Jordan 4 – History, Colorways and Prices

The Air Jordan 4 is one of the most recognizable sneakers in the history of athletic footwear. Designed in 1989 by Tinker Hatfield, the fourth model to carry Michael Jordan's name revolutionized the market not only with its design, but also with its global distribution reach. Today, the Jordan 4 remains one of the most searched-for and most collected models in the world – in both the original colorways from the '80s and modern retro releases.

In this guide, I break down the history of the model, the most valuable colorways with current resell prices, and the technology that has helped the Jordan 4 endure for more than three decades. If you're looking for a complete deep dive into this model, you've come to the right place.

Before we get into the details, one thing is worth stressing: the Jordan 4 market is huge and full of fakes. Every pair that ends up in a collector's hands should be verified by experts. This is not a model where you can afford to take risks.

Looking for the real deal? Check out the SNEAKERSJOINT store – every pair is legit checked before shipping, with delivery within 24h.

How did the Air Jordan 4 come about, and why did it change the sneaker world?

It's 1989. Tinker Hatfield is fresh off the success of the Air Jordan 3, which saved Jordan's contract with Nike. The third model had introduced the visible Air unit in the heel and the iconic Jumpman logo. Now Hatfield has to find the next step forward.

The inspiration came from an unexpected direction – military fighter jets and safety nets. Hatfield brought this industrial aesthetic to the shoe, creating an aggressive, almost mechanical design. The key innovations were the mesh panels on the sides (the first Jordan with such an open, breathable construction), the plastic wings (wing eyelets) in place of traditional lace holes, and the distinctive over-molded mesh tongue with a large Jumpman logo.

The moment that forever tied the Air Jordan 4 to basketball history is “The Shot”. On May 7, 1989, Michael Jordan hit his legendary shot over Craig Ehlo in the NBA playoffs, wearing the AJ4 in the White Cement colorway. That image traveled around the world and elevated the model to the status of a pop-culture icon.

The four launch colorways from 1989 were White Cement, Bred (Black Cement), Fire Red and Military Blue. Each of them has received numerous re-releases, and original pairs fetch several thousand dollars on the secondary market. Notably, the AJ4 was the first Jordan sold widely outside the United States, which kicked off the global phenomenon that is Jordan Brand.

Among the OG colorways, the Military Blue holds a special place, and its 2026 retro version has become one of the most important releases of recent seasons. You can get this colorway as the Air Jordan 4 Retro Military Blue at SneakersJoint for 999 PLN – with full authenticity verification.

Which Jordan 4 colorways are the most valuable and the hardest to get?

The Jordan 4 market is incredibly diverse. It ranges from pairs you can still get close to retail, through solid investments, all the way to grails worth as much as a car. Below, I cover the most important colorways every collector should know.

Jordan 4 Eminem

This is an absolute legend of the sneaker world. The first version – the Eminem x Jordan 4 Encore from 2004 – was made in a run estimated at only a few dozen pairs. On the secondary market, its value has reached as much as 50 000 USD or more. In 2015, another collaboration followed – the Eminem x Carhartt x Jordan 4 – in a run of around 50 pairs, released for charity. Resell prices for this version hover between 15 000 and 30 000 USD (roughly 60 000-120 000 PLN). It's a perfect example of the equation: ultra-limited run + pop-culture icon = astronomical value.

Jordan 4 Manila

A regional exclusive made for the Philippines, released in 2026. This model reflects Jordan's growing trend of creating limited editions tied to specific markets. Resell prices sit at 400-600 USD above the retail price, which works out to roughly 2500-4000 PLN. Getting this pair in Europe is quite a challenge, which further drives up its collector value.

Jordan 4 Oreo (Tech White)

Released in 2026, the white-and-gray colorway known as Tech White, or colloquially Oreo, is one of the most versatile Jordan 4 releases of recent years. Resell prices hold steady at 250-350 USD (about 1000-1400 PLN). The model's popularity comes from its neutral color palette, which goes with everything.

Jordan 4 UNC (University Blue)

Also from 2026 – University Blue is a direct nod to the colors of the University of North Carolina, Michael Jordan's alma mater. The sentimental backstory combined with an exceptional color scheme (light blue nubuck, white sole, black details) keeps resell prices at 300-450 USD (1200-1800 PLN). It's one of those colorways that will only gain value over time.

