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The Jordan 4 is a very popular sneaker model amongst collectors. But is the Air Jordan 4 actually comfortable to wear?
Air Jordan 4 Comfortability
The Air Jordan 4 is not known for being a comfortable shoe right out of the box. The older technology doesn’t offer much cushioning and the materials are typically very stiff. Usually, some break-in time is required.
The only way these are tolerable for me
to wear is at a half size up
For the longest time, I thought something was wrong with my feet. I love how the Air Jordan 4 looks, and I really wanted them to fit well. However, as far as Jordan retros go, nearly every pair of AJ4s has made my feet pay the price to look good.
I thought I was the only one, until I started talking about it on my Youtube channel back in the day. From comments, I realized that I was not alone in my distaste for the fit on the Air Jordan 4. Come to find out, it is a widespread issue that many collectors have with trying to enjoy their AJ4s. The stiff uppers squeeze feet into oblivion, on top of a rock-hard midsole. With time, these issues dissipate, however I think us sneakerheads want more from a $200 shoe!
Jordan 4s Are Technically True To Size
The Air Jordan 4 fits true to size. However, many will find that the sneaker fits more comfortably right out of the box at a half size up.
The addition of suede does not
soften the feel of these on feet
The fit on a sneaker right out of the box is known as “step-in comfort”. In my experience (and many others like me), the 4 rates pretty low in this department.
This is of course at true-to-size, which is the base size most are going to try when first getting a sneaker. What really kills the step-in comfort of the Jordan 4 at true to size is the narrow fit combined with the paneling on the interior of the sneaker.
Where the seams line up on the inside of a sneaker will rub against the foot causing blisters if the shoe design isn’t well thought out. So, while the AJ4 looks like it would be roomy from the outside, the interior fit is snug and presses the seams down on the toes and bridge of the foot.
Over time, this can loosen up, but for me it has never broken in fast enough to avoid blistering and soreness at true to size. There is a solution though:
The easiest way to get around these issues is to go a half size up. While this opens up additional issues, it will ramp up the step in comfort and decrease break-in time significantly.
Jordan 4s Do Break In
The Air Jordan 4 will break in over time. The amount of time can vary depending on the materials used on the upper. Going up a half size can reduce the amount of break-in time needed.
Some retros of this shoe use softer
leather and it is very, very welcome
While we might have to suffer to look good in the AJ4, the amount of time this lasts can be reduced. By wearing the sneaker extensively, most 4s will break in over time.
The majority of Jordan 4 retros are built from leather materials. Depending on the release, this will either be very stiff leather or somewhat pliable. Other 4s will utilize suede or nubuck. Softer leathers and suedes will slightly decrease the amount of pain the sneaker brings up front. Over time, the upper will conform a bit more to the wearer’s foot shape and become a much better and more comfortable fit.
Going up a half size will increase the amount of room in the sneaker and decrease the break in time. This doesn’t address the issue of the internal seams hitting the feet in an uncomfortable way, but it does create more space and decrease the amount of irritating contact.
Air Jordan 4 Are Not Good For Wide Feet
The AJ4 looks bigger on the outside than it is inside. Internally, the fit is on the narrow side, and as such is not a wide-foot-friendly sneaker. Going up a half size can help alleviate this issue for those with wide feet.
I wore these the entire time on a trip
and I think it permanently
damaged my feet!
From the outside, the 4 appears nice and chunky, and like it would have lots of room on the inside. This ‘big’ look is part of the 80s retro appeal of the shoe after all. Unfortunately, this is a bit deceptive as the interior is actually fairly narrow.
Given the overall snug and awkward fit of the 4 by today’s standards, I can’t in good conscience recommend the sneaker to someone with wide feet without suggesting they go up a half size or more. Even I can’t stand to wear these unless I go a half size up, and I do not have particularly wide feet.
At a half size up, I still run into problems with the seams hitting the bridge of my foot, particularly the knuckle of my big toe. However, the additional room creates some space there which definitely helps with a more comfortable fit up front. While I could squeeze my feet into a pair of true to size 4s, I doubt wide-footers would want to even try this.
The only issue I have with going a half size up is that it makes the sneaker fit a bit long and require a tighter lace-up to prevent heel slippage. This is the often the case when sizing up on a shoe.
Air Jordan 4 Retros Not Recommended For Basketball
While one could play basketball in an Air Jordan retro, it is not advisable given the more technically advanced modern basketball sneakers available. Today’s tech surpasses that of the 80s and 90s by leaps and bounds with respect to on-court performance.
I would put the Air Jordan 4 strictly in the “good for hanging out and looking cool” category as opposed to seriously doing any sort of athletic activity in them.
While one could theoretically hoop in some retro Js, this is nowhere near ideal. I don’t even like walking in the Air Jordan 4 for that long due to the lack of being comfortable. I do love it for hanging out, especially if I will be sitting as opposed to standing around for prolonged periods of time. The Jordan 4 is also good for collecting of course, due to the vast history and iconic nature of the sneaker.
Jordan 4s Can Crease Easily
The materials used on the Air Jordan 4 are usually leather, and sometimes suede or nubuck. While pairs with suede or softer leather will take longer to crease, the 4 does in general crease fairly easily.
If you are worried about creasing up a pair of 4s, you are right to be concerned. I’ve found that if I actually plan on wearing a pair of Jordan 4s, I have to make peace with inevitable creases on the toebox. Whether I go true to size or a half (or even full) size up, I’ve never had a pair of 4s that didn’t crease after a few wears.
Here we have a dilemma for collectors. I personally have learned to not freak out over creases, and accept them as part of wearing sneakers. However, those that wish to keep their pairs crease-free are at a crossroads. While the sneaker can be collected and kept clean, the only way to 100% avoid creases is to not wear them. Unfortunately, this can lead to a host of issues, particularly if the sneakers are not stored correctly. Shoes need to be worn to prevent long-term problems and increase the longevity of the shoe over time.
So… Should The Air Jordan 4 be avoided?
Of course not! While the Air Jordan 4 is not the most comfortable shoe out there, the sneaker is still iconic, and so collectors that are fans of the Air Jordan line should not be afraid to pick pairs up.
Just be aware that you may want to go up a half size, and that the sneaker will require some break in time and crease a bit if you plan on wearing them extensively.
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