The Air Jordan 4 Retro 'Red Thunder' Recalls a Familiar Color Palette
The story of 'Thunder' continues in early 2022—with a twist.
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In 1989, Michael Jordan was on his way to becoming the greatest basketball player of all time, averaging 32.5 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists per game. Along for the ride was his fourth signature shoe. The Air Jordan 4 built on the success of its predecessor, with Tinker Hatfield reprising his role as the model’s lead designer.
Featuring a shape reminiscent of the Air Jordan 3, MJ’s fourth signature shoe became the line’s first global sneaker release and introduced a number of technical details to the franchise, including a wing lace structure, herringbone-pattern traction, an extended heel tab, and mesh netting on the side panels and tongue.
“The Shot,” Do the Right Thing and the Legacy of the Air Jordan 4
Of all the superhuman moments Jordan delivered in his career, few are as iconic as “The Shot.” Facing off against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the 1989 NBA Playoffs, Mike, laced in Air Jordan 4s, sunk a jumpshot over forward Craig Ehlo to avoid a Game 5 elimination and carry the Chicago Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals. Taking place in the span of three seconds, MJ seemed to float in the air as he put his team up by just one point, a victory he celebrated with an equally iconic leap.
The silhouette extended its influence further, appearing in Spike Lee’s seminal 1989 film Do the Right Thing. In one of the movie’s most memorable scenes, Clifton accidentally scuffs Buggin Out’s brand new Air Jordan 4s, an incident that leads to a tense but ultimately comic resolution. Paired with Lee’s ongoing Air Jordan commercials featuring MJ in the late ’80s, the AJ4 helped broaden the franchise’s appeal at a time where sports, entertainment and culture were coming together like never before.
The Air Jordan 4 Returns as a Retro and in New Colorways
10 years after the model’s debut, the Air Jordan 4 returned as a retro for the first time, expanding on the four OG colorways. Jordan Brand continued to release new color arrangements well into the silhouette’s second decade of life, including a 'Thunder' variation in 2006 that outfitted the AJ4 in black nubuck with contrasting yellow hits on the quarter panel, interior tongue and eyelets. On January 15, 2022, the story of 'Thunder' continues—with a twist.
The Air Jordan 4 Retro 'Red Thunder' brings back the color blocking accents of 'Thunder,' replacing the Tour Yellow of the source model with bright pops of crimson. The namesake color appears on the molded eyelets, interior tongue, quarter panel, throat and midsole, standing out in relief against the smooth black nubuck upper. Subtle white accents arrive through Jumpman logos placed on the tongue and heel, with additional crimson Flight branding on the tongue. Air-sole cushioning underfoot completes the release.
The AJ4 'Red Thunder' Carries the Color Story Forward
Releasing January 15, 2022, the AJ4 Retro 'Red Thunder' serves up a new take on a proven formula, honoring the silhouette’s history and Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in one striking execution.
The Air Jordan 4 Retro 'Red Thunder' is available on the app and GOAT.com
Air Jordan 4 Retro ‘Red Thunder’ 2022 FAQs
What shoes are similar to the Air Jordan 4 ‘Red Thunder’ release?
The 'Red Thunder' colorway, along with its yellow sibling colorway, 'Thunder', have been used on other releases across Air Jordan and Nike silhouettes. Recent and upcoming releases in the Thunder colorway family include: