How to Tell if Jordan 4s Are Fake | Jordan Fake or Legit?
The Jumpman brand is well known as a juggernaut in the sneaker world.
One of the most prolific models of the Jordan brand is the Nike Air Jordan 4, but unfortunately, as a result, it's also one of the most heavily faked Nike sneakers.
Factories are making it increasingly hard to work out how to tell if Jordan 4's are fake and for a good reason too.
Source:Instagram
The Jordan sneaker venture has skyrocketed the former Bulls shooting guard Micheal Jordan's net worth to over $1.6 billion.
In recent years, the rapid growth in the sneaker market has brought out a natural lift in counterfeit sneakers.
Nike is losing around 10% of its annual revenue to replica sneakers, and perhaps one of the more commonly counterfeit pairs of kicks on the market is the Nike Air Jordan 4's.
The Jordan IV has a great history of being one of the world's most sought-after sneakers.
Source:Pinterest
Designed by Tinker Hatfield, MJ debuted the kicks at the NBA ALL-Star game in 1989, a game that would see Jordan net 28 points for the eastern conference.
Known for the limited drops, rarity and collaborations with cultural icons like Mark Wahlberg and Jordan Retro 4 x Travis Scott, the Air Jordan 4's are a pair of kicks many people want to get their hands on.
Source:Instagram
With countless Jordan 4 collaborations out there and more and more fake 4's dropping every day, it's becoming complicated to identify the legitimate from the counterfeit.
With this in mind, we have built the ultimate guide so you can understand how to tell if Jordan 4's are fake.
How To Tell If Jordan 4s Are Fake
The best way to tell if your Jordan 4's are fake is by examining the label on the reverse of the tongue. Look at the font type and compare it to an authentic pair. Typically the counterfeit pair have a bolder font than the authentic kicks. The other tell from the reverse label is the UPC or universal product code. If you have your Jordan 4's shoebox, make sure the code matches on both the box and shoe label.
If you notice the above applies to your creps, they are likely fake; however, spotting fake Nike Air Jordan 4's can be complex, and even genuine's can have factory flaws.
We understand that here at SLSUPPLYCO, so we have compiled the ultimate guide on how to spot fake Jordan 4.
If you can accumulate a couple of the below flaws, your sneakers are likely knock-off Jordans:
- Check your Air Jordan 4's Inside label for misspellings and the code.
- Assess the rectangle Air Jordan inside the tongue for font size and positioning.
- Check the Jordan 4's shoebox for authenticity.
- Analyse the toe cage on your kicks.
- Is there a trademark Air Jordan 4 bump on the heel?
- Look at the Nike Jordan 4 tongue - is it the right shape, size, and material?
- How thick is the sneaker's sock liner?
- Check your Nike Air Jordan 4's toe box.
- Check the finish on the retro Jumpman clear tag.
- Look at the stitching on the Jumpman tag at the top of the tongue.
- Examine the heel logo's embossment quality for the Jumpman or Nike Air logos.
- Does the side stitching look legit or counterfeit?
- Assess the Jordan 4 logo stamped on the inner sole. Are the hand, feet and ball proportions correct?
- The under sole pattern should have good tread - They shouldn't have wear if the Air Jordan IV are new.
- Who sold you the sneakers, and where were they brought?
- What was the price you paid for the sneakers?
Our definitive guide helps you identify the tells on your sneakers so you know how to tell if Jordan 4's are fake.
Whether you own a pair of Oreo Jordan 4, the Bred IV or AJ 4 Taupe Haze, this guide will show you what to look out for on your kicks.
Source:Instagram
Check your Air Jordan 4's Inside label for irregular font, misspellings and code matching.
This is the most critical indicator for identifying fake Jordan 4's. The inside tongue label reveals all.
Look out for a bolder font type than the authentic pair on your kicks.
Check the manufacturer's date listed on the right-hand side of the label and the "FABRIQUE EN CHINE" both items tend to have inconsistencies on counterfeit Jordans.
You need to identify if these two terms are printed in a bolder font than the authentic pair.
Source:Legit Grails
Another clue you can find from the inside tongue label is the UPC.
If this code does not match the code on the shoe box, that's an all but surefire way to say your Jordan 4's are fake's.
