Jordan 4 Retro

The shaggy suede covering of this Jordan 4 Retro is coated in a rich purple tone that brings the sneaker both a dapper look and its nickname – Canyon Purple. Beginning underfoot, the rubber outsole is typically grippy thanks to its multidirectional herringbone grip patterns. On the heel, these are Alligator Green, through the midfoot Anthracite and under the forefoot white. Another part in Alligator Green encompasses the toe, its surface lined with star-shaped nodes, and a smooth white section fills out the centre of the outsole. A radiant splash of Safety Orange completes the range of colours on show here, highlighting the Jumpman under the arch of the foot.

In a similar way, the midsole brings together various different tones, starting with the dusky shade of Anthracite around the toe and lateral flank. A band of white polyurethane moves along the medial side before wrapping around the heel. Housed within it is a springy bubble of Air cushioning that can be viewed through a see-through window on each side. The final element of the midsole is an Alligator Green section that circumnavigates almost the entire feature aside from the toe and the lateral midfoot, where the Anthracite part curves upwards to mirror the shape of the upper’s overlays. Oddly shaped black specks have been dispersed across the muted green exterior of the midsole’s top layer, creating a captivating effect throughout.

On the upper, layers of fuzzy suede in the bold hue of Purple Canyon fill out everything from the forefoot overlay to the panel along the centre of the foot, as well as the collar and the eyestay. This classy design is dotted with eye-catching details like the Alligator Green moulded eyelets, which have the same flecked appearance as the midsole, and the Anthracite triangles that stabilise the flanks. The former features work in conjunction with the suede eyestay to keep the Canyon Purple laces correctly in place, while the purple mesh areas beside and below them overlay an Anthracite fabric that provides ventilation across the foot.

Inside the shoe, the velvety lining which pads out the ankle is Canyon Purple, as is the insole, and the back of the tongue brings vibrancy through the use of Safety Orange. Another unexpected pop of this brilliant tone can be found on the insole in the form of a Safety Orange Jumpman, while a black Air Jordan patch lies above it on the underside of the tongue. Back on the outer, the heel is enriched with a large moulded panel that contains an embossed Jumpman and melds into a fan-shaped pull tab whose raised bumps make it easy to grip when putting the shoe on. All of this comes in Anthracite, the stealthy tone then showing up one last time on the square tongue patch. A Safety Orange Jumpman resides here alongside the word Flight in the same vivid colour, thus wrapping up this stylish AJ4 with a flurry of brightness.