The Bred is one of the most coveted Air Jordan 4 colourways. The upcoming Reimagined Breds are obviously set to be the biggest departure from the original design. However, to mark its release, we thought we’d go through all the different versions of this beloved OG colourway.
1989 – The OG
First released as the ‘Black Cement’, this black and red scheme was one of four OG colourways. The black upper was originally made with synthetic durabuck, with matching mesh panels on the sides. After the Jordan 3, this was the second model to feature the Jumpman on the tongue, but keeping the Nike Air branding on the TPU heel. This was also the second Jordan to feature visible Air in the midsole, with hits of red on the herringbone rubber outsole.
1999 – Tenth Anniversary
The Bred was rereleased in 1999 for the Air Jordan 4’s tenth anniversary, staying true to Tinker Hatfield’s original design.
2008 – Countdown Pack
In 2008, Jordan Brand dropped several countdown packs to celebrate the new Air Jordan 23. These were a series of two-packs of Jordan models that added up to MJ’s number 23. For example, the Jordan 4s were paired up with the 19s. This release of the Breds made one small but controversial change, swapping out the classic Nike Air branding on the heel for an additional Jumpman. While newer sneakerheads might not have batted an eye, it didn’t sit right with many long-time collectors with an eye for the OG details.
2012 – Twentythird Anniversary
Four years later, the Bred got another Retro, keeping the new Jumpman branding on the back.
2019 – Thirtieth Anniversary
Thirty years after the original release, the Bred returned once again. This release got a lot of praise for recreating the original Black Cement look. The 2019s not only feature the classic black nubuck and all the Fire Red and Cement Grey trimmings but also brought back the OG Nike Air branding, much to the delight of the oldheads and aficionados.
2021 – Golf
In 2021, Jordan Brand brought the fan-favourite colourway to the golf course. After all, what better way to stand out on the green than with these solid Bred Golfs? Like most Jordan Golf models, the upper remains the same, with golf spikes added to the outsole.
2024 – Reimagined
Reimagined OG Jordans have made up some of the biggest releases in recent years. These range from the patent leather AJ1 Breds to the lightly aged White Cement 3s. Similarly, the upcoming Air Jordan 4 OG Reimagined Bred is poised to be one of the hottest sneakers of 2024. The twist is perfectly simple, the usual black nubuck is replaced with premium tumbled black leather. The shape of the shoe is also based on the smash-hit Nike SB x AJ4s, with a more streamlined toe box and extra padding on the tongue.
Stay tuned to KLEKTIVE for more retrospectives and news on hyped releases like the Reimagined Breds
