SoleGRIND
The Air Jordan 4 “Bred” is coming back for Black Friday and this time it looks like the real one. That sentence might not mean much if you have not been following the history of this shoe, but for people who care about Jordan retros, the details matter.
Let me explain. The “Bred” 4 first released in 1989. Black nubuck upper. Cement Grey accents. Fire Red details. Nike Air branding on the heel. That is the original. The retros have been inconsistent. The 1999 retro was close. The 2008 and 2012 versions had Jumpman branding on the heel instead of Nike Air. The 2019 retro brought Nike Air back. The 2024 “Reimagined” version swapped the nubuck for leather. Each one was a little different.
The 2026 pair brings back the black nubuck and Nike Air branding together. That combination has not been on a retail Bred 4 since 2019. For people who missed that release or want a fresh pair, this is the one.
Color is Black/Fire Red-Cement Grey-Summit White. Style code IX8180-001. The on-feet images that have surfaced show the shoe looking very close to the 1989 original. Cement Grey on the midsole and eyelets. Fire Red on the lace eyelets and tongue tag. Summit White on the midsole trim. Nike Air on the heel tabs. Nike branding on the outsole.
Release date is Black Friday, November 27, 2026. Full-family sizing. Adult pairs retail for $230. This will not be a limited drop. Jordan Brand is doing a wide general release, which means more pairs than most recent launches. That is good news for anyone who has been burned by quick sells on previous Bred 4 releases.
$230 is the new standard for Jordan 4 retros. It is not cheap, but it is the going rate. The wide release means resale should be close to retail, at least initially.
What I like about this release is that Jordan Brand is not trying to reinvent the Bred 4. They are just bringing back the version people actually want. Nubuck, not leather. Nike Air, not Jumpman. The original color blocking. Sometimes the best move is to give people the shoe they have been asking for without any twists.
If you are building a Jordan collection and you do not have a Bred 4, this is your pair. If you have the 2019 and it is beat, this is your replacement. Black Friday. November 27. Set a reminder.
