Union Jordan 4 Kicks Take Color Blocking to Level 2!
The Union Jordan 4 collaboration launched on August 29, 2020, in Off-Noir and Guava Ice colorways priced at $250 retail per pair. Designed by Chris Gibbs’ Los Angeles boutique, these kicks take color blocking to level 2. Folded tongues, translucent wings, and yellowed midsoles define both silhouettes.
- Release Date & Retail: August 29, 2020, at $250 retail for both Off-Noir (DC9533-001) and Guava Ice (DC9533-800) pairs.
- 2018 Predecessor Benchmarks: November 2018 Storm Blue ($2,500 average) and Black Toe ($2,080 average) pairs originally retailed at $190.
- Construction Signatures: Stitched-down foldable nylon tongue, solid-panel collar mesh, and pre-aged Muslin polyurethane midsole.
- Resale Fee Spread: 8% on eBay to 12% combined fees on StockX for $550 to $750 secondary market pairs.
How Did the 2018 AJ1 Pack Set the Stage for the 2020 Sequel?
Before previewing its second capsule in January 2020, the Los Angeles boutique reshaped Air Jordan retro design in November 2018. That inaugural 2018 high-top collaboration stitched two original 1985 colorways together. Exposed zigzag yellow thread connected the mismatched ankle collars. Both November 2018 releases carried a $190 retail price tag across boutique and SNKRS raffles.
The Storm Blue edition paired a white and blue lower body with a black and red collar. According to Storm Blue listings on GOAT, deadstock pairs trade near a $2,500 resale average. Meanwhile, the companion Black Toe edition combined a white, black, and red base with a grey suede ankle. Per Black Toe market data on GOAT, that second 2018 colorway averages $2,080 per pair across adult sizes.
What Defines the Off-Noir and Guava Ice Color Blocking?
Two years after the 2018 debut, the Union Jordan 4 pack arrived on August 29, 2020, for $250 retail per pair. Rather than mimicking vintage thrift-store splicing, Chris Gibbs blended thick cowhide suede with breathable ballistic mesh. Translucent TPU lace wings and vintage Muslin midsoles anchor both August 2020 editions. Yellowed midsoles give both pairs an aged 1989 appearance straight out of the box.
On the Off-Noir colorway (DC9533-001), charcoal black suede wraps the mudguard and quarter panels. Brigantine Blue padded mesh fills the ankle collar alongside Crimson red upper lace crowns. Conversely, the boutique-exclusive Guava Ice edition (DC9533-800) pairs dusty pink suede uppers with Fusion Red collar mesh. Cobalt blue lace cages contrast against the cream outsole on the Guava Ice build. Classic Nike Air heel tabs finish the rear counter on both pairs.
Why Did Chris Gibbs Stitch Down the Tongue on the AJ4?
The most debated detail on the August 2020 pack is its shortened, folded-over nylon tongue. Chris Gibbs folded the oversized 1989 tongue forward and tacked it down with removable thread. That modification prevents the tall shin guard from pushing out the bottom cuff of straight-leg trousers. Folding the tongue also brings the interior woven Air Jordan tag onto the exterior instep.
Wearers who prefer Tinker Hatfield’s original 1989 proportions can snip the single tacking thread with a seam ripper. Unfolding the padded foam tongue reveals the standard embossed Jumpman patch without damaging the nylon backing. Replacing the traditional plastic quarter netting with tight mesh backing further distinguishes the 2020 build. That structural change separates the pack from inline 2020 drops like the Jordan 5 Bel-Air.
How Do the 2018 and 2020 LA Boutique Releases Compare?
Comparing the November 2018 and August 2020 capsules shows how retail prices and distribution tiers evolved. In 2018, both high-top colorways launched at $190 retail before surging past $2,000 on the secondary market. By August 29, 2020, retail pricing increased by $60 to $250 per pair. Heavy suede panels and custom molded wing tooling drove that $250 price tier.
