It’s rare for a sneaker to become an instant pop culture icon the second it hits the shelves. The Air Jordan 4 basketball shoe is one of the most recognizable—and sought-after—sneakers in the world. It was launched by Nike in 1989 and designed by Tinker Hatfield.
The Jordan 4 was introduced in 1989 and has since become one of the most iconic and sought-after shoes worldwide
Built for performance, these shoes have been a hit on and off the basketball court.
It’s one of the most popular silhouettes for Nike collaborations and is one style you’ll find in every sneaker collector’s closet. They’re amongst some of the hardest sneakers to buy, with the most sought-after styles selling in the region of $20,000.
We’re breaking down everything you need to know about why the Jordan 4s are so expensive and what the most popular Air Jordan 4 styles are.
The Air Jordan 4: Tinker Hatfield’s Game-Changing Design That Redefined Sneaker Culture
The iconic Jordan 4s were initially launched in 1989 and designed by Tinker Hatfield. They hit the market with the style code 4364 and retailed for $110.
These shoes were the first global release for the Air Jordan franchise, featuring an “over-molded” mesh upper and the Nike Air logo on the heel.
The Jordan 4s were the second Jordan model created by iconic Nike designer Tinker Hatfield in 1989
The Jordan 4s entered pop culture when they appeared in Spike Lee’s movie, Do the Right Thing.
How Much Are Jordan 4s? Breaking Down Retail and Resale Prices
Most Jordan 4 sneakers will set you back around $210 retail. The price will depend on the collaboration or style you’re choosing. Jordan 4s will instantly hit the resale market at a considerably higher price tag.
Real vs. Fake Jordan 4s: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide to Authenticating Your Pair
Fake Jordan 4s are all over the resale market. You’ll want to know how to spot fake Nike Air Jordans, both online and in resale stores, when shopping for Jordan 4s.
There are a few key things to look for to identify counterfeit Jordan 4s.
1. Stitching: The First and Easiest Way to Identify a Fake Jordan 4
While counterfeit sneakers are getting harder to spot, you can usually tell the difference by looking at the details. The stitching is an easy way to spot real vs. fake Nike sneakers. Fake sneakers will fail to replicate the neat stitching of the real thing, resulting in inconsistent stitching.
While counterfeit Nike sneakers may have uneven or sloppy stitching, genuine Air Jordan 4s feature precise, parallel, and consistent stitching
2. The Jumpman Logo: Spotting Proportion and Placement Mistakes on Fakes
The logo is one of the first details worth examining. Counterfeit Jordan 4s often miss the mark on proportions or placement. That said, the logo alone can be tricky to judge—unless you’re comparing it side by side with an authentic pair.
Real Jordan 4s have a high-quality Jumpman logo presented in an embroidered pattern
3. The Toe Box Test: Why Shape and Curve Matter in Authentic Jordans
Fake Jordan 4s typically fail to recreate the distinctive toe box of the genuine thing.
Look out for fake sneakers with a smaller toe box and a sharper curve, rather than the wider toe box and flatter curve of the real Jordan 4s.
Authentic Air Jordan 4s feature a wide, naturally rounded toe box with a flatter front curve, unlike the narrower, sharply angled shape often seen on fakes
Are Jordan 4s Comfortable? What to Expect from Fit, Feel, and Everyday Wear
The Jordan 4s are designed with comfort and performance in mind, making them an ideal everyday sneaker for both on and off the basketball court.
These sneakers are among the most comfortable you’ll find from Nike, with cushioning technology that supports you with every step.
Initially designed as a basketball shoe, the Air Jordan 4 provides lightweight cushioning and stability with its visible Air-Sole unit and molded midsole
The silhouette is designed to snug your feet for all-day wear. If you’re between sizes and want a little extra wiggle room, it’s a good idea to go up a half size for a perfect fit.
Why Are Jordan 4s So Expensive? Inside the Factors Driving Their Value
The Jordan 4s are some of the most expensive sneakers on the private market. Several factors explain why the Air Jordan 4s have such a high resale value.
1. Limited Drops: When Scarcity Creates Instant Demand
Most Air Jordan 4s are released as part of limited-edition collaborations or releases. It’s not unusual for a style to sell out within a few hours or even instantly upon release. Collectors will queue up outside stores several hours in advance to secure their spot.
