SOLE COLLECTOR: Sneakers

Not to be outdone by the white/blue Air Jordan IV Retro sample, here is a white/red one. This just like the white/blue did not make the final cut. We do not know why and I for one would've loved for this to have been released. But as the story goes, some good things are left undone. That's exactly what we have here as we take a look at something you definetly will not see everyday.

As many should already know when a shoe is being tossed around for release many colorways are thought upon. As Gentry stated in his interview in issue 22 of Sole Collector colorways are made but not all of them make the cut. So what are these unreleased sneakers called? They're called samples due to the fact they are made to give the designers an idea of how something will look and it they think it will work or not.

Want a little bit of thunder? How about a little bit of lightning!? Well to go along with the "Thunder and Lightning" theme we also get this Air Jordan IV retro. These came packaged with a matching t-shirt and retailed for $250. Again not available in stores and only online to Team Jordan members. These like its "thunder" counterparts sold out instantly.

With the return of the Air Jordan IV retro in 2006 it's only proper that we get a lifestyle colorway. This being the first Air Jordan IV retro to be labeled as "LS," we get a very unique colorway. While the colorway is new we get a little bet of an original vibe as well. The speckled midsole that was originally on the white/black Air Jordan IV. Another unique feature to this is that the black/yellow Jumpman tag on the tonue is actually removable via velcro. If you detach it underneath in the velcro it says "Jordan Rare Air."

As the legacy continues, so does online exclusives. For the second time we get an online release for the Air Jordan IV retro. They are dubbed "Thunder" as the theme this time around is the "Thunder" and "Lightning" packages. They like all Jordan online releases are exclusive only to Team Jordan members and would not be available in stores.

As retros continue so does the Jordan Lifestyle line. This colorway nicknamed the "mist blue" Air Jordan IV Retro was named after the specific name of one of the colors of this model. These like all LS models had matching apparel come out to coincide with the release. They also have the now traditional $10 pricetag markup like all current LS releases do.

With all the hype of the "fire red" Air Jordan IV Retro Laser online exclusive, we all get another. This time it hit stores but as a very limited release only to a very select few urban accounts. Although they did not come as a package set, they did retail at $175 just like the online release was.

In continuing the tradition of commemorating Spike Lee for everything he has done for Jordan Brand, the "fire red" Air Jordan IV Retro gets a little twist. An added Mars Blackmon face laser printed on the side of the shoe makes it unique. Other than this only one other Air Jordan IV was retroed with the Mars face laser printed on the side. That being the Jordan Motorsports exclusive fourth year Air Jordan IV retro.

With 2005 being the twentieth anniversary of the Air Jordan, Jordan Brand brings out a special edition of the Air Jordan IV. Taken from the design inspiration of the Air Jordan XX, the retro Air Jordan IV contains laser print all over the shoe. This was also a very important release in Jordan Brand history as it was the second online exclusive package to date.

In 2006 we see the return of the "fire red" Mars inspired Air Jordan Retro IV, so what better than to retro the final original colorway left. So last but not least we get the final Air Jordan IV Retro of this year, and it's the original "military blue." While many complained due to the rubber wing tabs and the Jumpman logo on the back but who can really be mad?

To go along with the "Black Cat" theme, we also have the "Pure $" theme. Basically like the Yin to the Yang, this theme is white-based. Very similiar to the "Bling, Bling" Air Jordan IV Retro+ of 2000, the differences are there. This time instead of having perforated holes where the original mesh netting once was, the netting is back.

What better of a way to kick off the summer then by retroing the Air Jordan IV once again. White a white based shoe with accents of green and a chrome Jumpman on back, this shoe is perfect for the warm weather and shorts. These also were bumped up from $100 which was the price when the Air Jordan IV was previously retroed in 2000 to $110.