Markéta Mol
24/10/2023
Has it ever happened to you that your parents didn't like how much you just spent on a single pair of sneakers? Don't worry, you're good because there are people in the world who have spent several million on a single pair. These ain't your everyday kicks, and you won't spot 'em at your local sneaker spot, not even at FLEXDOG. But if you're curious about the style and the story behind these high-stakes kicks, you're in for a wild ride.
In this article, we explore the world's twenty-five most expensive sneaker acquisitions, delving into jaw-dropping sales that reflect essential parts of sneaker culture. We'll uncover the most mind-boggling and wallet-emptying sneakers that have ever been sold. Get ready to embark on a journey through sneaker history and witness the fusion of art, fashion, and culture in every step.
Ever wondered who'd drop big bucks on a beat-up '89 sneaker? This isn't your typical shoe. This is the original prop from the Back to the Future Part II film. Like the film, this unique shoe was released in 1989, which is quite apparent on its current state. Despite being nearly torn to shreds, it still fetched a whopping $92,100 on eBay with over 200 bids. With that kind of cash, you could've nabbed a slick apartment or a fresh Mercedes. All for one crumbling solo sneaker – the magic of film and fandom!
In January 2014, the epic Drake Night lit up one of the Toronto Raptors' games. With Drake and Future rocking the halftime show, it was a night to remember. What made it even more legendary was Drake giving away a bunch of Jordan kicks, courtesy of his own brand, October's Very Own. One super lucky fan scored a pair of Air Jordan 10s, but here's where it gets wild. Just two days later, she decided to toss her big-sized pair on eBay, kicking things off at a mere $300. Little did she know, sneakerheads were about to go nuts. In just four hours, those kicks shot up to over $2,000! And then the craziest twist: two days in, and the highest bid skyrocketed to $100,040. That's when our girl decided to call it quits on the auction. Talk about a sneaker jackpot!
In 1997, during the fifth game of the NBA Finals, this colorway got its nickname – Flu Game. Michael Jordan, battling the flu, not only played the full match but also scored 38 crucial points, securing the Bulls' championship. The Flu Game sneakers, auctioned in 2013 with MJ's autograph, fetched a jaw-dropping $104,765. And there's that tantalizing theory about a casino night, but we might never know the full story. The Flu Game legend lives on!
The Air Jordan 7 Olympics dropped onto the scene in 1992, courtesy of none other than Michael Jordan himself. He rocked them on his journey to the Barcelona Olympics, where he and the Dream Team – the ultimate baller squad – crushed the competition, earning them the title of the greatest team ever. After clinching victory in the finals against Croatia, MJ did something legendary yet again. He handed over his iconic Air Jordan 7 Olympic kicks, the very ones he wore in that game, to the hotel receptionist. Fast forward to 2020, and those historic sneakers hit up Christie's auction. The result? They soared to a jaw-dropping $112,500. Talk about sneaker history with a golden touch!
Even before Michael Jordan teamed up with Nike to launch his iconic brand, he had a thing for rocking Converse kicks on the court. Let's rewind to 1984 – it marked not only MJ's NBA debut but also his first Olympic gold. The stage? Los Angeles. The sneaker? None other than the classic Converse Fastbreak. In the finals against Spain, fans saw Jordan owning the court in those kicks. After clinching that sweet gold medal, Michael made a special move yet again – he handed those legendary sneakers to a lucky ball feeder. Fast forward to the summer of 2017, and those very kicks hit the auction block at SCP Auctions. They snagged a mind-blowing $190,373.
The Nike Mag sneaker hit the scene in a big way back in 2011, but it wasn't rocking the self-lacing tech just yet. You had to wait five more years for that futuristic upgrade, and in 2016, it finally dropped – only 89 of these mind-blowing pairs, and you couldn't just buy them off the shelf. Nah, they made it a real event with a charity twist. They raffled them off, each ticket costing just 10 bucks, with all the cash rolling into the Parkinson's disease research fund. The grand total? A whopping $6.75 million for a fantastic cause. But wait, there's more! They saved the last three pairs for an auction showdown. And the very last pair outshone them all, selling for a jaw-dropping $200,000. Talk about sneaker power with a heart!
