In Retrospect: Air Jordan 8 Aqua
 The Air Jordan 8 will make a comeback in November as a one half of the Jordan 15/8 Countdown Pack bringing the third and final original colorway of the Air Jordan 8 to release in just over a year.
One year ago today, the Jordan 8 Aqua retro released for the first time since its original release just after the 1993 NBA All-Star Game. Also, a women’s “aqua” colorway was released with a white color base and reflective 3M back panel. Though the shoes appeared to sell through at retail stores, we noticed that one can carefully find a pair on eBay for only a few dollars over the retail price of $140. Looking back in retrospect what do you think of these Air Jordans? Did you purchase or pass? Any regrets either way? Share your thoughts after the jump. |
In Retrospect: Air Jordan 8 Aqua
In Retrospect: Womens Air Jordan 8 Aqua
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I copped both of them and I’m glad i did. They are both great shoes. I love the way they look and i have got mad compliments on both.
Comment by Bfrosty00 — September 22, 2008 @ 10:54 am
I passed on both and am happy I did. Will pass again no matter what.
Comment by The Dude From Delaware — September 22, 2008 @ 11:00 am
I copped the aquas but missed out on get the womens one. to be honest i liked the women’s colorway better but couldn’t find a W13/M11.5. i thought the aquas would sell out completely but seeing how you can get them on ebay for just a few over retail, i dont know whether to say Jordan Brand is overstocking the market with mass production or conclude that jordans just dont sell like the used to like back in day (99-01)
Comment by CHUNGBOB — September 22, 2008 @ 11:04 am
I got the Aquas and they are my most frequently wore Jordan besides my Black 5s, the only problem I’m having with mines is that the paint on the midsole is cracking now.
Comment by Retro3 — September 22, 2008 @ 11:06 am
the aquas is classics i wouldnt waste my money on those other colorways id leave those for the newbies….. enjoy
Comment by regthagreat13 — September 22, 2008 @ 11:06 am
Classic Jordans!! The only Jordan VIIIs I copped. They should of made ‘em LS just like the grapes.
Comment by sneaker los — September 22, 2008 @ 11:09 am
I purchased them in April when Finishline restocked. I had no intent on buying them until i thought the moment had passed. I have yet to rock them. I think I’d like to own two pair before doing so. If not, I may rock them 4 years from now when they’re just a memory to some.
Comment by J.King — September 22, 2008 @ 11:14 am
Copped mad pairs!
Beautiful shoe.
Comment by Youngphantom09 — September 22, 2008 @ 11:14 am
nah, i passed on these, but they ARE beautiful.
Comment by C$ — September 22, 2008 @ 11:19 am
These are the freshest of all the J’s I love the 8’s
Comment by gman — September 22, 2008 @ 11:23 am
I bought a pair of the Aquas and I’m not sure how happy I am about it a year later. For me they’re easily the best colourway, but as time has passed I’ve actually gone off the shoe a little. It’s a bit difficult to know how to wear them and I think my tastes have changed over the last twelve months, where I lean more towards the less ‘out there’ Jordans.
However, I’m glad I own a pair and do enjoy wearing them when I do. I’ve actually started to wear them to play basketball in since myself and a group of friends are having a renaissance. And yeah, the midsole paint has started to crack on mine as well…
Comment by Dan Love — September 22, 2008 @ 11:32 am
easily one of my fave jays. copped only mens and regretted not buyinv two pairs. the most comfortable of all jays also
Comment by fraze — September 22, 2008 @ 11:45 am
I grabbed the Aquas a few months early, but am still kinda mad I didn’t get one pair to put on ice. I do have a sz 11 on my watch list now though after thinking about these.
