s one shoe I’m excited to play in every year, it’s the new Air Jordan. When I saw that the Air Jordan 32 would carry on this concept of looking back (which began with the Air Jordan 31's references to the Air Jordan 1), I was a bit let down. Show On the bright side, tying back to past models doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll look bad—I actually like the Air Jordan 32 aesthetically. It also doesn’t mean that they’ll play like 30-year-old models—modern upgrades could certainly make them attractive performance options for today. This one certainly doesn't feel like an Air Jordan 2. So while the concept isn’t necessarily one that excites me, as long as the shoe plays up to the very high standards the line has established, then maybe the 30th anniversary inspiration isn’t as bad as it sounds. (I also think the concept will end up long abandoned by the time it gets to unpopular models like the 19.) But with those high standards come high expectations—I don’t want a good Air Jordan, I want a great one. And I want it to be better than the last, because if not, then what’s the point? I’d rather have a situation like the Air Jordan 30, where not much changes, than having a model that regresses in performance. Hover over the dots for a full performance breakdown to find out if the Air Jordan 32 has earned its place in the strong performance legacy of the line. Air Jordan 32 - Ankle SupportAir Jordan 32 - CushioningDespite sky-high expectations, the Air Jordan 32 mostly delivers. I can’t say it’s any better or worse than the prior model—there are areas in which I prefer each shoe over the other. I liked more minmal collar and feel of the 31s cushioning better, but thought the 32 offered far superior traction and a smoother transition. And importantly, it didn’t move backwards. It does feel a bit like it’s just padding the stats rather than offering anything to truly progress the line, but regardless, it’s an easy recommendation for anyone with $185 to spend on a hoops shoe. The Jordan XXXII, at first glance, was one of the nicest Jordan sneaker to have come out. Off the bat, we can see the inspiration from the Jordan 2s, with the collar and midsole structure. It was easier to accept at the beginning compared to the Jordan 31s. The FlyKnit looks really solid and I can see it holding its own on the court. The traction pattern however, is something that I have the most doubt about. It’s not really a story telling traction nor would I deem it as any sort of herringbone. There are solid and translucent options available once again so we will be able to compare the difference if any. FlightSpeed is also featured and it has become a staple of the Jordan Brand main line. Can’t wait to try these out. Significant Tech Present in the Shoe:
 Aesthetics & Materials (10/10): Aesthetically the Jordan XXXII (32) looks really amazing from the get-go. The flyKnit and synthetics combination presents a good fusion of modern and old school looks. Let’s start off with the FlyKnit, the different tightness and stitching of the knit created ridges from midfoot forward which enhances flexibility and durability. Only issue I see would be that there is no Fuse on the forefoot to prevent wear and tear during toe drags. Now to the rear of the shoe. The collar and midsole is reminiscent of the Jordan 2 and there are variable options for the materials there. With the different event editions and college colourways being released on top of regular retail ones, there are tons of ways you can express yourself. The Jordan 32 is definitely a shoe for both on and off the court! This shoe can be seen in the NBA worn by Jimmy Butler (Minnesota Timberwolves), Victor Oladipo (Indiana Pacers) and occasionally, Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder). Fit (9/10): The Jordan 32 is a shoe that needs a little break-in time. That is not something you will usually observe from a shoe with FlyKnit, but it is what it is. If you go true to size, you might feel that the shoe is really narrow and a little long. That’s perfectly fine, because once you get a few reps in them, the FlyKnit will feel more comfortable and fit nicely. If you were to go up too much in size, when the material stretches, you will end up with a shoe that’s too wide AND long. It would be a great idea for you to try them in stores before getting them. The Inner Bootie Setup in the Jordan 32 makes the shoe really comfortable and it complements with the materials and padding to give the shoe amazing lockdown. There were no slippages within the shoe during motion and stops which is exactly what is great for everyone. Unlike its predecessor, the Jordan 32 does not feature any additional tech like FlyWire to improve the lockdown. Support (9/10): It should come as no surprise that the support on the Jordan 32 come mainly from the lockdown of the shoe. In modern basketball sneakers, there is no longer a need for straps or exaggerated side panels to provide great support. Throughout the shoe, the lockdown gets you covered from heel to toe. Other than the lockdown, the External and Internal (Main) Heel Counters provides additional heel support. The FlightSpeed Plate acts as a shank, providing torsional support and a smooth heel-to-toe transition. The Jordan 32 also feature a very flat and wide base with a slight outrigger which gives the wearer the stability they need. Point to note, unlike in the Jordan 31, there were no complaints about the Zoom setup causing any instability issues. Cushioning (9/10): It seems that Nike and Jordan Brand are constantly alternating between Heel & Forefoot Zoom and Full-Length Zoom. Are they trying to just change the setup to provide something “New” or do they actually consider the general public’s feedback? Because whether one setup works or not in a shoe, they switch it up in the next anyways. So for the Jordan 32, Heel and Forefoot Zoom is utilized. The Forefoot unit is unlocked, which means it’s directly between the insole and the outsole. It works with the FlightSpeed to provide responsiveness, bounce and court feel. The Heel unit is larger and bottom-loaded which provides great impact protection but lacks responsiveness and bounce. However, with some break-in time, you will be able to feel it a bit more. The FlightSpeed plate also provided seamless and smooth transition between the Heel unit and Forefoot unit. As previously mentioned, the switch of cushion setup seem to have taken away the possibility of instability as there were no longer any complaints about the instability caused by the cushioning setup. Traction (9/10): The traction of the Jordan 32 was what raised the most doubt on this new shoe. However, all doubts were erased once we put these to the test. The dubious traction incorporated by Jordan brand gripped the floor really well. The coverage was near perfect and there were no slippages during motion. Whether it’s sudden brakes or changing direction, trust me, you’re safe. Dust does stick on the rubber time to time but can be easily removed with a few wipes. Also there isn’t a significant difference between the translucent and solid rubber when it comes to the tackiness of the rubber. Once again this is definitely not a shoe for outdoor hoopers. The rubber compound used is very soft and the groves are thin and shallow. There isn’t any XDR (eXtra Durable Rubber) option for this shoe either. Final Conclusion: (9.2/10) Overall, the Jordan XXXII (32) is definite step up over the Jordan 31s. The biggest issues on the Jordan 31 was the traction and that was improved by great amounts. Other than that, the materials are roughly similar but the cushion setup and fit are enhanced. Visually, Jordan brand has also incorporated the throwback idea a little better for this model compared to the previous. Are Jordan 32 true to size?Fit – When I initially put on the Air Jordan 32 width felt pretty narrow — and because of that, the shoe felt slightly long. However, after breaking them in I feel going true to size is the best option. I have a friend that bought a pair and he has a wider foot. He went true to size as well and was happy with them. Are low Jordans comfortable?Air Jordan 1 Low: Equipped with an Air-Sole unit embedded in the heel, offering a soft, cushioned feel with each step and comfort on longer wears. The AJ1 Low also features a Nike FlyEase closure system in certain designs, which includes a strap and zipper for ease of wearing. Why are Air Jordan lows so expensive?More videos on YouTube Air Jordans retail and resell at higher prices than the average basketball sneaker. The high prices come from how the company makes and markets its iconic sneakers. The brand has a rich history, and its Air Jordan 1 is widely credited as the catalyst for sneaker-culture. Are Air Jordans good for walking?The Air Jordan 3 is a popular basketball shoe designed for performance and style. It's made of high-quality materials and has a cushioned sole, making it a comfortable choice for many. The shoe features a padded collar and tongue that add extra cushioning to your foot, making it more comfortable for walking or running. |
