These Are the Most Expensive Shoes Ever Sold at Auction
The world of high-end footwear has seen its fair share of jaw-dropping auctions, with some of the world’s most iconic sneakers selling for millions (yes, millions!) of dollars. From their involvement in game-winning slam dunks to iconic Grammy performances, these kicks carry stories (and hopefully no lingering smells) as legendary as the athletes and entertainers who wore them.
They aren’t just collectibles — these shoes have become status symbols and pieces of history. So, step into (pun intended) the world of the most expensive shoes ever sold, including insights into their sky-high price tags.
1. Michael Jordan’s ‘Dynasty Collection’ Air Jordans
Sold for: $8 million
The six sneakers in this set were each worn by Michael Jordan during the championship-clinching games of the Chicago Bulls’ six NBA titles from 1991 to 1998. Their direct connection to some of the most legendary moments in basketball history (show me a better duo than Pippen and Jordan; I’ll wait) — plus the fact they were worn by the GOAT himself — meant collectors were down to get into a dirty fight for them.
The set went on to sell for over $8 million at a Sotheby’s auction in early 2024, smashing records for the most expensive sneakers ever sold in history.
2. Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals ‘Last Dance’ Air Jordan 13s
Sold for: $2.2 million
Worn by Jordan during Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals, these shoes witnessed the shooting guard score a whopping 37 points to lead the Bulls to victory on their path to a sixth championship. Their connection to Jordan’s final title-winning season only amplifies their appeal among fans of the sport, with the kicks selling for over $2 million at an auction in 2023. (Quick question: Do they ever wash these shoes? Or do they want them to be extra dirty authentic?)
3. Kanye West’s Nike Air Yeezy 1 ‘Prototype’
Sold for: $1.8 million
Debuted during West’s (or should we say Ye’s) 2008 Grammy performance, these prototypes marked Nike’s foray into non-athlete collaborations. Their edgy design and association with a key moment in both pop and sneaker culture helped propel their value to nearly $2 million during a private sale in 2021.
4. Michael Jordan’s 1984 Nike Air Ships
Sold for: $1.47 Million
If it looks like Jordan has the sneaker market on lock, it’s because he kind of does. Worn by Jordan during his fifth-ever NBA game in his rookie year, these kicks laid the foundation for the iconic Air Jordan line. Launched in 1985, the line went on to revolutionize the sneaker industry. The Air Ships also symbolize the genesis of his partnership with Nike — a collaboration that not only redefined athletic endorsements but also cemented Jordan’s legacy as a cultural and marketing icon well beyond the basketball court.
5. Michael Jordan’s 1997 ‘Flu Game’ Air Jordan 12s
Sold for: $1.38 million
Worn during the legendary “flu game” against the Utah Jazz in the 1997 NBA finals, these sneakers saw Jordan score 38 points while grappling with a severe bout of food poisoning. (I guess “food poisoning kicks” just didn’t have quite the same ring.) Epitomizing his fighting spirit, determination, and undeniable athletic prowess, it’s easy to see why Jordan is considered one of the toughest players of all time. They simply don’t make ’em like this anymore.
6. Michael Jordan’s 1985 ‘Shattered Backboard’ Air Jordan 1s
Sold for: $615,000
Worn during a 1985 exhibition game in Italy where one of Jordan’s dunks shattered the backboard, these sneakers are a cherished relic of basketball history. In fact, one of the shoes still contains a shard of glass embedded in the sole, serving as a tangible reminder of that iconic moment. Beyond their rarity, the kicks also symbolize Jordan’s dominance on the court and his ability to leave an unforgettable impact — both literally and figuratively.
7. Michael Jordan’s 1985 Game-Worn Air Jordan 1s
Sold for: $560,000
This pair, worn and signed by Jordan during his rookie season, went on to sell for over half a million dollars at a Sotheby’s auction in 2020. Beyond their status as a game-worn artifact, the sneakers are considered especially valuable because they represent the beginning of the iconic Air Jordan legacy.
8. Michael Jordan’s 1996 NBA Finals Air Jordan 11s
Sold for: $482,600
Worn during the 1996 NBA Finals, these sneakers are tied to Jordan’s first championship after his return from retirement, during which he pursued a stint as a baseball player with the White Sox. Considered one of the most iconic designs in the line, the Air Jordan 11s are cherished among both collectors and basketball fans. Their historical significance and connection to Jordan’s “comeback season” also makes them especially valuable as a vintage collectible.
9. Nike Flat ‘Moon Shoe’
Sold for: $437,500
Handcrafted by Nike co-founder and former track coach Bill Bowerman for the 1972 Olympic Trials, this rare pair of running shoes is one of the few remaining (only 12 were ever made) and the only unworn set left, according to Sotheby’s. Designed with a cutting-edge waffle sole for better traction, these shoes served as the prototype for future running shoes and are considered ultra-rare and valuable among fans of sports memorabilia.
10. Michael Jordan’s 1992 Olympic ‘Dream Team’ Air Jordan 7s
Sold for: $114,300
Sported by Jordan during the Barcelona Olympics as part of the “Dream Team,” these shoes represent a golden era in basketball, as well as a global showcase of Jordan’s talent. In case you were wondering who made up said team, it included some of the biggest names in the sport: Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone and Scottie Pippen (talk about an iconic lineup!).