The 10 Best Air Jordan IVs

The 10 Best Air Jordan IVs

Tinker Hatfield's design of the Air Jordan III was a game-changer; his Air Jordan IV was more of an update. The shape stayed more or less the same, as did the plastic external heel counter, the Visible Air unit and the multiple lacing options at the ankle and the forefoot. But as a pure performance shoe, the IV outstripped its elephant-print forebear. Nubuck replaced full-grain leather, enormous mesh panels provided ventilation, and plastic "wings" ensured greater midfoot support. Many variations of the Air Jordan IV have hit the market since the 1989 intro, and with the classic white/cement iteration set to return at midnight tonight, we take a look at The 10 Best Air Jordan IVs.

10. Air Jordan IV "Eminem Encore"

Originally released: 2005

Produced to celebrate the "Encore" album, only 50 pairs of the "Eminem" Air Jordan IVs were produced, and most went to Em's people, along with a few lucky contest winners. The nubuck "wings" were never a good idea, and an Air Jordan in Detroit colors still looks strange, but just on the strength of rarity alone, these crack the top 10 easily.

9. Air Jordan IV "Black Cat"

Originally released: 2006

Not all Air Jordans lend themselves to a murdered-out makeup — the IV certainly does. Definitely a "wear every day with everything" kind of shoe.

8. Air Jordan IV "Thunder"

Originally released: 2006

Along with the Air Jordan IV "Lightning" (we'll get to those), the Air Jordan IV "Thunder" was a dot-com only release that came packaged with a laser-print hoodie. Numbers were limited and the price was high. This, of course, didn't stop people from copping.

7. Air Jordan IV "Lightning"

Originally released: 2006

The yin to the AJIV "Thunder" yang, the Air Jordan IV "Lightning" brought yellow and black to the Air Jordan Retro family long before the Air Jordan V "Tokyo" was even a glimmering of a thought. The Lightning package was cheaper than the Thunder — you got a Warhol-esque tee instead of the hoodie — but the bright yellow kicks were a bit harder to pull off.

6. Air Jordan IV "Motorsports"

Originally released: 2007

This blue and black flip of the general release "Mars" colorway was produced strictly for MJ himself and members of his motorsports team. No stranger to fast rides, Mike sponsored a motorcycle racing team upon his retirement, and of course he had to lace them with some exclusive goodies.

5. Air Jordan IV "Military Blue"

Originally released: 1989

One of the most sought-after Air Jordans until it was finally retroed in 2006, the "Military Blue" Air Jordan IV was an interesting diversion in the Air Jordan line. The color wasn't light enough to be Carolina blue, and wasn't quite as dark as the "True Blue" that preceded it. The use of light grey on the toe and lining provided welcome contrast to the primarily white upper.

4. Air Jordan IV "Fire Red"

Originally released: 1989

The third OG colorway of the Air Jordan IV did away with the signature splatter effect of the initial white-based model, and just went with pure Chicago Bulls accent colors. The colorway has been retroed twice, but with a fully lasered upper, then a "Mars" version. Allegedly a pure retro is due in 2012 — we can't wait.

3. Air Jordan IV "White/Cement"

Originally released: 1989

"You stepped on my brand-new white Air Jordans that I just bought!" Spike Lee and Michael Jordan had done work together before, but Do The Right Thing's Buggin' Out brought the sneaker-obsessive culture to a whole new level. The sneaker was the Air Jordan IV in white/cement, and they cost $100 — $108 with tax. They're a little more expensive now, but you can cop your own tonight.

2. Air Jordan IV "UNDFTD"

Originally released: 2005

We don't normally rank non-original Air Jordans this high, but non-original Air Jordans aren't normally this good. Our pick for the best sneaker of the 2000s, the UNDFTD Air Jordan IV took inspiration from the MA-1 flight jacket and gave an all-time classic a refreshing tweak. They were nearly impossible to get when they dropped — only 72 pairs were made available, by raffle only — and are essentially completely impossible to get now. Good luck.

1. Air Jordan IV "Black/Cement"

Originally released: 1989

Context is supremely important when it comes to Air Jordans, and what context is better than this? Jump, man.