The most expensive sneakers in the world: Nike, Converse, Jordans – Top 9

• Little insider tip: For those of you who are still looking for the perfect shoe, our trend reporters have summarized the sneaker trends of the year here.

Nike Waffle Racing Flat “Moon Shoe” – $437,000

The crown jewel of our list, and therefore the most expensive sneaker in the world, is the 1972 Nike Waffle Racing Flat “Moon Shoe”. Provided by Jordan Michael Geller during a Sothebys auction in July 2019, Miles Nadal, a well-known shoe collector, purchased the pair for more than $400,000 and displayed them in his private museum in Toronto, Canada shortly after. Nike’s “Moon Shoe” was originally designed for Olympic runners. Only 12 pairs were released in the 1970s, which is why it is still considered one of Nike’s most significant masterpieces. This pair in particular is known to this day as the only unworn “Moon Shoe” artifact, which is why it quickly surpassed the estimated price of $160,000 during the auction.

Fun Fact: Another rare pair was sold via eBay in 2016 – but ‘only’ for $11,200 at the time.

• Model: Nike Waffle Racing Flat “Moon Shoe
• Sale price in dollars: $437,000
• Selling price in Euro: €401.157
• Sold: July 2019
• Sold via: Private auction

The story of Nike – a small idea big time

Nike, formerly known as ‘Blue Ribbon Sports’, was founded in 1964 and opened its first retail store in 1966. It was founded by athletics coach Bill Bowerman and his former student Philip Knight. Their successful sales of Japanese running shoes quickly led to a new idea: why not produce their own shoes? After the first shoe was available for public purchase in 1971, the company changed its name to Nike in 1978. Sales exploded, operations eventually expanded worldwide via the East Coast of America, and now made the company what it is: a dynamic global player that revolutionized not only the sneaker, but also the world of sports.

• Founded: 1964
• Founders: Bill Bowerman & Philip Knight
• Place of foundation: Eugene, Oregon, USA
• Current headquarters: Baeverton, Oregon, USA
• Turnover: USD 3.4 million
• Subsidiaries: Converse, TraceMe Inc, Celect, Inc.

Michael Jordans Converse Fastbreaks – $190,373

The Converse Fastbreaks, worn by sports legend Michael Jordan himself, were auctioned off by an unknown buyer in 2017 for a record price of $190,373, making them the most expensive sneakers ever worn during a sports event. At the time of the auction, the sneakers were not in good condition, but they are considered an important asset in the sports scene: for example, Michael Jordan wore them early in his college career and they were also considered his lucky charms when he won the Olympic gold medal in 1994. He signed and gave them after the game to the then 11-year-old son of Los Angeles Lakers legend Gil Goodrich, who had kept them for the last twenty years.

• Owner: Michael Jordan
• Model: Converse Fastbreaks
• Sale price in dollars: $190,373
• Selling price in Euro: €174,758
• Sold: 2017
• Sold via: Private auction

Who was Michael Jordan?

Known as Michael Jeffrey Jordan by birth, he is now considered one of the most influential professional basketball players to ever exist in sports history. He dominated the sport from the 1980s to the late 1990s and was honored with several awards from the sports scene.

You can watch the most incredible moments of his sports legacy here:

“Flu-Game” Jordan 12 – $104,765

These sneakers prove just how popular Bulls guard Michael Jordan’s shoes are. The pair was purchased by Preston Truman, a 35-year-old former Jazz ball boy, via an online auction in 2013. He paid $104,000 for the black and red sneakers, which were also signed. It should be noted here that the starting price was initially $5,000. The shoes were made famous by the 1997 “Flu Game” in which Jordan, despite flu-like symptoms, won 38 crucial points to help the Chicago Bulls win. Rumor has it that Jordan had spent the night before in a casino, which is why he was merely hung over during the game.

