WearTesters WearTesters WearTesters
  • Best Basketball Shoes
  • Reviews
    • All Performance Reviews
    • Basketball Shoe Reviews
    • Running Shoe Reviews
    • Cross Training Shoe Reviews
    • Retro Shoe Reviews
    • Casual Shoe Reviews
    • Apparel Reviews
    • Sporting Goods Reviews
    • Tech Reviews
    • Best Functional Fitness Equipment 2021
    • Best Basketball Gifts 2020
    • Best Fitness Gifts 2020
    • Best Gifts for Runners 2020
    • Best Gifts for Athletes 2020
    • Scoring
  • Bball Shoe Reviews
  • Brands
    • Nike
      • Nike Basketball Shoes
      • Kobe Bryant Shoes
      • LeBron James Shoes
      • Kevin Durant Shoes
      • Kyrie Irving Shoes
      • Giannis Antetokounmpo Shoes
      • Paul George Shoes
      • Nike Running Shoes
      • Nike Training Shoes
    • Jordan
    • adidas
      • Adidas Basketball Shoes
      • James Harden Shoes
      • Damian Lillard Shoes
      • Derrick Rose Shoes
      • Donovan Mitchell Shoes
    • Yeezy
    • Under Armour
      • Under Armour Basketball Shoes
      • Steph Curry Shoes
      • Joel Embiid Shoes
      • Under Armour Training Shoes
    • Puma
      • Puma Basketball
    • Reebok
    • New Balance
      • Kawhi Leonard Shoes
    • Converse
    • Brooks
    • Saucony
    • ON
    • Other Brands
  • Deals
  • Join
  • Shop
WearTesters WearTesters WearTesters

WearTesters is reader-supported. When you make purchases using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Basketball Shoe ReviewsJordan BrandKicks On CourtPerformance Reviews

Air Jordan XVIII (18) Retro Performance Review

May 1, 2014February 25, 2020

18 down… 5 more to go.

Air Jordan Project – Air Jordan XVIII (18) Retro Performance Review 1Traction – When you played on a clean floor then it was some of the best traction featured on an Air Jordan. Dusty on the other hand had a pretty nasty affect as it tended to stick to the rubber like glue. Wiping consistently is needed and playing outdoors wasn’t the best. You had either one extreme or the other with the Air Jordan 18… either the traction was great or it wasn’t… there really wasn’t an in between.

 

 

 

 

Air Jordan Project – Air Jordan XVIII (18) Retro Performance Review 2Cushion – Their cushion was amazing and like my experience with the more recent LeBron 11… there was almost too much cushion. Not only do you have a full length Zoom unit running under foot but its also double stacked in the heel. Like pillows. Yes, I would have personally preferred something a little firmer but if you’re after cushion… these will take care of that and then some.

 

 

 

 

Air Jordan Project – Air Jordan XVIII (18) Retro Performance Review 3Materials – The materials depend on the colorway. You have two options… leather or suede. Both are great and high quality but the leather will likely provide you with a tad bit more support than the suede did.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Air Jordan Project – Air Jordan XVIII (18) Retro Performance Review 4Fit – They fit true to size and lockdown was decent but awkward to lace up. The little plastic lace loops for heel lockdown were needed but if you use those… they’ll break. If you don’t use them then you have a sloppy fitting heel. I chose not to lace them up as they’d have broken then I would’ve had a sloppy fitting heel and broken parts on my shoes. I guess you just have to pick your poison.

 

 

 

 

Air Jordan Project – Air Jordan XVIII (18) Retro Performance Review 5Ventilation – Well… they tried putting ventilation into the design but it really just seemed like an afterthought. The ventilated tongue was actually laughable. When I was done playing I’d fold down the little overlapping enclosure and it would be soaked… the vented tongue worked but was rendered completely useless with the flap.

 

 

 

 

 

Air Jordan Project – Air Jordan XVIII (18) Retro Performance Review 6Support – Like the Air Jordan 17, the Air Jordan 18 was designed with an aging MJ in mind. The upper itself wrapped the foot well but some of the softness that comes with the suede would lack a bit of support – leather uppers would be a better option to resolve this issue. However, the underfoot and torsional support was great. You have a full length Carbon Fiber torsion/ spring plate built into the sole plus they reinforced the insole itself with additional Carbon Fiber. This additional support coupled with the increased cushion was to aid MJ with his Plantar issues.

