The once humble sneaker has transformed from an everyday sports shoe into an iconic super shoe thanks to the clever designs created by brand leaders like Nike, who have garnered huge followings worldwide, and produce collector’s item versions of their line that ‘sneakerheads’, diehard aficionados of the footwear, are willing to pay thousands, even millions of dollars for!
The Nike Jordan brand is among the most popular ever to be produced and laid the groundwork for this phenomenon. The first Air Jordan 1 sneaker hit the shelves in 1985. It was named for US basketball legend Michael Jordan, who also had a hand in its design, making it a basketball shoe made by and for basketball players! The unmitigated success of the Air Jordan 1 led to the production of the Jordan 4, which was released in 1989. The Air Jordan 4 introduced exciting new elements to the design like mesh netting over the side panels and plastic lacewings, and it’s success only continues to grow, even after successor designs like the far-from-shabby Air Jordan 11 have been introduced!
So what is the secret of all this success? Why are Air Jordan 4 sneakers still so incredibly popular? Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why the Air Jordan 4 has continued to dominate the street and the basketball court decades later:
- The Design – The fresh, new design elements that the Air Jordan 4 introduced helped make it something really special. Plastic wing eyelets and a mesh upper lent the shoe a sleek, futuristic quality that turned out to be a gigantic success. The sole has a special cushioning unit built into it that acts as a shock absorber for those high-flying jump shots and layups, and the design’s overall comfort has certainly been a driver of its success.
- The Performance – Not only is the Air Jordan 4 timelessly stylish, it was created to be a high-performance sports shoe for serious athletes. The Jordan 4 is equipped with a padded collar and tongue to ensure comfort, and its durable solid rubber sole provides traction on the court. The air cushioning unit that gives it the Air name located in the shoe’s sole protects the foot from shocks and is another contributor to the ongoing passion basketball players have for it.
- The Limited Releases and Collaborations – Another way that the Air Jordan 4 has retained its relevance all of these years is the brand’s clever use of limited releases, and its collaboration with other big-name brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior, which has helped to keep it relevant and sought after. The rarity and exclusivity of some of these special releases have allowed Nike to hold the rapt attention of collectors around the world, who are willing to pay enormous sums in order to own them.
The Nike Air Jordan 4 remains one of the world’s best-selling, most popular shoe brands to this day and its incredible staying power shows no sign of diminishing. Our advice? Pick up a pair then put them away for a decade, look at it as money in the bank!