I am surprised that it has been a year already since they released…
Comment by Nice Kicks — September 22, 2008 @ 11:46 am
I bought my pair for 100$ barely used and I have a second pair that are deadstock coming in the mail that I’m going to keep on ice for a few years….These are truely classics and it’ll be a VERY long time before they’re retroed again,give it at least 4 years till people will be going crazy looking for a pair thus raising the market value on these……Easily top 10 kicks of all time
Comment by Brooklyn — September 22, 2008 @ 11:58 am
one of the best, whats the colorway of the upcoming colleziones for these
Comment by Shoepa man — September 22, 2008 @ 12:14 pm
The Upcoming colorway for the CDP is the White/Black-True Red colorway from ‘03
Comment by Richard — September 22, 2008 @ 12:24 pm
it was the shoe i waited for all year. the aquas. the only jordan in that color. he wore em to the all stars. i couldn’t pass on that. i got mines off eastbay, but the quality in the pair was disappointing. a few strings loose, and my pair was not perfect, easily the worst quality i’ve bought from eastbay, not bad, the only worse quality i got from eastbay would be the playoffs, the leather had this crack’ish thing in it. but thats a different story. i will buy another pair so i can wear my aquas as much as i’d like to. i love this shoe. and that aqua color has become very popular so you can match it. i hate it when i see people wearing them and they fold the straps inward on the sides so they bend. it pisses me off and messes up the quality of the shoe, the straps will be permanently bent and they will hang. if you have a pair of these, take real good care of them. thia is the 2nd elease of them? or is it the 3rd? i think its the only retro to them, but anyway, you might never see these released again……………
Comment by BK-Big-Jay — September 22, 2008 @ 12:27 pm
I copped as a matter of fact I got them on right now as I am typing this up at school.
Comment by kings1703 — September 22, 2008 @ 12:28 pm
one of my favorite jays but they were so oversaturated. every where i looked there were aquas so i use mine for ball
Comment by Nasty_Naj — September 22, 2008 @ 12:39 pm
Nah..didn’t buy these but they are okay…Jordan’s come and go …so it is really isn’t that much to miss..
Comment by Pskila — September 22, 2008 @ 12:43 pm
I’m Glad I got My Aqua Pair. It’s My favorite colorway of the Jordan VIII. I didn’t get the women’s colorway. I usually only stick to OG colorways but i must admit the womens colorway was not that bad. I feel like the materials they used was no where near as good as the OG but still good none the less. I’ve only worn my retro pair 2x because i have an OG pair that i keep in a fairly normal rotation. What JB NEEDS to re-release is that bordeaux color of the Air Jordan VII!
Comment by OGJayB — September 22, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
classics!!! i had the original release when i was a freshman in high school. pissed my coach off because team colors red and white. sad to say did not buy the retros this time through, but i did buy the play off viii’s though. i am a sucker for black jordans with red highlights.
Comment by poe poe — September 22, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
I copped glad I did wish I cud of got Tha women to but didn’t have my size it sucks wearin a 13 sometimes cuz wen a bad azz color way for women I can’t get it
Comment by slim — September 22, 2008 @ 12:59 pm
The Aquas were a good buy. I messed up by passing on the playoff 8’s. Ya that was a bad idea.
Comment by KOBE 24 — September 22, 2008 @ 1:08 pm
bought the aquas and i ddnt regret why i did..
Comment by sneak'r'sole — September 22, 2008 @ 1:12 pm
waited in line for em.
just wanted to be the one to say i was one of the first to get em. yups
Comment by tvxl13 — September 22, 2008 @ 1:13 pm
happy i got a pair, it grew on me alot! but i have the same issue with the paint cracking on me as well, and didnt even play in them!
Comment by Vira — September 22, 2008 @ 1:28 pm
i got a few and im glad they werent limited
that was the first jordan i ever had as a kid and i was waiting for that one
those and the playoffs werent hard to get and i dont care how many ppl were able to get them. getting the grape V’s was one of the hardests hunts ive had and these are up there on the list to me. glad to avoid the struggle.
Comment by VeRs — September 22, 2008 @ 1:34 pm
classics!!! i had the original release when i was a freshman in high school. pissed my coach off because team colors red and white. sad to say did not buy the retros this time through, but i did buy the play off viii’s though. i am a sucker for black jordans with red highlights.
Comment by poe poe — September 22, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
poe poe gets instant respect!
Comment by J.King — September 22, 2008 @ 1:38 pm
I copped the women’s aquas, and in all honesty, was slightly dissapointed after rockin ‘em a few times. I thought they looked much hotter on the net than in person. Nonetheless, still happy I didn’t pass…
Comment by YB — September 22, 2008 @ 1:38 pm
My all-time favorite J’s the AQUA’S definitely copped & my feet are too big to get the women’s (sz 14)!!!!!!! If I had money like that I would of bought 3!!!
Comment by yoko — September 22, 2008 @ 1:44 pm
oh not 2 mention I had my lil’ buddy cop a pair too!!!! like father, like son that was a good 1st b-day for buddy!!!!
Comment by yoko — September 22, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
Copped the aquas, but haven’t worn them yet. I didn’t realize its been a year already.