Let's continue with OG sneaker on our list – the Nike "Moon Shoe." This running legend was the brainchild of Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman, who tapped Geoff Hollister, one of Nike's earliest hires, to whip up a dozen of these kicks. What's wild is that Hollister cooked up the sneaker's iconic waffle sole right in his garage. And here's the kicker – of the original twelve pairs, this is the sole survivor that hasn't seen any action. But don't let the pics fool you; it's the wear and tear from its age that gives it that vintage vibe. Fast forward to the end of 2019, and this piece of sneaker history landed on the auction block at Sotheby's, snatching a mind-boggling $437,500. The lucky new owner? None other than Canadian investor and car connoisseur, Miles Nadal.
Now, let's dive into the top three most stunningly expensive sneakers in the world, and you better believe we're talking about an absolute icon here. We're shining the spotlight on none other than the original Air Jordan 1 Chicago, the shoe that MJ himself rocked and signed. This pair? It's not just a sneaker; it's a holy grail for anyone who's ever had even a tiny crush on kicks. This colorway kicked off the whole Jordan craze, and it's still going strong, bigger and bolder than ever. Oh, and here's a cool tidbit for you – Michael Jordan had a thing for having one sneaker slightly larger, so this pair rolls with a US13 on the left and a US13.5 on the right. The OG Chicagos? They hit the auction scene just last year, and the final tally was a mind-blowing $560,000.
Shattered Backboards, but wait, aren't they meant to be orange? If you're scratching your head, let me drop some knowledge. These Air Jordan 1s, in the classic Chicago colorway, go by the name "Shattered Backboards" because they're the very kicks that Michael Jordan used when he shattered the glass backboard during an exhibition game in Italy back in '86. And get this, you can spot an actual piece of that broken glass embedded in the sole of the left shoe. It might sound wild, but the lucky auction winner didn't mind shelling out a whopping $615,000 for these kicks with a piece of basketball history right underfoot.
Fasten your seatbelts because we've arrived at the epic finale! The top dog of sneakers, the Nike Air Yeezy 1 prototype designed by Kanye West in 2008. These kicks skyrocketed in value because Kanye himself sported them during his Grammy Awards performance, belting out "Stronger" and "Hey Mama" in style. Now, this year, they've clinched the title of the world's most valuable sneakers, smashing records with an astronomical auction price of $1.8 million. These Yeezys are more than just kicks; they're a piece of music and fashion history. It's sneaker greatness at its finest!
So, you're wondering where to snag the world's priciest kicks, huh? Well, it's all about knowing where to hunt. And guess what? It's good that you're on FLEXDOG right now, where even the most limited sneakers in the world appear from time to time. We've got the hookup for even the rarest, most limited sneakers that drop on the scene. Take the Nike Mag, for example, a gem you can snatch up via StockX. We've also got your back with connections to resellers we've been vibing with for a minute.
Most of the sneakers we've dished on are in super short supply, making them a real challenge to cop. But here's the kicker – you don't need to break the bank for a sick pair of kicks. FLEXDOG's got your back, whether you're rolling with a budget-friendly retail steal or you're willing to splurge a bit for the resell market's hottest picks. So if you're on the hunt for fresh Nike Air Force 1s or craving the latest fire releases, don't waste a second. Dive in and snag a new addition to your sneaker collection.
Jordan
Product code: DX4400-106
From €69.00
Nike
Product code: H015-MNOTHR-402
Nike
Product code: 313170-137566
€176,183.00 - €176,183.00
Nike
Product code: 304292-011
€54,977.00 - €95,144.00
Jordan
Product code: 819955-030
€822.00 - €822.00
Nike SB
Product code: 308270-111
€124,841.00 - €176,181.00
Jordan
Product code: 136863
€29,609.00 - €29,609.00
Jordan
Product code: 130690-002
€334.00 - €922.00