iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Black Cement and White Cement are the same Air Jordan 3 silhouette in opposite color balances. Black Cement puts black leather at the center, with cement-grey elephant-print overlays and red accents. White Cement makes white the dominant upper color while retaining the grey print and adding red-and-black details. The shared shape, visible elephant print and 1988 heritage make them related colorways, not separate shoe models.
The important qualification is the release year. Leather finish, print contrast, tongue proportions, heel branding and intentional aging can change from one retro to another. The current examples discussed here are the 2024 Black Cement (DN3707-010) and the 2023 White Cement Reimagined (DN3707-100); neither should be treated as a specification for every earlier or later pair.
The short answer: color blocking is different, construction may be too
When people ask whether Black Cement and White Cement Jordan 3s are “the same shoe,” the technically accurate answer is yes at the model level and no at the edition level. Both use Tinker Hatfield’s Air Jordan 3 design, introduced in 1988, with the model’s exposed-heel Air unit, mid-top basketball profile and elephant-print overlays. The names describe the dominant upper color: black on Black Cement and white on White Cement.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11That simple distinction explains the first impression. Black Cement looks darker and more compact because the leather upper, eyestay area and much of the visible shoe are black. White Cement reflects more light and makes the grey print and red details stand out. On an actual pair, however, the release date determines whether the leather is smooth or more textured, how strongly the print lines contrast, whether the heel carries Nike Air, and whether the midsole has deliberately aged coloring.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
For that reason, compare a named release rather than relying on the colorway name alone. A 2018 Black Cement and a 2024 Black Cement share the same family identity but are not identical in finish or proportions. Likewise, “White Cement Reimagined” identifies a vintage-treated 2023 edition; it does not mean every White Cement retro has yellowed components.
Where the two colorways come from
The 1988 Air Jordan 3 foundation
Nike’s Air Jordan 3 archive dates the model’s original release to 1988, credits Tinker Hatfield as designer and records White/Cement Grey among the archive colors. The same archive credits Hatfield with developing the elephant-print treatment that became the shoe’s most recognizable visual signature. The archive lists an original price of $100; that is historical metadata, not a current retail or resale price. See the Nike Air Jordan 3 archive for the model history.
The original design established the elements that remain common to both names: a padded tongue, perforated collar details, a visible Air unit at the heel and elephant print around the toe and heel. Colorway names came later as a practical way for collectors and retailers to distinguish the dominant palette from other Air Jordan 3 releases.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWhy “cement” refers to the print
“Cement” does not mean the entire shoe is grey. It refers to the mottled grey-and-black elephant print used on the overlays. Both Black Cement and White Cement use that print language, so the word identifies a shared design cue. The surrounding leather determines the contrast: grey print is comparatively subtle against black and more immediately visible beside white.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Black Cement vs. White Cement at a glance
| Comparison point | Black Cement | White Cement |
|---|---|---|
| Dominant upper | Black leather, creating a dark overall impression | White leather, creating a light overall impression |
| Elephant print | Cement-grey overlays remain the key contrast area | Cement-grey overlays are framed by white leather |
| Accent colors | Red details, with black already supplied by the upper | Red and black details against the white base |
| Shared platform | Air Jordan 3 silhouette and exposed-heel Air design | Air Jordan 3 silhouette and exposed-heel Air design |
| Specific recent edition covered here | 2024 retro, SKU DN3707-010 | 2023 White Cement Reimagined, SKU DN3707-100 |
| Edition treatment reported by Nike | Smooth leather, elephant-print overlays, Nike Air heel branding and a shape intended to echo 1988 | Aged coloring on the midsole, eyelets and back tab, with print updated to replicate the 1988 original |
| What the name does not guarantee | It does not fix the print contrast, leather texture or tongue proportions across every retro | It does not mean every White Cement release has yellowed parts or Reimagined branding |
What is distinctive about the 2024 Black Cement
Edition identity and Nike’s stated aim
The 2024 Black Cement is identified by SKU DN3707-010. Nike describes that edition as using smooth leather, elephant-print overlays and Nike Air branding on the heel. Nike’s product description says, “This ‘Black Cement’ edition is as close as possible to the feel, fit and shape of the original that released in ’88.” That is a manufacturer description, not the result of an independent fit test; the wording appears on Nike’s Black Cement SNKRS product page.
