Honestly, if you see someone walking down the street in a pair of the Travis Scott Jordan 4 purple, they’re probably wearing fakes. Or they’re a multi-millionaire. There really isn't much middle ground here.
This shoe is basically the "Holy Grail" of the Cactus Jack era. It’s that one pair that keeps every sneakerhead up at night, scrolling through grainy Instagram photos from 2018. It never hit the shelves. It didn't have a SNKRS drop. It just sort of... existed in the inner circles of La Flame’s world.
Most people think there's only one version. They're wrong. There are actually at least two distinct variations of this friends-and-family exclusive, and the differences between them are enough to make a seasoned collector's head spin.
The Mystery of the Two Midsoles
Back in July 2019, when the hype for Travis Scott was hitting a fever pitch, photos started leaking of a "Purple Suede" Jordan 4. But if you look closely at the archival footage of Travis at the Cactus Jack Block Party in Houston or his various courtside appearances, you’ll notice something weird.
One version has a clean, stark white midsole with black accents. It looks sharp, surgical, and very "retail-ready."
Then there’s the other one.
The second version features a black midsole and a much moodier, translucent grey outsole. This is the pair often seen on the feet of DJ Chase B. While both use that deep "Purple Dynasty" suede, the black midsole version feels more "La Flame"—it’s darker, grungier, and fits the Astroworld aesthetic perfectly.
Why were they never released?
Rumors have flown for years. Some say Nike thought the production cost for that specific grade of purple suede was too high for a general release. Others think Travis wanted to keep the best stuff for his "day ones."
Whatever the reason, only about 1,000 pairs were ever produced.
When you compare that to a standard Jordan release where hundreds of thousands of pairs hit the market, you start to realize why the resale price is currently hovering somewhere between $25,000 and $45,000 depending on the size and the specific midsole variant.
Suede vs. Nubuck: The Material War
There is a lot of confusion online about whether these are suede or nubuck.
Technically, they are a high-grade Purple Suede. If you run your finger across an authentic pair (which, let’s be real, most of us will never get to do), the "movement" of the hair on the suede is unmistakable. It leaves a "track" or a change in shade when you brush it.
Cheap replicas? They usually use a flat, dead nubuck. It looks purple, sure, but it has zero life to it. It’s static.
Key Details That Define the Travis Scott Jordan 4 Purple:
- The Heel Tabs: The right shoe features the red "Cactus Jack" logo, while the left shoe sports the classic "Nike Air" branding.
- The Tongue Tags: If you flip the tongue, you’ll find "Travis Scott" written upside down on the inner lining of the left shoe.
- The Hardware: The "waffle" eyelets have a matte finish, not the glossy plastic you see on standard 4s.
- The Waxed Laces: Unlike the flat cotton laces on your everyday Jordans, these come with premium waxed laces that have a slight sheen.
That 2026 "Lakers" Rumor
Every few months, a "leak" goes viral claiming the purple 4s are finally coming to retailers. In early 2026, we saw a massive spike in searches because of the Air Jordan 4 "Lakers" release.
While the "Lakers" 4s (style code FV5029-500) use a similar "Imperial Purple," they aren't the Travis collab. They’re a tribute to the 2000s Lakers era. They lack the Cactus Jack branding, the translucent sole, and that specific "dusty" texture of the original F&F pairs.
Don't get it twisted: Nike knows exactly what they're doing. They're giving us the colorway we want without "devaluing" the ultra-rare pair Travis's friends own. It's a classic move.
👉 See also: Kublai Khan: Why the Most Famous Grandson of Genghis Khan Actually Broke the Empire
How to Spot the Fakes (Because You'll See Them)
Since there are only 1,000 real pairs, 99.9% of the purple Travis 4s on eBay or Grailed are reps. Even high-end "UA" (Unauthorized Authentic) batches struggle with three things:
- The Color Depth: Authentic pairs have a "richness" to the purple. Fakes often look too "grape" or lean too far into a pinkish hue.
- The Splatter: The grey heel tab has a "paint splatter" effect. On real pairs, the dots are varied in size and randomly placed. On fakes, the pattern often looks repetitive or "stamped" on.
- The Midsole Gloss: On the black midsole version, the paint should be matte. Many replicas use a shiny, cheap-looking paint that reflects light like a toy car.
What You Should Actually Do
If you’re obsessed with this look but don't have the budget of a crypto whale, you have a few realistic options.
First, keep an eye on the Jordan 4 "Lakers" dropping this year. It's the closest "official" color match we've seen in nearly a decade. If you're a purist, you can always do a lace swap with some black waxed laces to get that Travis vibe.
Second, if you're looking at a "too good to be true" listing, check the SKU. The white midsole F&F pair carries the code AJ4 766302, while the black midsole version is often tagged as 766296LN4. If the seller doesn't know which one they have, or if the box label font looks "bold" and "audacious" rather than slim and refined, run away.
Lastly, acknowledge that some sneakers are just meant to be museum pieces. The Travis Scott Jordan 4 purple isn't just a shoe anymore; it's a piece of sneaker history that marked the peak of the "unreleased hype" era.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check reputable resale sites like Sotheby's or Flight Club archival listings to see high-resolution photos of verified authentic pairs for reference.
- If you're hunting for the purple aesthetic on a budget, look into the Air Jordan 4 "Canyon Purple" (a women's release) or the upcoming 2026 "Lakers" 4s.
- Compare the "movement" of the suede on any potential purchase; if the fabric doesn't change shade when brushed, it's a synthetic nubuck and a definite fake.