You’ve seen them everywhere. On the subway, in the gym, and definitely on your Instagram feed. The Jordan 4s red and black—often just called "Breds"—are basically the uniform of anyone who gives a damn about sneakers. But honestly, most people just buy the hype without knowing which pair is actually which.
It’s not just one shoe.
Depending on who you ask, a "red and black Jordan 4" could mean the classic 1989 OG, a modern "Reimagined" leather version, or even the "Red Thunder" that swapped out the grey for more red. They look similar at a distance. Up close? They’re completely different beasts.
The Bred Evolution: Nubuck vs. Leather
If we’re talking about the goat of this colorway, it’s the Bred 4. First dropped in 1989. Michael Jordan wore them when he hit "The Shot" over Craig Ehlo. That’s the history. For decades, the rule was simple: if it’s a Bred 4, it has to be black nubuck (that soft, ashy-looking material) with cement grey and varsity red hits.
Then 2024 happened.
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Jordan Brand released the Bred Reimagined. They ditched the nubuck for full-grain tumbled leather. Some purists absolutely hated it. They said it wasn't "authentic." But you know what? Most regular people loved it because nubuck is a nightmare to clean. One drop of rain and your $300 shoes are stained forever. The leather version? You can basically wipe it off with a damp paper towel.
Why the "Red Thunder" is the real wild card
Around 2022, we got the Red Thunder 4s. These are basically the "Breds" on steroids. They took the "Thunder" colorway (which was originally black and yellow) and just painted all the yellow parts bright red. There is zero grey on these. It’s just aggressive black and red. If you want to stand out, these are the ones. If you want to look like a classic collector, stay away.
Jordan 4s Red and Black: How to Actually Tell Them Apart
Buying sneakers in 2026 is sketchy. Resale sites are flooded with fakes that look terrifyingly real. If you’re hunting for a pair of Jordan 4s red and black, you have to look at the netting.
On real Jordan 4s, the mesh netting on the side panels should run parallel to the "wings" of the shoe, not straight up and down. If that mesh looks like a perfect grid or is oriented vertically, they’re almost certainly fake. It’s a tiny detail that factory machines often get wrong.
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Also, check the "Nike Air" on the back.
On the 2019 and 2024 releases, you’ll see the original Nike Air branding. On some of the older mid-2010s retros, you’ll see a Jumpman logo instead. Collectors will pay way more for the Nike Air. It’s just how the game works.
Stop Styling Them Like It’s 2015
Seriously. Stop wearing them with super skinny jeans that bunch up like an accordion at the ankle. It looks weird. The Jordan 4 is a "chunky" shoe. It’s heavy. It’s wide.
If you wear them with tight pants, you look like you’re wearing moon boots.
Instead, go with:
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- Baggy Cargos: Let the hem of the pants sit right on top of the tongue. Don't tuck the pants in.
- Vintage Wash Denim: Light blue denim with a black and red shoe is a classic "Chicago" vibe.
- Black-on-Black: If you're wearing Red Thunders, an all-black outfit makes the red pop so hard it’s almost distracting.
The Maintenance Reality
These aren't daily beaters. Or, they shouldn't be. The midsoles on Jordan 4s are notorious for cracking and peeling over time. It’s a paint-on-foam situation. If you leave them in a hot car or a damp basement, the foam will literally crumble into dust in about 10 to 15 years.
If you just bought the Bred Reimagined, you’re in luck because the leather doesn't ash out like the nubuck does. But you still need to watch the "stars" on the toe of the outsole. Once those wear down flat, the value of the shoe drops by half.
What You Should Do Next
If you're looking to buy right now, don't just go to a random resale site and pick the cheapest one. Prices for the Bred Reimagined have stabilized since the 2024 release, but they’re starting to creep back up as "deadstock" (unworn) pairs become rarer.
Check the production dates on the inside tag. A 2024 pair should have a QR code on the label. If you’re looking at a 2019 pair, it will just have a standard barcode. Use a blacklight if you’re buying in person—real pairs rarely have "widow's peaks" (tiny little triangles of extra leather) on the cuts, while fakes often have stamps or ink marks only visible under UV light.
Clean them after every three wears. Use a soft horsehair brush for the upper and a stiffer brush for the soles. And for the love of everything, don't put them in the washing machine. You'll ruin the internal support and the paint will flake off before the cycle even ends.