Comment by Bmorekicks — September 22, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
i got both of dem, but trying to get rid of my sz 12 aquas and my sz W13/M11.5 womens aquas, lemme noe wut’s good , mcortes06@gmail.com get at me
Comment by mike — September 22, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
the shoe is sick, but i think it looks goofy on my feet. i copped, and they are on ice as we speak.
DAMN that year went fast as
Comment by mattferryhead — September 22, 2008 @ 2:02 pm
i passed on them and have regreted it ever since.
Comment by E-MAN — September 22, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
I got the aquas and the playoffs!!!! i miss on the womens colors…but im thinking og getting those on flightclub!!!
Comment by Air Jedi — September 22, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
Wow…that was a fast year! Anyway, I copped and my only regret was getting them a 1/2 size big because I couldn’t find a 7 (not GS) initially…
Keeping the 7.5 DS and looking for a reasonably priced sz 7 to rock …
Comment by nikeindabutt — September 22, 2008 @ 2:17 pm
i had the og’s when i was in 5th grade and loved em!!!! hadda re cop them last year!!!!!
Comment by Tyler — September 22, 2008 @ 2:17 pm
I DEFINITLY COPP’D TH3S3 LIK3 MOST OF YU MIN3 HAV3 CRACK3D SO IM THINK BOUT COPP’N A 2ND PAIR FROM KIXCLUSIVE.COM =] TH3 AQUASZ R MA FAV COLORWAY OF DA VIII BUT STYLL I COPP’D DA PLAYOFFSZ 2 XD….
Comment by JOZ3™ — September 22, 2008 @ 2:21 pm
yea i coped the aquas but the black colorway faded for some reason like really bad… and no they wernt FAKE.
Comment by chris — September 22, 2008 @ 2:25 pm
ya mine cracked too so s started to use them for ball, then i ordered a second pair too put on ice for a few
but i was heated, since i wear a 12.5 i couldnt get the girls cuz they dont make them that big and i really wanted them n still do
why do they not make a 12.5, they make a 11.5, 12, then a 13, but no 12.5 so i either wear to tight or too loose n it sucks no matter what
Comment by Chris — September 22, 2008 @ 2:59 pm
i copped and i regret it
Comment by alex2223 — September 22, 2008 @ 3:06 pm
Love the Aqua 8’s…anticipated the release of them for sooo long, my thirst was finally quenched copped 3 pair got 2 still on ice. I kill em with the Aquas and the Playoffs on the regular they are hott with pants or shorts. Word
Comment by AlwaysInJ's — September 22, 2008 @ 3:35 pm
i copped the real aquas and ill never let them go…i love them so much
Comment by bulldogskoleff — September 22, 2008 @ 4:05 pm
DEFINITELY COPPED EM!!!!! WAY TOO FRESH TO PASS ON EM CAUSE I DON’T HAVE THE OG’S… BUT I STILL HAVEN’T ROCKED EM YET… WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE AT MY SCHOOL WERE WEARING THEM WHEN THEY FIRST DROPPED SO I’M KEEPIN EM ON ICE TIL THE PERFECT OCCASSION!!!!!
Comment by BISO — September 22, 2008 @ 4:23 pm
IF I WAS ONLY GONNA PICK UP ONE PAIR OF 8′S THAT CAME OUT LAST YEAR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THESE AND I DID ALONG WITH 4 OTHER PAIRS OF 8′S THESE ARE ONE OF MY FAVORITE PAIR
Comment by iceberg313 — September 22, 2008 @ 4:31 pm
I admit to passing on the aquas. At first I was like “Hell yeah, those are mine!” But when I found out the quality was dissapointing, that did it for me. And contrary to popular belief, I dont regret it one bit. And on top of that they had got too hyped up anyway.
But I will see what this upcoming 15/8 pack has to offer. And if the quality is decent, they will definetely be in my closet.
Comment by orthotic — September 22, 2008 @ 4:31 pm
i cop 2 pairs one to wear and one is on ice but mine started to crack so they’re my beaters. After i saw how bad the quality was i started to buy more sbs than jordans.
