The Air Jordan Retro 4 black Red cement 2012 is well over a decade old now, and that changes how you buy it. Hype no longer carries this shoe. Condition, sizing accuracy, and storage history do.
If you are stocking it for a US shop or an online storefront, treat it like vintage inventory with a written checklist. This guide covers what the shoe actually is, how it stacks up against the 2019 and 2024 Bred 4 releases, which wear points kill value, and how to screen lots Before you commit cash.
What This Colorway Actually Is
Jordan Brand released this colorway in late 2012 as part of its holiday retro run, and it cleared retail shelves quickly. The build is black nubuck on the upper with cement grey accents, a white midsole, and Fire Red branding on the tongue and heel. Most of your customers will search for it as the Bred 4.
The material spec is what matters for resale. Nubuck, not full-grain leather, means the upper shows nap rub, dye fade, and water stains. A pair that photographed well under warehouse lighting can look tired in daylight, so never grade from a low-resolution photo.
2012 vs 2019 vs 2024: Know Which Pair You Are Paying For
Three Bred 4 retros dominate the secondary market, and they are not interchangeable. Mixing them up means paying 2012 money for a 2024 pair, or the reverse.
| Release | Upper | Midsole and outsole | Wear to inspect | Best fit for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Retro | Black nubuck, cement grey accents | White foam midsole, visible Air unit | Paint cracking, separation, yellowed netting | Collectors and nostalgia buyers |
| 2019 Retro | Nubuck, closer to original shape | White midsole, updated tooling | Sole yellowing, heel drag | Everyday rotation buyers |
| 2024 Bred Reimagined | Smooth black leather | White midsole, leather build | Toe box creasing, surface scuffs | Customers who want low maintenance |
For a Store, the Air Jordan Retro 4 Black Red Cement 2012 is a nostalgia sale. Shoppers who wanted it in high school now have disposable income and will pay for a clean pair with the original box. The Reimagined version is the easier sell to walk-in traffic because leather tolerates wear.
A size 10 with clean midsoles and a box lid moves faster than the same shoe in a size 13 with no lid. Price by size and condition, not by the average of the lot.
Condition Checks That Decide the Grade
Age shows up in predictable places on this model. Work through the list below with the pair in hand, or on a video call if you are buying remotely. Static photos hide too much.
- Midsole paint. Cracking and flaking along the foam is normal at this age. Repainted midsoles are common and should be disclosed before you buy.
- Midsole separation. Press the edge of the sole at the toe and heel. Any lift means a reglue or a pass.
- Nubuck nap. Rub a side panel with a dry finger. Bald, shiny patches mean the upper was scrubbed or worn hard.
- Netting and tongue. Yellowed netting, curled tongue edges, and crushed padding are difficult to reverse.
- Interior and tags. Insole print wear tells you real mileage. Check the size tag and production dates for consistency.
- Box and extras. Original box, retro card, and spare laces support the story and the asking price.
Write the grade on the box and keep it in your listing. A pair sold as excellent that arrives with sole separation costs you a return label, a refund, and possibly a chargeback.
Fit and Sizing Notes for Your Customers
Most buyers find this pair true to size in US men's sizing, close to later AJ4 retros. Wide-footed customers often go up a half size because the plastic wings and the toe box pinch. Nothing about the 2012 mold makes it run dramatically long or short.
The bigger issue is foam age. A 2012 pair has a compressed, hardened midsole compared with a fresh pair, so the same size can feel tighter underfoot. Sizing on the Air Jordan Retro 4 Black Red Cement 2012 rarely surprises people, but comfort expectations do. Say so up front and you cut down on exchanges.
Sourcing Lots Without Getting Burned
Pairs from this release mostly surface through trade-ins, consignment, collection buyouts, and mixed liquidation lots. Clean single-owner pairs are the exception, not the rule. Plan on sorting heavily and pricing the weak pairs out.
Ask every seller for the same five things: dated photos of both shoes, a clear shot of each size tag, sole and midsole close-ups, box condition, and storage history. Sellers who cannot produce them are telling you something useful.
When you buy ten or twenty pairs of the Air Jordan Retro 4 Black Red Cement 2012 at once, treat the lot as a blended average and assume two or three are unsellable. Build that assumption into your offer before you negotiate.
Lot sizes on older retros usually range from a handful of pairs to a few hundred, depending on the source. Minimums, payment terms, and shipping vary by supplier, so confirm everything in writing. If the lot ships from outside the US, ask a customs broker about duties and clearance rather than relying on a supplier's summary.
Pricing Logic and Hold Risk
Price the Air Jordan Retro 4 Black Red Cement 2012 off recent sold listings for the exact size and condition, not off asking prices. Asking prices on older retros sit high and often never convert. Sold data tells you what the market clears.
Then subtract acquisition cost, authentication fees if you use a service, cleaning supplies, photography time, platform fees, and a reserve for returns. On a decade-old pair, that reserve is not optional.
Hold time matters too. A clean size 9 to 11 with the box can sit for months waiting for the right buyer, while extreme sizes need a discount to move. Keep the slow sizes small in quantity.
Authenticity Red Flags
Replica makers have had more than a decade to copy this release, and aged fakes are harder to catch than new ones. Focus on the geometry of the shoe rather than the logos. The cement grey print on the heel and wings should align cleanly with the panel edges, and the stitching should be even and tight.
Compare tongue height, the shape of the heel tab, and the spacing of the netting windows against verified photos of known-legit pairs. On a large lot, run a sample through a professional authentication service. A second opinion costs far less than a bad buy.
FAQ
Is the 2012 pair true to size?
Yes, most buyers take their normal US size, and wide-footed customers often size up a half. Because the midsole foam has aged, the shoe can feel snugger than a current retro in the same size. Mention that in every listing.
Do the 2012 midsoles crumble?
Polyurethane midsoles from this era can crack, flake, and separate, though full crumbling is less common than on some older runners. Store pairs away from heat and direct sunlight, and inspect the toe and heel glue lines before each sale.
How do I tell a 2012 pair from a 2019 or 2024 pair?
Start with the production dates on the size tag, then check the upper. The 2024 Bred Reimagined uses smooth leather, while the 2012 and 2019 pairs use nubuck. Box labels and toe box shape give you a second confirmation.
Should I stock the 2012 pair or the 2024 Reimagined?
They serve different buyers. The older pair appeals to collectors and carries more condition risk. The Reimagined is easier to sell and easier to keep clean. Stock both if your traffic supports it and let condition set the price.
What should I ask a supplier before buying a bulk lot?
Request dated photos, size tags, sole close-ups, storage history, and the return policy for pairs that fail inspection. Get lot size, unit price, and shipping terms in writing. Confirm duties with a customs broker if the shipment crosses a border.
Ready to build out a retro Jordan section without overcommitting? Send over your target size run, condition minimums, and rough quantity, and we will come back with current availability and a quote you can compare against your own comps.