One of the original Air Jordan 4s made famous on the NBA court by Michael Jordan is returning to retailers this month after a nearly 10-year hiatus, and there’s a case to be made that it’s the most accurate rendition of the style since its 1989 debut.
Nicknamed White Cement for its combination of white leather and accents of Nike’s staple Cement Gray shade, this original Air Jordan 4 from ’89 is back in retro form for 2025. All of the style’s old-school details are accounted for including its black speckle pattern, which subtly appears on the heel “Nike Air” lettering for the first time since the sneaker’s 1999 reissue. Elsewhere, the Air Jordan 4’s shape has been tweaked to more accurately match the specifications of the ’89 version with a slimmer, more tapered toe box and added padding in key areas.
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While Jordan made the White Cement sneaker famous on the basketball court, the shoe has also been a pop culture darling. Spike Lee’s over-the-top Mars Blackmon character made the style memorable in ad campaigns, and the director would also feature the colorway in his 1989 film “Do the Right Thing.” In 2017, Jordan Brand referenced the movie’s scuffed sneakers with a special friends-and-family exclusive version of the White Cement look.
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Along with the ’89 release and ’99 reissue, the White Cement Air Jordan 4 has received Retro versions in 2012 and again in 2016. Retro footwear remains a boon for Nike Inc., which in recent years has been criticized for its perceived lack of innovation and reliance on designs from the past.
This year’s Air Jordan 4 Retro White Cement is set to be released in adult sizes ($225, FV5029-100), big kids ($160), little kids ($100) and toddlers ($85). Following Tuesday’s early Exclusive Access via the Nike Snkrs app, the Air Jordan 4 Retro White Cement will launch May 24 at 10 a.m. ET from Snkrs and will also be available from select Jordan Brand retailers globally.