# Air Jordan 4 Paris Olympic: Price Comparison & Deals Guide
The Air Jordan 4 ‘Paris Olympics’ is one of the most anticipated releases of Summer 2024, celebrating the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. Sneaker enthusiasts and collectors alike are eagerly awaiting its drop, making price comparison more crucial than ever to secure a pair without overpaying.
## Retailer Comparison
The Air Jordan 4 ‘Paris Olympic’ is slated for release on **July 27, 2024**. The expected retail price is around **$225 USD**.
Your primary targets for copping at retail will be:
* **Nike SNKRS App:** This is usually the main release platform. Be prepared for a draw or LEO (Let Everybody Order) system. Ensure your app is updated and your payment/shipping details are pre-filled.
* **Major Footwear Retailers:** Chains like Foot Locker, Finish Line, JD Sports, and Champs Sports will likely receive stock. Check their release calendars, apps, and any in-app or online raffle systems they employ.
* **Select Boutique Sneaker Stores:** High-end sneaker boutiques (e.g., Kith, Concepts, A Ma Maniére – though availability for this specific model at each boutique needs confirmation closer to release) often get allocations. They typically run online or in-store raffles.
At retail, the price should be consistent ($225) across these official platforms, barring minor regional tax differences. The main challenge isn’t the price difference between retailers, but actually succeeding in purchasing a pair at retail due to extremely high demand and limited stock.
## Resale Market Analysis
If you miss out on the retail drop, the resale market is your next option, but expect to pay a significant premium.
Popular resale platforms include:
* **StockX:** Prices are determined by bid/ask dynamics. Expect prices to be highest immediately after release and potentially settle slightly as more pairs enter the market, but for a hyped release like this, they will remain well above retail. Pre-release “asks” can already be seen in the $350-$500+ range.
* **GOAT:** Similar to StockX, GOAT offers new and used (with disclosure) authenticated sneakers. Prices will be comparable to StockX.
* **eBay (with Authenticity Guarantee):** eBay has stepped up its game with an authenticity guarantee program for sneakers over a certain value, making it a safer option than in the past. Prices here can vary more widely depending on individual sellers.
**Factors Affecting Resale Prices:**
* **Hype and Demand:** This is an Olympic-themed Air Jordan 4, a highly popular silhouette. Demand will be immense.
* **Scarcity:** The number of pairs produced versus the number of people wanting them will be the biggest driver. Limited releases mean higher resale.
* **Size:** Common men’s sizes (US 8-12) often have high demand. Very small or very large sizes can sometimes be slightly cheaper or more expensive, depending on their own rarity.
* **Condition:** “Deadstock” (DS) – brand new, unworn, with original box and accessories – commands the highest prices.
* **Release Day Performance:** If the online releases are plagued by bots or technical issues, fewer people will get them at retail, driving up resale prices.
Expect resale prices to start at least $100-$200 above retail and potentially much higher, especially for popular sizes in the initial weeks after release.
## Tips for Finding Deals
Finding “deals” on such a hyped release is challenging, but here’s how to maximize your chances at retail or get the best possible resale price:
1. **Enter All Raffles:** Sign up for every legitimate raffle you can find – Nike SNKRS, retailer apps (Foot Locker, Finish Line, JD Sports), and local sneaker boutiques.
2. **Follow Sneaker News Accounts:** Follow reputable sneaker news accounts on X (Twitter) and Instagram (e.g., @SneakerNews, @SoleCollector, @J23app). They provide up-to-the-minute drop links, raffle information, and restock alerts.
3. **Be Prepared on Release Day:**
* Have accounts created and signed in on all relevant retailer websites/apps.
* Ensure your payment and shipping information is pre-saved and correct.
* Be online and ready *before* the official drop time.
4. **Join Cook Groups (with caution):** Some paid “cook groups” offer detailed release guidance, monitors, and sometimes even auto-checkout slots. Research thoroughly before joining, as quality varies.
5. **Patience on Resale (Risky):** Sometimes, resale prices dip slightly a few weeks after the initial hype if the market gets saturated or a less-limited-than-expected number of pairs were released. However, for a shoe like the AJ4 Paris Olympic, a significant dip is unlikely.
6. **Local Marketplaces (High Risk):** Platforms like Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp might have sellers, but the risk of encountering fakes is much higher. Only deal locally, meet in safe public places, and be very confident in your legit-checking skills.
## Authenticity Guide
With high-value sneakers, counterfeit versions are unfortunately common. Here are general tips for spotting fake Air Jordan 4s (specific details for the “Paris Olympic” colorway will become clearer post-release, but these AJ4 basics apply):
1. **Overall Shape and Proportions:** Authentic AJ4s have a distinct silhouette. Fakes often get the toe box shape wrong (too boxy or too slim), or the overall stance looks off. Compare with official Nike images.
2. **Stitching Quality:** Genuine Jordans have neat, tight, and consistent stitching. Look for sloppy, uneven, or frayed stitching on fakes.
3. **Material Quality:** The “Paris Olympic” is expected to use premium materials. Fakes often use cheaper-feeling leather/suede/nubuck that might look or feel plasticky and may have a strong chemical smell.
4. **Tongue Tag:**
* The “Flight” script should be cleanly embroidered.
* The Jumpman logo should be well-proportioned with distinct fingers and shoe laces.
* The stitching around the tag should be neat.
5. **Netting:** The plastic netting on the side panels and at the base of the tongue should be well-cut and properly aligned. On fakes, it can be flimsy, poorly cut, or have incorrect spacing.
6. **Heel Tab:**
* The Jumpman logo or Nike Air branding (depending on the specific AJ4 model – the Paris Olympic will likely have a Jumpman) should be crisp and well-defined.
* The pull tab itself should be sturdy. Fakes often have flimsy tabs or poorly molded logos.
7. **Box and Label:**
* The box should be sturdy, with correct colors and branding.
* The label on the box should have the correct font, SKU (style code), size, and barcode. Compare this to official images or known authentic pairs. Misspellings or incorrect fonts are red flags.
8. **Insole and Footbed:** Check the printing on the insole (Jumpman or Nike Air logo). Beneath the insole, the stitching on the footbed should be neat.
9. **Price:** If a deal seems too good to be true (e.g., significantly below retail before release or well below established resale after release), it almost certainly is a fake.
When buying resale, always purchase from reputable platforms that offer authentication services like StockX, GOAT, or eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee.
## Conclusion
Okay, so these Air Jordan 4 Paris shoes are really cool. Lots of people want them. They will cost around $225 in regular stores, but they will be hard to get! If you don’t get them there, people will sell them for much more money online. To find a good price, try to win them in store raffles. Or, be very fast when they first go on sale. Make sure you buy real ones, not fakes. Check them carefully. Good luck getting your cool new sneakers!
