A ranked list of the most expensive Nikes and their price tags

Nike is among the most famous and significant names in the sports footwear industry worldwide. The firm has consistently pushed the limits of design, technology, and cultural influence since its establishment in 1971. While diving into the most expensive Nikes, names such as Michael Jordan, Kanye West, and Kobe Bryant will not go unnoticed. The Swoosh brand has successfully entered the market and taken the lead in the sporting industry.

The Nike shoes have high market prices due to their global recognition, high-tech design and production techniques, and premium materials used in their manufacture. Over the years, the American giant company has released numerous types of iconic sneakers that are in high demand and have thus fetched a fortune in the market.

Top 10 most expensive Nikes

The American brand's sneakers are among the most famous in the world. They take nearly 20% of the global market, and their dominance in the industry has remained steady throughout the years.

Here are the top 10 most expensive Nikes ever sold, detailing their price tags, designers, and years of release. Sports Brief used sources such as SuperMoney, CNBC and Art News to come up with this list.

10. Air Jordan 12 Flu Game

Among the most expensive Nikes on the market is the 1997 Air Jordan 12 Flu Game. The design stemmed from when they were worn by Michael Jordan during a basketball match between the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz in the 1997 NBA Finals.

The highly sought-after sneakers gained their nickname when Jordan battled flu-like symptoms, scoring 38 points and leading the Bulls to a key victory. After the game, the shoes were given to a ball boy named Preston Truman, who sold them for a world record fee.

9. Olympic-worn Air Jordan 7

Among the top ten most expensive Nikes are the Olympic Dream Team. The design is famous because Michael Jordan wore them during the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. He autographed the sneakers and presented them as a gift to a member of the team's staff.

8. Nike Mag

Among the most expensive Nike ever sold is the Mag sneakers, which were auctioned in 2016 for a whopping $200,000. The famous sneakers were released in 2011 to duplicate Michael J Fox's character Mag shoes in the 1989 film Back to the Future Part II.

The 89 shoes created were auctioned at a charity, and all earnings went to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Due to their scarcity and connection to the famous movie, these sneakers are considered highly desirable collector's items.

7. Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 Low

Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 Low, realised in 2022, is among the most expensive Nikes ever made. They were auctioned off for $350,000 in an auction that lasted two weeks and featured 200 pairs of sneakers.

The shoes set a new world record for the highest-known public sale of a sneaker, as per Money Inc. They were manufactured using monogrammed calf leather by Virgil Abloh, which led to their high price tag.

6. Nike Waffle Racing Flat Moon Shoe

As of January 2024, fewer than 12 pairs of Moon Shoes made for runners competing in the 1972 Olympic Trials still exist. They were designed by Bill Bowerman and were named after his wife's waffle iron that resembled the 1969 astronauts' footprints.

5. Nike Air Jordan 1

Among the world's most expensive Nikes are the Nike Air Jordan 1, which are considered the most iconic sneakers of all time. The initial release had the classic "Chicago" colourway, its most notable feature, which paid respect to Michael Jordan's squad at the time.

4. Air Jordan Retro Kobe Pack

The Air Jordan 3/8 Retro Kobe Pack is a limited-edition shoe and one of the most expensive Nikes in the market today. They were designed as an homage to the great basketball legend Kobe Bryant and are a replica of the Air Jordan 3 and 8.

The sneakers, designed to celebrate Bryant's 20th season in the NBA, have a white leather top with purple and gold details representing the Los Angeles Lakers.

3. The Nike Air Ship

The Air Ship sneakers are among the world's most expensive Nikes ever designed. They have a clean look with a white leather upper and a red swoosh. The Air cushioning device in its heel offers more comfort and support and is the shoe's most distinctive feature.

The Nike Air logo, which has since been an integral part of the sneaker business, was first seen on the heel of the Air Ship. This was the first sneaker that Michael Jordan wore as a professional NBA player.

2. Kanye West x Nike Air Yeezy 1

The Kanye West x Nike Air Yeezy 1 sneakers are among the most expensive Nikes in the market today. They were worn by Kanye during the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in 2008, and they marked the collaboration between Yeezy and Nike.

The sneaker heel features a tonal swoosh, and its top is composed of soft black leather with perforated patterns. They have a strap at the front of the shoe for further intricacy, and the lace locks are embellished with a bright pink "Y" motif, which stands for Yeezy.

Sneakerheads had their eyes on the Air Yeezy 1 but were sold out. Since then, they have grown in value and become highly sought-after. On the secondary market, some pairs are going for thousands of dollars.

1. Drake OVO x Nike Air Jordan 12

The most expensive sneakers in the world are the Nike Solid Gold Ovo X Air Jordans, which were purchased by hip-hop singer Drake in 2016 for a whopping $2 million. The shoes were designed by Drake and Jordan using 24-karat solid gold.

They reportedly weighed around 100 pounds and were custom-made for the renowned artist. The Nike Air Jordan x Solid Gold OVO is a monument to the strength of luxury, exclusivity, and partnership in the shoe business.

What is the world's most expensive pair of shoes?

The most expensive shoes in the world are the Moon Star shoes by Antonio Vietri. They are worth approximately $20 million and are made out of pure gold, 30 carats of diamond and a fragment of the 1576 meteorite.

Frequently asked questions

Nike has produced different types of sportswear and has customised some to match an individual player's needs. However, with each customisation, there is an increase in the original price. Here are some frequently asked questions about the American brand.

What Nike shoes cost $1 million?

The Michael Jordan's Regular Season Game Worn Nike Air Ships sold for $1.472 million. However, according to some analysts, the Jordan 13s are among the most expensive sneakers in the market right now.

Who has a billion-dollar Nike contract?

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, has a lifetime contract with Nike worth $1 billion. He is the third person to be awarded a lifetime contract after only the basketball legends Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

How much is Drake's Nike worth?

Drake's sneakers, the Nike Hot Step Air Terra Drake NOCTA, released in 2022, is worth approximately $180.

Who owns Nike?

Phil Knight, the brand's co-founder and his son Travis Knight own over 97% of the shares, and thus, they have control over it, although it is a publicly traded enterprise.

Which is costly, Nike or Adidas?

The American-based sportswear company is more expensive than Adidas due to their perceived brand value.

Are the most expensive Nike shoes limited edition or mass-produced?

Most pricey shoes are limited-editions; thus, their scarcity allows only a select few to purchase them. It is also one of the factors contributing to their high price tags.

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Final word

The most expensive Nikes in the world are mainly custom-made, worn by celebrities or have been signed by them. However, most of them are sold at auctions to demonstrate the brand's cultural significance and historical relevance. Each shoe, with its own story and legacy, is a chapter in their journey.

Sports Brief published an article detailing the best soccer cleats for wide feet. Sports have been part of human interaction and a symbol of peace for years. And since players require comfort, different shoes have been designed to match each player's needs.

Some cleats are thin, while others are wide, depending on an athlete's feet. However, most top brands and designers are dedicated to producing the best soccer cleats for wide feet to provide comfort and easy movement on the pitch.

Number/name	Price tag	Year released
Drake OVO x Nike Air Jordan 12	$2 million	2016
Kanye West x Nike Air Yeezy 1	$1.8 million	2009
The Nike Air Ship	$1.47 million	1984
Air Jordan Retro Kobe Pack	$800,000	2016
Nike Air Jordan 1	$560,000	1985
Nike Waffle Racing Flat Moon Shoe	$437,000	1972
Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 Low	$350,000	2022
Nike Mag	$200,000	2011
Olympic-worn Air Jordan 7	$113,000	1992
Air Jordan 12 Flu Game	$105,000	1997