So, I wanted to talk about these Aqua Air Jordans today. It’s funny, I remember seeing them way back, you know? They just stood out. That black, the purple, that teal color they call aqua. Really something different back then.
For years, I kinda just admired them from afar. Never pulled the trigger. Life happens, other priorities pop up, you know the drill. But they were always in the back of my mind. One of those “someday” things.
Getting My Hands on Them
Fast forward quite a bit. I was digging through some stuff online, not really looking for anything specific. Just browsing, killing time. And bam, there they were. A pair of Aqua 8s. Not brand new, mind you. Looked like they’d seen some life, definitely pre-owned.
The price wasn’t crazy, which honestly surprised me. Sometimes these older pairs go for stupid money. So, I thought, why not? Took a chance and bought them. Felt a bit like finally scratching an old itch.
The Clean-Up Job
When they arrived, yeah, they needed some love. Nothing majorly damaged, thankfully. Just dirty. The suede was a bit faded, soles were grubby. Here’s what I did, step-by-step:
- First pass: Got a soft brush and just knocked off all the loose dirt and dust. You’d be surprised how much comes off just doing that.
- Suede care: This was the tricky part. Got a suede eraser and gently worked on the scuffs and dark spots. Then used a suede brush to lift the nap back up. Took some patience, went over it a few times.
- Midsole and Sole Scrub: Mixed up some mild soap and warm water. Grabbed an old toothbrush and just went to town on the midsoles and soles. Had to rinse and repeat a few times to get the ground-in dirt out.
- Laces: Took the laces out and soaked them in a little bowl with laundry detergent. Rinsed ’em well and let them air dry. Made a huge difference.
- Final touches: Wiped down the plastic parts, the tongue logo, all that. Just a damp cloth.
Didn’t use anything fancy. Just basic stuff I had around the house, mostly. Took me maybe an afternoon, taking my time.
Wearing Them Now
And you know what? They cleaned up real nice. Way better than I expected. They’re not perfect, they still look their age a bit, but they look good. Got character, I guess.
Putting them on felt great. Like connecting with a piece of the past, you know? Sounds cheesy maybe, but it’s true. They’re surprisingly comfy too, even for an older design. That chunky 90s feel.
I don’t wear them every day. Gotta preserve them a bit. But when I do, it just feels right. It’s not about showing off or anything. It’s just a personal thing. A cool shoe with a cool colorway that I finally got around to owning. Simple as that, really. Just happy I finally did it.
