What is the number 1 most expensive shoes?
The world of sneaker collecting has seen an extraordinary shift in recent years, with rare sports shoes now fetching astronomical prices at auction. In July 2019, Sotheby’s made history with the sale of a pair of vintage Nike “Moon Shoes” from 1972, which set a new record, hammering for a staggering $437,000—nearly three times the expected price of $150,000. This groundbreaking sale was followed in May 2020 by the auction of a pair of autographed Air Jordan 1s, which brought in a jaw-dropping $560,000. These high-profile sales made it clear: sneakers were no longer just a fashion item or collector’s piece; they were a serious investment.
Currently, on the Sotheby’s auction site, you can place a bid on a pair of Virgil Abloh-designed Nike Air Force Ones, part of a Louis Vuitton collaboration, priced at a cool $190,000. Not impressed? For a mere $380,000, you can snag a pair of signed Air Jordan 11s, worn by Michael Jordan during the 1996 NBA Finals. However, these sums are still small compared to some of the industry’s true heavy hitters. Let’s take a closer look at the most expensive sneakers ever sold.
1. The Dynasty Collection - $8 Million
In early 2023, Sotheby’s orchestrated the most expensive sneaker sale in auction history: the Dynasty Collection. This eight-shoe pack, sold for an incredible $8 million, included game-worn sneakers by Michael Jordan, each worn during NBA playoffs across different seasons. The collection was compiled over many years, starting in 1991 when Tim Hallam, the former PR officer for the Chicago Bulls, asked MJ for a game-worn shoe after the Finals. Jordan, perhaps out of superstition, continued this tradition after each playoff appearance, offering up one shoe to Hallam, which helped build this unique collection.
What’s particularly remarkable is that these shoes were not even sold as pairs—each lot contained a single shoe worn during specific Finals games. Additionally, the lot included signed photos of Jordan from each Finals, further adding to the mystique and value of the collection. This sale is a testament to the intense demand for rare, game-worn Jordan memorabilia.
2. “The Last Dance” Air Jordan 13 - $2.2 Million
The release of The Last Dance documentary in 2020 reignited global interest in Michael Jordan's iconic career, especially in relation to the final season of his Chicago Bulls tenure. In a landmark auction sale in 2022, a pair of Air Jordan 13s, worn by Jordan during his last game of the 1998 NBA Finals, sold for an astonishing $2.2 million. The auction price met the high estimates set by Sotheby’s, solidifying the Air Jordan 13 as one of the most sought-after pairs in sneaker history.
These sneakers are part of the "Bred" colourway and were worn by Jordan during one of the most memorable moments in sports history—his sixth and final NBA championship with the Bulls. In terms of both sporting achievement and sneaker culture, these shoes represent a pivotal moment in basketball history.
3. Nike Air Yeezy Samples - $1.8 Million
Not all high-priced sneakers are linked to Michael Jordan. In 2021, a pair of Nike Air Yeezy prototypes, famously debuted by Kanye West at the 2008 Grammy Awards, sold for $1.8 million at auction. This marked the first-ever sneaker sale to exceed the million-dollar mark and is a testament to the power of celebrity influence in sneaker culture.
The buyer of this unique pair, the investing platform RARES, saw the acquisition as more than just a rare piece of footwear. “Buying them was like securing a piece of history,” said Gerome Sapp, CEO of RARES. He added that the purchase was part of a broader mission to make sneaker culture more accessible and empower communities to gain financial freedom through their investments.
4. Nike Air Ship - $1.4 Million
In late 2021, a pair of Nike Air Ships, worn by Michael Jordan during his fifth-ever NBA game in 1984, sold for $1.4 million. These sneakers were the first pair Jordan wore professionally before the release of his signature Air Jordan line, making them historically significant. As the prototype shoes for what would later become one of the most iconic basketball shoe lines in history, they are a key part of sneaker lore.
The sale of these Nike Air Ships briefly held the record for the most expensive sports shoes ever sold, underscoring their importance in the history of sports and sneaker culture.
5. “Flu Game” Air Jordan 12 - $1.38 Million
One of the most famous moments in NBA history is Michael Jordan’s performance during Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, where he played through severe flu-like symptoms and led the Chicago Bulls to victory. His Air Jordan 12s from this game—known as the "Flu Game" shoes—were gifted to Utah Jazz ball boy Preston Truman after the game. In 2020, following the release of The Last Dance, Truman sold the shoes for over $200,000. Just three years later, in early 2023, the shoes were resold at auction for $1.38 million.
While the sneakers are iconic for their historical significance, the ongoing lawsuit Truman filed against Grey Flannel Auctions, claiming they pressured him into selling the shoes, casts a shadow over the sale. Nonetheless, the "Flu Game" Air Jordan 12s remain one of the most coveted pairs of game-worn shoes in history.
Solid Gold OVO x Air Jordans – $2 Million
The Solid Gold OVO x Air Jordans take luxury and sneaker culture to a whole new level. Created by designer Matthew Senna in collaboration with rapper Drake, these extraordinary sneakers are crafted from pure 24-karat gold. While far from practical for everyday wear, with each shoe tipping the scales at over 50 pounds, their opulence and uniqueness have earned them a place as a coveted luxury item. Combining artistry with fashion, the value of the gold in these one-of-a-kind sneakers makes them the most expensive pair in the world as of 2024.
From the moment Sotheby’s set the record for the most expensive sneakers ever sold with the Nike “Moon Shoes” in 2019, the market for high-end, rare sneakers has only grown exponentially. With sales like the $8 million Dynasty Collection and the $2.2 million Air Jordan 13s from The Last Dance, sneakers have evolved from a casual item to an investment opportunity, attracting serious collectors and investors alike. Whether it's game-worn memorabilia from Michael Jordan or one-of-a-kind prototypes like the Nike Air Yeezys, the world of sneaker auctions has entered a new era—one where the price of a pair of shoes can rival that of a luxury home. As these rare sneakers continue to break records, it’s clear that this market has only just begun to hit its stride.
