You know the feeling when you open a sneaker box and that specific scent of factory glue and fresh materials hits you? It’s a drug. For anyone who grew up watching grainy VHS tapes of the 1989 NBA Playoffs, that smell is synonymous with one specific shoe. The Jordan 4 Black Cement.
It’s been decades since Michael Jordan hovered in the air over Craig Ehlo in Cleveland, but the shoe hasn't aged a day. Kinda wild, right? We’re sitting here in 2026, and people are still losing their minds over a silhouette designed by an architect nearly 40 years ago. But honestly, there’s a lot of confusion about what this shoe actually is versus what the internet says it is.
The Identity Crisis: Black Cement or Bred?
If you walk into a sneaker boutique today and call them "Breds," nobody is going to kick you out. But if you're talking to an OG collector—someone who was actually around for the '89 drop or the '99 retro—they’re going to call them the Black Cements.
Why? Because back in the late 80s, Nike didn't use the term "Bred." That’s a nickname that gained steam in the mid-2000s, mostly on forums like NikeTalk and ISS. The official colorway on the box was always Black/Cement Grey/Fire Red. Basically, "Bred" is just shorthand for Black and Red, but "Black Cement" refers to the specific shade of grey used on the eyelets and the midsole.
It’s a distinction that matters to purists.
Tinker Hatfield's Architecture on Your Feet
Tinker Hatfield, the guy who basically saved the Jordan line, didn't just want a pretty shoe. He wanted a tank. The Air Jordan 4 was a massive departure from the 3. He added these "wings" on the side for lace support and introduced over-molded mesh for breathability.
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People hated the mesh at first. They thought it looked cheap.
The Black Cement version, specifically, utilized a synthetic nubuck called Durabuck. It was tougher than the leather used on the White Cements, which is probably why MJ chose them for the road games. That Durabuck finish gives the shoe its signature matte look—it absorbs light rather than reflecting it. It’s moody. It’s aggressive. It looks like it belongs on a basketball court where people are actually getting hit in the paint.
The Reimagined Twist of 2024
We have to talk about the 2024 "Reimagined" release because it changed the DNA of the shoe. Nike decided to ditch the traditional nubuck and go with a full-grain leather upper.
- The Pro: Leather is way easier to clean. If you get caught in the rain in a pair of 2019 nubuck Black Cements, you’re basically cooked.
- The Con: It just isn't the original vibe.
Some fans felt betrayed. Others, like the folks who actually wear their shoes every day, loved the durability. The 2024 version also fixed the "pinky toe killer" issue. If you've ever worn a pair of 4s for more than four hours, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The internal padding was adjusted to make them actually walkable.
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How to Spot the Fakes in 2026
The market is flooded with "super fakes" now. It’s scary. You can’t just look at the "Nike Air" on the heel anymore because the factories in Putian have mastered that.
Check the netting. On a real pair of Jordan 4 Black Cements, the netting on the side panels should run parallel to the "wings," not straight up and down. If that mesh is vertical, run away. Also, the "tongue pop" is real. The tongue on a legit pair should stay upright and firm. If it’s floppy or feels like thin cardboard, you’re looking at a replica.
The scent test still works, too. Real Jordans have a very specific, almost chemical-sweet smell. Fakes often smell like harsh gasoline or cheap rubber glue.
Why They’re an Investment (Even the Beaters)
Look at the data from platforms like StockX or GOAT. Every time a Black Cement 4 drops, the price dips for about six months and then starts a steady climb. The 2019 pair, which featured the original "Nike Air" branding, has skyrocketed.
It's one of the few shoes that holds value even when used. A "VNDS" (Very Near Deadstock) pair of Black Cements can still fetch 80% of the brand-new price. People want the history. They want to feel like they’re part of "The Shot."
Actionable Steps for Collectors
If you’re looking to add these to your rotation, don't just jump on the first "steal" you see on Instagram.
- Check the Production Date: Look at the size tag inside the shoe. Cross-reference the style code (usually something like FV5029-006 for the Reimagined) with official release databases.
- Inspect the Stars: Flip the shoe over. The stars on the toe of the outsole should be crisp and defined. On fakes, they often look like blurry blobs.
- The Heel Tab Snap: Pull the heel tab back and let it go. It should snap back instantly. If it moves slowly or feels gummy, the plastic quality is off.
- Buy the 2019 if You Want the Look: If you care about the matte nubuck look, the 2019 retro is the one to save up for.
- Buy the 2024 if You Want to Wear Them: If you’re going to be walking 10,000 steps a day, the leather Reimagined pair is objectively the better "shoe," even if it loses some of the 1989 nostalgia.
The Jordan 4 Black Cement isn't just a sneaker. It's a 37-year-old piece of performance art that still works with a pair of baggy jeans or tailored joggers. It's the ultimate "if you know, you know" flex.
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To keep your pair in top shape, avoid using heavy liquid cleaners on the nubuck versions; instead, use a dry suede brush and a brass bristle brush to reset the nap of the material. For the leather Reimagined pairs, a simple damp microfiber cloth will handle 90% of the dirt you'll encounter on the street. Always store them with cedar shoe trees to maintain that notoriously difficult-to-preserve toe box shape.