The phrase “as close as possible” is useful when interpreting the release, but it should not be read as a promise that every physical measurement exactly matches a 1988 pair. Manufacturing tolerances, leather batches and wear can still produce small differences between pairs.
How the dark palette reads on foot
Black leather makes the upper visually recede, while the grey print supplies most of the pattern. Red accents provide the strongest color interruption. This combination generally suits outfits where a darker shoe is preferable, but that is a styling judgment rather than a technical performance difference. The cushioning platform and basic silhouette remain those of the Air Jordan 3.
What is distinctive about the 2023 White Cement Reimagined
Intentional aging is part of the edition
The 2023 White Cement Reimagined carries SKU DN3707-100. Nike describes yellowing or aged coloring on the midsole, eyelets and back tab, and says the elephant print was updated to replicate the 1988 original. Nike’s marketing line calls the shoe an “aged aesthetic that redefines timeless” in its White Cement Reimagined product description.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Those warm, off-white areas are deliberate on this edition. They should not automatically be interpreted as storage damage, oxidation or an old pair. Conversely, a different White Cement retro may use a cleaner white midsole and back tab. The word “Reimagined” therefore matters as much as “White Cement” when identifying what you are looking at.
Why the white upper changes the visual balance
White leather makes the shoe appear brighter and enlarges the visual area around the print. Black perforations, eyelets or other small details become easier to spot against that background, while red accents remain prominent. The result is more contrast across the whole upper than the predominantly black version, even though both rely on the same grey elephant-print motif.
Branding and materials: check the exact retro
Nike Air heel branding is historically significant because it is associated with the original form of the Air Jordan 3. Nike’s 2018 Black Cement page said the anniversary edition retained Nike Air branding “to reach true OG form.” The 2024 Black Cement description also specifies Nike Air at the heel. The 2023 White Cement Reimagined description likewise identifies Nike Air branding.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
That does not make heel branding a universal rule for every Air Jordan 3 called Black Cement or White Cement. Reissues can change logos, materials or panel treatment. If branding is important to your purchase, inspect the heel of the exact SKU and release year rather than assuming a colorway name settles the question.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
2018 and 2024 Black Cement: why collectors see a difference
Observations reported on the two editions
A 2024 comparison by Sneaker Freaker describes the 2024 Black Cement as having lighter-grey elephant print and smoother leather than the 2018 release, with a shape it considers closer to the original. These observations apply to those two editions only; they are not a permanent specification for Black Cement. Read the comparison in Sneaker Freaker’s 2018-versus-2024 breakdown.
Complex’s 2024 reporting similarly identifies the newer pair as DN3707-010 and notes less-contrasting elephant-print lines than on the 2018 version. It describes the 2024 leather as more subtly textured and the tongue as shorter and thinner than the 2018 pair. The report also notes some pair-to-pair inconsistency, so photographs of one sample cannot guarantee that every pair looks identical. See Complex’s 2024 release report for those observations.
How to use those observations when shopping
- Confirm whether the listing is for the 2018 anniversary release or the 2024 retro before comparing photos.
- Look at several images of the actual pair, especially the elephant-print line density and leather surface.
- Expect minor variation between pairs; a single retail photograph is not a manufacturer guarantee.
- Use the SKU and release description together. A color name without a year can hide materially different retros.
Are they the same shoe in different colors?
At the silhouette level, yes. Both are Air Jordan 3s built around the same design vocabulary and intended for the same general category of wear. The distinction is not a different sole unit, a different model number family or a different designer. It is primarily the color arrangement and, for particular retros, the treatment applied to materials and branding.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →At the product level, no two releases should be assumed interchangeable. The 2023 Reimagined treatment adds aged coloring that is absent from a clean White Cement edition. The reported 2018-versus-2024 Black Cement changes show that even one colorway can receive different leather, print and tongue execution over time.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Which Jordan 3 should you choose?
Choose Black Cement when your priority is a darker, lower-contrast base
- You prefer black leather to dominate the outfit.
- You want red accents to read as deliberate highlights rather than part of a mostly white field.
- You are evaluating the 2024 pair specifically for Nike’s stated attempt to echo the 1988 feel, fit and shape.
- You are comfortable checking the exact release because earlier Black Cement pairs can differ in leather and print.
Choose White Cement when you want the classic light-and-grey contrast
- You want the white upper to make the elephant print more immediately visible.
