End of An Era: Enter Air Jordan 8, Exit MJ
The Air Jordan 8 holds a lot of sentimental significance to running shoe enthusiasts and collectors. It first released in 1993–the year of MJ's "three-peat" championship season. The AJ XIII is also distinguished for being the last shoe Michael Jordan wore before his first retirement.
Air Jordan 8 OG (Original) Collection
For its debut, three colourways were released:
- Jordan VIII All-Star Aqua (Black/Bright Concord/Aqua Tone)
- Jordan VIII Bugs Bunny (White/Black/True Red)
- Jordan VIII Playoff (Black/Black/True Red)
During his final year before retiring, Jordan wore the Bugs Bunny colourway throughout the regular season. He transitioned to the black colourway for the NBA Playoffs. The team once again advanced to the NBA Championships and beat the Phoenix Suns to secure their third consecutive Finals Championship. Jordan wrapped up his career (until he reemerged) as the NBA Finals MVP for the third time.
Air Jordan 8 Retros: A Decade Brings Fresh Looks
The first Air Jordan 8 Retro was released in 2013, ten years after the OG model's debut. Two of these retros retained the OG's classic shape, and two introduced the Jordan 8 Retro Low. Unlike its predecessor, the Retro Low features a low-top silhouette and one cross-strap detail around the laces. Otherwise, the new iteration of the Jordan 8 remains true to the shoe's original integrity. This launch includes four colourways:
- Air Jordan VIII Retro Bugs Bunny
- Air Jordan VIII Retro Chrome
- Air Jordan VIII Retro Low Chrome
- Air Jordan VIII Retro Low Playoff
With its first release since 2003, the updated Air Jordan 8 Retro Chrome launched again in December 2015. It was the first non-original colourway debut in the Jordan 8
Air Jordan 8 Design and Construction
The AJ VIII features a two cross-strap design around the laces, which distinguishes it from other Air Jordan models and retains its legacy as a signature '90s running shoe style. The silhouette is renowned for its iconic chenille tongue graphic design.
When the Jordan 8 Retro Low was introduced in 2003, it featured a low-top silhouette and one cross-strap detail around the laces. Otherwise, it maintained the Jordan 8's original design integrity.
Air Jordan 8: Retros Revisited
In 2007, the Jordan 8 Retro LS Peapod colourway was also released in September 2007. The three original OG colourways also resurfaced:
- Air Jordan 8 Retro Aqua. This retro was released in September 2007 and again in November 2005.
- Air Jordan 8 Retro Bugs Bunny. This model saw its first rerelease in November 2008 in a Countdown Pack with the Jordan 15 Retro and got rereleased in April 2013.
- Air Jordan 8 Retro Playoff. It was first rereleased in December 2007 and again in June 2013 to honour the 20th anniversary of the 1993 NBA Finals.
In 2013 and 2015, three new models debuted:
- Air Jordan 8 Retro Phoenix Suns. This colourway was released in May 2013 and was inspired by the team the Chicago Bulls defeated during the 1993 NBA Finals.
- Air Jordan 8 Retro DB Doernbecher, Released in November 2014. It was designed by Caden Lampert, a patient at the OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital, as part of the Doernbecher Freestyle collection.
- Air Jordan 8 Retro Three Times a Charm. Also known as Three-Peat, this model came out in October 2015 and features the team colours of the Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns.
Air Jordan 8 Retro Trophy & Confetti Pack
For its 2016 Championship Pack, the Jordan Brand released two festive colourways:
- Confetti. Featuring black, metallic gold and anthracite detailing, the style celebrates the Bulls' victories with the words "World Champions" and "Again and Again" inscribed.
- Air Jordan 8 Retro C&C Trophy. Also referred to as Champagne, this colourway features a white and metallic gold design.
Air Jordan 8 Retro OVO Collection
Jordan collaborated with Drake to create a two-colourway pack featuring OVO's signature Owl logo, and a red Jumpman logo accent. Both the White and Black colourways feature gold accents and were released in February 2018 during the NBA All-Star Weekend.
Air Jordan 8 Retro PE Models
In 2008, the Jordan Brand launched its first two Player Exclusives, followed by two more in 2015 and 2016. Roughly only 24 pairs of each colourway were available:
- Air Jordan 8 Retro Ray Allen. Designed for Boston Celtics player 'Sugar Ray' Allen, the black and stealth clover colourway has the esteemed athlete's nickname written along the side. Released in February 2008.
- Air Jordan 8 Retro Q-Rich. Celebrating New York Knicks player Quentin Richardson, the design features a white body with blue and orange accents and features the player's initials and jersey number Q 23 on the side. It was also released in February 2008.
- Air Jordan 8 Retro Kentucky Madness PE. Debuting in February 2015, the style mixes black, fire red and royal blue.
- Air Jordan 8 Retro Kobe Bryant PE. The Air Jordan 3/8 Kobe Pack debuted in 2016. It never had an official public release, it's one of the rarest Air Jordan 8 colourways.
AJ 8s with the Highest Resale Values
- All-Star Aqua (OG)
- Bugs Bunny (OG)
- Playoff (OG)
- Retro Chrome
- Retro Sugar Ray PE
- Retro Q-Rich PE
- Retro DB Doernbecher
- Retro LS Peapod
- Retro OVO White & Gold
- Retro OVO Black & Gold
- Retro C&C Trophy
Cultural Relevance of the Air Jordan VIII
Kayne West has been spotted sporting the Aqua colourway, and Drake wore the Air Jordan 8 Retro Kentucky Madness PE running shoe to Kentucky Basketball's Big Blue Madness in October 2017.
The Bugs Bunny colourway became a pop culture icon in a 90-second promotional clip for the 1996 hit movie, Space Jam. The cartoon featured the MVP star and Looney Tunes character Marvin the Martian.
The AJ 8 has rocked it in music videos too. The Air Jordan 8 Retro Women's Aqua model was featured in the hit song Crank That by rapper Soulja Boy Tell 'Em. And the Air Jordan 8 Retro OVO White & Gold version made a cameo in Drake's Look Alive.
Caring for Your Air Jordan 8s
If your AJ 8s are leather, a simple wiping will do. However, for styles featuring Nubuck or suede, avoid water and gently remove dirt and surface stains with a suede brush.
