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Air Jordan 4 Lightning: Price Check & Finding Your Pair
The Air Jordan 4 ‘Lightning’ is a highly sought-after sneaker, renowned for its vibrant Tour Yellow colorway that electrifies the classic silhouette. Originally released in 2006 and making a triumphant return in 2021, this shoe captures attention wherever it goes. With such popularity, finding the best price for popular sneakers like the Air Jordan 4 Lightning can save you a significant amount of money and ensure you get a genuine pair.
Retailer Comparison: Where Did They Drop?
The Air Jordan 4 ‘Lightning’ had an original retail price of $220 when it was re-released in August 2021.
These sneakers were available through major footwear retailers, including:
- Nike SNKRS App
- Foot Locker
- Champs Sports
- Finish Line
- JD Sports
- And other select boutique sneaker stores.
As a highly anticipated release, the Air Jordan 4 ‘Lightning’ sold out almost instantly at these retail locations. Currently, you are highly unlikely to find them available at standard retail prices directly from these stores. The primary avenue for purchasing these sneakers now is the resale market.
Resale Market Analysis: What’s the Going Rate?
The resale market is where most sneaker enthusiasts will turn to secure a pair of the Air Jordan 4 ‘Lightning’ today. Prices here are dictated by supply, demand, size, and condition.
Here’s a look at typical pricing on popular resale platforms (prices are approximate and can fluctuate daily):
- StockX: Prices for a new, authenticated pair typically range from $330 to $550+, depending heavily on the shoe size. Smaller and very large sizes can sometimes command higher premiums. StockX authenticates every shoe before it’s shipped to the buyer.
- GOAT: Similar to StockX, GOAT offers new and used pairs. New pairs generally fall within the $340 to $580+ range. Used pairs can offer some savings, but prices will vary significantly based on condition. GOAT also has a robust authentication process.
- eBay: eBay can be a more varied marketplace. You might find deals, with prices sometimes dipping slightly below StockX or GOAT, but there’s also a higher risk of encountering fakes if you’re not cautious. Look for listings with eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” for sneakers, where the shoes are sent to an authenticator before reaching you. Prices can range from $300 to $600+ based on condition, seller, and authentication.
Factors affecting resale prices include:
- Size: Common sizes (US 8-11) often have more availability, but very popular sizes within that range can still be pricey. Less common sizes (very small or very large) can sometimes be more expensive due to scarcity.
- Condition: “Deadstock” (DS) means brand new, unworn, with the original box and all accessories. These command the highest prices. Used pairs will vary based on wear and tear.
- Hype and Demand: The ‘Lightning’ is an iconic and beloved colorway, ensuring consistently high demand.
- Seller Reputation & Platform Fees: Prices might be slightly higher on platforms that include authentication and buyer protection.
Tips for Finding Deals on Air Jordan 4 Lightning
While “deals” on such a hyped shoe are relative, here are some tips:
- Compare Across Platforms: Don’t settle for the first price you see. Check StockX, GOAT, eBay, and even social media sneaker groups (with caution).
- Monitor Price History: Platforms like StockX show historical sales data. This can help you understand price trends and decide if it’s a good time to buy or wait for a potential slight dip (though significant drops are rare for this model).
- Consider Used Pairs: If you’re okay with a shoe that’s not brand new, lightly used pairs on platforms like GOAT or eBay can offer significant savings. Always scrutinize photos and descriptions.
- Look for Reputable Individual Sellers: Sometimes, local sneaker consignment shops or trusted sellers in online communities might offer slightly better prices as they avoid high platform fees. Vet sellers thoroughly.
- Beware of “Too Good to Be True”: If a price is drastically lower than the market average, it’s a major red flag for fakes or scams.
- Use Secure Payment Methods: When buying outside of major platforms, always use PayPal Goods & Services or other secure payment methods that offer buyer protection.
Authenticity Guide: How to Spot Fake Air Jordan 4 Lightnings
Avoiding counterfeit sneakers is crucial. Here are some key areas to inspect on the Air Jordan 4 ‘Lightning’:
- Overall Shape and Proportions: Genuine AJ4s have a distinct shape. Fakes often get the toe box shape, heel height, or overall stance wrong. Compare to official Nike images.
- Stitching Quality: Authentic pairs have neat, consistent, and high-quality stitching. Messy, frayed, or uneven stitching is a bad sign.
- Tongue Tag:
- The “Flight” script should be clean and correctly proportioned.
- The Jumpman logo should be well-defined with clear fingers and shoelaces.
- The stitching around the patch itself should be tidy.
- Netting: The plastic netting on the side panels and at the base of the tongue should be of good quality, properly cut, and aligned. On fakes, it can be flimsy or poorly shaped.
- Heel Tab: The Jumpman logo on the heel tab should be crisp and well-molded. The pull tab itself should feel sturdy.
- Color Accuracy: The “Tour Yellow” nubuck should be vibrant and consistent. Fakes may have an off-shade of yellow. The grey and black accents should also match the authentic colors.
- Midsole Paint: Paint application on the midsole should be clean. Sloppy paint lines are a common flaw in fakes.
- Air Unit: The visible Air unit in the heel should be clear and well-formed. Fakes might have cloudy or misshapen units.
- Box and Label:
- The box quality should be sturdy.
- The label on the box should have correct fonts, spacing, and information (Style Code: CT8527-700). Compare the label to known genuine examples.
- Smell: Authentic Nike shoes have a particular factory smell. A strong, overpowering chemical or glue smell can be an indicator of a fake.
When in doubt, seek a legit check from online sneaker communities or professional authentication services before purchasing from less reputable sources.
Conclusion: Are They Worth It?
The Air Jordan 4 Lightning is a super cool shoe with a bright yellow color. It cost $220 when it first came out again. Now, you usually have to buy it from other people on special websites like StockX or GOAT, and it costs more, like $300 to $500, or even more. Always be careful to buy real ones and not fake ones. If you really want these cool shoes, save your money and try to buy from a place you trust so you get the real, awesome sneakers!
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