Air Jordan 3 Black Cement Review: The BEST Jordan 3 Retro To Date

The Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement” is as iconic as a basketball shoe can get, and was the shoe that famously prevented Michal Jordan from leaving Nike. Originally released in 1988, it has seen several retro editions over the years, including the most recent iteration that closely mimics its original form. Of all the retro versions of this shoe, this is the closest they have been to the OG, which should make this an automatic pickup for most sneakerheads.

The chances that anyone will end up playing in these in 2024 are slim to none, but in this review, aside from breaking down the build quality and looks of the shoe, we will also go over their tech specs and performance features, and we also have a full performance review of the Jordan 3 if you are interested¡.

Air Jordan 3 Black Cement Review

Air Jordan 3 Black Cement Tech Specs:

Air Jordan 3 Black Cement Traction

The traction on the Air Jordan 3 Black Cement is the same as any other Jordan 3. The outsole features a classic, aggressive, carved-out herringbone traction pattern combined with a pivot point in the forefoot area, providing a decent grip on court and solid traction for casual wear. One notable feature is the sneaker’s thick rubber outsole, which contributes to its durability.

Now if you were going to play in these, the traction surface performs well no matter what you were doing. Texture is abundant throughout and the giant pivot point does not hinder their performance at all. Out of the first three Air Jordan models, the AJ 1 is the most well equipped where traction is concerned but the AJ 2 & 3 are well above average. Modern players will find the traction works great outdoors, and a little worse indoors, especially when compared to newer performance models with modernized rubber compounds and more aggressive traction patterns.

Air Jordan 3 Black Cement Cushion

Cushioning in the Air Jordan 3 Black Cement is a combination of encapsulated Air unit in the forefoot and visible Air in the heel, all encased in a polyurethane midsole, which is on the softer side in this model. As for the insole, the Jordan 3 Black Cement comes with a Dreamcell insole instead of a polyurethane one, which is unfortunate, but not a deal breaker.

For casual wearers, the cushioning system will suffice. But for players looking for the high-performance cushion found in modern basketball shoes, the Air Jordan 3 is not ideal. Polyurethane midsoles are far too dense compared to more modern builds, and even with an insole swap, playing with Jordan 3 can still be uncomfortable. There is some good compression, but overall, it’s just not an ideal setup. If you are young, you won’t have huge issues. Older players, especially older players who need their shoes to absorb as much impact as possible, should look elsewhere. Where this setup shines brightest is on nice soft indoor courts.

Air Jordan 3 Black Cement Materials

The materials on the Air Jordan 3 Black Cement largely maintain the retro aesthetic but do not necessarily exude premium quality. The upper consists of genuine, but not premium, leather, with the iconic elephant print featured on the toe and heel areas. While it may look premium thanks to the design and build quality, the actual material doesn’t feel as luxurious as some might expect.

The elephant print detailing is slightly lighter in tone than previous retro releases, which may bother some people, but, of all the retro releases we have had, this is the most similar to the original (though not identical). The new shape of the shoe’s toe box is less boxy and more streamlined, aligning it much more closely with the original 1988 release.

As far as performance goes, the leather upper is decent enough and has some durability to it. The flexibility of the material itself is pretty good and, even though it takes a while to fully conform to your foot, there are zero issues. Containment and lockdown are highlights, and ventilation and weight are the main drawbacks.

Air Jordan 3 Black Cement Support

The arch in the Air Jordan 3 is sculpted providing you with a better fit and support while flexing the foot. The fit from the midfoot to heel is substantial enough to bolster the shoe’s performance as far as support goes, but there really isn’t anything groundbreaking in this shoe, For casual wear, the support is adequate, particularly for daily use or light activity.

Air Jordan 3 Black Cement Fit

Fit is one of the standout features of the Air Jordan 3 Black Cement. The shoe fits true to size, unlike some previous retro models that ran slightly large. This is a relief for those concerned about sizing discrepancies, particularly if they experienced issues with other recent Jordan 3 releases, such as the White Cement “Reimagined” version.

The absence of excessive padding around the ankle means that the fit is more streamlined in this iteration of the shoe, and the tongue has also been reworked to hide any excess material, giving the shoe a more polished and retro look.

Wide-footers may find the shoe comfortable as well, thanks to its spacious toe box, which provides enough room for movement without compromising lockdown. However, the overall fit can vary depending on individual foot shape, so it’s always recommended to try them on before purchase.

Air Jordan 3 Black Cement Overall

The Air Jordan 3 Black Cement will be an automatic pick-up for most sneakheads. The color blocking and shape alone will probably be enough to get you on board with these. On top of that, the materials are decent, this is the the closest the Air Jordan 3 has ever been to the original, and you really can tell that Jordan Brand put care and attention to detail into this release.

The price tag is steep, and Jordan should very much consider bringing it down, but at least you won’t be disappointed with your investment. As far as performance goes: yes they are playable, but they are clearly an old sneaker in this regard, so play in them at your own risk.