The Air Jordan 8 Aqua returns on July 19, 2025, restoring one of the original colorways from the 1993 release. Famously worn by Michael Jordan during the 1993 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, the shoe combined performance features with a color combination that has remained a fan favorite for over three decades. Jordan stepped onto the court in that year’s star-studded matchup wearing the “Aqua,” which contrasted its dark upper with vivid Aquatone and Bright Concord accents.
The 2025 release brings back that same colorway in accurate form, using a black and Iron Grey nubuck upper with overlays, tri-color chenille tongue branding, and brushstroke-inspired hits on the midsole. The design references remain true to Tinker Hatfield’s original concept, keeping the unique midfoot cross-straps, an inner bootie construction, and Nike Air cushioning in both heel and forefoot.
Design and Materials
The upper of the Jordan 8 Aqua 2025 features a combination of nubuck leather, synthetic overlays, and textile panels. The grey panels break up the black base, restoring the color blocking seen in the original 1993 edition, a detail that was altered in the 2007 retro, which featured an entirely black upper. The 2025 version also removes the glitter effect previously seen on the midsole, opting instead for clean brushstroke color blocking in teal and purple along the sculpted foam tooling.
One of the most distinct elements remains the chenille Jumpman logo patch on the tongue. The red Jumpman sits inside a tri-color background, stitched in Aquatone and Bright Concord with an orbital design that echoes early ’90s aesthetics. The midfoot straps return in their original form, giving the sneaker its signature layered look while providing additional lockdown. Inside, a stretchy inner sleeve helps stabilize the foot and delivers a fit similar to Hatfield’s earlier creation, the Air Huarache.
Performance Features
While it may have become a collector’s piece over the years, the Aqua 8s were designed for on-court performance. The shoe features full-length foam for comfort, combined with visible Nike Air units in both the heel and forefoot. The structure is reinforced by the use of a padded ankle collar and wide heel counter, while the cross-straps allow for a more secure fit around the midfoot, an innovation that was rare at the time of its original launch.
Its outsole uses a multi-directional traction pattern and a pivot circle under the forefoot, supporting quick directional changes and solid grip. The sculpted shape of the midsole adds stability and complements the crisscross strap system.
A Look Back at Previous Releases
Since their original release in 1993, the Aqua Air Jordans have only returned three times. The 2007 retro marked its first reissue but altered the upper material by using all-black nubuck and a heavier glitter application on the midsole, which divided fans. The 2015 version brought the design closer to its roots, restoring the grey overlays and keeping most details faithful, though the midsole glitter remained. The 2025 edition removes those visual changes and reestablishes the shoe as a faithful re-creation of the pair Jordan wore at the All-Star Game.
Unlike previous drops, this edition is releasing in full family sizing, opening access to a broader audience than ever before.
Michael Jordan and the 1992–93 Season
The Air Jordan 8 served as MJ’s go-to shoe during the 1992–93 NBA season, the final campaign before his first retirement. It was the year he completed his first three-peat with the Chicago Bulls. While Jordan often wore the white-based “Bugs Bunny” colorway during the regular season, he switched to the darker options for the playoffs, and the “Aqua” took center stage during the All-Star Game.
The design represented a departure from the sleek, streamlined look of previous Jordans. The 8 was bulky by comparison, but its layered construction and padded build gave it a rugged quality that matched the physical nature of early ’90s basketball. It originally released in three colorways: the white-based Bugs Bunny, the black-based Playoffs, and the vibrant Aqua.
Pricing and Release Details
The Air Jordan 8 Aqua releases on July 19, 2025, with a wide rollout through Nike SNKRS and select Jordan Brand retailers. The pricing structure reflects the full range of sizes:
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Adult sizing – $215
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Big Kids – $160
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Little Kids – $100
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Toddlers – $85
The official product code is 305381-006, and the colorway is listed as Black/True Red/Iron Grey/Bright Concord/Aquatone. Each pair features the same material build, color scheme, and design language that defined the original. Other upcoming releases from Jordan Brand this July include the women’s Air Jordan 3 Starfish, the debut of the Air Jordan 40, and the Air Jordan 4 Rare Air.
