A yellow trainer is easy to get wrong. Too bright and it becomes a highlighter. Too pale and it begins to look apologetic. J Balvin’s latest Jordan 4 lands precisely where it should.
The entire shoe arrives in layered shades of lemonade yellow, with crocodile-textured leather running across the upper. It is tonal, but not flat; every panel catches the light a little differently.
The colour draws on Medellín sunsets and Colombia’s Caño Cristales river. The details keep it personal: “JUST DO IT.” and “SOLO HAZLO.” appear on the lace dubraes, while one heel carries Nike Air and the other Balvin’s upside-down smile.
He first wore the pair during the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup, which is an admirably enormous way to debut a shoe.
I love a Jordan with a strong, simple idea, and “make the whole thing the colour of lemonade” is a very good one. The texture stops it feeling childish; the softness of the yellow makes it surprisingly wearable.
The J Balvin x Air Jordan 4 “Lemonade” is due on 25 September through SNKRS and selected Jordan retailers.
Verdict: sunny, strange and much easier to wear than it has any right to be.
See the closer look ↗