Air Jordan 4 Paris Olympic: The Good, The Bad, and The Honest Truth

I still remember the first time I laced up a pair of Air Jordans. That unmistakable feeling of walking on air while sporting a piece of basketball history on my feet. When Nike announced the Air Jordan 4 Paris Olympic colorway, my sneakerhead heart skipped a beat. But are these kicks worth the hype and the price tag? Let’s break it down together.

First Impressions Matter

The Air Jordan 4 Paris Olympic edition catches your eye immediately. The clean white leather upper paired with navy and red accents screams “French flag” without being too obvious. Nike clearly designed these with the 2024 Paris Olympics in mind, and the color story tells that tale perfectly.

What really stands out is the quality of the materials. The tumbled leather feels premium to the touch, much better than some recent Jordan releases. The gold accents on the lace crowns add just enough flair without going overboard. A tasteful nod to Olympic gold medals? I think so.

Comfort: The Make-or-Break Factor

Let’s be honest—Jordans aren’t always known for comfort. The Air Jordan 4 has never been the most comfortable silhouette in the lineup. That hasn’t changed with the Paris Olympic edition.

The Air unit in the heel provides decent cushioning, but these aren’t shoes you’d want to wear for an all-day walking tour of Paris. After about four hours of continuous wear, you’ll start to feel it in your arches. Not painful, just not as comfortable as modern basketball or lifestyle sneakers.

Break-in time is minimal, though. The leather softens nicely after 2-3 wears, molding to your foot shape better than earlier Jordan 4 models.

The Price Question

At $225 retail, these aren’t cheap shoes. Factor in the likely resale markup due to Olympic hype, and you’re looking at potentially paying $300+ if you miss the initial drop.

Is the quality worth it? Yes. Is the design worth it? Also yes. But are they worth camping outside a store or paying double retail on the secondary market? That depends on how much you value the Olympic connection and limited availability.

Styling Potential

One major win for the Paris Olympic Jordan 4s is their versatility. The white/navy/red color blocking works with jeans, joggers, shorts—practically anything in your wardrobe. They lean slightly formal for a sneaker, making them wearable even with chinos for a smart-casual look.

Women can pair these with summer dresses for that sporty-chic vibe that never seems to go out of style. Men can rock them with nearly any casual outfit. These aren’t shoes that will limit your styling options.

The Honest Truth

Air Jordan 4s have always been collector items as much as they are functional footwear. The Paris Olympic edition follows this tradition. They’re beautiful shoes with good (not great) comfort, excellent materials, and timeless styling potential.

If you’re buying these expecting the most comfortable sneaker in your collection, you’ll be disappointed. If you’re buying them as a wearable piece of Olympic and sneaker history, you’ll be thrilled.

My take? If you can get them at retail, do it. They’re worth every penny at that price point. If you’re considering the resale market, think hard about how much that Olympic connection means to you. Either way, these are shoes that will stay relevant in your rotation for years to come.

What do you think about the Air Jordan 4 Paris Olympic? Are you trying to grab a pair, or sitting this release out? Drop a comment below!