Jordan Bred 4: Basketball Shoes Or Fashion Statement?

are jordan bred 4 for basketball

The Air Jordan 4 Bred is a retro basketball sneaker made famous by Michael Jordan's legendary dunk in the 1989 NBA Playoffs. The shoe was designed by Tinker Hatfield and was first released in 1989. The Air Jordan 4 Bred is known for its iconic black, grey, and fire red colour scheme, as well as its 'Nike Air' branding on the heel. The shoe has been re-released multiple times, including in 2012 and 2019, and is a celebrated model within the sneaker community. The 2019 re-release marked the shoe's 30th anniversary and featured the original Nike Air heel tab branding for the first time in over 20 years.

Characteristics Values
Brand Nike
Model Air Jordan 4 "Bred"
Year 1989
Colors Black, Grey, White, Fire Red
Notable Wearer Michael Jordan
Notable Event 1989 NBA All-Star Game
Notable Event 1989 NBA Playoffs
Designer Tinker Hatfield
Price $200 USD

shunwild

The Tinker Hatfield-designed Air Jordan 4 Bred sneakers

The Air Jordan 4 "Bred" is a legendary sneaker in the world of basketball and sneaker culture. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the shoe is renowned for its iconic design and performance-enhancing features. Hatfield, Nike's Vice President for Design and Special Projects, is a visionary who has had an unparalleled impact on sneaker culture. His collaboration with basketball superstar Michael Jordan resulted in the creation of the Air Jordan 4 "Bred," which has become one of the most sought-after sneakers in history.

The Air Jordan 4 "Bred" was first released in 1989 and instantly became popular due to its striking aesthetics and on-court associations. The shoe features a combination of black, grey, and fire red colours, with cement grey accents on the eyelets and inner lining. The "Bred" moniker is derived from this signature colour combination. The shoe also includes the original "Nike Air" branding on the heel, which was made famous by Michael Jordan during his legendary dunk in the 1989 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Hatfield's design philosophy merges technical innovation, aesthetic appeal, and captivating stories. The Air Jordan 4 "Bred" exemplifies this approach with its unique performance-enhancing features, such as triangular support wings and breathable over-molded mesh panelling. The shoe's popularity was further bolstered by its appearance in Spike Lee's 1989 film "Do the Right Thing."

The Air Jordan 4 "Bred" has had a lasting impact on sneaker culture, with its design inspiring numerous innovative collaborations and retro releases. The 2019 re-release of the shoe, celebrating its 30th anniversary, brought back the iconic "Nike Air" heel tab branding and original packaging. This release once again showcased the enduring appeal of the Tinker Hatfield-designed Air Jordan 4 "Bred" and its significance in the sneaker world.

shunwild

The 30th-anniversary re-release of the Air Jordan 4 Bred

Jordan Brand celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Air Jordan 4 with an OG re-release of the "Bred" colourway. The retro basketball sneaker was made famous by Michael Jordan's legendary dunk in the 1989 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers while he wore the Tinker Hatfield-designed pair. The Nike Air Jordan 4 "Bred" was last released in 2012 and was lacking some very important archival branding. For its 2019 re-release, the shoe returned with the all-important "NIKE AIR" heel tab branding, a detail that hadn’t been featured on the AJ4 "Bred" for over 20 years.

The 2019 release came in the original box for the first time since 1989, featuring a mixture of black, grey, and fire red throughout its nubuck and vented-mesh upper. The retro re-release also featured the OG hangtag and Jordan “Flight” branding on the tongue tab. The Air Jordan 4 OG "Bred" was priced at $200 USD and was released on May 4, 2019, at Nike.com and select Nike retailers worldwide.

The Air Jordan 4 "Bred" was first debuted by Michael Jordan in the 1989 NBA All-Star game. The shoe was also famously worn by Michael Jordan in the 1996 NBA Finals. The "Bred" colourway was designed by Tinker Hatfield. The 2019 re-release of the Air Jordan 4 OG "Bred" marked the first time in 20 years that the shoe featured the "NIKE AIR" heel tab branding, with subsequent releases opting for the Jumpman logo instead.

The Air Jordan 4 Retro "Bred" Reimagined was also released in the summer of 2019 for the shoe's 30th anniversary. This version of the shoe featured a leather upper instead of its signature nubuck build. The 2019 release of the Air Jordan 4 "Bred" Reimagined was followed by another "Reimagined" release in 2024, which featured a different colourway.

shunwild

The OG Nike Air branding on the Air Jordan 4 Bred

The Air Jordan 4 "Bred" is a retro basketball sneaker made famous by Michael Jordan's legendary dunk in the 1989 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The shoe was designed by Tinker Hatfield and was first released to the global market in 1989. It was the first shoe in the line to feature its signature "over-molded" mesh.

