From hardwood floors to mainstream domination, when you think of the Jordan Brand, the Air Jordan 4 is usually one of the silhouettes that spring to mind.
Rich in basketball heritage and a true masterpiece masterminded by Nike’s creative visionary Tinker Hatfield, the Air Jordan 4 first hit our shelves in 1989.
Since then, it has become a forefront figure in sneaker culture, boasting an everlasting span of colourways and collaborations that have lent many air enthusiasts their sense of streetwear identity, both in the past and for generations to come.
At Crep, we continue to celebrate the iconography of this 35-year-old grail by selecting 7 of our favourite Jordan 4s of all time. So, without further ado, let’s take a deep dive into the archives to see the gems we’ve picked out.
1. Air Jordan 4 ‘Military Blues'
Release Dates: 1989, 2006, 2012, 2024
Editor Notes:
Although this fit has never graced our courts, the Air Jordan 4 ‘Military Blues’ stands as one of the most culturally revered sneakers to ever come out of the Jordan brand. The titular shades of blue and white that draw comparison to the ‘UNC’ colorway are a true embodiment of Hatfield’s visionary talent. They may not have complemented the ‘Bulls’ uniforms, but they have always been fashioned in our hearts and will continue to make their mark in the sneaker scene (as long as they keep the ‘Nike Air’ logo at the back).
Crep Recommends:
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2. Air Jordan 4 ‘Breds’
Release Dates: 1989, 1999, 2008, 2019, 2021, 2024
Editor Notes:
Arguably a fan-favourite colourway since the beginning of time, or let's say 1985 after MJ inked a deal with Nike, and then the rest was history. Such a historic moment ushered its way into 1989 when the ‘Bred’ colourway was finally reissued, quickly becoming a ‘Got em’ moment for many ‘old-school’ collectors out there. Well, that’s only if you had the ‘bred’ to cop them in the first place, as this one came in at a hefty $110 price tag, $45 greater than its AJ1 predecessor.
Crep Recommends:
Protect these investments with a bi-weekly spray of our Crep Protect rain and stain repellent, and you’ll never have to worry about ruining your favorite kicks.
3. Union LA x Air Jordan 4 ‘Off Noir’
Release Date: 2020
Editor Notes:
One thing we know about the Jordan Brand is that they love a great collaboration or two. And the Union LA x Air Jordan 4 ‘Off Noir’ might have just hit the nail on the head. Continuing their collaborative saga from the 2018 ‘Varsity Red’ addition, this rendition is also flushed with details. Stacked with buttery suede, mesh-inserted toe boxes, and sides, the fit oozes streetwear charm. TPU wings take on a translucent build, while pops of red embellish the eyelets, the ‘Nike Air’ logos, and the branded tongue. Union LA insignias pull this collaborative effort together with an extra slice of brand nostalgia.
Crep Recommends:
Crep Protect Cure will give your ‘Off Noirs’ the premium treatment they deserve. Its quick-foaming action gets to work on the toughest dirt, grime, and stains, while also being gentle on suede, mesh, and leather.
4. Travis x Air Jordan 4 ‘Purple’ F&F
Release Date: 2019
Editor Notes:
Everything La Flame touches turns to gold—well, so to speak about his ever-evolving sneaker line with the Jordan brand. One that particularly captured the hearts of many was the Air Jordan 4 x Travis Scott ‘Purple,’ and we’re talking about the rarer friends and family version. This limited run was only 25 pairs strong, and we can see why. The impeccable use of purple suede that details the uppers is nothing but sophisticated, lending its wearers a new luxurious feel to this hardwood icon.
Crep Recommends:
The inside of the Travis 'Purples' should be as fresh as the outside. Buy our Crep Protect Pills to eliminate unsightly odour.
5. Air Jordan 4 x SB ‘Pine Green’
Release Date: 2023
Editor Notes:
Arguably one of the best sneakers to have come out of 2023, the Air Jordan 4 x SB ‘Pine Greens’ is a true testament to those who do 180s in skate parks or rummage around city tarmacs. It is genuinely a sneaker for all. Its hybrid design is a collector's dream: the premium leather, suede-dressed toe cap, and clean white and green colour scheme are all tied together with the ‘Nike SB’ branded heels. We don’t know about you, but we certainly had to cop another pair of these.
Crep Recommends:
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6. Air Jordan 4 x KAWS
Release Date: 2017
Editor Notes:
In 2017, New York-based artist KAWS dipped his feet into sneaker territory to unveil one of the most profound Air Jordan 4s of all time. Behold—the Air Jordan 4 x KAWS. This masterpiece encapsulates KAWS’ fluent design language, landing in a soft, minimalist suede upper that makes up the fit’s entirety, coupled with a co-branded heel that rounds off this head-turning design.
Crep Recommends:
Keep that suede in top-notch condition with the Crep Protect Eraser.
7. Air Jordan 4 ‘Black Cats’
Release Date: 2006, 2020
Editor Notes:
When it comes to design, they usually say less is more, and that is certainly the case for the Air Jordan 4 ‘Black Cats’. The stealthy all-black upper gives a bold feel to this OG basketball silhouette. Monochromatic overlays provide a subtle sheen to the eyelets and parts of the midsole, while smooth suede works its way throughout—true minimalism at its best.
Crep Recommends:
Protect your ‘Black Cats’ from dust and sunlight discolouration with our Crep Protect Crates 3.0.
Next on Crep Daily: Top 5 Sneaker Releases: June 2024
