If you're a fan of sneakers and enjoy keeping fit, you may have wondered 'can you use Jordans for running?'
Fortunately, our guide is here to help you answer this question as we compare some of the pros and cons of using Air Jordans for your cardio-based training.
With that being said, let's begin with the weight...
Can Jordans Be Used For Running - Weight
We've previously discussed whether basketball shoes can be used for running, and, in our guide, we mention that some of the more recent releases are typically made from the lightest materials possible.
For example, this Flyknit Elevation 23, featured in our list of the best Air Jordans, has a completely fabric upper which means this sneaker weighs just 4lbs.
Although fabric material is certainly beneficial, Jordan's still won't compete with some of the best running shoes, like these Brooks Revel 5's which weigh around 0.54lbs, in terms of lightness.
With that being said, a 2016 study into the weight of shoes found that participants ran about 1% slower for every 3.5 ounces of lead added per shoe, meaning you may find yourself running slower in Jordans compared to lighter trainers.
Can Jordans Be Used For Running - Comfort
Both Jordan's and running shoes come with a ton of padding to protect your joints and displace high-impact shock from movement.
For example, the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% includes an Air Zoom unit in the midsole, much like the unit found in the Jordan 1 Zoom CMFT "Stadium Green" which, Jordan boasts, are the most comfortable version of the 1's available so, in theory, could be used to run in.
Why do you need padding for protection? Well, a 2018 study measuring basketball landings found regular-cushioned shoes showed significantly greater tibial shock compared with highly-cushioned shoes, thus explaining why Jordan includes Air technology into its shoes as much as possible.
Can Jordans Be Used For Running - Support
One of the key differences with Jordan's compared to running shoes is the amount of ankle support you get, which may act as a hindrance to your form while running.
This is because you require a lot more lateral movement during basketball, which is why most of the sports shoes are high-tops.
Even some of the lows, like the Jordan 1 "Reverse Bred", include padding around your ankles for added protection, but this could restrict your movement and it adds weight.
By comparison, the adidas 4DFWD is designed for forward motion with specially engineered midsole technology to generate as much momentum as possible to help you break your personal running bests.
Can Jordans Be Used For Running?
The bottom line is, we feel for longer distances or more serious runners, you should look for a pair of top running shoes instead of wearing Jordan's as they simply aren't light enough and don't support you in the same way running trainers can.
With that being said, you should wear what you feel comfortable in as this is a big part of staying motivated and performing to the best of your abilities during training.
Where you may find Jordan's to be more beneficial, however, is during weight training as their relatively flat soles and ankle supports can be great for exercises like squats and deadlifts which put a large amount of strain on your legs and feet.
Read More: Best Jordan 1s Under 200 Available Now