The Air Jordan 4 ‘White Oreo’ & the Best Neutral Retros Available on GOAT

Since its banned beginnings, the Air Jordan franchise has made a name for itself by being bold and daring. From amplifying Chicago Bulls shades on the hardwood to creating imaginative colorways made famous by the Doernbecher collections, loud styling has been a catalyst for expression when it comes to Michael Jordan’s signature shoes.

But what about the subtle pairs?

Over the course of the last two decades, Jordan Brand has defied its boisterous track record by redressing retros in neutral tones. The latest is the “White Oreo” Air Jordan 4, a July 3 release that is muted in palette yet still nuanced with nostalgia. Celebrating the quiet cool of the “White Oreo,” here are the best neutral Air Jordan retro sneakers available now on GOAT.

The original Air Jordan 1 challenged authority by bringing bold color to the basketball court. By dressing the signature shoe in black, red, and white all at once, Michael Jordan stood out amongst his peers in the brashest of fashion.

Once His Airness retired from the Chicago Bulls, Jordan Brand took an inverse approach by redressing the Air Jordan 1 in silent shades. Originally released in the early 2000s as a Japan-only exclusive but later launching all around the world, the “Metallic Silver” style has proven a standout over the years despite its reserved nature.

Chicago-native Don Crowley, better known as Don C, is highly regarded for his loud looks that stack expressive sportswear with that of even louder streetwear. When asked to work on the Air Jordan 2, Don defied all expectations by leaning into luxury and keeping each take tonal.

The “Beach” colorway was perhaps the best and the most unexpected. Reimagining the Italianmade Air Jordan signature with the quilted composition seen on his wife’s favorite Chanel handbag, Don’s “Beach” proved better thanks to sandy styling on the suede, leather and TPU counters.

When the Air Jordan 5 debuted at retail in 1990, the first Jordan signature shoe of the new decade set the stage for an era defined by Chicago Bulls’ dominance amplified even louder through in-your-face expression. By the time the Air Jordan 5 returned as a retro in 2000, the multi-color looks that defined the previous decade had faded away in favor of icy white tees and platinum jewelry. The Air Jordan 5 “White Metallic” spoke to those turn-of-the-century trends, coming back to throwback fanfare as a 2015 retro release.

Virgil Abloh has expressed youthful energy all over his Off-White collections with neon tagging and sharp color contrast. On 2020’s “Sail” Off-White x Air Jordan 4 release, Abloh quieted his critics by dropping a muted and mature makeup no one saw coming.

Set to “Sail” styling with any hit of contrast appearing in white, black or translucent fashion, this runway retro debuted at Fashion Week months before its release, setting the stage for its opulence. Launching in ladies’ sizing, the quiet shoes speak volumes about Virgil’s versatility.

In its infancy, the Air Jordan 8 was one of the wildest signature shoes from the always eclectic Jordan line. Pulling in Bugs Bunny for inspiration, the cross-strapped shoes with the fuzzy tongue outfitted MJ when he won his third-straight NBA Championship.

By 2015, the Air Jordan 8 was less tied to a three-peat and more focused on going “Back to Back.” At that summer’s OVO Festival, Drake stole his own stage by dropping diss records and making history in his first-ever Jordan 8 collaboration. Later in 2018, the White/Gold OVO retros released at retail, reminding fans of one of the hottest summers in hip-hop history.

When Miami-based boutique SoleFly celebrated its 10-year anniversary they didn’t think South Beach and sparklers. Instead, they opted for breezy leisure and calm confidence. Riffing off 2005’s “Linen” Air Jordan 10 release, this SoleFly collaboration leans into the already neutral palette of the past by upgrading the upper through smooth suede. Capping it all off with an icy outsole, this anniversary Air Jordan 10 exudes quiet cool.

When the Air Jordan 11 debuted in 1995, nothing about it was subtle. Shining with patent leather sheen and breaking the league’s playoff dress code, the “Concord” colorway worn on court by MJ was disruptive from the start.

After only a few years in the vault, the Air Jordan 11 received the retro treatment early and often with original colorways returning in 2000. In 2001, Jordan Brand rolled the dice by rolling out the “Cool Grey” Air Jordan 11, a never-before-seen style on the revered signature shoe. Inspired by Gentry Humprhey’s love of the Nike Air Max 95’s grey gradient upper, this neutral take on the flashy favorite was a smash hit upon its unveiling, selling out once again when re-released in 2010.

After a lukewarm reception in 1994, Air Jordan retros returned to the market in 1999, then under the newly-formed Jordan Brand umbrella. Following two original colorways in the spring, November 1999 saw the introduction of the “Oreo” Air Jordan 4—a muted black leather launch contrasted by the model’s celebrated cement styling.

In 2015, the new take on an old favorite would be revived as the Air Jordan 4 “Oreo” helped lead the brand’s Remastered Retro initiative. Over the years, the quiet colorway grew in fanfare, paving the way for 2021’s “White Oreo” Air Jordan 4 release. Simply swapping in white leather across the upper, the quiet cool of the ’99 fall favorite is reimagined for spring and summer wear.

Shop all the best neutral Air Jordan styles now at GOAT.