Source:House of kicks
Assess the Rectangle Air Jordan inside the tongue for font size and positioning.
One of the best things to look at while determining how to tell if Jordan 4's are real is to examine the inside Air Jordan label on your Jordan IVs.
The label can be found on the reverse of the tongue with a slim rectangular shape.
The big giveaway here is the size and placement of the "AIR JORDAN" font.
When working out how to tell fake Jordan 4 from the real ones, it's clear that the fake font is smaller and takes up less label space than the actual pair.
Source: Legit Check
The fake font will also appear thinner than the genuine Jordans.
Check the Jordan 4's shoebox for authenticity.
We explained earlier that the Unique Product Code should be displayed on the outside of the box, and this should match up with your inside tongue label.
But the box might hold more information on your Air Jordan IV's legitimacy than you think.
Although the J's boxes vary across different collaborations, typically, you will find the Air Jumpman logo on the roof of the box and a feature label on one side of the box.
Source: Instagram
Your kicks box will detail the UPC, the style of Jordan's inside, the kicks colour, the style number, and the country where the shoes were manufactured.
Jordan 4's are most commonly manufactured in China.
It's worth remembering that fake Jordans can be sold with authentic boxes and vice versa.
If your kicks were resold without a shoebox, it's not a good sign, but it doesn't immediately mean they are faux.
You can follow our remaining steps to determine their originality.
Analyse the toe cage on your kicks.
The cage on the men's Nike Air Jordan IV shoes are tricky to mimic, and counterfeit Jordan manufacturers have struggled to replicate this continuously.
Source:Sole Collector
The square made within the toe cage is an excellent way to assess if your Jordans are Real v Fake.
Typically fake Jordan 4's will have smaller squares in the toe cage than the authentic pair.
Is there a trademark Air Jordan 4 bump on the heel?
It's a little known fact that Jordan 4's have an iconic bump on the heel profile.
Only visible by looking at the kicks from the side, the heel bump gives the back of the shoe a curved silhouette.
Source: Pinterest
The heel is flat on faked pairs of Jordan IV, making the sneaker's silhouette look off.
If they have a flattened heel, the kicks aren't real!
Look at the Nike Jordan 4 tongue - is it the right shape, size, and material?
When you look at the tongue of the sneakers, there are a few areas of focus.
One item that is often incorrectly crafted on fake Jordans is the tongues Jumpman label.
Pay attention to any defective stitching around the outside of the label and ensure that the stitching's weight, size, and length are consistent around the label.
Source:Unknown
You also want to ensure that the tongue's top has well-rounded edges. In replica versions of the Jordan 4, the tongue is typically more angled and square.
Authentic Jordan 4 tongue's come in two halves; the upper section and lower cage-style part, made from the classic mesh.
How thick is the sneaker's sock liner?
Now bring your attention to your kicks sock liner.
The sock liner is the trim that runs across the ankle of the sneakers.
Two items can help you map out whether your sneakers are real or fake; here, the weight/width of the sock liner and the stitching that joins it to the kicks.
The fake Jordans typically have a skinny sock liner with less cushion making the shoes less comfortable.
However, an authentic pair will have a more fluffed out cushiony sock liner.
Source: Legit Check
You also might find an inconsistency with how the sock liner is attached to the sneakers.
If the sock liner's length is longer towards the shoe's heel than the laces, this could indicate that your creps are fakes.
Ensure the size of your sock liner is consistent around the entire ankle.
Check your Nike Air Jordan 4's toe box.
The Jordan 4's toe box has long given replica factories difficulties.
If you assess the sneaker's toe profile from the side, you can see the shape of the authentic pair has a gradual diagonal shape.
However, the counterfeit kicks look more like steel cap boots.
Source:Legit Grails
Well, not quite that bad, but there is an apparent discrepancy in the toe shape across the two pairs.
The fakes are overinflated and appear too rounded in comparison.
Check the finish on the retro Jumpman clear tag.
Nike Air Jordan 4's usually come with a clear embossed Jumpman tag.
This can hold some information about your sneaker's authenticity.
You want to make sure that the quality of the tag is of a high grade first of all, and make sure that the Jumpman logo's proportions are all correct.
Source: Instagram
Be extra diligent when looking and the feet, hands and basketball, as these are the usual giveaways for Jordans.
