Written by Laura | 21 December 2017 | Updated 20 February 2023
Are you a 'Sneakerhead’? A common name for trainer collectors and enthusiasts, it's affectionately given because sneakers are so in demand in the world of designer shoes. What stared as an underground cultural phenomenon is now big business, with some sneaker collectors owning thousands of pairs – and often selling them for more In fact, almost every sneaker bought is done with the intention to resell. With the help of Expert in Fashion Stefani Markovic and Category Manager Eimear Ahern, we looked into what makes sneakers a good investment and which sets of sneakers could have a high ROI on the resale market.
Brand
Key sneaker: Air Jordan xxx1 Gold All Star
The brand matters since people prefer buying sneakers from more established brands. Nike and Nike Jordans lead the pack as one of the most popular resell sneaker brands.
Air Jordans are the reason so many (American) collectors fell in love with sneakers in the first place. Michael Jordan, the most famous basketball player in the world, designing trainers? Well, you've just got to have them! Even today, Air Jordans are immensely popular. But to keep up with all the trainer competition, in 2017 the designers decided to add a bit of extravagance to the new trainer. The Air Jordan xxx1 Gold All Star has a shiny gold upper-finish with matching shoe laces and less than a year after its release, pairs can be worth over €3,000.
Collaborations
Key sneaker: Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low OG SP Black/Dark Mocha
Sneaker creators frequently collaborate with influential brands, actors, musicians, and artists to produce hype and buzz and drive sales. One notable example includes Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low OG SP Black/Dark Mocha.
When Travis Scott’s Air Jordan I Lows first dropped, they were met with a more lukewarm reception in the marketplace compared to the high-top version; however, over time, this release has grown in popularity within the sneaker community.
You’ll definitely see these a lot right now, and they’re going for a pretty solid markup on the resale market that continues to increase. These sneakers can fetch a price of €1.5k upwards! Additional well-received sneaker collabs include Kendrick Lamar’s Nike Cortez Kenny IV Alexander Wang x Adidas Originals, Cardi B x Reebok, Donald Glover x Adidas.
Hype
Key sneaker: Virgil Abloh’s Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force
Some sneakers are overly hyped due to their association with a celebrity or athlete. The Air Jordan 3 Retro “Black Cement” are a great example of getting the hype right. Originally released in 1988, the follow-up releases came in 2001, 2008, and 2011. And the re-release of the sneaker made it one of the most valuable shoes today because of its link to Michael Jordan and limited production numbers.
Another great example of a sneaker drop that cultivated huge hype was seen in the highly anticipated collaboration between the late designer Virgil Abloh and Nike - Virgil Abloh’s Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1s. As one of the most known sneaker models out there, the Air Force 1 has become an unwavering cultural symbol. To build hype for the collaboration, Louis Vuitton auctioned off the Air Force 1 sneaker in a multi-million dollar sale. This was followed by a highly anticipated exhibition in New York showcasing all 47 editions. Then on July 19th 2022, nine editions of Louis Vuitton's Air Force 1 were released online to the public, each priced between $2,750 and $3,450. Due to the limited number in circulation, resale prices quickly skyrocketed, going from €4k - €20k + depending on the model/colourway. In fact, one pair were sold on Catawiki for €8k in 2022.
Limited Edition
Key sneaker: Nike Lebron 1 Air Zoom Retro
Investing in limited-edition sneakers is a good idea as the demand will be higher. Why would buyers pay a higher price for sneakers that they can easily get off the shelf for cheaper? A great example of some highly coveted limited edition sneakers are the Nike Lebron 1 Air Zoom Retro.
Sneakerheads tend to joke that as long as it is Nike and it is limited, they will buy it. Well, combine these factors with the name “LeBron” - another hugely successful American basketball player - and you've got yourself a winner. Today these trainers can be worth over €1,500.
Other notable sneakers
Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 by Kanye West
Do you own an authentic pair of the Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 by Kanye West, in good condition? Then you may want to put them up for auction. Kanye West created the Yeezy Boost line for Adidas, famous for its coloured stripe and the “SPLY-350” pattern on the upper. Yeezy Boosts are released as a limited edition, for a suggested retail price of €185, and even the new V2 model can only be purchased through the aftermarket today. The “Zebra” Yeezy Boost 350 V2 is probably the most popular edition today.
Adidas Yeezy Boost 350
Balenciaga Triple S
The Balenciaga Triple S trainer started quite a discussion on the internet; these €670 shoes look like they were discovered in a 90s gym locker. But, then again, retro is in and Balenciaga has built up credit over the years, so the Triple S trainers still do very well, perhaps because of their controversial design.
Balenciaga Triple S
Off-White Nike Air Force 1 by Virgil Abloh
These trainers are the result of a collaboration between Nike and Virgil Abloh’s Italian fashion label Off-White. Abloh’s life-long dream to design a pair of Air Jordans lead to the creation of “the Ten”: ten Nike footwear silhouettes that were later divided into the two themes “Revealing” and “Ghosting”.
The great thing about collecting designer shoes as an investment is that you rarely need to wait long before the value of your buy increases. We live in a climate where sneaker investment opportunities are joining the ranks of stocks or crypto trading meaning sneakerheads can combine their passion with income by investing in valuable sneakers that promise high returns – and better yet, plenty of style.
Explore our range of sneakers, in our weekly fashion auctions. And if you've got some exciting pieces, register as a seller.
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