The Air Jordan 4 ‘White Oreo’ Flips a Classic Colorway
MJ’s fourth signature silhouette returns with a twist on a 1999 favorite.
Designed by Tinker Hatfield and debuted in 1989, the Air Jordan 4 marked the franchise’s first global release. Michael Jordan’s fourth signature shoe built on the familiar shape and legacy of its predecessor, introducing a new wave of performance through a mesh side panel, wing lace structure and extended heel tab.
Today the silhouette is best remembered for ‘The Shot.’ On May 7, 1989 with three seconds left on the clock and down by one point, Jordan fielded an inbound pass and sunk a jumpshot over Cleveland Cavaliers forward Craig Ehlo to carry the Bulls into the second round of the 1989 NBA Eastern Conference playoffs. The play—and MJ’s subsequent celebratory leap—are among the most thrilling and iconic in NBA history.
The Air Jordan 4 also marked a wider turning point in the collective conscience, appearing in Spike Lee’s 1989 masterpiece Do the Right Thing. The scene, involving Giancarlo Esposito as Buggin’ Out and John Savage as Clifton, signaled the Jordan line’s growing cultural importance, a moment further bolstered by Lee’s budding collaboration with Nike on Air Jordan commercials featuring His Airness.
By 1999, the AJ4 was ready for the retro treatment. Jordan Brand expanded on the four launch colorways of the original, releasing the 10-year-old sneaker in White/Columbia Blue-Midnight Navy and Black/Black/Cool Grey, better known as 'Oreo.' On July 3, 2021, the story of 'Oreo' continues.
The Air Jordan 4 Retro 'White Oreo' recalls the 1999 iteration, replacing the black tumbled leather upper of the original with a crisp white finish. The speckled molded eyelets, midsole and Jumpman heel logo in Tech Grey that lend the sneaker its moniker remain the same. A second Jumpman appears on the tongue in a contrasting pop of Fire Red, an accent that repeats along the insole and outsole. Encapsulated Air cushioning in the forefoot and a visible unit under the heel round out the 2021 rendition.
Releasing July 3, 2021, the Jordan 4 Retro 'White Oreo' builds on the heritage of the original 'Oreo,' swapping a predominantly black color palette with white, resulting in a contemporary twist on a late ’90s classic.
The Air Jordan 4 Retro 'White Oreo' is available on the app and GOAT.com