The Air Jordan 4 is Still a Force in 2021
Despite celebrating its 30th anniversary just over two years ago, the Air Jordan 4 continues to live up to its reputation as a perennial crowd-pleaser. One of the most beloved silhouettes in the Jumpman hangar, the idiosyncratic 4 is experiencing a mini renaissance in 2021, and it’s easy to see why. The crew at Beaverton deserve some kudos for putting together a compelling lineup of GR gems, with the odd collaboration has been sprinkled in for good measure.
Here’s a round-up of what we’ve seen so far this year, and what we can expect from the Air Jordan 4 for the rest of 2021.
‘Taupe Haze’
Starting from the ‘Taupe’, the year’s first Air Jordan 4 drop was a low-key banger. Some even likened them to Travis Scott’s ultra-rare ‘Olive’ 4s.
‘White Cement G’
Foreeeeee! A classic AJ4 scheme hit the links earlier this year, delivering one of the most hyped Jumpman golf releases to date. We're sure plenty are hanging out for a proper retro.
‘University Blue’
This drop came through with a little old, and a little new. Suede uppers are a nice remix on the traditional nubuck, while the classic cement midsole is borrowed from the ‘White Cement’ OG.
Union LA x Air Jordan 4 ‘Tent and Trail’
Taking inspo from late-80s and early-90s outdoor garb, Union LA returned to the Air Jordan 4 to celebrate their 10-year anniversary. The first AJ4 collaboration of 2021, the hyped collection featured eye-catching ‘Desert Moss’ and ‘Taupe Haze’ colourways, and made use of the distinctive reconstructed silhouette the boutique used in their 2020 release. Not gonna lie, those folding tongues are growing on us!
‘White Oreo’
One of the sleeper successes of 2021 so far, the ‘White Oreo’ AJ4 (AKA ‘Tech White’) will undoubtedly go down as one of the year’s cleanest GRs. A milkier take on the popular ‘Oreo’ colourway, this rendition gave sneakerheads a subtler cookie-crumb aesthetic, which translated well to the street.
The 4s Awaken in the Back Half of 2021
The forecast from the Jumpman assures us that more fire 4s are on the way in the back half of 2021. Headlining the range is the return of the ‘Lightning’, which strikes for the first time since 2006. With pairs of the OG going for upwards of $1000, there are plenty of sneakerheads ready to ride the ‘Lightning’ re-issue on August 7.
Meanwhile, you can’t have the perfect storm without ‘Thunder’, a remix of that famed colourway arrives thanks to the upcoming ‘Red Thunder’, which drops in October. Adding the final touch of sparkle to the trio is the ‘Shimmer’, which drops in September.
There are 4s for all, and 2022 is already looking like another killer year for the MJ favourite.
For more Air Jordan 4 action, be sure to check out our All-Time Greatest colourways, part 1 and part 2.