Air Jordan 4 Mars Blackmon: Price Check & Buyer’s Guide

The Air Jordan 4 “Mars Blackmon,” also known as the Air Jordan 4 Fire Red with the Mars Blackmon logo, is a highly sought-after sneaker originally released in 2006. This iconic shoe pays homage to Spike Lee’s character from the classic Air Jordan commercials. Due to its age and cultural significance, finding a pair requires navigating the resale market, making price comparison more important than ever to secure a fair deal and an authentic product.

Retailer Comparison: Where Are They Now?

Originally, the Air Jordan 4 “Mars Blackmon” would have retailed at standard sneaker boutiques and Nike stores back in 2006 for around $115. However, as this shoe is nearly two decades old, it is no longer available through traditional retail channels. You won’t find these sitting on shelves at Foot Locker or Nike.com.

Your journey to cop these grails will be exclusively through resale platforms. Here’s a look at what you can expect:

StockX: Prices for a new, deadstock (DS) pair typically range from $450 to $700+, heavily dependent on size and current market demand. Smaller or very large sizes can sometimes command higher premiums. Always check the “Last Sale” data for specific sizes.
GOAT: Similar to StockX, GOAT offers new and used pairs. New pairs generally fall in the $480 to $750+ range. Used pairs can offer significant savings, potentially from $250-$400, depending heavily on condition.
eBay: Prices on eBay are highly variable. You might find listings ranging from $300 (for well-used pairs) to $800+ (for pristine, new pairs). The advantage here is the potential to find auctions or “Buy It Now” listings with negotiation options. Look for listings with eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee.”
Flight Club/Stadium Goods: These consignment stores often have higher prices due to their established reputation and physical presence, potentially ranging from $550 to $900+ for new pairs.

Prices are estimates based on recent market data (late 2023/early 2024) and can fluctuate. Always check current listings for the most up-to-date pricing.

Resale Market Analysis

The Air Jordan 4 “Mars Blackmon” is a collector’s item, and its price on the resale market is driven by several factors:

Rarity and Age: Being a 2006 release, fewer deadstock pairs remain in circulation.
Nostalgia and Hype: The connection to Mars Blackmon, Spike Lee, and a classic Air Jordan 4 colorway (Fire Red) gives it immense cultural cachet.
Condition: Deadstock (brand new, unworn, with original box and accessories) pairs command the highest prices. VNDS (Very Near Deadstock) and lightly used pairs will be cheaper, but significant wear or damage drastically reduces value.
Size: Common sizes (US 8-11) often have more demand but also more supply. Less common sizes can sometimes be more expensive due to scarcity.
Authenticity Verification: Platforms like StockX, GOAT, and eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee add a layer of trust, which can influence pricing.
Market Trends: General sneaker market fluctuations can also impact prices.

Expect to pay a premium for this iconic sneaker. Prices have generally remained strong and may continue to appreciate, especially for pairs in excellent condition.

Tips for Finding Deals

While “cheap” is relative for a grail like this, here are some tips to find the best possible price:

Be Patient: Monitor prices across multiple platforms. Prices can fluctuate.
Consider Used: If you plan to wear them, a pair in VNDS or excellent used condition can save you hundreds. Ensure you see detailed photos.
Set Alerts: Some platforms allow you to set price alerts for specific sizes.
Check eBay Auctions: You might get lucky with an auction ending at a lower price, though “sniping” is common.
Look for Reputable Individual Sellers: Sometimes, sellers on forums or social media groups might offer slightly better prices, but this comes with higher risk. Prioritize sellers with strong references and use protected payment methods (like PayPal Goods & Services).
Beware of “Too Good To Be True”: If a price seems unbelievably low, it’s almost certainly a scam or a fake.

Authenticity Guide: Spotting Fakes

With high resale values come fakes. Here are key areas to inspect to help you spot a counterfeit Air Jordan 4 “Mars Blackmon”:

Overall Shape and Stance: Authentic AJ4s have a distinct silhouette. Fakes often get this wrong, appearing too bulky or misshapen.
Mars Blackmon Logo (Heel): This is a key detail.
- Detail & Clarity: The lines of the Mars logo should be clean and well-defined. Fakes often have blurry or poorly detailed logos.
- Placement: Ensure the logo is correctly positioned and scaled.
Tongue Tag:
- “Flight” Script: The font and stitching of the “Flight” script below the Jumpman should be neat and accurate.
- Jumpman Logo: Proportions should be correct (no “lollipop” head or overly skinny arms/legs).
- Back of Tongue Tag: Check the “AIR JORDAN” upside down text for correct font and spacing.
Netting: The plastic netting on the side panels and tongue should be properly angled and have a quality feel. Fakes often have flimsy or incorrectly aligned netting.
Stitching: Authentic pairs have clean, consistent, and high-quality stitching. Messy, frayed, or uneven stitching is a red flag.
Midsole Paint: Check for clean paint lines on the midsole. Sloppy paint application can indicate a fake.
Box and Label: The box label should have the correct style code (308497-162), font, and details. Compare it with images of authentic boxes online. Fakes often have incorrect fonts or typos.
Smell: Authentic Nikes have a particular factory smell. A strong, overpowering chemical glue smell can be an indicator of a fake.
Price: If the price is significantly lower than the market average, be highly suspicious.
Source: Whenever possible, buy from platforms that offer an authenticity guarantee (StockX, GOAT, eBay Authenticity Guarantee). If buying from an individual, do thorough research on the seller.

If in doubt, consider using a professional legit check service before or after purchase if the platform allows for returns based on authenticity concerns.

Conclusion

Getting Air Jordan 4 Mars Blackmon shoes is not easy. They are old shoes, so you can’t find them in regular stores. You have to look on websites like StockX or GOAT, but they will cost a lot of money. It’s smart to look at different sites to see who has the best price. Make sure you are buying real shoes, not fake ones, because many fakes are out there. If you really want these cool sneakers, save your money and be very careful where you buy them from.

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