Jordan 4 Retro

This Jordan 4 Retro is a bold recreation of one of the original 1989 colourways with updated features that have seen it nicknamed Bred Reimagined. Its outsole has been formed into the classic structure set by its predecessor, with herringbone tread patterns facing in different directions to give comprehensive grip underfoot. Colour-wise, the outsole’s heel and star-covered toe both come in a vibrant Fire Red hue, while the space through the middle of the foot is Cement Grey. Highlighting a portion below the forefoot and another under the arch are white pieces of rubber, the former filled with herringbone grip lines, the latter smooth and with Fire Red Nike branding embossed in its centre.

The Cement Grey portion of the outsole wraps up onto the toe of the midsole, which has a line of grey stitching set into it, and loops into a mound shape on the lateral flank, adding extra protection there. Otherwise, the midsole is made from polyurethane in two layers – a bottom one in Summit White which contrasts with the deep black top layer. In the lower level, a see-through window shows off the pocket of Air held there, while another unseen cushion resides in the forefoot, providing the wearer with excellent comfort as they walk.

Above this, the upper is made from premium full-grain leather and is entirely black. This includes the forefoot mudguard and the main overlay beneath it, which itself extends from the forefoot all the way around the back of the heel. It even covers the quarter panels, whose sides are filled with an over-moulded mesh that allows the foot to breathe. Another such panel appears in the lower part of the tongue, before its upper section brings a radiant splash of Fire Red through the Jumpman woven into the black square patch in its centre. White calligraphic text has been sewn below this colourful logo, and the label’s background is black, allowing the branding to stand out prominently at the tongue’s peak.

Although many of the eyelets that hold the shoe’s black laces are pressed into the leather of the quarter panel, the top and bottom ones are provided by Cement Grey pieces of TPU formed into fan shapes and filled with nine holes each. This gives the wearer several different lacing options, while the uppermost ones deliver extra structural support to the flanks as they are connected to black TPU triangles.

Internally, the sneaker exhibits Fire Red on its insole and the back of the tongue, before the lining adds a softer touch with its plush Cement Grey fabric coating. Black Nike Air branding has been printed onto the sockliner, and a white Air Jordan patch with black text has been sewn into the underside of the tongue. Back on the outer, the large black heel panel is split into two distinct sections. Its upper part is shaped like the TPU eyelets but with the holes filled in and raised to provide a useful tab to hold onto when putting the shoe on. Its lower half, meanwhile, has been embossed with a Nike Air logo in Cement Grey, thus completing this classy sneaker with a heritage touch.