I don't remember where this image came from. If you are or know the source please let me know. - Thanks!
I don’t remember where this image came from. If you are or know the source please let me know. – Thanks!

Overall – Another fun shoe to play in, and probably one of the better models to play in when it comes to Jordan Brand’s later signature models. If you can find a pair to play in, I’d recommend it just so you can have the experience. But if you’re looking for higher end performance then you might want to look for a pair of 19’s… spoiler alert.

Air Jordan Project – Air Jordan XVIII (18) Retro Performance Review 8

Nightwing2303

Nightwing2303 loves kicks and performance. He is the Founder of WearTesters.com and enjoys sharing his love and passion for sneakers... one review at a time.

Featured Posts

Allen Iverson Shoes Featured Image 2

Allen Iverson Shoes: An Ultimate Guide

Nick Engvall
February 24, 2021February 24, 2021
Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Featured Image

Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Performance Review

Drew
February 12, 2021February 16, 2021
penny-hardaway-shoes

Penny Hardaway Shoes: A Full Timeline

Evan
February 9, 2021February 9, 2021
and1 basketball logo

AND1: The Best Shoes of a Legendary Brand

Evan
January 29, 2021February 4, 2021
Puma-Clyde-All-Pro-Performance-Review

PUMA Clyde All-Pro Performance Review

Nightwing2303
January 19, 2021January 27, 2021
New-Balance-Kawhi-PR-Feature

New Balance Kawhi Performance Review

lookatleak
January 14, 2021January 26, 2021
Nike-LeBron-18-Performance-Review

Nike LeBron 18 Performance Review

Nightwing2303
December 17, 2020January 5, 2021
Curry 8 Flow

Curry 8 | Everything You Need to Know

Drew
December 9, 2020January 5, 2021
Scottie Pippen Shoes Guide Featured Image

Scottie Pippen Shoes: A Complete Guide

Evan
December 9, 2020January 19, 2021
How to Cop on Release Day

How to Buy Limited Shoes for Retail

Drew
November 25, 2020December 14, 2020

Now you can join our community and help support WearTesters’ mission while getting some amazing benefits. Learn more.

About WearTesters

Contact

WearTesters is reader-supported. If you buy products using links on our site we may earn a commission.

COPYRIGHT © 2009-2020 WEARTESTERS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Best Basketball Shoes
  • Reviews
    • All Performance Reviews
    • Basketball Shoe Reviews
    • Running Shoe Reviews
    • Cross Training Shoe Reviews
    • Retro Shoe Reviews
    • Casual Shoe Reviews
    • Apparel Reviews
    • Sporting Goods Reviews
    • Tech Reviews
    • Best Functional Fitness Equipment 2021
    • Best Basketball Gifts 2020
    • Best Fitness Gifts 2020
    • Best Gifts for Runners 2020
    • Best Gifts for Athletes 2020
    • Scoring
  • Bball Shoe Reviews
  • Brands
    • Nike
      • Nike Basketball Shoes
      • Kobe Bryant Shoes
      • LeBron James Shoes
      • Kevin Durant Shoes
      • Kyrie Irving Shoes
      • Giannis Antetokounmpo Shoes
      • Paul George Shoes
      • Nike Running Shoes
      • Nike Training Shoes
    • Jordan
    • adidas
      • Adidas Basketball Shoes
      • James Harden Shoes
      • Damian Lillard Shoes
      • Derrick Rose Shoes
      • Donovan Mitchell Shoes
    • Yeezy
    • Under Armour
      • Under Armour Basketball Shoes
      • Steph Curry Shoes
      • Joel Embiid Shoes
      • Under Armour Training Shoes
    • Puma
      • Puma Basketball
    • Reebok
    • New Balance
      • Kawhi Leonard Shoes
    • Converse
    • Brooks
    • Saucony
    • ON
    • Other Brands
  • Deals
  • Join
  • Shop