The Air Jordan 8 is a legendary sneaker, and now that we have the benefit of hindsight, we know that its release coincided with a pivotal moment in Michael Jordan’s illustrious career. Launched globally before his surprising first retirement announcement, these kicks nearly marked the end of the Jordan line. Here is a list of our top 10 best Air Jordan 8 colorways of all time.
OVO x Air Jordan 8 Retro “Gold”
Blanketed in shiny gold leather, unfortunately, this isn’t a pair you can add to your collection unless Drake sells them to you. This pair was gifted to Drake and is rumoured to be worth five figures.
OVO x Air Jordan VIII “Black”
Drake loves to create his OVO sneakers and release them as a black and white set. Here, we have the black counterpart to the previously mentioned white, which similarly includes Blur, Metallic Gold and Varsity Red in the colourway. The white pair seems a bit more popular than its shadowy counterpart, as this pair can be found on StockX for around $307.
Air Jordan VIII Retro “White Aqua”
This colourway grabbed its spot in history as the first-ever women’s exclusive colourway for silhouette and has stayed there. They are even more loved thanks to their resemblance to Chris Paul’s PE sneakers for the New Orleans Hornets at the time. The beautiful pair was retro-ed in 2019 and includes tones like White/Varsity Red-Bright Concord-Aquatone in its colourway, and you can find it for as little as $121 on StockX.
Air Jordan VIII Retro “Valentine’s Day”
Nike and Jordan Brand love to celebrate the Day of Love each year, and 2018 marked a chance for the Air Jordan 8 to take its turn. With stunning details like “Love me…Love me not…” printed on the inner strap and a heart-shaped Chenille Jumpman logo on the tongue, this fluffy suede pair is a favourite.
Air Jordan VIII Retro SE “Rui Hachimura”
Of course, the Special Edition Washington Wizards’ Japanese basketball player Rui Hachimura’s sneakers would appear on this list, loved for their neutral colourway and homage to Japanese culture and heritage on the courts of the NBA. With a gorgeous Twine/Gym Red-Black-Sesame colourway, you can easily find a pair of these beautiful sneakers on StockX.
Air Jordan 8 Retro LS “Pea Pods”
Nike took its responsibility of making these sneakers enjoyable despite the dark, overarching Midnight Navy very seriously. Green is either a colourway you will love or hate and many people love this pair. With its dark colour and decorative stitching, the colourway of this pair almost looks like the upper is made of denim, only spurred on by the inclusion of Orange Blaze on all the accents.
Air Jordan 8 Retro “Doernbecher”
“Doernbecher” sneakers are always gorgeous, so this pair had to make it to the list. Made through Nike’s collaboration with Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, this pair was made by young Caden Lampert in 2014. Having been diagnosed at age 10 with Guillian-Barre Syndrome, the AJ8 Retro “Doernbecher” commemorates his struggle and victory with the autoimmune disease.
Air Jordan 8 “South Beach”
Teased for a long while before its eventual release in 2018, we have yet another beautiful colourway that instantly makes you think of a stunning sunset. The colourway, describing White, Turbo Green, and Neutral Grey, doesn’t quite capture all of the beautiful elements of the sneaker, which also incorporates a touch of pink and bright orange.
Air Jordan 8 Retro “Playoffs”
This colourway saw its original release back in 2007 before it returned in 2013. By popular demand, the colourway saw new sneaker releases again this year. In both name and colour, the sneaker pays homage to the original pair of Air Jordan 8s that Michael Jordan wore in 1993, combining black nubuck with black, red and blue rubber on the outsole, as well as touches of white for the Chicago Bulls uniform on the patent leather section of the heel. These sneakers are stunning, and it’s no surprise that this pair has returned as many times as it has, thanks to fans’ love for it. In 2023, we managed to grab a pair. They’re absolutely stunning.
Air Jordan 8 “Confetti”
To honour MJ’s wins – specifically the Chicago Bulls’ incredible championship three-peat in the 1992-1993 season – Nike released a special two-shoe pack in 2014. They released two different colourways of the same shoe design, one representing “Cigar” and the other “Champagne” – as the song goes, two of His Airness’ favourite things. Then, in 2016, the Air Jordan 8 became part of this annual celebration pack, featuring “Champagne” and “Confetti” colourways. Hidden under the straps, the “Confetti” Air Jordan 8 has a special message: “World Championships” and “Again and Again.” The back of the shoe also ‘drips’ with glittery leather, and the barely noticeable holes on the upper (made of soft, smooth leather) make them comfortable for both casual wear and light sporting activities. To see more amazing Air Jordan 8 sneakers, visit: 23 Jumpman Street