Jordan 4 Flight Club

The latest release paying tribute to the legendary New York store. The unique color scheme and limited nature make this model attractive to both collectors and investors. You can get it as the Air Jordan 4 Retro OG Flight Club at SneakersJoint for 1199 PLN.

Jordan 4 Valentine's Day

A purple-and-pink colorway that is gaining more and more popularity. The release is aimed at a broader audience, but growing search interest suggests the model could earn sleeper-hit status on the secondary market.

Comparison table of the most important colorways

What sets Air Jordan 4 technology apart from other models?

To understand why the Jordan 4 is so special, it helps to compare it with other models in the line. The Air Jordan 1 is essentially a modified Nike Dunk – a simple high-top construction with a flat sole. The AJ3 introduced visible Air and the cement print. The AJ4 went further, adding elements that still define its identity today.

Here is how the technology in the Jordan 4 breaks down: an Air Sole unit in the heel (it's not full-length Air – the cushioning is concentrated at the back), a solid rubber outsole with a herringbone pattern for traction, mesh panels on the sides that provide ventilation unheard of in 1989, TPU wing eyelets, the plastic elements that hold the laces, and the forefoot strap – a strap across the forefoot that stabilizes the foot.

Is the Jordan 4 comfortable? Let's be honest – it's not the most comfortable Jordan for everyday wear. The lack of Zoom Air or React technology, which you'll find in newer models, means the cushioning is fairly old-school. Even so, the AJ4 works well for everyday wear – the firmer sole keeps the foot secure, and the mesh panels provide breathability.

Jordan 4 sizing is generally true to size (TTS), but people with wider feet should consider going up half a size. The plastic wing eyelets can press slightly on the sides if you go too small.

Expert tip: An authentic Jordan 4 has distinctive “Nike Air” branding on the heel. It's one of the first things counterfeiters get wrong – the font is too thin, the spacing is off, and sometimes the lettering is slightly misaligned. If you're buying on the secondary market, always check this detail. And if you don't want to take any chances, buy from verified sellers.

Where can you safely buy the Jordan 4 in Poland?

The market for Jordan 4 fakes is huge. It's one of the most counterfeited models in the world, and the quality of replicas improves year after year. Buying from unverified sellers on classified ad sites is like playing Russian roulette.

At SneakersJoint, every pair goes through rigorous authenticity verification – we check the QR code, stitching, weight, quality of materials and the box. We don't sell anything we aren't 100% sure about. That's the difference between collecting and gambling.

Right now we carry the key Jordan 4 colorways at competitive prices. The entire sneaker collection at SneakersJoint is available with shipping within Poland and a full guarantee of authenticity.

• Air Jordan 4 Retro Military Blue (2026) – the OG 1989 colorway in a retro release, full authenticity verification, 999 PLN
• Air Jordan 4 Retro OG Flight Club – limited release with a unique color scheme referencing the legendary store, 1199 PLN
• Full SneakersJoint sneaker range – hundreds of verified pairs from Nike, Jordan, Yeezy and other brands

MK

Marek Kowalczyk

Sneaker Expert – SneakersJoint

Sneaker collector and authenticator for over 10 years. He has handled hundreds of pairs of Jordan, Yeezy and limited Nike releases. At SneakersJoint, he is responsible for legit checking every pair before it ships.

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FAQ

Does the Jordan 4 fit true to size?

Yes, most owners confirm that the Jordan 4 fits true to size (TTS). The exception is people with wider feet – in that case I recommend going half a size up (e.g., EU 43 instead of 42.5). The plastic wing eyelets can press slightly on the sides if the fit is too tight.

Which Jordan 4 colorway is the most expensive on the secondary market?

The absolute king is the Jordan 4 Eminem Encore from 2004. With a run estimated at around 50 pairs, secondary-market prices exceed 200 000 PLN. The newer Eminem x Carhartt version from 2015 will set you back around 60 000-120 000 PLN. Among the more accessible models, the highest prices are reached by the UNC (1200-1800 PLN).

How can you tell an authentic Jordan 4 from a fake?

The key things to check are the “Nike Air” branding on the heel (font, spacing, position), the quality of the mesh panels (the original has a denser, more even weave) and the weight of the shoe (fakes are often lighter). It's best to buy from verified sellers with an authenticity guarantee, such as SneakersJoint.