UNDEFEATED Air Jordan 4 2025 REVIEW & On Feet

This upcoming release brings back a legendary collaboration, the UNDEFEATED Air Jordan 4, first seen in 2005. While the new version aims to honour the original's military-inspired design, it comes with some key differences that set it apart. Let's take a closer look at what makes this retro special and whether it lives up to the hype.

The Undefeated Air Jordan 4: A Legacy Reimagined

Back in 2005, Jordan Brand teamed up with streetwear boutique UNDEFEATED for a collaboration that would become legendary. Only 72 pairs were made, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after sneakers ever. Getting a pair back then meant winning a lottery, which required buying a special lottery entry shirt. This extreme scarcity, combined with its incredible design, cemented the UNDEFEATED Air Jordan 4 as a true grail.

Key Takeaways

• The 2025 retro is inspired by the 2005 UNDEFEATED Air Jordan 4.
• The original release was extremely limited, with only 72 pairs made.
• The 2025 release features a military-inspired design, particularly referencing MA1 flight jackets.
• Key differences from the original include the box, heel branding, and some minor material details.
• The shoe boasts high-quality suede and thoughtful design elements.

Release Details and Early Impressions

The 2025 UNDEFEATED Air Jordan 4 is set to release on August 2nd with a retail price of $225. Interestingly, some pairs were released early via a QR code scan in Chicago's Millennium Park, which entered people into a raffle to purchase the shoes, with pick-up only available in Chicago. This choice of location, rather than Los Angeles where UNDEFEATED is based, is a bit unusual.

Getting an early pair for review involved a significant resale purchase, costing around $1,500. However, resale prices have already started to drop since the initial leak. The exact number of pairs releasing in 2025 remains unclear, but it's expected to be very limited.

Unboxing and Design Comparison

Unlike the original release, which came in a military-style zip-up bag, the 2025 version includes a more traditional sneaker box. This box features a metallic silver finish with graphics celebrating the 20-year gap between the releases, showing '05' and '25' along with the UNDEFEATED and Jordan logos. Inside, you'll find the shoes, special paper featuring both logos, a postcard of the UNDEFEATED store, and an UNDEFEATED Jordan tag attached to the shoes. Extra orange laces are also included in a small cardboard box, a departure from the plastic bags often used.

While the original came with a t-shirt, zip bag, and a dog tag, the 2025 retro omits these extras. However, the focus remains on the shoe itself.

Materials and Details: A Closer Look

The inspiration behind the shoe is the MA1 flight jacket, known for its olive green and bright orange colourway. The upper is dominated by a beautiful, washed olive suede that changes shade depending on the direction it's brushed. The quality of the suede is notably good, especially compared to other recent Jordan releases, justifying the slightly higher retail price.

Subtle details like the double stitching on the suede panels, using a slightly darker thread for contrast, add to the utilitarian feel. The netting on the tongue and midfoot is also in olive, providing a different texture. The eyelets feature black lace wings, and while black laces are included, the option of bright orange laces ties into the shoe's theme.

One of the standout features is the tongue patch. It's black with an embroidered orange Jumpman. Underneath, you can peel off the patch to reveal olive Velcro with the words "Jordan Rare Air" hidden. A minor drawback is that the corners of these patches can get bent after a few uses, preventing them from lying flat.

Inside, the sock liner features a pop of bright orange on the back of the tongue, a nod to the bomber jacket's lining. The insoles are thick foam, with the Nike logo on the right and the UNDEFEATED logo on the left, both in black.

On-Foot Look and Sizing

When it comes to fit, the Air Jordan 4 UNDEFEATED 2025 feels like a typical Air Jordan 4: snug in the forefoot and a bit stiff initially, but it breaks in well over time. True to size is recommended, unless you have wider feet, in which case going up half a size might be more comfortable. The look on foot is fantastic, with the black, olive, and orange colour scheme being very versatile and easy to style with different outfits.

The Heel Tab Difference: Nike Air vs. Jumpman

The most significant difference between this retro and the original is the heel branding. While the 2005 version featured a Jumpman logo, the 2025 release sports the classic "Nike Air" branding in gloss black on a matte black heel tab. This choice is interesting because "Nike Air" branding is usually reserved for original colourways. Jordan Brand has reportedly produced some friends and family pairs with the Jumpman on the heel, but these will be even more limited. While the "Nike Air" branding looks good and fills the heel tab nicely, some purists might miss the Jumpman, which was a key detail of the original collaboration. It's a way for Jordan Brand to differentiate the retro and preserve some of the original's unique status.

Midsole, Outsole, and Overall Verdict

The midsole features a glossy black front half and a sail colour that wraps around the heel. The clear Air unit contains orange pillars, reinforcing the colour accents. The outsole is primarily black rubber with orange detailing on the forefoot and Nike branding in the midfoot.

Overall, 2025 has been an incredible year for Jordan releases, and the UNDEFEATED Air Jordan 4 retro is a prime example of Jordan Brand getting it right. While it might affect the resale value of the original 72 pairs, for those who could never afford the original, this release offers a chance to own a piece of sneaker history. It's a clean, wearable, and high-quality Air Jordan 4 that stands out even without its grail status. For any Jordan fan, this is a must-have.