Air Jordan 34 Performance Review

We tested the Air Jordan 34 basketball shoes out on court to see if it is a worthy performance addition to Michael Jordan’s signature line.

Air Jordan 34 Performance Review
Complex Original
Air Jordan 34 Performance Review

It’s been argued that the heyday of the Air Jordan line is over. Fans both young and old will seemingly always have room for new interpretations of the classics or retro releases of OG colorways—specifically numbers 1 through 14. But anything since? Not so much. 

That’s a hard point to argue. Those early models not only served as a catalyst to what the sneaker industry has grown into, based on their performance and aesthetic innovations‚ but they were worn by Michael Jordan in his prime. So it’s fair to say the relevance of the ongoing line has fallen off, but of course it has—MJ retired almost 17 years ago, and design progression is at a point where it’s more incremental than it was in the fledgling years of the line.   

But just because the line isn’t as exciting as it once was, that doesn’t mean that  there isn’t anything valuable to offer. These later models may never have the off-court legacy as their predecessors, yet they represent some of the best performance we’ve ever seen in hoops shoes. 

That brings us to the Air Jordan 34, the most recent entry to the line and headlined by the brand’s biggest name prospect in some time: Zion Williamson. Unfortunately, Williamson’s NBA debut has been delayed by meniscus surgery. In the meantime, it’s seeing action on the feet of Jordan Brand players like Blake Griffin, Mike Conley, and the recently acquired Jayson Tatum. While that’s still a strong lineup of talent, Williamson’s injury has taken a bit of the wind out of the sails of the 34’s on-court impact. 

Looking cool with jeans and having a flashy debut are great and all, but what really matters at this point in the line is how the sneaker plays. It’s on-court track record as of late is so good that there are now expectations—high ones at that—to rank among the best basketball shoes of the year. So, how is the 34 when it comes to performance?

Click on the dots for a full performance review of the Air Jordan 34:

Air Jordan 34: Fit

Air Jordan 34: Ankle Support

Air Jordan 34: Cushioning

Air Jordan 34: Traction

Michael Jordan will never play an NBA game in the Air Jordan 34. Zion Williamson might eventually, and he might even go on to win Rookie of the Year in it—assuming he gets (and stays) healthy. A handful of players in the league could even go on to win an NBA title in it. Will it matter and make it go on to become a classic model? It didn’t when Ray Allen did it in the Air Jordan 28, Kawhi Leonard did it in the 28 SE, or when Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double in the 31, so the answer is likely “no.” There probably won’t be many people refreshing whatever the Nike SNKRS app has become in the year 2035 for a retro of the Air Jordan 34 either.

Maybe that’s just what’s become of the modern Air Jordan line, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It should be recognized for what it is—the most consistent performance line in all of basketball footwear. “Just” being one of (if not the best) on-court models year in and year out is nothing to scoff at, and a fitting legacy for arguably the best player of all time’s signature series. 

The 34 builds on this already stellar reputation with an all-around shoe that’s easy to recommend for anyone willing to pay its $180 price tag. It’s one of the more expensive options on the market, but it’s still not the most cost-prohibitive out there—and even cheaper than some recent Air Jordans. Its combination of light weight, support, cushioning, and court feel is about as good as it gets though, and well worth the price of admission.