Comment by unlucky kid — September 22, 2008 @ 4:37 pm
i wish i could have copped both colorways i didnt have the money at the time though… even though one was womens i still think its a pretty nice shoe (and besides i saw more girls with the black/auqas anyway) but i did get the playoffs in December though
Comment by Simba — September 22, 2008 @ 4:48 pm
I COPPED 2 PAIRS LAST YEAR SIZE 11 I WORE ONE PAIR ONE TIME BUT I HAVE ANOTHER PAIR ON ICE I MIGHT SEL ONE PAIR I NEVER WEARE THEM
Comment by rauls054 — September 22, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
I didnt cop them on the day they released but Im glad I did cop these and to this day I think I only wore them 20 times. I still have them in the box inside my closet waiting on da day I will decide to wear them.
Comment by DFresh — September 22, 2008 @ 5:07 pm
i copped the aqua and the playoffs, by far one of the most inovative shoes ever mad, no complaints and i cant wait for the package. mine are in good condition inspite of me hoopin in them. how could you not like the carpet tongues?
Comment by aaron agee — September 22, 2008 @ 5:38 pm
bad quality? where are you guys getting your kicks? every jordan i’ve ever put on my feet were good quality, some may have not been the best design but quality…? the best!!!
and how do you get the VIII’s to crack?
Comment by aaron agee — September 22, 2008 @ 5:43 pm
glad I bought classis kick dam year already
Comment by 90snikehead — September 22, 2008 @ 6:15 pm
Yea i copped these the day they came out.
I was very satisfied with them and glad i got em..
I also got the Orange Blazes and the Playoffs…
My paint on the midsole satrted cracking afer a while but not rite away..
I got mine in the box in my room…
havent wore em since last year…
dont plan on wearin em anymore eitha unless a special occasion pops up.
Overall,, I was very satisfied and just the minor cracks dont take away from the quality..
GLAD I GOT EM!!
Comment by Josh — September 22, 2008 @ 6:23 pm
I love ma aquas..just a great shoee..
Mines haven’t cracked..probably cuss mos of you guys..treat them lyk they are ogs..
Comment by thakydd23 — September 22, 2008 @ 6:25 pm
Yea i copped these the day they came out.
I was very satisfied with them and glad i got em..
I also got the Orange Blazes and the Playoffs…
My paint on the midsole started cracking as well afer a while but not rite away..
I got mine in the box in my room…
havent wore em since last year…
dont plan on wearin em anymore eitha unless a special occasion pops up.
Overall,, I was very satisfied and just the minor cracks dont take away from the quality..
GLAD I GOT EM!!
Comment by Josh — September 22, 2008 @ 6:26 pm
BY FAR my favorite Jordan!!! I copped EVERY single colorway that dropped last year, even the womens aqua. The black aquas are fire, was lucky & smart enough to cop 2 pairs!!!!!
Comment by AngelMG — September 22, 2008 @ 6:26 pm
they koo, but a lot of people be sporting them and im koo off dat. gotta be coming through with some more exclusive shi… that are rare and that you dont see everyday…
Comment by yeeeey — September 22, 2008 @ 6:41 pm
i did cop the playoff’s though lol
Comment by yeeeey — September 22, 2008 @ 6:42 pm
i copped the aqua’s
Comment by jj — September 22, 2008 @ 6:44 pm
I missed the aquas had the opportunity 2 Kop’em but never did same wit the playoffs a well lyfe goes on …
Comment by Stephan Ayum — September 22, 2008 @ 6:53 pm
MANNNN, I grabbed the aqua’s so quick, it’ll made your head spin. I got the playoff’s to. Both still in great condition. I’m trying to find the black/chrome 8’s, but seems like its impossible.
Comment by lcsupa — September 22, 2008 @ 7:02 pm
i missed out since i saved my money for the playoffs
Comment by greenmaker24 — September 22, 2008 @ 8:27 pm
Copped the pea pods and the playoffs…mad comfortable…in fact im rockin the pea pods rite now and I rocked the playoffs yesterday…dnt like how they crackin on the bottom tho=(
Comment by escoriasza — September 22, 2008 @ 8:49 pm
aaron agee, my aquas from eastbay had a few strings pokin out from the toe and the glue from the sole messed up up the leather a lil bit on the side. and my playoffs? i dont wanna get into it. i dont even wanna look at them. the leather looks terrible. i dont have pictures but i’ll show yu EXACTLY how it looks from FCNY. like it has these lil crack-ish marks on it. i got these off east bay too in a size 14 so there’s no chance they’re fake.