Distribution also split between the two August 2020 colorways. While the Off-Noir pair received a wider global launch after the August 29, 2020 boutique drop, the Guava Ice edition remained a boutique exclusive. Full family sizing also accompanied the Off-Noir drop in preschool and toddler runs. The comparison table below details the exact style codes, launch dates, retail prices, and aftermarket averages across all four pairs.
| Collaborative Model | Style Code | Release Date | Retail / Resale Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| AJ4 Retro Off-Noir | DC9533-001 | August 29, 2020 | $250 retail / $620 to $750 |
| AJ4 Retro Guava Ice | DC9533-800 | August 29, 2020 | $250 retail / $580 to $720 |
| AJ1 Retro High Storm Blue | BV1300-146 | November 17, 2018 | $190 retail / $2,500 avg |
| AJ1 Retro High Black Toe | BV1300-106 | November 17, 2018 | $190 retail / $2,080 avg |
What Are the Resale Prices and Seller Fees for Both Colorways?
Secondary market valuations for the Union Jordan 4 duo remain more accessible than the $2,080 to $2,500 2018 high-tops. Still, both August 2020 releases more than double their $250 retail price tag. Deadstock Off-Noir pairs trade between $620 and $750 across men’s sizes 8 to 12 per marketplace data. Meanwhile, the Guava Ice colorway averages $580 to $720 depending on box condition.
Keeping the factory tongue stitching intact preserves a $40 to $75 resale premium over pairs where the tongue thread has been cut.
Sellers listing either August 2020 pair must factor in platform commission rates. Athletic shoes sold for $150 or more carry an 8% final value fee on eBay authenticated listings. Level 1 sellers on StockX pay a 9% fee plus 3% payment processing and $4 shipping per StockX seller fee rules. The table below compares net payouts across both 2020 and 2018 pairs.
| Model & Platform | Assumed Sale Price | Seller Fee Structure | Estimated Net Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Off-Noir AJ4 on eBay (>$150) | $680 ($250 retail) | 8% flat final value fee ($54.40) | $625.60 |
| Off-Noir AJ4 on StockX (L1) | $680 ($250 retail) | 9% + 3% + $4 ($85.60) | $594.40 |
| Storm Blue AJ1 on eBay (>$150) | $2,500 ($190 retail) | 8% flat final value fee ($200) | $2,300.00 |
| Black Toe AJ1 on StockX (L1) | $2,080 ($190 retail) | 9% + 3% + $4 ($253.60) | $1,826.40 |
How Do These Collaborative AJ4 Pairs Fit and Release?
Sizing on the August 2020 pack runs slightly snug through the forefoot due to thick suede overlays. Buyers with standard D-width feet can order true to size. However, wide-footed wearers should go up 0.5 size to prevent pinky-toe rubbing. On SNKRS releases, randomized 10-minute draws select winning entries after the countdown closes per Nike SNKRS draw guidelines.
- Authentication Checks: Verify that the gold UN/LA lateral tab sits directly beneath the translucent wing and that the suede nap has a rough, fibrous texture.
- Domain Raffles: Boutique launches frequently use custom password pages and color-box captcha questions before checkout.
- Checkout Automation: Multi-site AIO bot platforms including Valor AIO, Cybersole, Stellar AIO, and NikeShoeBot manage parallel checkout tasks across Shopify and retail portals.
Preserving the extra gold laces and special-edition Jordan face tissue paper inside the box ensures full collector value.
Can you unstitch the folded tongue on the August 2020 releases?
Yes, the nylon tongue is held down by a single removable thread. Snipping that stitch with a seam ripper lets the tongue stand up to its standard 1989 height.
Which 2020 colorway was a boutique exclusive?
The Guava Ice colorway (DC9533-800) released exclusively through the boutique’s webstore and Tokyo doors on August 29, 2020. Meanwhile, the Off-Noir pair also dropped globally on Nike SNKRS.
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