If you were around in June 2018, you remember the chaos. It wasn't just another sneaker drop. It was the moment Travis Scott officially shifted from a rapper who liked shoes to a cultural force that could move the needle at Nike. The Cactus Jack Jordan 4 wasn't just a collaboration; it was a loud, blue, suede tribute to a city that doesn't exist anymore—at least not in the NFL.
University Blue.
Varsity Red.
Black.
Those are the colors of the Houston Oilers, the team Travis grew up watching before they packed up and became the Tennessee Titans. Most people call these the "Houston Oilers" 4s, but officially, they’re the Cactus Jack. They were the first time we saw that mismatched branding on the heel tabs: the Jumpman on one, and the three-line "Cactus Jack" logo on the other.
Honestly, the hype hasn't died down. Even now, in 2026, you'll see these on the feet of collectors who’ve kept them on ice for years, or kids who saved up six months of paychecks to buy a used pair off eBay.
The Design Details Most People Overlook
Everyone notices the blue suede. It’s hard to miss. But the real magic is in the textures.
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The upper is a soft nubuck that changes shade when you run your finger across it. If the blue looks flat and "dead" on a pair you’re looking at, it's probably a fake. Real pairs have a buttery movement to the material. Then you've got the wax-coated laces. They’re flat, thin, and have a slight sheen that gives the shoe a more premium feel than your standard "Bred" or "Cement" 4.
The netting is black, the "wings" are black, and the midsole is a mix of white and blue with heavy black speckling. That speckling is important. On some of the lower-tier replicas, the speckles are too big or too sparse. On the retail pair, it looks like someone flicked a paintbrush at it with purpose.
The Friends and Family Versions (The Stuff of Legends)
While the blue pair hit stores for $225, there are other versions you’ve likely only seen on Instagram or behind glass at a sneaker convention.
- The Purple Suede: This is the holy grail. It’s a deep "Purple Dynasty" suede with black hardware. DJ Chase B was the first one seen wearing these, and they eventually trickled out to Travis’s inner circle. They’ve sold for over $30,000 at auction houses like Sotheby’s.
- The Olive/Mocha: This version looks a lot more like the Travis Scott Jordan 1s that came later. It features earth tones and "Nike Air" on the heel.
- The "Nike Air" Blue Pair: Yes, there is a version of the retail blue shoe that has the "Nike Air" logo on the heel instead of the Jumpman. These were given to friends and family only. If you see a pair in the wild with "Nike Air" on the back, the person wearing them either knows Travis or paid a small fortune.
Getting Your Hands on a Pair Today
You can't just walk into a Foot Locker and grab these. You haven't been able to for years.
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Currently, the Cactus Jack Jordan 4 lives entirely on the secondary market. If you’re looking for a deadstock (brand new) pair, expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $1,500 depending on your size. Smaller and extremely large sizes usually command the highest premiums.
Used pairs are a bit more "affordable," often hovering in the $400 to $600 range. But buying used comes with risks. Suede is a nightmare to clean if the previous owner didn't treat it well. Water stains, "balding" of the nubuck, and midsole crumbling are real concerns as these shoes approach their eighth birthday.
How to Spot a Fake in 2026
The "rep" market has had eight years to perfect this shoe. They’re getting scary good. However, there are still a few tells that almost always give them away.
- The Tongue Height: Authentic Jordan 4s have a tall, structured tongue. Fakes often have "short" tongues that look wavy or flimsy.
- The Suede Movement: As mentioned, if you brush the suede and it doesn't leave a "track" or change tone, it’s a synthetic material.
- The Heel Tab: On the authentic pair, the "Cactus Jack" logo is embossed deeply. On fakes, it’s often shallow or the font is slightly too thick.
- The Cage Direction: The mesh netting on the sides should run parallel to the "wings" of the shoe, not straight up and down.
Why the Cactus Jack Jordan 4 Still Matters
It’s the nostalgia. It’s the color. It’s the fact that it was the start of an era.
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Before this, celebrity collaborations were often just a different colorway with a name attached. Travis actually changed the branding. He added personal storytelling about his hometown. He made the Jordan 4—a silhouette that was already a classic—feel fresh again for a new generation.
If you're planning to buy a pair, make sure you use an authentication service. Don't buy them off a random person on a social media marketplace without seeing the "Star" count on the bottom of the sole or getting a clear shot of the size tag inside.
Actionable Steps for Owners and Buyers
If you already own a pair, invest in a suede brush. Don't use liquid cleaners on this nubuck unless it's a dire emergency; it will darken the "University Blue" permanently. Use a dry brass-bristle brush to keep the nap alive.
If you're buying, check the production date on the inner tag. It should generally point to early 2018. Also, verify the "splatter" pattern on the heel. It should be consistent but not identical between the left and right shoe.
The Cactus Jack Jordan 4 is a piece of sneaker history. Treat it like one. Whether you're wearing them to the ground or keeping them in a humidity-controlled box, they remain one of the most important releases of the 2010s. Keep an eye on the midsole; even the best-kept 4s eventually need a sole swap as the polyurethane breaks down over time.