Jordan 4 Retro

The smoky effects on this Jordan 4 Retro give calming vibes as a nod to record-breaking basketball coach Phil Jackson. He took charge of Jordan’s Chicago Bulls throughout most of the 90s, winning six championship titles and earning himself the nickname Zen Master for his focus on Eastern philosophy and Native American spiritual practices in his approach to coaching. The same moniker has been applied to this AJ4 sneaker, and its color scheme has appropriately bohemian elements to match. Things start quite conventionally on the rubber outsole, which combines black portions on the toe cap and heel with a contrasting Cement Grey through the midfoot and a white area below the forefoot. These offer high-quality grip via their herringbone tread formations, while a smooth white section in the middle of the outsole accommodates a Bright Crimson Jumpman for a strong aesthetic.

Most of these colors continue into the midsole, with Cement Grey around the toe and lateral flank ahead of a dual-layered effect of black on top of white along the medial side and around the heel. A visible Air unit resides in this latter part, making the shoe incredibly comfortable to walk in. The upper is shaped from a durable canvas material decorated with a tie-dye effect that blends Amethyst Wave with other shades of purple, pink and white. This captivating design coats all the main panels of the upper, while the areas of black mesh netting in the quarter allied with the black laces offer a powerful counterbalance to it. More whirling spirals of color can be seen behind the mesh, which also allows the foot plenty of room to breathe.

Pieces of translucent white TPU form the molded eyelets that support the laces at the top and bottom of the eyestay, with the same hardy material used on the structural wings as well. These complement the cloudy complexion of the upper, giving the sneaker an even more appealing aesthetic, as does the heel tab. This large TPU panel has the same partially see-through effect and is punctuated by an embossed black Jumpman logo. Its top half, meanwhile, has been crafted into a fan-shaped pull tab to make it easier to get the shoe on and off.

Inside the shoe, more bold colors combine as the black inner lining rests up against a vibrant Bright Crimson insole. This has a black Jumpman stamped onto it, and an Air Jordan patch can be found on the reverse of the tongue above it. While the back of the tongue is black, its frontside features the same Amethyst Wave tie-dye coloration as the rest of the upper, and a large square Jordan Flight patch stands out in its center. The main body of this patch is black, so it acts as the perfect backdrop for the Bright Crimson Jumpman that leaps bravely across it in conclusion of this compelling sneaker.