The Air Jordan 4 Retro Metallic Red: A Stylish Sneaker

Nike has released 35 distinct lines of its famed Air Jordan shoes since the original sneaker debuted in 1985. While all of these models make their own tweaks to the Jordan line, some are nearly indistinguishable from one another. Others stand out in a big way.

One of the most beloved lines is the Jordan 4, which dropped in 1989. Although initial reactions were lukewarm, the Jordan 4 soon smashed consumer records and became an international phenomenon. The 4 was the first Air Jordan to focus on breathability, with a mesh that's become a signature part of subsequent lines. It also introduced the lace locks, or Wings, to the upper part of the shoe.

Although these technical innovations helped the sneaker's performance, the real reason that the Jordan 4 sold so well was clever product placement and advertising. First, Michael Jordan himself continued to wear the shoe on the court during games. He was wearing a pair of black and red Jordan 4s when he made what's called “The Shot,” one of his most famous moments. Between its new technologies and heavy media presence, the Jordan 4 quickly became a quintessential basketball shoe.

The Jordan 4 Retro

With the Jordan 4's success, it was no surprise when Nike chose to return the sneaker to life as a retro edition. The first release of Retro 4 Jordans was limited, however, with only a White/Cement and a Black/Black/Gray model available. Nike soon started to drop more Retro 4 Jordans, and today, there are plenty of models to choose from in all sorts of colorways.

The First Metallic Jordans

Nike has released a number of metallic Air Jordans over the years. The very first one came early in the brand's history, with a metallic Air Jordan 1 all the way back in 1985. These classic shoes were available in several colors, including red, and featured plenty of shimmer. With the Jordan 1's signature high profile, the model added metallic colors to the Nike Swoosh and around the collar. The same hue was repeated on the Air Jordan logo, although without the metal effect.

Jordan 4 Retro Metallic Red

The Air Jordan 4 Retro Red Metallic released in 2020, a design nod to that original metallic Jordan 1. A mid top shoe like other Jordan 4s, this sneaker is mostly white with its patent leather base, breathable mesh, tongue, collar, and sole lacking color. The shoe features University Red accents on the toe of the outsole, the shoe interior and inside tongue, and the iconic Jordan Jumpman logo.

One big difference from the original metallic Jordan 1s is that there isn't as much of a sheen. The shoe's plastic lace lock Wings are the only part of it to feature a metallic look, adding an eye-catching silvery-red accent to the top of the shoe.