The Ultimate Air Jordan 4 FAQ

The History of the Air Jordan 4

The Air Jordan 4 debuted in 1989. The model was the second silhouette in the Jordan line designed by the legendary Tinker Hatfield, after the Air Jordan 3 – both silhouettes came with the visible Air unit, a signature design element of Hatfield.

Notable differences in the AJ4 design included large areas of breathable mesh, and the Nike Air logo on the heel. The tongue had increased padding for comfort, and the plastic wings on the side were more pronounced and durable.

In the 88/89 playoffs, fans were on the edge of their seats during the closing stages of the match between the Cavs and the Bulls. Although Michael Jordan had given the Bulls a one-point lead with six seconds left, Ehlo of the Cavs made a layup with three seconds left to give Cleveland a one-point lead.

This set the stage for Michael ‘Air’ Jordan, who was the go-to person for the defining moment of the first round of the playoffs, in one of the most iconic moments in sport.

In his AJ4 ‘Bred’ he received the inbound pass from Brad Sellers, dribbled to the foul line and went airborne for his jump shot. Ehlo tried to block the shot, but MJ seemed to hang in the air just a little longer than usual before finishing. We know this moment today as ‘The Shot’.

The first worldwide released of the Air Jordan 4 came in four colorways – the ‘White Cement’, ‘Black Cement/Bred’, ‘Military Blue’ and ‘Fire Red’.

The popularity of the model was further cemented when actor Giancarlo Esposito wore a pair of white Air Jordan 4 in Spike Lee’s film ‘Do the Right Thing’. The film had a major cultural impact, and from a now infamous scene came the well-known quote “You stepped on my brand new white Air Jordans”.

The Air Jordan 4 is also a favourite model for famous collaborations, including with Travis Scott, Eminem, Virgil Abloh, KAWS and A Ma Maniére, to name just a few!

In 2023, the Air Jordan and Nike SB team collaborated on the Air Jordan 4 to create the Nike SB x Air Jordan 4 ‘Pine Green’. The design remained close to the classic Air Jordan 4, but gained some Nike SB elements, notably a gum sole that provided more grip. The Nike SB logo also replaced the Nike Air logo on the heel. Additionally, the sneaker had a wider fit, a signature element of skate shoes.

Air Jordan 4: Answering Your Questions

When was the first Air Jordan 4 released?

The Air Jordan 4, designed by Tinker Hatfield, celebrated its first release in 1989 with the colorways ‘White Cement’, ‘Black Cement/Bred’, ‘Military Blue’ and ‘Fire Red’.

What is the rarest Jordan 4?

The Eminem x Air Jordan 4 ‘Encore’, released in 2006, is generally considered the hardest AJ4 to get ahold of. Only 50 pairs were ever produced, and weren’t released to the public. Instead, they were given to Eminem’s friends and family. Due to their rarity, their worth is upwards of $20,000 when they surface for sale.

Other coveted Air Jordan 4s include the ‘UNDEFEATED’ (2005) which was limited to 72 pairs, and the ‘Kaws’ (2017), a collab with the renowned artist which also had a limited release.

Are Air Jordan 4 unisex?

The Air Jordan 4 is a unisex sneaker, released in both men's and women's sizing, as well as kids'. The model is generally released in men’s sizing, with WMNS colorways often also released. When purchasing a standard model, women should size down a size and a half.

How does the Air Jordan 4 fit?

The Air Jordan 4 is known to fit true to size, so you can order your regular size with confidence.

Do Air Jordan 4 stretch?

As the AJ4 is constructed from materials including leather, suede and mesh, the sneaker does not stretch significantly over time. Leather may soften and become more flexible, but it doesn’t stretch.

How do you clean Air Jordan 4?

An Air Jordan 4 is best cleaned by hand. For the best results, use one of the following combinations:

1 tablespoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide, 1 teaspoon water (for white leather)
1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon water (for white leather)
2 tablespoons baking soda, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1 teaspoon water (for all leather)
2 drops mild detergent/dish soap/sneaker cleaner, 1 cup/240ml warm water (for leather, patent leather, mesh and other fabrics)

Mix and apply to the sneaker with a toothbrush, and gently scrub. Wipe it off with a damp cloth and allow to air dry.

For suede or nubuck, use a suede brush to remove surface dirt, a suede or pencil eraser for scuffs, and white vinegar or suede cleaner for stains. Dip a microfibre cloth into the liquid and lightly dab it on, let dry, then brush it over.

For a smelly sneaker, you can sprinkle baking soda inside the shoe, then leave overnight. The powder will absorb moisture and neutralise the smell. Shake out the excess before wearing again. Alternatively, you can use silica gel or activated charcoal bags for the same results.

Laces can be cleaned with the same solutions and rinsed afterwards, or you can put white laces in a 1:5 bleach and water solution for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly with clean water.

In addition, we do not recommend putting your shoes in the washing machine. Sneakers made of leather and suede can come out damaged. With shoes made of canvas or cotton, the risk is less, but the chance of damaged sneakers remains. So we recommend always washing your sneakers by hand. If you do put them in the washing machine, then place the shoes in an old pillowcase beforehand.

How can I tell if an Air Jordan 4 is fake?