• Owner: Michael Jordan
• Model: Jordan 12
• Sale price in dollars: $104,765
• Selling price in Euro: €96.172
• Sold: 2013
• Sold via: Online auction

Self-Lacing Nike MAG – $104,000

Another gem from the house of Nike is in our list: In December 2016, these Nike Mags were sold by Hong Kong auction house Dragon 8 for $104,000 to an unknown buyer from Hong Kong. The sneakers achieved cult status through the 80s movie “Back to the Future” in which Michael J. Fox puts on just those magically self-lacing sneakers. Granted: This pair does lack any magical powers. Nevertheless, the Self-Lacing Nike Mags are still very popular today.

• Model: Self-Lacing Nike Mags
• Selling price in dollars: $104,000
• Selling price in Euro: €95.470
• Sold: 2016
• Sold via: Private auction

Single Nike MAG – $92.100

Unlike the 2016 Nike Mags, this pair is rather less functional. Nevertheless, it was sold in 2018 via the eBay shop of Shoezeum for a little less than 100.00 dollars. The unknown buyer was thus able to enjoy a true rarity: it is considered one of the few original props from the movie “Back to the Future II” that still exist today. A true artifact of the pop culture of the 80s.

Sneaker from the movie “Back to the Future II”

Rarely does it happen that true movie props are sold. No wonder that this rarity can be found in our list.

• Model: Single Nike Mags
• Selling price in dollars: $92,000
• Selling price in Euro: €84,454
• Sold: 2018
• Sold via: Online auction

Stephen Curry’s Under Armour Curry 6 – $58,100

NBA star Stephen Curry auctioned off this pair of Under Armour 6s he wore to a basketball game in early 2019 for nearly $60,000 on eBay. The proceeds went to science education initiatives. The reason was his claim that the 1959 moon landing had been staged, which had caused fierce criticism in the US .

• Owner: Stephen Curry
• Model: Under Armour Curry 6 “Moon Landing
• Sale price in dollars: $58,000
• Selling price in Euro: €53.243
• Sold: 2019
• Sold via: Online auction

Eminem X Carhartt X Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro – $30,100

This pair of sneakers, which was a collaboration between hip hop legend Eminem, Slim Shady, Carharrt and Jordan, sold for a whopping $30,100 to celebrate Shady Records’ 15th anniversary.

• Model: Eminem X Carhartt X Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro
• Selling price in dollars: $30,100
• Selling price in Euro: €27.631
• Sold: 2019
• Sold via: Online auction

 

You can see just how badass the $30,000 shoes are in this video. Spoiler: Snapchat for every sneaker fan is guaranteed:

DJ Khaled Air Jordan 3 “Grateful” – $20,000

In celebration of his Grateful album, American hip hop mongul DJ Khaled released limited edition Air Jordan 3 Retro “Father of Asahd” in 2017. These were sold for $20,000 a piece.

• Model: DJ Khaled Air Jordan 3 “Grateful
• Selling price in dollars: $20,000
• Selling price in Euro: €18.360
• Sold: 2017
• Sold via: Stadium Goods

Nike Air Jordan 5 Retro Michigan Fab Five – $20,000

At #9 on our list of most expensive sneakers are the Nike Air Jordan 5 Retro Michigan Fab Five – a gift that was given exclusively to Jordan Brand friends and family. Later, some pairs were resold for a whopping $20,000.

• Model: Nike Air Jordan 5 Retro Michigan Fab Five
• Selling price in dollars: $20,000
• Selling price in Euro: €18.360
• Sold: 2017
• Sold via: Stadium Goods

Admittedly: Not all of us have the wherewithal to spontaneously order any Hollywood artifacts or limited editions. If you want to ride the wave of the latest sneaker trends, you only need to know the biggest brands. In our list mainly ‘Nike’ and their subdivision of ‘Jordans’ were mentioned. Classics like the good ‘Converse’ or ‘Vans’ don’t get old either and if you like it more sporty, you should have a look at ‘New Balance’ or ‘Reebok’. Luxurious items, on the other hand, are more likely to be found at the relative newcomer to the scene ‘Common Projects’.