The 10 Most Expensive Sneakers of All Time
A few years ago, you probably wouldn't have thought that a pair of shoes cost more than a small car, would you? But there are collectors of all kinds, and the biggest fans are willing to spend several 10,000€ for just one pair of shoes. You don't think so? Then take a look at the online sales platform StockX.
For this market, hundreds of shoes are resold every day by collectors and other sneaker fans, with some of them even reaching record sales. Whether the shoes are ultimately worn by the new owner or not is something you'll never know. But what are the most expensive shoes that have surpassed the virtual counter of StockX to date, and how much do new sneaker lovers spend on a pair?
The sneaker platform Grailify has done research on this specific topic and worked with StockX to create a list of the 10 most expensive sneakers of all time, calculated by the average selling price on StockX. Hold on tight, because these prices for a pair of shoes are not for mere mortals.
10th Place - Mark Wahlberg x Air Jordan 4 Retro "Wahlburgers"
These sneakers were specially designed for actor Mark Wahlberg when he opened the Wahlburgers restaurant at the Mall of America in Minnesota in 2018. On average, a pair costs an incredible 12,605€ on StockX.
9th Place - UNDEFEATED x Air Jordan 4 (Sample)
Among the most coveted sneakers is this UNDEFEATED x Air Jordan 4 (Sample). Nike never released a large number of pairs as only 72 were designed. 50 shoes were raffled off, and the other 22 models were reserved for friends and family. Collectors pay an average of 12,948€ for a pair.
8th Place - Air Jordan 1 OG "Royal" (1985)
The Air Jordan 1 designed by Peter Moore is one of the most popular silhouettes, and this "Royal" colourway from 1985 is even one of the most expensive versions. The model was re-released in 2001, 2013, 2015 as a low version, and in 2017, but the shoe from 1985 is one of the most expensive sneakers on average at 13,531€.
7th Place - Eminem x Air Jordan 4 "ENCORE" (2017)
In 2004, Marshall Bruce Mathers III a.k.a. Eminem collaborated with Nike to design this Air Jordan 4, which pays homage to the polarising 2004 studio album "ENCORE". 13 years later, more pairs were released, and they are now among the most coveted versions. On average, a pair costs 14,797€. To date, the 2004 version has not yet been sold due to the low number of units.
6th Place - Air Jordan 11 Retro Premium "Derek Jeter"
In 2017, Nike created this exclusive Air Jordan 11 "Derek Jeter", which was a reaction to the retirement of baseball player Derek Jeter in 2017. Only five pairs were designed. Those who bought a version so far had to pay an average of around 15,008€.
5th Place - Nike SB Dunk Low "Paris"
This seemingly simple version from Nike only exists (allegedly) 202 times and was made especially for the "White Dunk" travelling art exhibition when it reached Paris. They are true works of art in their own right and feature the work of French painter Bernard Buffet, who died in 1999. The shoes cost an average of 16,441€ on StockX.
4th Place - Jeff Staple x Nike SB Dunk Low "NYC Pigeon"
There's a lot of history behind this pair, too — not because of the design or exclusivity, but rather because of the uproar it caused outside Reed Space in NYC on release day. Only 150 pairs were released worldwide, and so the number of pieces in this store was very limited. Crowds gathered outside the doors, causing a huge commotion. Even the police had to arrive. Rumour has it that people wanted to pounce on other collectors who could buy a pair. The average selling price is now 20,005€.
3rd Place - Travis Scott x Air Jordan 4 Retro "Olive"
There's really not much you can say about this shoe, as it was never actually released. And that's what probably makes the shoes so valuable. Some pairs were released to the public and reached record prices. On average, you pay 20,551€ for a pair.
2nd Place - Travis Scott x Air Jordan 4 Retro "Purple" (Friends and Family)
We are approaching the top of the 10 most expensive sneakers of all time, and the prices are getting bigger. In second place, we find this rare Air Jordan 4 designed with Travis Scott for friends and family. The first time the sneakers were seen on the feet of DJ Chase B was when Travis Scott introduced the collaborative Air Jordan 4 Retro "Houston Oilers". If you want these sneakers, you have to save up a lot of money. On average, you pay an incredible 21,324€ for a pair.
1st Place - Nike MAG "Back to the Future" (2016)
Would you have thought that the shoes from Back to the Future would be among the hottest sneakers in 2021? Probably not, over 30 years ago, but these self-lacing shoes are reaching record highs. What started in 1985 as a cool design by Tinker Hatfield and some Hollywood movie magic has become a reality in 2016, and without a doubt, the Nike MAG "Back to the Future" (2016) is going to be one of the most epic shoes of all time. The average retail price for a pair is currently a whopping 37,391€.
