How to Tell If Your Air Jordan 4 Is Authentic
The first Air Jordan was introduced in 1984. Nike designed and released this shoe line to showcase Michael Jordan’s growing prominence as a great NBA player and to bring fans closer to the game.
Over the years, Nike and Jordan Brand have released various versions of Michael Jordan’s signature shoe line. However, there is one pair coveted by many sneakerheads, basketball aficionados, and fans of His Airness: the Air Jordan 4.
A Brief History of the Air Jordan 4
The Air Jordan 4 (AJ4) was designed by Tinker Hatfield, Nike’s most successful athletic shoe designer, in 1989. It was the first Jordan footwear released globally.
The demand for this footwear grew when millions of fans watched Michael Jordan wearing AJ4 make a mid-air shot during a 1989 playoff game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. With only three seconds left, this shot allowed the Chicago Bulls to win the game.
This sporting moment has gone down in history as “The Shot” and demonstrated MJ’s athletic prowess and coolness under pressure.
The Air Jordan 4 was also featured in the Spike Lee film “Do the Right Thing,” which was released in 1989. This further boosted interest in and sales of these basketball shoes.
The AJ4 has undergone several design iterations over the years. These include 1991’s Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Bred, 2012’s Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro White Cement, and 2020’s Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Fire Red.
All these reasons make the Air Jordan 4 a worthy addition to your sneaker collection if you don’t have one yet.
Spotting Authentic Air Jordan 4s
If you’re ready to add an Air Jordan 4 to your collection, here’s what you should check to ensure you get an authentic pair:
- Price
Authentic pairs of Air Jordan 4s hold strong value, especially those with popular colorways and recent releases. A product is likely to be fake when the price is below the market average because sellers of replicas rely on deals that seem too good to pass up.
Compare prices on different platforms and official retailers to ensure you’re buying a genuine pair. Doing so will give you an idea of the typical range for the exact model, size, and condition you want.
Skip any seller offering low prices and refusing to explain why their price is much lower.
A realistic price does not guarantee authenticity, but it helps narrow down your options and reduces the risk of costly mistakes.
- Box
A genuine Air Jordan 4 comes in a high-quality, eye-catching box.
The box is sturdy to protect the shoes during transport and for long-term storage. It has the “Jumpman” icon on the top, and a smaller version of the logo on the side. It also has vibrant color without faded spots.
Counterfeit products come in poor-quality, flimsy boxes with dull colors and discoloration.
Next, check the box label. Authentic products feature thin text with clean spacing, while fake shoes have labels with extremely bold text that looks cramped.
- Shoes
Whether you’re still shopping or already have your Air Jordan 4, there are several important elements you need to check to confirm its authenticity. These are the following:
- Inside label
The 9-digit style number and UPC code inside the shoe label should match those printed on the box. They should also be printed clearly, free of spelling errors, and the letters should not be tightly packed. Additionally, look for the word “FABRIQUE” on the label. The tail of the letter Q should start inside the circle.
- Color and material
Most versions of AJ4s are made of leather and suede. Some are made of other materials, such as denim (Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Levi’s White Denim). Regardless of the version, a genuine pair is made of high-quality fabric and features bright, solid colors.
- Stitching
An authentic pair of this basketball shoe features evenly spaced, consistent stitching. Each shoe features thin stitch lines around the midsole and heel and beneath the triangular accent on the side.
- Tongue
The tongues of real Air Jordan 4s are thick, rounded, and feature the Jumpman logo on the front. This logo is bright and embossed with a tidy edge.
On the tongue, you can find the logo “Air Jordan” embedded upside-down. The label features clear, thick, bold letters. It should also have even stitches around the edges.
- Toe box
Each genuine AJ4 has a rounded, cushioned toe box, which is more comfortable for the feet. Fake versions have a square or flattened toe shape.
- Mesh panel
Authentic Air Jordan 4s have mesh panels on the sides of each shoe and at the base of each tongue. They feature a consistent pattern and size that follows the curve of the shoe. Fake pairs have loose mesh that runs perpendicular to the tops of the footwear and have low-quality stitching.
- Insoles and outsoles
The insoles of this particular footwear feature the word Nike in tight lettering, with the letter E touching the swoosh logo. Both the brand name and the swoosh logo should have consistent coloring. You should also find the shoe size on the insole with authentic products.
The outsoles have deep, evenly spaced treads and a clean paint job. They either have the Nike swoosh or the Jumpman logo as well.
- Rear logo
A pair of genuine Air Jordan 4s features an embossed Nike Swoosh or Jumpman logo in the center on the back of each shoe. The logo has noticeable raised edges, is neither too large nor too small, and fits the heel perfectly.
- Colorway
Fake products typically get the colorway wrong because they have slightly off shades or mixed colors that Nike or the Jordan Brand never used.
Check the exact colorway name, study pictures of the shoe, and compare panel colors, accents, and even the outsole tone to avoid buying counterfeits.
Genuine products follow distinct color combinations and stay consistent with their original release details. Products with colors that do not match what you see on official listings are likely to be fake.
Air Jordan 4s are more than just a pair of sneakers. They are part of basketball and streetwear history.
By taking a few extra minutes to check the details, you can shop with confidence and make sure the pair you add to your collection truly lives up to the legacy.
AUTHOR BIO
Eloisa Mangilinan is a full-time content writer at SEO Sherpa – Global Best Large SEO Agency Winner, focusing on SEO, PPC, Digital PR, and Search Everywhere Optimization. She brings over 13 years of experience in content creation and digital marketing, including link prospecting and outreach management. She produces top-notch content across various niches, from fashion and shopping to business and technology, for blogs and client websites.
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