- You like a brighter shoe with both red and black details against the base color.
- You specifically want the aged appearance of the 2023 Reimagined edition.
- You are prepared to distinguish Reimagined from other White Cement retros rather than treating the names as identical.
Choose by edition first when details matter more than color
If heel branding, print replication or vintage treatment is the deciding factor, start with the release year and SKU, then evaluate color. This prevents a common mistake: selecting “White Cement” or “Black Cement” in a listing title and discovering that the seller is showing a different retro’s construction.
A practical comparison process for a specific pair
- Record the full identity. Write down the colorway name, release year and SKU. For the recent examples in this guide, those identifiers are DN3707-010 for the 2024 Black Cement and DN3707-100 for the 2023 White Cement Reimagined.
- Separate color from treatment. Mark whether the upper is black or white, then separately note print contrast, leather texture, heel branding and any aged coloring.
- Inspect the elephant print. Compare the grey base and black lines across toe and heel panels. Do not infer that a lighter or darker pattern proves a pair is wrong; release-specific execution and pair variation exist.
- Check the heel logo. Verify whether the pair shows Nike Air or another branding treatment, and compare that result with the documented edition rather than a generic colorway expectation.
- Compare proportions in like-for-like photos. Tongue height and overall shape are easiest to judge when both images show the shoes at the same angle. Complex’s observations about a shorter, thinner 2024 tongue concern its comparison with the 2018 pair.
- Document condition separately. Aged coloring on the 2023 Reimagined is designed into the product, while dirt, yellowing from storage or wear on another edition may be unrelated. Record what is intentional for that SKU before judging condition.
- Keep seller claims narrow. If a listing does not show the SKU, release year and clear heel and print photos, treat the identification as unconfirmed instead of filling the gaps from the color name.
Timeline of the editions discussed
| Year | Edition or reference | What it establishes |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Original Air Jordan 3 | Nike’s archive records the model’s debut, Tinker Hatfield design credit, White/Cement Grey archive color and $100 original price. |
| 2018 | Black Cement anniversary release | Nike’s SNKRS copy links the edition to Michael Jordan’s 1988 season and says Nike Air branding was retained for an OG-style presentation. |
| 2023 | White Cement Reimagined, DN3707-100 | Nike documents aged midsole, eyelet and back-tab coloring and print intended to replicate the 1988 original. |
| 2024 | Black Cement, DN3707-010 | Nike describes smooth leather, elephant print, Nike Air heel branding and an effort to approach the original’s feel, fit and shape. |
What cannot be concluded from the colorway name
- Exact fit: Nike’s “as close as possible” language is a product claim, not an independent measurement or guarantee that every wearer will experience the same fit.
- Exact materials on older pairs: A later description cannot be applied automatically to a 2018 or earlier release.
- Uniform print contrast: Published comparisons describe differences between specific editions, and Complex reports pair-to-pair inconsistency.
- Current availability or price: The archive’s $100 figure is historical. A colorway name alone does not establish current retail stock, resale value or seller authenticity.
- Reimagined aging on all White Cements: The yellowed treatment belongs to the 2023 edition described by Nike, not to every shoe using the White Cement name.
Authenticity and listing checks
When considering an older pair or a third-party listing, treat identification as a documentation task. Ask for the box label or inside-tag SKU, clear photographs of both elephant-print panels, the tongue and heel, and an explanation of the release year. Match those details against the edition you intend to buy. A listing that only says “Jordan 3 Cement” leaves Black Cement, White Cement, Reimagined and other variations unresolved.
Do not use one visual characteristic as a stand-alone authentication test. Print contrast can vary, and even the 2024 Black Cement has been reported to show some pair-to-pair inconsistency. A credible comparison uses several features together: SKU, color arrangement, heel branding, material description and the edition’s documented treatment.
Bottom line for a purchase decision
Buy Black Cement for the black-dominant look and White Cement for the white-dominant look; both deliver the Air Jordan 3’s elephant-print identity. Then narrow the choice by release year. The 2024 Black Cement is the recent dark edition Nike presents as an attempt to approach the 1988 feel, fit and shape, while the 2023 White Cement Reimagined is the recent light edition with intentionally aged components. If those construction details matter, the SKU and edition description are more reliable than the colorway nickname alone.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
