Air Jordan VIII

Air Jordan VIII

Designer: Tinker Hatfield

Released: 1993

It was the third time he'd done it, but it was still a first for Michael Jordan. It was 1993 when MJ won his third NBA championship. But it was the first 'three-peat' of his storied career. Earlier, in February, MJ saw the launch of his Air Jordan VIII. This edition of his signature footwear, the heaviest ever in the line, featured a splash of color along the heel and on the midsole and outsole. The brand returned to its padded collar from the Huarache style of the VII, and the inner booty sock returned as well. Also returning was Bugs Bunny in the shoe's marketing campaign. One aesthetic twist was the carpeted circular Jumpman logo on the tongue; the only such appearance in the Jordan line. The shoe consisted of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) support and a polycarbonate plate, along with anti-inversion crossing straps to lock down the foot. Extra padding added protection but also added weight. Jordan originally produced three colorways of the AJ VIII: White/Black/Red (leather), and two suede versions, Black/Red and Black/Aqua. The Aqua, which MJ wore in the February 1993 All-Star Game, remains highly sought after, selling out immediately when it was reissued in 2007. The player netted first-team All-NBA, first-team All-Defense, and made his eighth consecutive All-Star Game. Wearing the AJ VIII, MJ scored 32.6 points per game to garner his seventh straight scoring title and was named NBA Finals MVP for the third straight year.