Sneakers have become sought-after works of art and are regularly bought for astonishing prices in the big-name auction houses of the world. The value of a sneaker is determined by its history, exclusivity, and its cultural impact, and this is very much the case with the Nike Air Force 1.
If ever an athletic shoe deserved the description ‘iconic’, then surely it’s the Nike Air Force 1 sneaker. Seen as the first of its kind, the Air Force 1 was proclaimed as revolutionary in the design of sneakers back in 1982, introducing ‘Air’ technology in its midsole, thanks to the collaboration between Nike designer Bruce Kilgore and aerospace engineers. Nike Air Force 1s are still a massive fan favourite worldwide 42 years on because of their versatility, fashion value, and cultural significance. With its name chosen in reference to the American President’s plane, the Nike Air Force 1 quickly became the shoe to be seen wearing, especially in New York areas like Harlem, giving rise to their street nickname, ‘Uptowns’. It wasn’t long before the world began to take notice too and as demand grew, new models and versions began to appear with a new life away from the basketball court soon beckoning.
Here are the most expensive Air Force 1s to date.
Nike x Tiffany and Co. Air Force 1
A classic collaboration in 2023 saw Nike and Tiffany & Co. team up to release one of the most popular Air Force 1 designs of recent years - paying homage to the brand’s heritage, the limited-edition was produced using premium materials, including Tiffany’s 925 silver on the back of the sneaker. The Nike Swoosh featured in the iconic Tiffany Blue, and the tongue of the Air Force 1 reads “Tiffany” in cursive and “NIKE AIR” is embroidered on each heel tab and engraved silver sterling plates. More than just a pair of Nike Air Force 1, the deal – costing $40,000 - included the extremely limited friends and family variation of the Tiffany Air Force 1 with the design dressed in a predominantly Tiffany blue upper, and also included a co-branded leather-sleeved varsity jacket.
Nike Air Force 1 Low DJ Clark Kent ‘The List’
Another collaboration, DJ Clark Kent (nothing to do with Superman) and Nike commemorated “The List” with a limited-edition Nike Air Force 1 Low. Having a history of collaborations, Clark Kent's involvement in the world of sneakers is well-established. This one is all about the particulars of the design that would mean so much to the sneaker collector; these AF1s have a multi-coloured, pebbled leather upper with mini Swooshes on the sides, while “FRIENDS” and “FAMILY” text are featured on the lateral heels respectively. As if that wasn’t enough, "GOD’s" and "Favourite" text are embroidered on the heel tabs, and DJ Clark Kent’s logo and “#TheLIST” can be found on the tongue tags. The cost of these limited edition sneakers is $35,000.
Nike Air Force 1 Low Lux Alligator
Not surprisingly, a very limited edition pair of sneakers - with only 25 pairs believed to exist, the Nike Air Force 1 Low Lux Alligator, complete with accompanying case, has undoubtedly become one of the most expensive Air Force 1s to buy now. Beautifully crafted with a full alligator skin upper, leather lining, and leather midsole, this exclusive Air Force 1 Low release showcases unparalleled craftsmanship. Nike have also produced AF1s featuring the skins of Crocodiles and Anacondas in the past. Adding to its already unique design, the inside back heel of this particular pair of shoes was intricately embroidered with the name "USHER", perhaps confirming the rumour that these sneakers were specially customised for the RnB megastar. You could snap these crocodile shoes up for $25,000.
Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 Gold
To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Nike Air Force 1, the late designer and entrepreneur Virgil Abloh collaborated with Nike to manufacture just 47 pairs of bespoke Louis Vuitton Nike Air Force 1s for the Spring/Summer 2022 season. These luxury sneakers were made with materials employed in Abloh’s Louis Vuitton men’s collections and styled with his signature quotation marks, echoing the written graphics Abloh used to adorn the popular Air Force 1s. These shoes were definitely a true fashion statement, as each and every sneaker was made by Louis Vuitton in Fiesso d’Artico, marking the first time the AF1 model was manufactured outside of a Nike factory, making them very much authentic, high-end sneakers. The cost is $16,500 for a pair.
Nike Air Force 1 Low Premium Georges Entourage Sample
This shoe is a rare and highly popular Air Force 1 that resulted from a collaboration between Nike and U.S. sneaker store and brand, Undefeated, in honour of the highly acclaimed HBO television show Entourage. At $12,500, this limited edition sneaker is a valuable addition to any collection. Another stunning design, the laser-etched design on the blue and white leather panels gives it a striking appearance, while the "LA" and "Queens Boulevard" text on the heels adds character and meaning to this collaboration. And obviously, unlike general-release sneakers, sample pairs are limited edition in the extreme, making them incredibly rare. Hence the price-tag.
All five sneakers on the list were sold via Sotheby's.
The market for sneakers shows how this once humble footwear item has managed to successfully make the journey into the world of 21st century culture with some big steps forward. It is the provenance and stories connected to them that help elevate their status and drive couture designers to make them part of exclusive collections. To think that the Air Force 1 sneaker was designed to benefit the basketball player on court, it’s amazing to see how much of a fashion statement it has become over the years. With the highest of profile designers always queuing up to collaborate with Nike, it seems certain that the Air Force 1 will celebrate its 50th anniversary in spectacular style and well beyond that milestone on its way to a century.