The Air Jordan 4 Bred was re-released in 2019 for its 30th anniversary, and Nike brought back the OG Nike Air branding on the heel. This release also came in the original box for the first time since 1989. The shoe features a mixture of black, grey, and fire red throughout its nubuck and vented-mesh upper. The retro re-release also includes the OG hangtag and Jordan "Flight" branding on the tongue tab.

The Air Jordan 4 Bred is a highly sought-after shoe, and the return of the OG Nike Air branding on the heel is a key factor in its popularity. The shoe's colourway, a combination of black and red, is also iconic and adds to its appeal. The re-release of the Air Jordan 4 Bred with its original Nike Air branding is a testament to the enduring popularity of the design and a tribute to the legacy of Michael Jordan.

shunwild

Michael Jordan's 1989 NBA All-Star game debut of the Air Jordan 4 Bred

Michael Jordan debuted the Air Jordan 4 "Bred" on February 12, 1989, at the NBA All-Star Game in Houston, Texas. The black and red colourway of the shoe, later dubbed ""Bred" by sneaker enthusiasts, made its first appearance as Jordan stepped onto the court. This debut marked the first global release of an Air Jordan model.

The Air Jordan 4 "Bred" was designed by Tinker Hatfield and became famous when Jordan wore them during his legendary dunk in the 1989 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The shoe features a black and red colour scheme with cement grey accents and the signature ""Nike Air" branding on the heel. The 2019 re-release of the shoe, marking its 30th anniversary, included the original "Nike Air" heel tab branding for the first time since 1999.

The Air Jordan 4 "Bred" holds a significant place in sneaker history and has become an iconic shoe associated with Michael Jordan's legacy. The shoe's design was ahead of its time, as evidenced by its enduring popularity and successful re-releases over three decades later. The 2019 re-release, in particular, was praised for its closeness to the original 1989 version in terms of both look and feel.

Michael Jordan's debut of the Air Jordan 4 "Bred" at the 1989 NBA All-Star Game added to the shoe's allure and contributed to its legendary status within the Air Jordan line. Jordan's performance on the court, including his sixth straight All-Star Game appearance and fourth straight league scoring title that season, further enhanced the shoe's reputation. The Air Jordan 4 "Bred" has since become a sought-after collector's item for sneaker enthusiasts and fans of Michael Jordan.

shunwild

The Jordan Retro collection's basketball shoes

The Air Jordan 4 "Bred" is a retro basketball shoe that was made famous by Michael Jordan's legendary dunk in the 1989 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The shoe was designed by Tinker Hatfield and features the iconic black and red colour combination. The 2019 re-release of the shoe included the "NIKE AIR" heel tab branding, which had not been featured on the AJ4 "Bred" for over 20 years. The shoe also came in the original box for the first time since 1989 and featured a mix of black, grey, and fire red throughout its nubuck and vented-mesh upper.

The Jordan Brand has released various other retro basketball shoes over the years, including the Air Jordan 3 Retro "Rare Air" and the Air Jordan 4 Retro "White Cement". The Air Jordan 3 Retro "Rare Air" is available in men's, big kids', little kids', and baby/toddler sizes. The shoe features a mix of white, black, and cement grey colours with the iconic "Jumpman" logo on the side. The Air Jordan 4 Retro "White Cement" is also available in multiple sizes, including men's, big kids', and little kids'. This shoe features a white, black, and cement grey colour scheme with white cement accents throughout.

In addition to these releases, the Jordan Brand has also re-released other retro styles such as the Air Jordan 1 Mid SE and the Air Jordan 12 Retro "White and University Blue". The Air Jordan 1 Mid SE is a modern take on the classic Air Jordan 1 silhouette and features a mix of white, black, and university red colours. The Air Jordan 12 Retro "White and University Blue" is a unique colourway that features a white, black, and blue colour scheme with white and university blue accents throughout.

The Jordan Retro collections offer a wide range of basketball shoes that pay homage to the brand's rich history and iconic designs. From the Air Jordan 4 "Bred" that made its debut in 1989 to the various retro releases of the Air Jordan 3 and 4, the Jordan Brand continues to celebrate its legacy with these special editions. These shoes not only offer performance and functionality but also a connection to the iconic moments and cultural significance that the brand has cultivated over the years.

Frequently asked questions

Jordan Bred 4s are a line of basketball sneakers from Nike. They were first released in 1989 and were made famous by Michael Jordan's legendary dunk in the 1989 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Jordan Bred 4s are known for their black, grey, and fire red colour combination.

The last time Jordan Bred 4s were released was in 2019 for the shoe's 30th anniversary.

You can buy Jordan Bred 4s at Nike.com and select Nike retailers worldwide.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment