The 11 most expensive pairs of sneakers in the world, ever

Sneakers have become a collector’s item, bringing together lovers of sports, street culture, fashion and music. For the sake of the most desirable models snickerheads are ready to wait for hours in lines or buy exclusive versions at auctions for mad money. For some people, expensive shoes are not only a source of pride, but also a great investment. Together with snickerhead Alexandra Bogomolova, we have compiled a list of the most expensive pairs in history.

snickerhead

“I have been collecting different models of sneakers since 2015. In my life I wear both sporty and fashion variants. I like to walk a lot and look cool, so I try to choose two in one: comfort and style. I tell you which sneakers turned out to be the most expensive in history. In the selection I tried to capture the most different in the uniqueness of the models”.

Table of Contents

The most expensive sneakers in the world

Air Jordan 13 in “Bred” colorway are now considered the most expensive sneakers in history. They were sold at a Sotheby’s auction for a record 200 million rubles in 2023. It was in this pair that Michael Jordan played the second game of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz. The sneakers brought the basketball player and the Chicago Bulls their sixth win in the championship. Despite noticeable signs of use, the condition of the shoes remained almost perfect. The legend’s autograph can also be spotted on them. The release of the model itself took place in 1997.

Air Jordan 13 “Bred”

What brands of sneakers are considered expensive

The footwear market covers a wide range of brands: from classic to ultra-fashionable. For example, Gucci, Dior, Louis Vuitton are representatives of the luxury segment. They use high-quality materials, create innovative designs and pay attention to details. Sneakers of expensive brands can not initially be cheap.

On the other hand, there are Nike, Jordan and adidas. They offer shoes to customers at more affordable prices. However, over time, the cost of their products can increase to a million. Many factors influence this: uniqueness, materials, limited edition, who wore them and in honor of whom the model is made.

Ranking the most expensive sneakers

Air Jordan 10 x OVO

The Solid Gold Air Jordan 10 “OVO” is the second most expensive sneaker in the world. Released exclusively for rapper Drake in 2016. They are made of real 24-karat gold, and weigh about 45 pounds! The couple made a real furor on social networks. Some admired the beauty of the model, others accused the rapper of unjustified spending. The price of the treasure is 190 million rubles.

Air Jordan 10 x OVO

Kanye West Nike Air Yeezy 1 “Prototype”

Kanye West’s collaboration with Nike was released in a unique design. In these sneakers, the rapper performed at the 2008 Grammy Awards. In April 2021 the pair was sold at auction for a record 160 million rubles.

Kanye West Nike Air Yeezy 1 “Prototype”

Nike Air Ship 1984

It was in these sneakers that Michael Jordan made his first appearance as a professional NBA player in his debut season. The pair is designed by Bruce Kilgore. A special feature of the Air Ship design is the implemented air cushion system on the heel. This was an innovation for basketball shoes at the time. The sole has flexible grooves that improve cushioning. The pair was purchased for 132 million rubles.

Nike Air Ship 1984

Air Jordan 12 Flu-Game

The sneakers were first released in 1996. They featured a form-fitting, premium leather upper and a unique carbon-fiber plate for improved stability on the court. The colorway instantly made the pair popular among snickerheads and basketball fans.

These sneakers were worn by Michael Jordan in 1997 during the Flu Game. Then the athlete played a legendary game in the history of sports despite flu symptoms. The basketball player scored 38 points in 44 minutes. The popularity of Air Jordan 12 instantly rose to a new level. A pair with the star’s autograph was sold for 123 million rubles.

Air Jordan 12 Flu-Game

Air Jordan Retro “Kobe Pack”

Air Jordan Retro “Kobe Pack” were designed in 2016 as a tribute to Kobe Bryant’s 20-year NBA career. The pack includes two sneaker models, the Air Jordan 3 and the Air Jordan 8. They are made in the signature colors of the Los Angeles Lakers. The pairs could not be bought in the store, which automatically raised the price. They were sold at auction for 71 million rubles.

Air Jordan Retro “Kobe Pack”

Air Jordan 1 “Shattered Backboard” 1985.

Air Jordan 1 worn by Michael Jordan during an exhibition game in Trieste in 1985. The basketball player made a powerful dunk that resulted in a shattered backboard. A shard of glass was lodged in the sole of his left sneaker. It was this detail that added a special uniqueness to the pair. Were sold for 55 million rubles.

Air Jordan 1 “Shattered Backboard” 1985

Nike Moon Shoe

The sneakers were created by Bill Bowerman, a co-founder of Nike and a track and field coach. The designer wanted to design a shoe that increased a runner’s grip on the track. The pair got its name because of its unique sole. It resembles the footprints left by astronauts on the moon during the Apollo mission.

The model was produced in limited quantities for athletes participating in the 1972 U.S. Track and Field Qualifiers. Few pairs have been able to survive to this day. One of them was sold at auction in July 2019 for 39 million rubles.

Nike Moon Shoe

Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force

The long-awaited fashion in the rating of the most expensive sneakers is the collaboration of the luxury brand with Nike. This model was the last work of the departed designer Virgil Abloh. It attracted the attention of all the fashionistas of the world in 2022. The pair has a classic Louis Vuitton monogram and the Air lettering is done in the Off-White crown style. The price of these expensive sneakers reached 31 million rubles.

Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force

Nike Mag 2016

Have you watched the movie “Back to the Future 2”? Did you remember those very same sneakers? Yes, that’s exactly what they are. It took the brand almost 30 years to create a unique pair with luminous elements and self-tightening laces technology. Marty McFly’s famous sneakers were sold for 17.9 million rubles.

Nike Mag 2016

Apple Computer Omega Sports

The sneakers were released in the 1990s and reflected the company’s aesthetic of the time: white and the Apple logo in rainbow colors on the side. The pair became particularly rare and valuable to collectors, as they could not be found on free sale. The shoes were intended for company employees only. Sold at auction for 4.4 million rubles.

Apple Computer Omega Sports