Look, the "Space Jam" colorway is usually tied to the Jordan 11. Everyone knows that. When you hear those two words together, your brain immediately goes to Michael Jordan returning from baseball, the patent leather shine, and that weirdly charming movie where Bill Murray shows up for the final play. But in 2017, Jordan Brand did something kind of divisive. They took that iconic black, dark concord, and teal palette and slapped it onto the Air Jordan 8. It wasn't a retro of an OG colorway that Mike actually wore on court in the 90s. It was a tribute. Some people hated it. Others realized it was the cleanest the 8 had looked in years.
The Jordan 8 Space Jam—officially dubbed the "Alternate Burgundy" or "Black/Dark Concord" depending on who you ask at the sneaker shop—is a weird beast in the secondary market. It’s bulky. It’s got those massive cross-straps that make you feel like you’re strapping into a fighter jet. Yet, the colorway simplifies a silhouette that is notoriously "busy."
The Identity Crisis of the Jordan 8 Space Jam
Most people get the history wrong here. If you look at the 1996 film Space Jam, Michael Jordan is actually wearing the Air Jordan 11 for the big game against the Monstars. Earlier in the movie, during the practice scenes, he’s wearing the Air Jordan 9. So, why does a Jordan 8 Space Jam even exist?
Marketing. Pure and simple.
In late 2017, Jordan Brand was leaning heavily into the "Alternate" concept. This was the idea of creating colorways that could have been player exclusives back in the day but never actually hit production. They took the DNA of the 11s—the deep blacks and that specific shade of Concord purple—and tried to see if it would stick to the heavy-duty frame of the 8.
The result? A sneaker that actually fixes the biggest complaint people have about the 8. Usually, the 8 is a mess of 90s graffiti patterns on the mudguard. It’s loud. It’s chaotic. But the "Space Jam" version muted all that. It traded the wild colors for a sleek, monochromatic black upper with just enough purple popping off the tongue’s chenille patch to remind you of the 11. It turned a "loud" shoe into something you could actually wear with a pair of jeans without looking like you were auditioning for a Saved by the Bell reboot.
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The Technical Bulk: Why It’s a Tank
Let’s be honest. The Jordan 8 is a polarizing shoe because of the straps. Tinker Hatfield, the legendary designer behind most of the early Jordans, went all-out on "containment" for this model. It was 1993. Mike was coming off a back-to-back championship run. He needed support.
The Jordan 8 Space Jam carries all that 93-era tech. You’ve got the dual straps that pull the foot down into the footbed. You’ve got a massive polycarbonate torsion plate in the sole. Honestly, it’s one of the heaviest Jordans ever made. If you’re used to the feather-light feel of a modern running shoe or even a Jordan 1, these will feel like bricks on your feet for the first hour. But there’s a sense of security in them that you don’t get anywhere else. They’re "warm" shoes, too. Between the inner sleeve (the Huarache tech) and the thick leather overlays, your feet aren't going to get cold. Don't wear these in July in Arizona. You'll regret it.
Market Reception and the "Slept On" Factor
When these dropped, they didn't sell out instantly. That’s the truth.
Sneakerheads were distracted. 2017 was a massive year for the industry—Off-White "The Ten" was happening, and the hype was shifting toward deconstructed looks. A bulky 90s basketball shoe in a non-original colorway felt a bit "GR" (General Release) to the elite collectors.
But watch what happened.
Over the last few years, the Jordan 8 Space Jam has quietly climbed in value on sites like StockX and GOAT. Why? Because as the Jordan 11 Space Jams became harder to get and more expensive to wear daily, people started looking for alternatives. This shoe offered the same "vibe" but in a more durable package. It’s the "Space Jam" for people who actually want to walk through a puddle without having a panic attack about their patent leather.
Comparing the "Space Jam" 8 to the "Playoff" 8
You can't talk about this shoe without mentioning the "Playoff" 8. They look similar at a glance. Both are mostly black. Both have that aggressive stance. But the Playoff 8 uses red and white accents with a very specific graphic on the heel. The Space Jam version is much more refined. It swaps the "loud" heel graphic for a subtle, tonal look.
If you're a purist, you want the Playoffs.
If you want a shoe that actually looks good with a modern wardrobe, you probably want the Space Jams.
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How to Tell if Yours are Real
Counterfeits of the 8 aren't as common as the 1 or the 4, but they exist. The "Space Jam" 8 has some very specific tells.
First, check the tongue patch. It’s made of chenille—that fuzzy, carpet-like material. On fakes, the "jumpman" often looks like he’s been skipping leg day. The embroidery should be thick and the purple should be "Concord," not a bright grape or a dull navy.
Second, the straps. The velcro on the Jordan 8 Space Jam should be incredibly strong. If it feels flimsy or if the "23" on the strap looks thin and shaky, walk away.
Third, the weight. Like I said, this is a heavy shoe. If it feels light, it's likely made with cheaper foam in the midsole instead of the dense polyurethane used by Nike. Real 8s feel like they could survive a car crash.
Styling a "Big" Shoe
Don't wear skinny jeans with these. Just don't.
Because the Jordan 8 is so wide and high-topped, skinny jeans make you look like you're wearing clown shoes. You need something with a bit more volume. Think straight-leg cargos or slightly baggy "dad" jeans. The black-on-black aesthetic of the Space Jam 8 makes it surprisingly versatile for "techwear" looks.
Actually, some of the best fits I've seen with these involve black joggers that taper at the ankle, allowing the tongue of the shoe to really sit out. It's a bulky look, but it's intentional. You’re leaning into the 90s "battle armor" aesthetic.
The Longevity of the Jordan 8
One thing people don't realize about the Jordan 8 is that it ages better than the 11. The Jordan 11 has that clear rubber outsole that eventually turns yellow, no matter how much you baby it. The patent leather eventually cracks or loses its luster.
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The Jordan 8 Space Jam, however, uses solid rubber outsoles and durabuck/leather uppers. These materials are tanks. I’ve seen pairs from 2017 that have been worn 100+ times and still look almost new after a quick wipe-down. They don't crease as obviously as the 1 or the 3. The "crossover" straps actually hide most of the natural toe box creasing. If you want a sneaker that stays looking "fresh" for five years, this is a much better investment than a Jordan 11.
Actionable Steps for Collectors and Buyers
If you’re looking to pick up a pair of the Jordan 8 Space Jam today, you need a game plan. You aren't finding these at retail stores anymore. You’re hitting the secondary market.
- Check the Midsole Paint: The 8 is notorious for paint chipping on the midsole. Even if a pair is "Deadstock" (never worn), the paint can sometimes crack if they weren't stored in a climate-controlled environment. Ask for high-res photos of the lateral and medial sides.
- Sizing Matters: The Jordan 8 fits snug because of the inner bootie. If you have wide feet, go up half a size. If you don't, your pinky toe will be screaming by noon.
- Authentication is Non-Negotiable: Because this colorway is so similar to the "Playoffs" and other black iterations, make sure you're checking the style code (305381-043). Don't get tricked into buying a different black 8 that someone has labeled "Space Jam" to hike the price.
- Storage: If you buy a used pair, replace the insoles. The 8 uses a basic foam insole that bottoms out after a year of heavy use. Swapping in a pair of aftermarket orthotics or even just some fresh Nike insoles will make that 90s tech feel much more 2026-appropriate.
The Jordan 8 Space Jam isn't the "greatest" sneaker of all time. It isn't even the most famous Space Jam. But it’s a rugged, stylish, and durable alternative for anyone tired of the same three silhouettes everyone else is wearing. It’s a piece of "what if" history that actually works on the street.