How much can a pair of sneakers be worth? A lot. Up to $130,000. But such staggering amounts are not for everyone. What exponentially increases the value of a pair of sneakers are several factors: those born from collaborations with figures in the music or sports world, those produced in very limited series. Those that have seen the end of a collaboration that seemed destined for years (see Kanye West and Nike under that heading), in short, the reasons are truly many and varied. This has prompted StockX, the reselling platform where you can sell and buy sneakers, clothing, and streetwear accessories, to select the cult models that have increased their value year after year becoming true cult items of the last decade.

adidas 3D Runner Black

Before the 4D sole revolutionized modern footwear, adidas had launched the 3D version, driving sneakerheads and collectors around the world crazy. The 3D Runner incorporates a 3D-printed midsole, featuring a diamond-patterned motif that offers greater stability in high-impact zones. The heel, also 3D-printed, is integrated into the sole. The Triple Black colorway is paired with a Primeknit upper. The 3D Runners are still among the most sought-after models by experienced collectors, with a resale value around €2,800.

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adidas Yeezy Boost 350 Turtledove

The second model born from the collaboration between Kanye West and adidas, sold out online in just a few moments, will forever be remembered for having consecrated the legendary Yeezy phenomenon, inevitably revolutionizing the sneaker game of the entire decade. Characterized by a minimal yet meticulously studied design, the Air Yeezy Boost 350 Turtledove deserves credit for reinterpreting the two main technologies developed by adidas in recent years (Primeknit upper and Boost sole), resulting in a perfect balance between performance and fashion that has conquered the past decade and now reaches a value of over $1,200 per pair. Such great success has led the Turtledoves to also win the “award” of the most copied sneaker, forcing the brand to increase production and launch new related lines.

Nike Yeezy 2 Red October’s

Released without notice after much speculation in early 2014, they sold out in a matter of minutes, without the need for any advertising or announcement from Nike. With a sophisticated design, gold laces, and an all-red silhouette, the Yeezy 2 “Red October” shoes have gone down in history for being the result of the final collaboration between Kanye West and Nike. The lack of an official release date and the refusal to acknowledge copyrights pushed Kanye to forever abandon the Nike brand and sign with adidas Yeezy, ushering in a new era. The lucky few who were able to get a pair then have indeed acquired a true collector’s item. In fact, within a few hours, the models that flew off the shelves on the Nike website at the retail price of $245 quickly reached three-digit figures in the reselling market, reaching a market value today that exceeds $6,000.

ASICS Gel-Lyte III Ronnie Fieg “Salmon Toes”

Created to celebrate the opening of the first Kith store in New York in 2011, the Gel-Lyte III “Salmon Toes” symbolize the Ronnie Fieg-Asics duo, one of the strongest partnerships in the sneaker world. The Jamaican-born designer and founder of the Kith brand collaborated with ASICS for the first time to release this version of the Gel-Lyte III, boldly choosing to combine a double blue and salmon pink color blocking on a suede upper. The Salmon Toes sold out in no time and even today, almost ten years later, they are sold for over nine times their original price ($130).

Jordan 1 Retro High Off-White Chicago

Nicknamed “The Ten,” they are the result of the highly anticipated collaboration between Nike and Virgil Abloh, probably the designer of the decade for his all-encompassing creative language and revolutionary way of exploiting every artistic possibility. The Jordan 1 Chicago best represents Abloh’s innate ability to reinterpret history, marking the birth of new trends with unparalleled hype. Based on the original “Chicago” Air Jordan 1, the model presents oversized swooshes, deconstructed uppers, and other details that coincide with the other ten Abloh models such as exposed foam, stitching on swooshes, and written and “hidden” details in various parts of the shoe, from laces to collars. Starting from an initial price of $190, their value now exceeds $3,000 per pair.

Nike MAG Back to the Future 2016

Undoubtedly one of the most expensive models ever made, this 2016 reissue of the iconic Back to the Future shoes was officially presented on October 21, 2015, exactly thirty years after Marty McFly’s famous time travel. Compared to the 2011 version, the sneakers launched in 2016 feature Adaptive Fit technology, making them the first self-lacing shoes very similar to those worn by Michael J. Fox in the movie. The first pair was rightfully given to the actor, and the proceeds from the auction of all 89 models put up for sale ($6.75 million) were donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Today, it is practically impossible to get hold of one of the circulating models for less than €25,000.

Jordan 1 Retro Fragment

Among Nike’s excellent collaborations, Fragment, Hiroshi Fujiwara’s brand, a Japanese DJ and designer who skillfully blends streetwear and hip hop culture with coherence and highly personalized style, could not be missed. The Retro Fragment model’s colorway is one of the most coveted ever created for the Jordan 1 silhouette. The design combines black toe color blocking with royal blue accents, revealing the Nike Air logo on the tongue and a Fragment Design logo on the heel. The value of the original model easily exceeds $2,000 and is a clear reflection of the respect the Fragment brand has held in recent years. True sneakerheads certainly cannot forget the Jordan 1 Retro Fragment version, whose value now ranges between $4,000 and $6,000.

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