Air Jordan 4 Motorsports: Price Check & Deals Guide

Introduction

The Air Jordan 4 ‘Motorsports’ is a coveted sneaker originally released in 2017, paying homage to Michael Jordan’s motorcycle racing team. This iconic colorway, featuring white, black, and varsity royal blue, quickly became a favorite among collectors and enthusiasts. Comparing prices for high-demand sneakers like the Air Jordan 4 Motorsports is crucial for finding the best value and avoiding overpayment, especially as they are now primarily found on the resale market.

Retailer Comparison

The Air Jordan 4 Motorsports was originally released on March 26, 2017, with a retail price of $190. As this was a limited release several years ago, it is no longer available directly from Nike or authorized retailers like Foot Locker, Finish Line, or Champs Sports at its original retail price. Any new pairs found at “retail” stores today would likely be consignment or specialty sneaker boutiques marking them up to current market rates. Therefore, a direct comparison of current retailer prices for new, at-retail stock isn’t feasible. The focus shifts entirely to the resale market.

Resale Market Analysis

The Air Jordan 4 Motorsports is a hot item on the resale market. Prices vary significantly based on several factors:

Platform: Major resale marketplaces like StockX, GOAT, and eBay are the primary sources.
Size: More common sizes might have more availability and slightly more competitive pricing, while less common or very popular sizes can command higher prices.
Condition: Brand new, deadstock (DS) pairs with the original box will fetch the highest prices. Used pairs will be lower, depending on wear and tear.
Authenticity: Verified authentic pairs from reputable platforms are more expensive but offer peace of mind.

As of late 2023 / early 2024, you can expect to find prices for new pairs ranging roughly from $350 to $600+, depending on size and platform. For example:

StockX: Prices often fluctuate daily, but typically hover in the $400-$550 range for common sizes (e.g., a size 10 might be around $480, while a size 12 could be $520). Last sales often dictate the current “market price.”
GOAT: Similar pricing to StockX, with options for new and used. New pairs are generally in the $420-$580 bracket. Used pairs can sometimes be found for under $300 depending on condition and completeness (e.g., no original box).
eBay: A wider range of prices due to individual sellers, but be sure to check seller ratings and authenticity guarantees (eBay now offers an “Authenticity Guarantee” service for many sneakers). Prices can be competitive, but require more diligence. You might see listings from $380 up to $650+.

It’s important to factor in fees (buyer premiums, shipping, authentication fees) when comparing prices across these platforms, as they can add a significant amount to the final cost. For instance, StockX adds a processing fee and shipping, while GOAT also has similar fees.

Tips for Finding Deals

Scoring a deal on a sought-after sneaker like the AJ4 Motorsports takes patience and strategy:

Be Patient: Prices can fluctuate. Monitor them over time; sometimes, waiting can pay off if market hype dies down or more pairs surface.
Compare Across Platforms: Don’t just check one site. Prices and fees vary. Use tools or browser extensions that might help compare.
Consider Used: If you’re okay with gently used sneakers (VNDS – Very Near Deadstock, or PADS – Pass As Deadstock), you can save a significant amount. Platforms like GOAT and eBay offer used options. Ensure you see detailed photos.
Look for “Best Offer” Options: On platforms like eBay, some sellers accept offers below their asking price. Don’t be afraid to make a reasonable offer.
Follow Sneaker Accounts & Forums: Sneaker news accounts or deal pages on social media, or communities on Reddit (like r/Sneals or r/sneakermarket), might occasionally highlight specific listings or price drops.
Local Sneaker Groups: Facebook groups or local sneaker conventions can sometimes yield good prices and allow for in-person inspection, avoiding shipping and some fees.
Beware of “Too Good to Be True”: If a price is drastically lower than the market average for a new pair (e.g., $150 for a new pair), it’s a major red flag for fakes.

Authenticity Guide: Spotting Fakes

Ensuring you’re buying an authentic pair of Air Jordan 4 Motorsports is crucial, especially with high prices. Here are some general tips (always consult detailed legit check guides online with comparison photos for this specific model):

Overall Shape and Stance: Authentic AJ4s have a distinct shape, especially the toe box and heel. Fakes often get this wrong, looking too bulky, too slim, or having an incorrect slope.
Stitching Quality: Nike’s stitching is generally neat, tight, and consistent. Sloppy, uneven, or frayed stitching, especially double stitching where there should be single, is a red flag.
Tongue Tag: Examine the “Flight” script and the Jumpman logo on the tongue tag. Proportions, font, and placement should be exact. The stitching around the tag should be clean. The underside of the tag should have “AIR JORDAN” upside down.
Netting: The plastic netting on the side panels and lower tongue should be correctly angled (often diagonally downwards towards the front on real pairs) and have a quality feel. Fakes may have netting that is too stiff, too flimsy, or oriented incorrectly.
Heel Tab & Jumpman: The Jumpman logo on the heel tab should be well-defined with clear fingers and shoelaces. The pull tab itself should be sturdy and properly shaped. The stitching around it should be clean.
Midsole Paint Job: Paint lines on the midsole should be relatively clean and sharp. Messy paint application, smudges, or paint bleeding can indicate a fake.
Box and Label: The box quality, color, and texture matter. The label on the box should have correct fonts, spacing, and information (style code, size, barcode). The style code for the Air Jordan 4 Motorsports (2017) is 308497-117. Misspellings or incorrect codes are dead giveaways.
Smell: Authentic Nikes have a particular factory smell from their materials and adhesives. Fakes often have a strong, unpleasant chemical odor due to cheaper glues.
Insole: Check the print on the insole (e.g., Nike Air logo) for quality and correctness. The underside of the insole can also offer clues.
Buy from Reputable Sources: Using platforms like StockX or GOAT, which have authentication processes, significantly reduces your risk, though no system is 100% foolproof. For eBay, stick to highly-rated sellers with clear return policies and utilize their Authenticity Guarantee service when available.

Conclusion

The Air Jordan 4 Motorsports is a really neat shoe. It came out a while ago, so you can’t find it new in regular shoe stores. You have to look on websites where people sell old shoes. The price can be from around $350 to more than $600. It changes based on the shoe’s size and if it’s brand new. Always check a few different websites to find the best deal. Watch out for fake shoes! If a price is super, super low, it might be a fake. It’s best to buy from sellers or websites you trust to make sure you get the real Air Jordan 4 Motorsports.

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