Examine the heel logo's embossment quality for the Jumpman or Nike Air logos.
The back heel of the Air Jordan 4 will have an embossment logo of either the Nike Air stamp or the Jumpman logo, depending on which variation of Jordans you own.
For instance, the Taupe Haze Jordan IV have the Jumpman logo; however, the Bred 4's have the Nike Air stamp.
Either stamp will be able to showcase the legitimacy of your kicks.
When looking at the Nike Air stamp, pay attention to the "AIR" font underneath the swoosh. Fake pairs tend to have font thinner than the authentic pair.
Also, pay attention to the positioning of the swoosh on the heel. The swoosh seems to cover more of the heel than it should on fake pairs.
If your Air Jordan 4's have the Jumpman logo on the heel, keep an eye on the usual culprits.
Source:House of kicks
Are the proportions correct?
Pay close attention to the hands, feet and ball on Micheal Jordans Silhouette.
Does the side stitching look legit or counterfeit?
Stitching can be the key to uncovering whether your Jordans are real. It's worth examining all stitching throughout the kicks.
Imperfections and bumps in the stitching can indicate that your Jordan IV's are fake. Also, check the spacing on the side stitching of the shoes.
Authentic Nike Air Jordan 4's have consistent, closely aligned stitching on the parameters of the sneakers.
Whereas fake Jordans commonly have greater gaps between the stitching lines.
Assess the Jordan 4 logo stamped on the inner sole. Are the hand, feet and ball proportions correct?
You should find a stamp on the inside sole of the sneaker.
The newer versions of the Jordan 4's show the Jumpman logo stamped inside.
As with all Jumpman logos, look out for inconsistent proportions on the feet, hands, and basketball.
The under sole pattern should have good tread - They shouldn't have wear if the Air Jordan IV are new.
If the sneakers are sold as new, examine the tread on the underside.
Nike Air Jordans 4's have a trademark tread on the underside of the shoe.
Make sure that there is no damage or usage to the underneath.
Source: Sole Collector
The star-shaped stamps on the toe of the sneakers are usually the first area to wear.
Ultimate transparency between the buyer and seller is essential, and if they are willing to deceive you about the condition of the kicks, what else are they willing to withhold.
Who sold you the sneakers, and where were they brought?
Where you purchase, the sneakers can be a great director to whether the Jordan 4's are counterfeit or not.
For instance, if you purchased them from an authorised Nike store, they will be authentic.
However, the risks are greatly magnified when Jordans are re-sold.
There are ways to protect yourself before you purchase the kicks, though.
Source:Sneakerness
You can get a legit check on resellers by using communities on forums or sneaker groups on social media.
When proving a sneaker seller's authenticity, make sure you get multiple references from previous buyers.
Also, determine that the photo of the listed sneakers has been taken by the seller, not just grabbed from google. This is a telltale sign that the Jordans aren't legitimate.
What was the price you paid for the sneakers?
Price is a great indicator when determining if your J's are real.
Over the years, there have been hundreds of variations and colourways of the Nike Air Jordan 4.
Different collaborations and styles of shoes tend to fetch different prices, and determining the correct price can be complicated.
But one thing is sure, if you are buying a pair for resale and the price is too good to be true, it's because it is.
Source:Nike
Due to their scarcity and limited drops, the Jordan 4 is one of the most desirable sneakers, so if you get a pair cheap, don't expect them to be legit.
You can use our guide to determine if you paid a fair price for your Jordan 4's, whether you paid retail or resale.
