Of all the signatures in the storied Air Jordan series, the Air Jordan 8 may serve as the best time capsule. More dated than the rest of the retros, the model hearkens back to the flavor of 1993 and the flourishing sneaker scene they were a part of.?Bulky in build, bold in breed, the shoe is as much an oddity as it is a favorite.
While innovative attributes like visible Air, icy outsoles, and Huarache sockliners had long lifespans, the slashing straps showcased on the Air Jordan 8 upper had a run that was both sharp and short. The lockdown system was debuted on the streetball savvy Air Raid in ?92, and featured prominent placement on various high profile models models in 1993, including the Air Raid sequel and three different Air Force iterations. 1994?s Air Unlimited elaborated on the concept, though the strap system was eventually scrapped in favor of more classic or elastic closure configurations shortly after.
The Jumpman logo has seen additions and outlines on various?editions, but none were as bold as the tongue tagging on the Air Jordan 8. Surrounded by a puffy, carpet-like fabric, the stamp showcased the branding almost like a peace sign. Such styling only added to the AJ8?s uniqueness, but was not carried over to any other Air Jordans. Similar circular tongue stamps were featured on the also-strapped Air Force iterations of that era. Much like those straps though, this styling didn?t make it far past ?93.
Previous Air Jordan models debuted long lasting style attributes like elephant print and concrete speckles. The Air Jordan 8 showcased an abstract art-esque brush stroke graphic, featured on the upper and extended through the outsole. Bold and daring, the styling took well to all AJ8 makeups but was not used on any of its contemporaries. Like other Air Jordan 8 trademarks, this attribute was a one-and-done.
So, is the Air Jordan 8 a classic? Of course. Championship play and iconic colorways suggest such. Is the Air Jordan 8 timeless? No, but it’s because of its unashamedly 90s design that it remains a favorite among both basketball fans and fashion trendsetters alike.
