Air Jordan 4 Industrial Blue: Price Check & Where to Cop the Best Deals

The Air Jordan 4 ‘Industrial Blue,’ often referred to by its beloved original ‘Military Blue’ moniker, is easily one of the most anticipated sneaker releases of the year, having made its return in May 2024. With its classic silhouette and iconic colorway making a comeback for the first time in its true OG form since 1989 (the 2012 retro featured a Jumpman on the heel), demand is sky-high. Finding the best price and ensuring you’re getting an authentic pair is crucial for sneaker enthusiasts and casual buyers alike, especially with such a coveted item.

Retailer Comparison

The official retail price for the Air Jordan 4 ‘Industrial Blue’ (Style Code: FV5029-141) was $215 USD for men’s sizes. Other sizes had different retail prices (GS: $160, PS: $100, TD: $85).

Key retailers that stocked the shoe at launch included:

Nike SNKRS App
Foot Locker
JD Sports
Finish Line
Other select boutique sneaker stores and Jordan Brand stockists.

Due to immense popularity, these sneakers typically sold out within minutes, if not seconds, of release at retail price. Securing a pair directly from retailers often involved participating in raffles or being exceptionally quick and lucky on release day. At this point, well past the release date, finding them at retail from these stores is highly unlikely unless a surprise restock occurs, which is rare for such a hyped model.

Resale Market Analysis

If you missed out on the retail drop, the resale market is your primary option, but prices are significantly higher than the original $215.

Popular platforms for resale include:

StockX: As of late May/early June 2024, prices for men’s sizes on StockX generally hover between $250 and $320, depending on the size. The average sale price tends to be around the $270-$290 mark.
GOAT: Prices on GOAT for new pairs are similar, typically ranging from $260 to $330. GOAT also lists used pairs, which can sometimes offer a slight discount.
eBay: Prices on eBay can vary more widely. You might find listings from individual sellers ranging from slightly below StockX/GOAT prices to significantly higher. Authenticity Guarantee programs on eBay offer some buyer protection.

Factors affecting resale prices include:

Hype and Demand: This is a highly sought-after, classic colorway, driving prices up.
Size: Extremely common sizes or very rare (small or large) sizes can sometimes command slightly different premiums.
Condition: “Deadstock” (brand new, unworn, with original box) pairs are the most expensive.
Market Fluctuations: Prices can shift based on overall sneaker market trends, restock rumors (even if unfounded), and time passed since release.

Tips for Finding Deals

While “deals” on such a popular shoe are relative, here are some tips:

Be Patient (Sometimes): Occasionally, prices might dip slightly a few months after release as initial hype settles, or as more pairs circulate in the resale market. However, for iconic models, prices can also steadily climb over time.
Follow Sneaker Accounts & Set Alerts: Reputable sneaker news accounts on social media (e.g., X, Instagram) might announce unexpected restocks (very rare) or highlight specific seller promotions. Some resale platforms allow you to set price alerts for your size.
Local Sneaker Groups/Consignment Shops: Check local Facebook sneaker groups or consignment stores. You might find a slightly better price or an opportunity for a trade. Always prioritize safety and authenticity when dealing locally.
Look for “Slightly Used” or “VNDS” (Very Near Deadstock): If you’re okay with a pair that’s been tried on or worn very lightly, you might save some money on platforms like GOAT or eBay. Ensure thorough legit checks.
Bid on eBay Auctions: If you’re patient and strategic, you might snag a pair for a lower price through eBay auctions rather than “Buy It Now” listings, but this requires diligence.
Wait for Sales (on Resale Platforms): Occasionally, resale platforms might have site-wide promotions (e.g., discount on seller fees passed to buyers, or small percentage-off codes), though these are infrequent.

Authenticity Guide

With high resale values, the market for fakes is unfortunately active. Here are some general tips for spotting counterfeit Air Jordan 4s (specifically for the Industrial/Military Blue, pay attention to OG details):

Overall Shape and Proportions: Authentic AJ4s have a distinct shape. Fakes often get the toe box shape (not too bulky, not too slim), heel height, and overall stance wrong. Compare with official Nike images or known authentic pairs.
Stitching Quality: Nike’s quality control is generally high. Look for neat, consistent, and uniform stitching. Sloppy, frayed, or uneven stitching is a major red flag.
“Nike Air” Branding on Heel: This is a key feature of the OG-style retro. The lettering should be crisp, well-defined, and correctly embossed/positioned. The font and spacing must be accurate. The tab itself should be sturdy.
Tongue Tag: Examine the “Flight” script and the Jumpman logo on the front. The proportions of the Jumpman, the font of “Flight,” and the quality of the stitching around the tag are crucial. On the back of the tongue tag, the “AIR JORDAN” upside down should also be clean.
Netting: The plastic netting on the side panels and lower tongue should be properly angled and have a quality feel. On fakes, it can be too stiff, too flimsy, or incorrectly oriented.
Box and Label: The box quality, color, and texture should be right. The label on the box should have correct fonts, spacing, style code (FV5029-141), size, and UPC. Scan the QR code if present; it should lead to a legitimate Nike page.
Smell: Authentic Nikes have a distinct factory glue smell. A very strong, overpowering chemical smell can often indicate a replica.
Insole: Check the print quality on the insole (e.g., Nike Air logo). Also, the stitching underneath the insole (Strobel board) should be neat.
Buy from Reputable Sources: The best way to avoid fakes is to buy from authorized retailers (though difficult post-release) or established resale platforms that offer authentication services like StockX, GOAT, and eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee.

When in doubt, consult online legit check guides specific to the Air Jordan 4 or seek opinions from experienced sneaker communities.

Conclusion

The Air Jordan 4 Industrial Blue is a really cool shoe many people want. It first sold in stores for about $215, but they sold out very fast. Now, if you want to buy them from other people, they usually cost more, like $250 to $320. To find a good price, you might need to wait a bit or look in many places. Always make sure you are buying real shoes, not fakes, by checking how they look and feel. Getting these sneakers can be tough and cost more now, but if you love them, finding a pair might be worth it!

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