| Jordan 4 Style or Collaboration | Jordan 4 Retail Price | Jordan IV Resale Price | Nike Jordan Style Code | Jordan 4s Release Date |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 White/Black | $200 USD | $450 USD + | 4362 | 6/11/1995 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Black/Cement | $200 USD | $450 USD + | 4363 | 6/11/1995 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Fire Red | $200 USD | $330 - $410 USD | 4364 | 6/11/1995 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Military Blue | $220 USD | $450 USD + | 4369 | 6/11/1995 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Black/Cement | $200 USD | $450 USD + | 136013-001 | 5/5/1999 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro White/Black | $150 USD | $450 USD + | 136013-101 | 6/2/1999 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro+ Columbia | $190 USD | $250 USD + | 136030-141 | 8/21/1999 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro+ Oreo | $190 USD | $420 - $480 USD | 136030-001 | 11/27/1999 |
| Nike Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro+ Bling, Bling | $100 USD | $500 - $600 USD | 136030-111 | 4/29/2000 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Classic Green | $100 USD | $600 - $700 USD | 308497-101 | 7/24/2004 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Cool Grey | $190 USD | $400 - $500 USD | 308497-001 | 9/25/2004 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Laser | $250 USD | $350 USD + | 308497-161 | 5/14/2005 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Rare Nike Air Laser | $250 USD | $1500 USD | 312255-061 | 8/20/2005 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro LS Tour Yellow | $125 USD | $500 USD+ | 314254-171 | 5/20/2006 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Black Cat | $190 USD | $750 USD+ | 308497-002 | 5/20/2006 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Pure Money | $190 USD | $550 - $700 USD | 308497-102 | 5/20/2006 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro LS Mist Blue | $125 USD | $450 USD + | 314254-041 | 6/24/2006 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Mars | $115 USD | $375 - $550 USD | 308497-162 | 7/22/2006 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Womens | $190 USD | $350 USD + | 313559-142 | 7/22/2006 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro LS Thunder | $190 USD | $400 USD+ | 314254-071 | 8/23/2006 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro LS Lightning | $220 USD | $300 - $900 USD | 314254-702 | 8/23/2006 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Military Blue | $220 USD | $500 USD+ | 308497-141 | 9/9/2006 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Collezione CDP | $155 USD | $400 - $800 USD | 308497-003 | 7/19/2008 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Silver Anniversary | $150 USD | $500 USD+ | 408202-101 | 3/27/2010 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro DB Doernbecher | $150 USD | $2300 + | 308497-015 | 11/5/2011 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro White/Cement | $220 USD | $450 USD + | 308497-103 | 2/18/2012 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Cavs | $160 USD | $500 USD + | 308497-027 | 5/12/2012 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Military Blue | $220 USD | $500 USD + | 308497-105 | 6/9/2012 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Quai54 | $190 USD | $1000 USD + | 308497-105 | 7/1/2012 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Fire Red | $200 USD | $330 - $410 USD | 308497-110 | 8/4/2012 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Bred | $200 USD | $330 USD + | 308497-089 | 11/23/2012 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Thunder | $190 USD | $420 USD + | 308497-008 | 12/22/2012 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Toro Bravo | $160 USD | $450 USD + | 308497-603 | 7/13/2013 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Green Glow | $160 USD | $480 USD + | 308497-033 | 8/17/2013 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Fear | $175 USD | $675 USD + | 626969-030 | 8/24/2013 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro LS Columbia | $190 USD | $375 USD + | 314254-107 | 1/10/2015 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro LS Oreo | $190 USD | $320 USD + | 314254-003 | 2/21/2015 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 RetroTeal | $190 USD | $265 USD + | 705330-330 | 3/14/2015 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Laser Silver | $250 USD | $350 - $460 USD | 705333-105 | 3/21/2015 |
