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Air Jordan 4 Columbia: Price Comparison and Deals Guide
The Air Jordan 4 “Columbia” first debuted in 1999 as one of the first Retro+ colorways, meaning it wasn’t an original 1989 colorway but a new creation for the retro run. It was later retroed in 2015 under the name Air Jordan 4 “Legend Blue,” featuring upgraded materials as part of Jordan Brand’s “Remastered” series. For sneakerheads and collectors, finding these iconic kicks at the right price is crucial, making price comparison more important than ever, especially for a shoe with such a rich history and desirability.
Retailer Comparison
The Air Jordan 4 Columbia (or Legend Blue as it was known in its 2015 re-release) had an original retail price of $190 when it last dropped. As this was several years ago, you will no longer find this sneaker available at standard retail prices from primary retailers like Nike, Foot Locker, Finish Line, or JD Sports. These stores stock current releases, and the Air Jordan 4 Columbia has long since sold out.
Therefore, direct retailer price comparison for new, in-stock pairs is not applicable for this specific model. Your journey to cop these will lead you to the resale market.
Resale Market Analysis
The resale market is where the Air Jordan 4 Columbia currently trades. Prices vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a look at common platforms:
- StockX: Prices for the Air Jordan 4 “Legend Blue” (2015) typically range from approximately $350 to $600+ USD, depending heavily on size and condition (new/deadstock). Rarer sizes or those in pristine condition with original packaging command higher prices.
- GOAT: Similar to StockX, GOAT offers new and used pairs. New pairs often align with StockX’s pricing, perhaps slightly higher or lower based on their specific inventory and seller asks. Used pairs can offer savings, but prices will depend on wear and tear, ranging from $200 for well-worn pairs to closer to new prices for “tried on” or “very near deadstock” condition.
- eBay: eBay presents a wider spectrum of prices due to its auction and “Buy It Now” formats, and the presence of individual sellers. You might find deals, but also inflated prices. Authenticity can be a bigger concern, though eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee program for sneakers over a certain price point offers some protection. Prices can range from $250 to $600+ depending on condition, seller reputation, and whether it’s an auction or fixed price.
Factors Affecting Resale Prices:
- Size: Common sizes (US 8-11) often have more availability but also high demand. Very small or very large sizes can sometimes be more expensive due to scarcity.
- Condition: Deadstock (DS) – brand new, unworn, with original box – commands the highest prices. Used pairs depreciate based on wear, scuffs, sole yellowing (common with age), and whether the original box is included.
- Authenticity: Verified authentic pairs from reputable platforms will always be more expensive than potentially fake sneakers.
- Market Hype & Rarity: While not the rarest Jordan 4, its classic status keeps demand steady. Any renewed hype or celebrity sightings can temporarily boost prices.
- Seller Reputation: Established sellers with positive feedback may price slightly higher due to the trust they’ve built.
Tips for Finding Deals
Scoring a deal on a sought-after sneaker like the Air Jordan 4 Columbia requires patience and strategy:
- Compare Across Platforms: Don’t just stick to one resale site. Check StockX, GOAT, eBay, and even reputable consignment shops.
- Set Price Alerts: Many platforms allow you to set alerts for specific sizes, notifying you if the price drops to your desired level.
- Consider “Used” or “Very Near Deadstock”: If you plan to wear them, a pair that’s been tried on or worn lightly can save you significant money compared to deadstock, without much noticeable difference on foot.
- Look for “Best Offer” Listings: On platforms like eBay, some sellers accept offers below their asking price.
- Be Patient: Sneaker prices fluctuate. Unless you need them immediately, waiting for a market dip or a seller eager to move inventory can pay off.
- Buy from Reputable Sellers: Check seller reviews and ratings. On eBay, look for sellers with a long history of positive feedback, especially for high-value sneakers.
- Factor in Fees: Remember to include platform fees, shipping costs, and potential import duties/taxes in your final price comparison.
- Avoid Scams: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stick to platforms with buyer protection and authentication services. Never pay using unsecured methods like wire transfers or direct payments outside of a platform’s secure system.
Authenticity Guide
Spotting fake Air Jordan 4s, including the Columbia/Legend Blue, is crucial. Here are key areas to inspect:
- Overall Shape and Stance: Authentic AJ4s have a distinct, somewhat bulky yet sleek profile. Fakes often get the toe box shape, heel height, or overall stance wrong.
- Stitching Quality: Genuine pairs have neat, consistent, and dense stitching. Fakes often have sloppy, uneven, or loose threads.
- Material Quality: The 2015 “Legend Blue” featured premium tumbled leather. It should feel soft and high-quality. Fakes often use cheaper, stiffer synthetic leather that might have a strong chemical smell.
- Tongue Tag: The “Flight” script and Jumpman logo on the tongue tag should be well-defined and correctly proportioned. Check the font and spacing. The back of the tongue tag should also have clean text.
- Heel Tab: The Jumpman logo on the heel tab should be crisp with clear definition. The plastic tab itself should be sturdy.
- Netting: The plastic netting on the side panels and tongue base should be correctly sized, shaped, and relatively pliable. Fakes might have stiff or misshapen netting.
- Midsole Paint Job: Paint lines should be clean. Sloppy paint application can be a red flag.
- Box and Label: The box should be sturdy, with correct label information (style code, size, colorway name, UPC). The font, spacing, and quality of the label print are important. Mismatched boxes or poorly printed labels are common with fakes. The style code for the 2015 Air Jordan 4 “Legend Blue” is 314254-107.
- Insole Logo: The Jumpman or Nike Air logo (depending on the specific AJ4 release, though the Legend Blue has a Jumpman) on the insole should be well-printed and not rub off too easily.
- Smell: Authentic Nikes have a particular factory smell. An overpowering chemical or glue smell can indicate a fake.
When in doubt, use authentication services offered by platforms like StockX, GOAT, or eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee, or get a legit check from a trusted online community or app.
Conclusion
Getting Air Jordan 4 Columbia sneakers is cool! These shoes are older, so they usually cost more now. You can find them on websites like StockX or GOAT. It’s good to look at prices on a few different sites. Make sure you buy real ones, not fakes, by checking them carefully. If you take your time and look well, you might find a great pair for a good price.
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