Presented by
First breaking cover in 1989, the Air Jordan 4 was originally designed as a basketball shoe, though in the roughly three-and-a-half-decades since the AJ4’s debut, it’s become one of the most iconic and sought-after sneakers of all time. Earlier this year, the Air Jordan brand announced it had returned to the drawing board in order to deliver a remastered version of Tinker Hatfield’s iconic 1989 release known as the Air Jordan 4 RM.
Putting a contemporary spin on its predecessor’s timeless design, the Air Jordan 4 RM is crafted around a set of leather uppers set atop rubber outsoles complete with the brand’s signature Max Air heel cushioning. Drawing inspiration from the original pair, the RM-spec AJ4s also sport a the wing, eyestay, and heel that have all been integrated into a single flexible TPU cage that wraps the outside of the shoe. Gone is the mesh netting, though the multi-directional herring bone remains in play, as do the Jumpman logos adorning the sole and tongue and its predecessor’s wavy mudguard. The heels also boast a truncated version of the original AJ4’s pull tabs — which come emblazoned in Nike Air logos.
Like the sneakers that they’re based on, the AJ4 RM features an overall appearance that’s as versatile as it is fashion-forward. BMW star Nigel Sylvester wonderfully demonstrated this with his own versions of the AJ4 RM — which very much lend themselves to riding, though are just as conducive to use on the court or being paired with streetwear outfits. The streamlined elements give this pair a more modern feel, while leaving no doubt as to the shoe that they’re based on. It can be hard to tell whether a new pair of sneakers will eventually take on the status of being a future classic, but all signs point to the Air Jordan 4 RM falling squarely into that category.
The Air Jordan 4 RM is available now, with pricing set at $150.