| Nike Air Jordan 11Lab4 Black | $250 USD | $440 - $550 USD | 719864-010 | 4/25/2015 |
| Nike Air Jordan 11Lab4 Red | $250 USD | $400 - $510 USD | 719864-600 | 7/11/2015 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Alternate 89 | $190 USD | $400 USD + | 308497-106 | 1/2/2016 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Dunk From Above | $190 USD | $300 USD + | 308497-106 | 3/19/2016 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Premium Pony HNike Air | $400 USD | $400 USD + | 819139-010 | 4/9/2016 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Premium Snakeskin | $400 USD | $565 - $975 USD | 819139-030 | 5/21/2016 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Air Obsidian | $400 USD | $325 - $520 USD | 819139-402 | 9/17/2016 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Premium Wheat | $400 USD | $527 - $800 USD | 819139-402 | 10/29/2016 |
| Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Royalty | $190 USD | $420 - $530 USD | 308497-032 | 2/4/2017 |
| Jordan 4 Retro university blue | $200 USD | $400 USD + | CT8527-400 | 4/28/2021 |
| Jordan 4 Red Thunder | $190 USD | $300 USD + | CT8527-016 | 11/15/2022 |
| Jordan 4 Retro shimmer | $190 USD | $300 USD + | DJ0675-200 | 7/3/2021 |
| Jordan 4 Retro taupe haze | $200 USD | $250 USD + | DB0732-200 | 2/27/2021 |
| Jordan 4 Retro where the wild things are | $140 USD | $200 USD + | DH0572-264 | 11/5/2021 |
| Jordan 4 Retro union off noir | $250 USD | $550 USD + | DC9533-001 | 9/3/2020 |
| Jordan 4 Retro off white sail | $200 USD | $1350 USD + | CV9388-100 | 7/5/2020 |
| Jordan 4 Retro what the | $200 USD | $350 USD + | 4362 | 11/23/2019 |
| Jordan 4 Retro sp 30th aniversary | $225 USD | $300 USD + | DJ5718-300 | 6/20/2021 |
| Jordan 4 metalic purple | $190 USD | $220 USD + | CT8527-115 | 5/20/2020 |
| Jordan 4 Retro Travis Scott Cactus Jack | $225 USD | $1100 USD + | 308497-406. | 5/9/2018 |
| Jordan 4 Retro Cool Grey | $190 USD | $380 USD + | 308497-007 | 8/1/2019 |
| Jordan 4 Retro PSG | $225 USD | $300 USD + | CZ5624-100 | 10/10/2020 |
| Jordan 4 Retro SE DIY | $150 USD | $150 USD + | DC4101-100 | 8/19/2021 |
| Jordan 4 Retro Infared | $200 USD | $450 USD + | DH6927-061 | 6/15/2022 |
| Jordan 4 Retro Union Guava Ice | $250 USD | $1800 USD + | DC9533-800 | 8/29/2020 |
| Jordan 4 Retro winterized Loyal Blue | $200 USD | $315 USD + | CQ9745-401 | 21/12/2019 |
| Jordan 4 Retro pure money | $190 USD | $500 USD + | 308497-100. | 5/13/2017 |
| Jordan 4 Retro Raptors | $200 USD | $400 USD + | AQ3816-065 | 8/18/2018 |
| Jordan 4 Retro 11Lab Red | $250 USD | $400 USD + | 719864-600 | 7/11/2015 |
| Jordan 4 Retro Levis | $225 USD | $495 USD + | AO2571-001 | 1/17/2018 |
| Jordan 4 Retro Green Glow | $160 USD | $480 USD + | 308497-033 | 8/16/2013 |
| Jordan 4 Retro flyknit | $220 USD | $300 USD + | AQ3559-400 | 6/14/2019 |
| Jordan 4 Zen Master | $210 USD | $330 USD + | DH7138-506 | 6/6/2022 |
| Jordan 4 raptors Drake OVO | $200 USD | $400 USD + | AQ3816-056. | 6/2/2019 |
| Jordan 4 Retro Mist Blue | $125 USD | $700 USD + | 314254-041 | 6/24/2006 |
| Jordan 4 Retro Kaws | $350 USD | $1,700 USD + | 930155-003 | 3/31/2017 |
| Jordan 4 Retro lazer | $250 USD | $350 USD + | CI1184-001 | 3/21/2015 |
| Jordan 4 Retro Monsoon | $150 USD | $225 USD + | BQ9043-400 | 4/6/2019 |
| Jordan 4 Retro sand | $140 USD | $650 USD + | 313559-142. | 6/10/2017 |
| Jordan 4 Retro Ultraviolet | $70 USD | $90 USD + | 487725-108 | 4/14/2012 |
A quick and easy guide to tell if Jordan 4's are fake.
If you don't have the time to go through our complete and ultimate guide on how to tell if Jordan 4's are fake, don't sweat it.
You can use our quick and easy guide, covering the three key steps to determine your sneaks' legitimacy.
- Can you match up the unique product code on the inside tongue label with the box the sneakers arrived in?
- Check the stitching throughout the shoes, are the spacings and stitch lengths consistent around the kicks and are there any flaws?
- How much did you pay for your sneakers? If the price is too good to be true, it's likely because it is!
If you are unsure about the authenticity of your Jordans be sure to reference our guide and if you suspect that your mates have a pair of fake Jordan 4's be sure to share this reference with them!
