You know the shoe. Even if you aren't a "sneakerhead" in the modern, hype-obsessed sense of the word, you've seen the speckled grey plastic wings and that crisp white leather. It’s a design that feels like it’s always existed, a piece of industrial art that somehow looks just as good with baggy jeans as it does with a suit at a celebrity wedding. But actually finding a jordan 4 white cement for sale that is both authentic and reasonably priced? That’s where things get messy.
The market for this specific colorway is a minefield of "reps," overpriced resale platforms, and confusing release years.
If you’re hunting for a pair right now, you’re likely looking at one of three major eras: the 1999 retro, the 2012 release, or the 2016 "Nike Air" version. There’s also the 1989 original, but unless you’re planning to put them in a museum-grade humidity-controlled box, don’t buy those. The midsoles are probably dust by now. Polyurethane has a shelf life, and it’s shorter than most people want to admit.
Why Everyone Still Wants This Specific Shoe
The obsession isn't just about Michael Jordan hitting a shot. It’s about the "Cement" print. Technically called "Tech Grey," that black-splattered finish was revolutionary when Tinker Hatfield first cooked it up. Before the Jordan 4, basketball shoes were mostly solid blocks of color. Hatfield, ever the rebel architect, decided to make a shoe that looked like a sidewalk.
It worked.
Then Spike Lee happened. When Mars Blackmon screamed about the shoes in Do The Right Thing, the White Cement 4 stopped being a basketball sneaker and became a cultural artifact. That scene where Buggin' Out gets his shoes scuffed by a Larry Bird fan? That’s the soul of this shoe. It’s meant to be worn, but it’s devastating when they get dirty.
Finding a jordan 4 white cement for sale today usually means navigating the 2016 "OG" retro. This is the one people actually want because it has the "Nike Air" branding on the heel instead of the Jumpman logo. It sounds like a small detail to a casual observer, but to a collector, that plastic logo is the difference between a $200 shoe and a $600 shoe.
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The Reality of the Current Market
Let’s talk numbers. You aren't walking into a Foot Locker and finding these on the shelf. Those days ended around 2011. Today, you're looking at secondary markets like StockX, GOAT, eBay, or private Discord groups.
Prices fluctuate wildly based on condition. A deadstock (never worn) pair of 2016 White Cements will easily set you back $500 to $700 depending on the size. If you have feet sized between 9 and 11, prepare to pay the "tax" for having a common foot size.
Interestingly, the 2012 version is often cheaper, sometimes sitting in the $300 range for a used pair. Why? Because the "Jumpman" on the back isn't "period correct" and, frankly, the leather quality on that specific run was a bit stiff. It felt more like plastic than hide. But if you just want the aesthetic and don't care about the logo on the heel, the 2012 run is the "budget" entry point.
Spotting the Fakes in the Wild
The "super-replica" market has gotten terrifyingly good. We aren't talking about the $40 knockoffs you see on a beach boardwalk anymore. We’re talking about $150 replicas that use the same leather and the same glue.
When you see a jordan 4 white cement for sale on a platform like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist for a price that seems "too good," it almost certainly is. Here is what to look for if you’re inspecting a pair in person:
The "wings" (the plastic lace eyelets) should have a very specific density. On fakes, they are often too soft or too brittle. The netting on the side panels of the Jordan 4 should also be angled. On many older fakes, the netting was horizontal or vertical, but on the real deal, it follows the flow of the shoe's silhouette.
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Then there’s the scent. This sounds weird, I know. But real Jordans have a specific chemical, factory-fresh smell. High-end fakes often smell like industrial glue or heavy gasoline. If your nose wrinkles when you open the box, walk away.
The Midsole Crumble Factor
If you find a 1999 pair, or heaven forbid a 1989 pair, do not try to wear them.
The Jordan 4 uses a polyurethane midsole. Over time, moisture in the air breaks down the chemical bonds in the foam. This process is called hydrolysis. Essentially, the foam turns back into a powder. You can buy an old pair for $400, take three steps in them, and find yourself standing on bare ground while the sole lies in a thousand pieces behind you.
If you’re buying an older pair, check for "sole swapping." This is where a restorer takes the upper part of an old shoe and glues it onto the midsole of a newer, cheaper Jordan 4. It’s a common practice, but it should be disclosed by the seller. If it's not, they're hiding something.
Where to Actually Buy Today
Honestly, eBay has become the dark horse winner for buying sneakers in 2026. Their authenticity guarantee program is surprisingly robust. They actually send the shoes to a physical location where human beings—who have seen thousands of these—inspect the stitching and the box labels.
GOAT is also solid, particularly because they offer "Used" options. Since the White Cement 4 is a shoe that actually looks better with a little bit of wear, buying a used pair can save you $200. You get a shoe that’s already "broken in" and you don't have to have a heart attack the first time you step in a puddle.
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Avoid "Instagram Sellers" who ask for payment via Zelle or Friends & Family. That’s a one-way ticket to getting blocked and losing your cash. If there’s no buyer protection, there’s no deal.
The Future of the White Cement
There are always rumors. Every six months, a "leaked" document suggests Nike is bringing back the White Cement 4 with the "Reimagined" treatment—maybe with a pre-yellowed vintage look or a slightly different leather.
Until that official drop happens, the 2016 pair remains the gold standard.
The demand doesn't drop because the shoe is versatile. You can wear them with black joggers, vintage denim, or even shorts in the summer. It’s one of the few sneakers that doesn't scream "look at me," yet everyone who knows anything about style will notice them.
If you find a jordan 4 white cement for sale and the stars align, pull the trigger. They aren't getting any cheaper. As the 2016 pairs continue to get worn and thrashed, the supply of clean, wearable pairs dwindles. It's basic supply and demand, played out on a canvas of leather and rubber.
Actionable Steps for the Buyer
- Decide on your "Era": If you want the classic look, target the 2016 pair. If you’re on a budget, look for the 2012 "Jumpman" heel version.
- Verify the Netting: Ensure the plastic mesh on the sides is translucent-white (though it yellows with age) and that the pattern is parallel to the wing, not straight up and down.
- Check the "Speckle": The black dots on the grey parts should be distinct. On fakes, the speckling often looks "lazy"—either too sparse or looking like it was applied with a thick marker.
- Use a Middleman: Never buy through a platform that doesn't offer an authenticity check. It’s worth the extra $20 in shipping and fees to know you aren't wearing "Faux-rdans."
- Look for Midsole Paint Cracking: On used pairs, the grey paint on the midsole often cracks. This isn't a dealbreaker; it’s actually a sign of authenticity, as the original paint used by Nike was notorious for this.
Owning a pair of these is a rite of passage. Just make sure you’re paying for the real history, not a cheap imitation. Keep the boxes, use shoe trees to prevent toe-box creasing, and for the love of everything, don't use harsh chemicals to clean the "Cement" print. A damp cloth and a little patience are all you need.