Third time was certainly a charm when it came to the Air Jordan line in 1988. But could Tinker Hatfield and Nike surpass, or even come close to, the success of the bold and elegant Air Jordan III with their new 1989 model? As we now know, the answer was definitely yes. The Air Jordan IV picked up right where the III left off, further establishing the Air Jordan line's status as the coolest and most important sneaker in the world. In this latest installment of the Jordan 101 series, we examine all the basic details, legendary moments on and off the court, and the cultural significance of the Air Jordan IV . Read on for a deeper dive into one of the greatest Air Jordans of all time.
The basics
The Air Jordan IV was released in 1989 and was produced in four colorways throughout the year. Essentially following the same color scheme as the Air Jordan III, the IV was released in two white-based Bulls colorways ( White/Cement and Fire Red ), a black-based colorway ( Black/Red ), and a version with white and blue accents (Military Blue). It retailed for $100, making it one of the most expensive basketball shoes on the market at the time. But it was worth it, right?
Tinker's second legendary Air Jordan design
Following up on the Air Jordan III was no easy task, but if anyone could do it, it was Tinker Hatfield. And he did it, successfully. The IV's design didn't stray too far from the III, with both the mid-cut height and visible Air unit in the heel returning. However, the IV was a bit more aerodynamic and lighter than the III. Its signature design details were the mesh on the side panels and tongue and the unique lacing system featuring the shoe's iconic "wings." The Air Jordan IV also introduced the "Flight" concept to the Air Jordan line.
Tech
The Air Jordan IV may not have introduced any revolutionary new technology to the world of basketball footwear like many other Air Jordans, but everything it did offer was functional and aesthetically pleasing. As mentioned above, the IV brought back the mid-top and visible Air unit, while other technological aspects of the shoe included additional Air in the forefoot, supportive "wings," a lacing system that provided multiple eyelets for customized lace placement, and a wide heel pull tab for easy entry. The "Bred" colorway also introduced soft nubuck leather to the Air Jordan, a material that would be used on many subsequent models.
It's gotta be the shoes
During the 1988-89 season in which Michael wore the Air Jordan IV, he achieved his best statistical season ever, averaging 32.5 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. It would take two more seasons for MJ and the Bulls to reach the Finals (which they ultimately won), but the '88-89 season saw the Bulls reach their first Eastern Conference Finals of the Jordan era, firmly establishing them as a team to be taken seriously for championship contention.
"The shot"
Speaking of the 1989 playoffs, Game 5 of the opening-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers provided the NBA history books with the first of many epic shots from Michael Jordan, when he hit the infamous shot over poor Craig Ehlo to give the Bulls a one-point victory, both the game and the series. On Michael's feet for that iconic moment were, of course, black Air Jordan IVs.
Do the right thing
Already closely associated with the Air Jordan line due to his appearance as Mars Blackmon in the Air Jordan III ad campaign, Spike Lee actually gave the Air Jordan IV a supporting role in his landmark 1989 film Do the Right Thing. Watch the full scene featuring the shoe above, and keep in mind that Buggin' Out is played by the same actor as Gustavo Fring in Breaking Bad(!).
The Beginning of the Air Jordan Retro Craze
Ten years after its initial release, the Air Jordan IV returned as a retro in 1999 in its most beloved "Bred" and "White/Cement" colorways. (Something today's Air Jordan buyers certainly don't know: the original '99 retros cost the same as the OG version at $100!) Along with the OG looks, the shoe also released in the first Air Jordan Linea Jordan Retro+ colorways in "Oreo" and "Columbia Blue," with a white/chrome version later in 2000, each constructed with all-leather constructions without mesh and Jumpmans replacing the Nike Air logo on the heel. The first Air Jordan retros in 1994—the Air Jordan 1, 2, and 3—were all a bit too early for the sneaker world, with many pairs hitting sale shelves. But we were all ready for the return of the Air Jordan 4 in 1999, as the retro craze would officially begin from then on.
The legend takes flight
The momentum the first three Air Jordans created in the sneaker world continued perfectly with the successful Air Jordan IV design in 1989, and in hindsight, we can see that the craze was just beginning. Further boosting the Air Jordan line's popularity with its elite status in malls and on the streets, appearances on the court by MJ as his career reached new heights, and even its appearance in a major motion picture, the Air Jordan IV can be seen as the shoe that marked the tipping point for the legendary status that Air Jordans now enjoy in the sneaker world.
