8 Most Expensive Nike Sneakers
Nike is the global leader in sports and casual footwear. It has consistently beat competitors such as Adidas and Puma in annual revenues and is projected to do so in the upcoming years. The reason for Nike’s continued dominance is its ability to develop visually stunning yet highly functional shoes while reintroducing classic releases. Although Nike doesn’t make shoes that cost more than $300, limited pairs which get dropped in auctions and resale marketplaces result in prices to skyrocket by the thousands. It shouldn't surprise you that it still gets sold out. Here are the eight most expensive Nike sneakers ever released:
1. Nike SB Dunk High 420 - $4,000
Together with the Nike Air Max and Air Jordan, the SB Dunks have seen a revival in recent years. It’s no longer strictly a skateboard shoe but a shoe that has become a favorite in the casual footwear market. The Famila Skateshop in Minneapolis collaborated with Nike to release the Dunk SB High 420 in April 2020. The number 420 doesn’t only pertain to the release date but also the number of pairs released. This sneaker is the successor to the 2016 SB Dunk Skunk and features a green and purple colorway.
2. Travis Scott x Playstation x Nike Dunk Low - $5,000
Travis Scott’s business empire has grown tremendously since the release of the Travis Scott Air Jordan 1 in 2019. He’s back again with another Nike collaboration, but now with the addition of Sony. Scott released the Dunk Low Playstation to commemorate the release of the highly-anticipated Playstation 5. The shoe comes with a white and grey colorway reminiscent of the Playstation 1 and also features Japanese-style Playstation branding on the shoe’s lateral heel.
Although Scott announced that he was only releasing five pairs, rumors have surfaced that Sony employees have received some pairs in which they sold at resale marketplace StockX and selling for around $5,000.
3. Vlone x Nike Air Force One High - $8,000
Streetwear label Vlone partnered with Nike to release the most expensive Air Force One to date. These high top sneakers come with a black colorway as well as red and yellow accents highlighting the Vlone branding. Since only 20 pairs were released and sold in an auction in Paris, the Vlone Air Force One is currently valued at $8,000.
4. Air Jordan 4 Retro Eminem Encore - $18,000
The Air Jordan 4 Retro Eminem Encore is the successor to the 2015 Air Jordan 4 Eminem Carharrt sneaker. The expensive sneakers were released in 2017 and continue Eminem’s collaboration with the Jordan Brand. Only 23 pairs were released through a raffle with the proceeds all going to the Marshall Mathers Foundation. The shoe is now valued at $18,000.
5. Air Jordan Silver Shoe (Autographed) - $60,000
The original Air Jordan Silver Shoe was given to Jordan by his wife during his 32nd birthday. The same shoe made of sterling silver soon made its way to the market albeit in very limited pairs. Unsurprisingly, the silver Jordans that also come with MJ’s signature cost a fortune making it one of the most expensive Jordan shoes ever made.
6. Air Jordan 12 OVO - $100,000
Notwithstanding Drake’s personal Solid Gold OVO Nike Air Jordan 10, the Air Jordan 12 OVO was released to the public. Unfortunately, prices will set buyers back around $100,000 which is equivalent to around 500 retail-priced Air Jordans. The price tag may never be justified, but there’s no denying that this sneaker comprises of some premium materials, specifically a Stingray and tumbled leather as well as solid gold.
7. Air Jordan 12 (Flu Game) - $104,000
The Air Jordan 12 may just be the most historically significant shoe in Michael Jordan’s career. He wore it during his last season with the Chicago Bulls, the season that would be defined by the “flu game” and the “last shot”. The flu game occurred during game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals where Jordan experienced flu-like symptoms prior to the game’s tip-off. Nonetheless, he still scored 38 points and singlehandedly lifted the Bulls against fierce rivals the Utah Jazz. The “last shot” would occur during the very next game, with Jordan hitting the game-winner to cap off a legendary Bulls career and also winning his sixth championship along the way.
So, it’s not surprising that the sneaker worn by Jordan during those two historic moments would be one of the most expensive Nike sneakers ever. The aesthetic doesn’t compete with the Jordan 1s or the 3s, but its historical value far exceeds its visual appeal easily making it a collector’s item. It was recently sold online for $104,000.
8. Nike Air Mag Back to the Future - $200,000
The Nike Air Mag Back of the Future is the most expensive Nike sneaker to date. The shoe is inspired by the futuristic sneakers worn by Marty McFly in the 1989 science-fiction comedy “Back to the Future II”. Only 1,1239 Mags were ever released; 1,150 in 2011 and 89 in 2016. All of the shoes were made available through auction with proceeds going to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. The shoes were reportedly sold at $200,000 during one auction.
The 2016 release featured Nike’s innovative self-lacing technology, a tech that allows wearers to adjust the shoe’s fit with a single press of a button. The Mag would become the standard for Nike’s future self-lacing sneakers, including the Hyperadapt and the BB Adapt.
"Just do it". Nike's everlasting slogan doesn't only to athletes but also to collectors who never have second thoughts in buying sneakers costing over $1,000.