http://www.flightclubny.com/p.php?fc=ny&c=aj&sc=aj8&i=010617
look at the second picture. my playoffs look just like that. when they were brand new
Comment by BK-Big-Jay — September 22, 2008 @ 9:14 pm
Copped the Aquas… Love em
Comment by rising_tied — September 22, 2008 @ 9:48 pm
GOT BOTH OF THEM
Comment by oldjumpman — September 23, 2008 @ 12:26 am
i agree with yeeeey there’s no fun in wearing what everybody else has…
i passed and don’t regret it.. not yet anyhow lol
Comment by pat — September 23, 2008 @ 12:56 am
ah i love my aquas they are still and perfect condition and i coped the red and black and white and orange colorway i barely wear them but when i do it always turns heads
but i hate when people by j’s and never wear them what’s the point off buying them to let them rot in your crib chill never that
Comment by andy — September 23, 2008 @ 7:18 am
copped copped copped copped copped copped
still DS
wont unDS them till the next ice age
Comment by philbil — September 23, 2008 @ 10:16 am
i copped dem both too
Comment by pedro85 — September 23, 2008 @ 10:33 am
have 12 pair on ice!!!! dont know why!!
Comment by 757boy — September 23, 2008 @ 12:49 pm
was never mad about 8’s. got my wife a pair and my then unborn son a pair. he’ll be rockin some fresh 8’s in a year or 2 when noone else is!!! Yes i named him Jordan, he is 7 months old and has 4 pairs. I’m building a legacy for him, just hope he gets to size 11 or i’m screwed. Quick question? i live near Dublin and the main footlocker has 3 collecions on sale. good thing is you can mix and match them. out of the following 3 pairs pick the 2 i should get. Black 4’s or White/red 5’s or 7 ‘Hares’. not going for the 19’s or 18’s or 16’s. don’t like anything after the 14’s. strictly old school! thanks in advance
Comment by Frugstar — September 23, 2008 @ 4:18 pm
[/b] i copped the og aquas, but hella other people did. lol at some guy saying he got compliments on them. regardless of the overproduction i still love em, but my most worn jays are my white cement IVs. hope those dont get retroed again for at least a few more yeas. [/b]
Comment by Jeremy — September 23, 2008 @ 7:59 pm
i didnt get paid the weekend before the realease date so i got raped and paid a guy $180 to hold em for me.
i’ve only brought them out of the box twice.
i dont plan on wearing them untill im really old so lil kids will ask me where & when i got them.
Comment by maedae — September 23, 2008 @ 10:56 pm
Man I copped the Aquas they were by far the best Jordans that were released last year and I really regret returning the women aquas I copped those just to have them but my stupid ass took them back but no regrets on the regular ones…
Comment by ttmillus2 — September 23, 2008 @ 11:58 pm
Copped the aqua’s last year glad i got em. except i wish i wouldve found another pair, was gonna wear em for my bday at the end of last year and thought “no way alcohol on my kix”? but gently put them back in mmy box. one day they will see the pavement just not anytime soon. ur time will come aqua 8’s just like the rest of my retros.
One
Comment by flash_ready3 — September 24, 2008 @ 12:21 am
It HAS been a quick year… I remember seeing them in stores…then passing…then the depression…then the recession!
I passed on the Aquas, sadly. But, as time went by and whack mandems started copping and rocking, I became content with my decision. At first, it was all love for the 8’s; it just became SO common though, it was hard to have ANY love after seeing them on some DUTTY feet. People really need to start treating their kicks with respect: make the outfit go with the shoe, because your kicks alone won’t make you fresh! But yeah, Aquas just aren’t EXCLUSIVE enough for me to spend that kind of money. Orange Blazes are pretty illy though, haven’t seen too many mans duttying that up. PLAYOFFS REMAIN THE BEST 8 COLOURWAY FOREVER.
Comment by sneakerfittedguy — September 24, 2008 @ 5:01 pm
I copped all the 8’s dat came in the year of 2007.
Comment by Dynamic — September 24, 2008 @ 10:04 pm
best jordans ever created in my opinion, great job jb.
Comment by Big Rich — September 25, 2008 @ 8:07 am
Da BEST EVA i almost didnt get these but some how some way i got em they R on my feet rite Now Yes SIR!!!!!!!!!
Comment by B-fre$h — September 25, 2008 @ 11:32 am
i copped the regular aquas and i love themmm,
and very happy i did they are great shoes!
Comment by leo — September 27, 2008 @ 9:53 pm
One of the sickest pair of Air Jordan’s ever! In the same category as the Do The Right Thing 3’s!!
Comment by Jerry Bandito — October 6, 2008 @ 6:27 pm