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100%. The lack of a shank is bad enough, but manageable if it's low to the ground. No outrigger is unacceptable, especially with a rocker-rounded heel shape. The Kobe 11s and AD NXTs had outriggers AND were extremely low to the ground with a flat outsole, so they were extremely secure for ankles. Back when Jordan WAS Nike, in 96, with the Jordan 12s, Nike put literally everything they could in the shoe. Premium leather, full-length zoom, bottom-loaded 3/4 length carbon fiber, herringbone traction. Sure, it was heavy as all crap, but Nike has made extremely long strides towards reducing weight in shoes while still remaining stable and secure. the 39s are one step forward, two steps back. However, for just a dunk session, the 39s are still really good.

i'd be willing to tell you but this is a backhanded ahh comment

You can get them for like 120usd if you use a direct from china buyer like all china buy they go for 70usd there li Ning is just taxing Americans.

I love this comment and I've thought a lot about how other brands have caught up to Nike and how Nike should do a lot more to catch up. The meta for bounce in supershoes as of late has been full-length carbon fiber combined with a high-energy-return foam. The WOW10s used bottom-loaded carbon fiber, the Gammas and the 361 big3 futures use angled carbon fiber. This follows how marathon runner shoes are built, but before marathon runners, you know who pioneered carbon fiber + high energy return midsole? NIKE! In 1996 with the Jordan 12, which had top-loaded full-length zoom (same exact shape as the one in the jordan 39), and a bottom-loaded carbon fiber plate that spanned about 3/4 of the shoe. (The deconstruction can be viewed here: weartesters.com/air-jordan-12-retro-low-playoffs-deconstructed/) IIf there were a lightweight version of the jordan 12 made today, it would be one of the best if not the best Nike shoes made. It's also proof that Nike can combine carbon fiber and zoom. I think there are popping problems with putting carbon fiber directly in contact with the full-length zoom unit, so if i were to improve the torsional support for the jordan 39, a plate would have to be top-loaded, like maybe the Lebron 21's midfoot shank. However, there are clear strengths to carbon fiber, and clear use cases with zoomx (Like the Nike VaporFly / AlphaFly). My personal ideal Nike / Jordan shoe would look like the following chimera of shoes: Zoom Strobel (Jordan 36) ZoomX caged cupsole (Jordan 39) Bottom-loaded carbon fiber plate (Jordan 11 or Jordan 12) Lateral outrigger (Kobe 5 Protro) Square heel shape, not rounded (Jordan 38's heel was extremely stable in comparison, Kobe 9 is a good example as well) Strong heel counter (Kobe 5 protro has the best one I've ever used) Upper comprised of high quality toebox materials (like leather, used in the jordan 39), but lightweight in the midfoot (like the jordan 36's Lenoweave) Comprehensive lacing system with extra eyelets for runner's knots (GT Hustle 2 has good lacing even if the rest of the shoe is kinda flimsy) Traction is more material dependent for me, but the best traction pattern ever I'd say is the Kobe 9 traction pattern. I think the jordan 39's traction is plenty good as is so they can just continue to use a triangular / herringbone-inspired traction cus it never fails.

To answer, the 39's poor ankle stability has more to do with the rounded heel and lack of a lateral outrigger than it does the lack of a torsional support plate. The torsional support plate is more to reduce midfoot flexion so that there's less risk of foot injuries. Shoes that ride low to the ground, like the Converse Pro BB, BB Evo, Nike GT Hustle 2, Kobe 9, Kobe 11, Kobe Mamba fury, etc -- that don't have torsional plates -- can get away with it because the forces that cause foot injuries are less erratic when the shoe itself rides low to the ground. The 39s ride decently low to the ground, but NOT LOW ENOUGH to get away with a lack of a torsional support bar. To me, that makes these risky to play basketball in, but not as much to just dunk in.

I get it, but these are pretty far from the zion 3s. zion 3s have terrible traction on a ton of courts, and run super narrow. these run wide friendly and have much better bounce and traction. Regardless, they will go on sale withinn 3-6 months, so definitely wait for that.

@@abovetherimreviews when it goes on super duper sale then i will buy but you have to agree it looks a whole lot like a zion.

@@alucardbrahmstone6659 Zions look a whole lot like retro and old team jordans though. the 39s look like jordans. zions are jordans. this is a silly point

@@alucardbrahmstone6659you’re coping too hard brother, if it’s out your price range just wait it out or buy some zions. The zions are a budget version of these and for good reason.

How have u tried it?

That's why I felt like Jordan brand missed on this shoe. You need some type of carbon fiber plate for stability for your foot and ankle. They probably missed it when they were worried about putting the zoom x in the the shoe along with the zoom air underneath. That's my only issue and probably why I will probably not buy this shoe. The design is hot especially the Lumiere colorway in all black I really like a lot. But I saw Chris on wear testers and how he twisted the shoe and I was like " oh no! "😮. They twist just like a cheap and 1 shoe at Walmart. Lol.😂. I know MJ was highly involved in the making of this shoe which is why I was thinking about getting these just because of that, but I think MJ probably thought of this shoe as a casual everyday shoe for a grown man than a performance basketball shoe. Minimal colors, not a lot of flashy designs, just simple. That's what MJ wanted according to Joel Greenspan who designed the shoe for Jordan brand. I read saying that he would try these on and walk around his golf course in Florida at Grove 23, his private golf course, to try and get a feel for him and so forth and he'll give feedback to Greenspan. But he wasn't balling in these shoes apparently doing a test run. Seems like you're more just walking around feeling the cushioning with the zoom x and zoom air. That's my only knock as well with this not having a some type of carbon fiber plate or stability in this shoe. You may have a lot of players have some hurt ankles.🦶

Try it first😂

@@rickiebradshaw3695 true for 200 dollars no carbon plate hahaha

Agreed, i don't mind it for dunking because i'm used to shoes like the Converse BB Evo, but i'd be worried about them in a 5v5 setting.

No

not a drop-in, just a regular insole.

6'5" 200lbs trying to get to 195

@@RowansReviews210 they are, but that’s not a problem

It's the highest rating i've ever given

100$