You don't recognise fake Air Jordans by one fixed indicator. In fact, it is a combination of indicators that vary from pair to pair. However, you can use these indicators to virtually determine whether a pair of AJ4s are genuine:

Logo – the ‘Jumpman’ shouldn’t have poor stitching, weird proportions, or any other strange details.
Tongue – the AJ4 tongue is stiff and padded, standing upright. Fake ones might be floppy or too thin.
Heel – the heel tab should be firm, and the logo crisp. Fake tabs my be flimsy, or misshapen.
Sole – check the sole for its distinct tread pattern. Fakes can have a less defined tread, or be poorly moulded.
Interior – check the inside tag has the correct fonts, date codes, and spacing. The print should be clean. Fakes can feature blurry, bold, or oversized text.
Stitching – the stitching should be tight and even, with no loose threads, messy or inconsistent stitching.
Material – AJ4s use premium leather, nubuck, or suede. Fakes may feel plastic, stiff, or strangely smooth or shiny. Mesh should have a fine, tight weave.
Weight – fakes may feel lighter than a real pair due to poor-quality materials.
Packaging – the box should be high-quality and sturdy, not flimsy or damaged. Check the style code matches an official listing.

How much does the Air Jordan 4 cost in retail?

The Jordan 4 has a usual retail price of €190,00. However, due to the high demand, it is often difficult to get hold of a pair of AJ4 at the retail price. Resellers like StockX offer Air Jordan 4 for reasonable prices if you don’t manage to get one at retail.

Where can I buy Air Jordan 4s?

Do you have your eye on this model? With our sneaker search engine, you can browse the Air Jordan 4 at different retailers and at different prices. Our release calendar also keeps you up to date on AJ1 restocks and new releases!

Popular Air Jordan 4 Colorways

Jordan have released many successful colorways on the AJ4, and these are some of the most popular and all-time favourites.

Air Jordan 4 Retro 'Fire Red' | DC7770-160

While the colorway has been seen a few times since its first release in 1989, the first real retro release of the Air Jordan 4 'Fire Red' came in 2020. Where the other releases had the Jumpman logo on the heel, the 2020 release featured the Nike Air logo.

The sneaker has a white leather upper with black and red details. Fire Red continues on the sole, while the heel is coloured black and white with red 'Nike Air' branding. A red 'Jumpman' logo can be seen on the tongue of the sneaker. The lining of the sneakers and the plastic eyestays complete the look in red.

Air Jordan 4 OG 'Military Blue' | FV5029-141

Another iconic colorway, the 'Military Blue' was re-released in 2006 with a Jumpman logo instead of 'Nike Air', and again in 2012 with a slight difference in shape and materials. This 2024 version blends innovation with classic style.

Its off-white leather base contrasts with bold military blue on the eyelet wings, heel, and midsole, while neutral grey accents add balance. Signature details include the Jumpman logo, 'Flight' script, and a visible Air-Sole unit for comfort. Blue mesh inserts enhance breathability, and the iconic Nike Air logo on the heel stays true to the 1989 original.

Air Jordan 4 Retro 'Taupe Haze' | DB0732-200

The Air Jordan 4 Retro 'Taupe Haze' quickly received a lot of hype after the sneaker was teased. Indeed, sneakerheads quickly made the link to the Travis Scott x Air Jordan 4 'Olive'. Even though you can compare the Taupe Haze to this hyped sneaker in many aspects, it equally has many unique features of its own.

The upper features cracked textures on the forefoot, midfoot, and tongue, with lighter shades of Taupe Haze under the top layer. Furthermore, the outsole, midsole, and lace eyelets are black. The finishing touch is the Infrared Jumpman logo on the tongue which gives the sneaker a fresh look.

Air Jordan 4 Retro 'Military Black' | DH6927-111

For the Air Jordan 4 Retro 'Military Black', the brand flipped one of its original AJ4 colorways. The colour-blocked style of this shoe took its inspiration from the Air Jordan 4 Military Blue.

The Jordan 4 'Military Black' features a smooth, white leather upper with a light grey toe element and TPU inserts. A strong contrast on the upper is created by military black eyelets, heel tabs, and underlays. The design is completed by a white, black, and light grey sole with a visible Air unit.

Air Jordan 4 Retro 'Lightning' | CT8527-700

Originally released in 2006, the Air Jordan 4 Retro 'Lightning' (2021) is one of the most famous retro Jordan 4 colorways in Jordan Brand's catalogue. The design is mainly characterised by a Tour Yellow Durabuck upper. This is contrasted by the black netting and dark gray lace eyelets.

Furthermore, on the tongue, you will find a black Jordan Flight logo patch with white and yellow accents. Finally, a Jumpman logo on the heel tab and a white midsole with a visible Air unit.

Air Jordan 4 Retro 'University Blue' | CT8527-400

With the 'University Blue', the Brand paid tribute to Michael Jordan's mother. In addition, this colorway bears great resemblance to the extremely rare Air Jordan 4 UNC PE that was given to Tarheel student-athletes in 2019.

The design consists of a suede upper combined with mesh netting on the side and tongue. Inspired by OG Jordan 4 colorways from the past, the eyelets, heel tab, and parts of the midsole are in speckled Cement Grey. Furthermore, you will find black accents on the lace eyelets, sole, and Jumpman logo on the heel tab. Two woven labels are embroidered on the tongue. One contains the classic Jumpman logo and the other a Team Jordan jock tag. The finishing touch to the design is a black, white and Tech Grey sole with a clear Air Unit.

Air Jordan 4 'Bred Reimagined' | FV5029-006

The ‘Bred Reimagined’ pays homage to the original AJ4 ‘Black Cement’ colorway from 1989. Celebrating the design in a fresh way, this pair combines modern design elements with a premium leather construction. Its black upper also features a red Jumpman logo on the tongue and grey accents. A grey Nike Air logo on the heel adds an extra touch.

This sneaker combines heritage with innovation to capture the essence of Air Jordan's iconic legacy.

Air Jordan 4 WMNS ‘Sail & Metallic Gold’ | AQ9129-170

A more recent release, this sneaker is designed especially for women. The ‘Sail & Metallic Gold’ has an upper made of premium leather in a soft, cream-coloured shade.

Gold accents add luxurious and striking details to the design, offering elegance and sophistication all wrapped up in a stylish sneaker.