Shoe collectors typically wait several hours in line outside Nike, Jordan, and other shoe stores for a chance to purchase a pair of Jordan 4s (Credit: Indoor Vision / Shutterstock)
2. Resale Culture: How Sneaker Flippers Drive Up Jordan 4 Prices
Like anything that’s highly collectible, there are plenty of resellers who purchase Air Jordan 4s to flip them.
These resellers often have networks of shoppers, making it harder for everyday collectors to pick up new releases at retail prices. Many collectors find themselves in a position where the resale market is their only option for buying Jordan 4s.
With demand far exceeding supply, collectors often turn to the resale market to hunt down rare Air Jordan 4 colorways and collaborations (Credit: Maxim Apryatin / Shutterstock)
3. Production Delays and Supply Issues: The Hidden Reason Behind Sold-Out Jordans
Not even brands as big as Nike are exempt from supply chain issues. The popularity of the Air Jordan 4s means it’s not uncommon to find the style sold out both in-store and online.
Air Jordan 4s are usually sold out in-store and online due to their popularity and supply chain issues (Credit: htzp2009 / Shutterstock)
It’s these factors that make the Air Jordan 4s so popular. They’re a celebrity favorite, a pop culture icon, and increasingly challenging to get.
Collectors and resellers are constantly battling to get their hands on the latest Jordan 4s.
The Most Valuable and Sought-After Air Jordan 4s: From Travis Scott to Eminem
Many of the most popular and expensive Air Jordan 4 sneakers come from collaborations between Nike and other brands or public figures.
These sneakers often fetch several times their original sticker price on the private market and are among the most sought after by sneaker collectors.
1. Travis Scott x Air Jordan 4 “Cactus Jack”: The Friends-and-Family Grail
Travis Scott is one of the most popular rappers of the era, making it no surprise that his Air Jordan 4s are among the most highly valued sneakers.
You can expect to pay several thousand dollars for these Jordan 4s when they hit the market following their 2019 original release.
The Air Jordan 4 x Travis Scott Cactus Jack (F&F), which was created specifically for Travis Scott’s friends and family, has the distinctive Cactus Jack emblem on the right heel and the traditional Nike Air logo on the left
2. Eminem x Carhartt x Air Jordan 4: The $20,000 Charity Collab That Became a Legend
One of the unicorns of the Jordan 4 collector world is the coveted three-way collaboration between Nike, Eminem, and Carhartt. They debuted in 2015 with only a handful of styles made for Slim Shady’s friends and family.
Ten pairs were auctioned on eBay for charity, with most selling for around $20,000.
Air Jordan x Eminem x Carhartt released 10 more pairs of these sneakers that were initially intended to be gifts for Eminem’s friends and family to raise money for the Marshall Mathers Foundation
3. Drake’s OVO x Air Jordan 4 “Splatter”: The Unreleased Pair That Sold for $32,000
While Drake is now in the sneaker game with Adidas, he initially partnered with Nike, leaving behind several concept shoes that are at the top of most collectors’ wish lists.
Drake stepped out in a pair of OVO x Air Jordan 4 ‘Splatter’ sneakers in 2017, a reimagined update of the 1989 ‘Splatter’ colorway. Drake’s sample has appeared for sale several times, including at Sotheby’s in 2020, where it sold for $32,760.
Drake’s unreleased Air Jordan IV has an OVO Owl behind the heel tab and was inspired by another unreleased prototype from 1989
Explore More Nike & Air Jordan Features
As this article wraps up, continue your sneaker deep dive with more expert guides and celebrity features from Your Next Shoes—covering Nike’s evolution, iconic Air Jordan drops, and timeless streetwear moments.
👟 Explore Air Jordan & Nike Features on Your Next Shoes:
- 🔍 How to Spot Fake Air Jordans with 3 Easy Tips — A focused authenticity guide for Jordan models.
- 📘 Nike: Shoe Size Conversion, History and Innovation — Deep dive into the brand background behind the Swoosh.
- 🛒 10 Best Places to Buy Nike Shoes and Clothing Online — Practical shopping guide for Nike footwear and apparel.
- 👗 Women’s Retro Sneakers You Can Still Buy Today: 10 Classic Styles Reimagined — Includes Nike models like the Cortez and Air Max in the mix of retro sneaker culture.
- 🎤 Rita Ora Blends Denim Skirt With Blue Pants and Pink Nike Air Max DN8 Shoes — A celebrity style feature showcasing Nike sneakers in fashion context.