Jordan Brand has previously teamed up with Nike SB to release popular Jordan silhouettes tweaked especially for skateboarding. But the recent ones have been solely reserved for the Jordan 1, both lows and highs. So when it was announced that Jordan would release a collab with Nike’s skateboarding arm for a J4 silhouette, it left legions eagerly anticipating the drop.
So much so that when it did drop several days ago, videos surfaced on the internet of tempers flaring as huge crowds camped outside retail stores in the hope of grabbing a pair. Imagine the Jordan 4, now arguably the hottest silhouette in the Jordan arsenal, getting the SB treatment? And it's limited as well? You can understand the frenzy.
Which raises the question: Does the Jordan 4 x Nike SB Pine Green deserve the hype? Thanks to another W from @Titan22, we will attempt an answer.
Materials
At first glance, the materials seem at par with other Jordan 4s. But when you actually touch the shoe, its leathers are buttery and the rubber components seem decent. But that’s expected of collabs, for materials to be a notch above the ordinary. What sets this apart are the rubbers used for the heel tab and upper strap or wings—they're soft and flexible. For the heel tab, this means that it won't slice into your ankle, which has been a complaint with the normal J4s.
The wings are also soft rubber, which gives the shoe more flexibility needed for skateboarding. The soles also now have gum bottoms on the heel and toe, allowing for more grip. There are also internal changes in the sole but I wont get into that, just that they supposedly equip the shoe more stability. Overall, these kicks are better than normal J4's IMO.
Rating: A
Design
Take a look at that shape. For purists, it’s the closest to the original '89 Jordan 4 silhouette to date. It’s a good looking shoe, but there’s something subtle about its beauty. The improved materials—except maybe for the extra padded tongue—aren’t easily noticeable to the naked eye. The color, while new, follows classic OG blocking. The Nike SB branding on the heel has collectors panting in excitement. To my knowledge, this is the first time the logo has been seen on a Jordan 4, and this alone sets it apart from all the others.
Rating: A-
Wearability
It’s a clean shoe, but the green may be off putting for some. It’s not as easy to style as say a more neutral color like black or gray. That being said, I enjoy that pop of green. Wear it with earth tones and you can’t go wrong. They'd also look fabulous with denim, shorts, and wider cut pants, cargoes included. Because of that pop of green, eyes will be naturally drawn to your kicks so I’d say these are a bit more of the main event for your fit rather than an accent piece. As for comfort, well it’s a Jordan 4, and the SB upgrades make it a bit more comfortable. But if you’re looking for top of the line technology, look elsewhere.
Rating: A-
Pricing
At close to Php 12,000 retail price, it’s definitely not cheap. But because of what it represents and how limited it is, consider it a blessing if you get a W on the raffle. Resale will have you shelling out as high as 25K for a pair, so yes that sucks, especially since the sneaker market is on a downward slope at the moment. But given the hype, a kind we haven't seen for a sneaker of this type in a while, you can understand where the prices are coming from.
Rating: B
Final Rating
Imagine the Sisig, ever the crowd favorite. Now give it a gourmet twist that maybe only the likes of Chef Claude Tayag has thought of and you instantly fall in love even more with its crispy, porky, spicy goodness. That’s this pair.
[An old school sneaker enthusiast, Rhobee Pilares enjoys street fashion, toys, cars, food and the excitement of busy, bustling cities. You can often catch him at coffee shops reading on the latest media trends. IG @rhobeelicious.]
Photos by Rhobee Pilares