Most Expensive Sneakers of 2018 So Far...
This year has already seen heaps of sneaker heat being released by sports brands and high-fashion brands alike. Hype obviously means high-resell prices so here is a run-down of the most expensive sneakers of 2018 so far.
#10 MoMa x Virgil Alboh x Nike Air Force 1
To celebrate the opening of Items: Is Fashion Modern?, the Museum of Modern Art linked up with Nike and Virgil Abloh to unveil a new collaborative Nike Air Force 1. First making its appearance at Miami Art Basel 2016, the all-black Nike Air Force 1 x Virgil Abloh was made available to the public via the MoMa Museum on 27 January.
Average resell price: $1,155
Retail price: $175
#9 Balenciaga Triple S Blue/Orange
Creative director Demna Gvasalia has made a big impact with his ultra-chunky sneakers which retail at notoriously high prices. The blue/organge colour way is however the hardest, non-exclusive colour way to get your hands on and therefore is fetching the second highest resell price of all Triple S models.
Average resell price: $1,177
Retail price: $850
#8 adidas Futurecraft 4D White/Ash Green
adidas joined forces with the firm Carbon for the Futurecraft 4D, featuring a sole made from light and oxygen via a process called digital light synthesis. The Black Futurecraft 4D model released in 7 February and was surrounded by extreme hype. However, that was dwarfed by the release of the white counterpart exclusively at adidas’ 747 Warehouse event during All-Star Weekend.
Average resell price: $1,222
Retail price: $300
#7 Nike Kyrie 3 “Ray Gun”
Originally worn by Kyrie as a player exclusive, this “Ray Gun” Kyrie 3 pulls its colour blocking from a Nike SB release in 2005 that is to this day one of the most collectible pairs from that era. It released on 4 January and is still the most sought after basket sneaker of 2018.
Average resell price: $1,251
Retail price: $120
#6 Virgil Abloh x Nike Air Jordan 1 “GS”
You know a sneaker is popular when the grade school version is in the top 10 most expensive sneakers of the year so far. The children’s version of Abloh’s white Jordan 1 was a consolidation prize for those striking out on their size, or for parents wanting their children to stunt as hard as them.
Average resell price: $1,256
Retail price: $120
#5 Hender Scheme x adidas Originals NMD
Hender Scheme is a Japanese artisan footwear and leather goods brand that’s quality and attention to detail is unmatched. They teamed up with adidas to release an elevated OG NMD with the use of handmade construction and super premium leather.
Average resell price: $1,269
Retail price: $1,000
#4 Nike Air Jordan 3 “Seoul”
Created by Tinker Hatfield and Dan Sunwoo as a special project in Nike’s Innovation Kitchen, the Air Jordan 3 Seoul commemorates the 30-year anniversary of the city’s hosting of summer games and the moment Michael Jordan won the 1988 Slam Dunk Contest. The shoe was released in Korea only and features colour blocking and embroidery referencing the South Korean flag, as well as the Korean text under the tongue.
Average resell price: $1,297
Retail price: $225
#3 Balenciaga Triple S (MR PORTER Exclusive)
The most expensive Balenciga Triple S was released only to MR PORTER and sported a bright green, black and cream on top of the now iconic Triple S sole. It released on 22 January and quickly became the most coveted of all Triple S colourways.
Average resell price: $1,432
Retail price: $850
#2 Y-3 Runner 4D
This is the most expensive 2018 adidas money can buy. The ongoing collaborative brand of adidas and Yohji Yamamoto, known as Y-3, applied adidas popular 4D ash green sole to grey Primeknit with an intricate lacing system. There were only 200 pairs made available on 23 February.
Average resell price: $1,744
Retail price: $535
#1 Virgil Abloh x Nike Air Jordan 1 “White”
Following the Chicago Jordan 1 x Off-White, the all-white colourway sent sneakerheads into a frenzy trying to get their hands on this European-only release. Unveiled during Paris Fashion week in January and releasing on 3 March through Nike and selected retailers, Virgil’s white Jordan 1 is the most expensive 2018 sneaker to buy on the resell market right now.
Average resell price: $1,771
Retail price: $190