Dissecting the Air Jordan VIII 'University of Oregon' PE Design
Revisiting Tinker Hatfield’s iconic silhouette in celebration of the 2022 Player Exclusive.
Looking through the lineage of Air Jordan sneakers, a handful of models stand out for one reason or another. In some cases it’s due to the sheer innovation on display. In others it’s because of the myth that surrounds the design, a culmination of story after story. The Air Jordan VIII is the rare shoe that reflects both of these touchpoints, renowned for its fearless aesthetic language and steeped in MJ lore.
Designed by sneaker legend Tinker Hatfield, the Air Jordan VIII debuted on the feet of Michael Jordan during All-Star Weekend in 1993, surfacing in an ‘Aqua’ colorway, followed by the ‘Hare’ and ‘Playoffs’ builds. On June 20, 1993 Michael Jordan cemented the AJ VIII as an icon of basketball and style, as he led the Chicago Bulls to their third straight NBA Championship, defeating Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns. Years later, the Air Jordan VIII became a go-to Player Exclusive for a roster of all-time greats including Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen and Mike Bibby, adding to the shoe’s historic reputation.
Now, the next chapter of the Air Jordan VIII begins with the 2022 'University of Oregon' PE. Available exclusively via auction with proceeds benefiting participating University of Oregon student-athletes, we dissect the groundbreaking silhouette feature by feature and detail by detail.
Upper
The Air Jordan VIII continued to apply durable, premium fabrication to MJ’s signature line, utilizing nubuck across the upper, while the addition of a mudguard further spoke to the silhouette’s robustness. The 'University of Oregon - Gorge Green' showcases Hatfield’s unique upper design, pairing an Electric Green base with Gorge Green overlays. The 'University of Oregon - Pure Platinum' opts for a more subdued approach, layering crisp white leather over a light grey base.
Inner Bootie + Cross-Strap
Like the Air Jordan VII before it, the AJ VIII made use of an inner-bootie system. Unlike its predecessor, however, MJ’s eighth signature implemented a pair of cross-straps, offering a custom lockdown fit to match Mike’s demanding style of play. On both 'University of Oregon' iterations, the inner bootie is lined in vivid green. 'Gorge Green' renders the cross-straps in the colorway’s namesake hue, while 'Pure Platinum' sticks to a spotless white palette. Both cross-straps are secured by chromed metallic hardware in a complementary shade of green.
Chenille Tongue Patch
Another stroke of genius, the AJ VIII introduced a chenille tongue patch, giving Hatfield yet another detail to experiment with. While the original silhouette implemented a Jumpman logo, both 'University of Oregon' colorways feature the Oregon Ducks’ logo against grey chenille.
Heel
Offering even more durability than its predecessor, Hatfield introduced TPU paneling on the heel of the AJ VIII. 'Gorge Green' draws attention to the bold green-on-green color story, executing the heel in black, while 'Pure Platinum' opts for understatement, coloring the heel in Cool Grey. Additional Oregon Ducks branding arrives on the heel counters of both pairs.
Midsole + Outsole
Hatfield continued to utilize the era’s most innovative technology underfoot on the AJ VIII, wrapping forefoot and heel Air units in a polyurethane midsole, with a polycarbonate shank plate below for even more support and responsiveness. The outsole brought yet another creative canvas into play, with a unique design for Hatfield to perform his alchemy. On both 'University of Oregon' colorways, the shank plate is rendered in black, with alternating shades of green coloring the traction pads and the Jumpman logo.
400 numbered pairs of the Air Jordan VIII 'University of Oregon' PE are available exclusively through an auction by GOAT and Division Street. The auction starts August 24 at 10 AM PT and ends August 26 at 11:59 PM PT. Proceeds benefit participating student-athletes at the University of Oregon. Place your offer on the Air Jordan VIII ‘University of Oregon’ PE.