Old Sneakers That Could Be Worth A Ton Of Money In 2025

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Whether you're still wearing them daily or they've been collecting dust in an entryway closet, your vintage shoes could be worth way more than what you paid for them back in the day. Although most shoes are worth next to nothing after even moderate use, a handful of rare specimens skyrocket in value over time, almost like an investment.

According to Statista, the total value of the footwear industry is almost $500 billion, and that figure continues to grow every year. Tens of billions of shoes are produced annually, reaching every region of the world. Surprisingly, the second-hand footwear market boasts impressive numbers, too, reaching $4.5 billion. The space is even expected to grow 13.5% annually, hitting a $14.3 billion evaluation in 2032.

Although shoes are normally one of the items you should always buy new, there are some valuable exceptions to this rule. Let's explore some of the old sneakers that could be worth a ton of money in 2025 to see if you're walking on a fortune.

At the 50th Grammy Awards, Kanye West — a fashion icon at the time — teased the world with an unreleased pair of Nikes. The legendary shoe brand had the ingenious idea of generating buzz around an upcoming yet unannounced shoe by allowing one of the most popular rappers to sport them on one of the largest national stages. The marketing scheme struck gold, producing a pop culture frenzy about the mysterious shoes. These understated high-tops feature matte black leather, a glow-in-the-dark vanilla sole, and a minimalistic Nike Swoosh. Although these kicks helped launch the Yeezy brand into the stratosphere, they were only a one-of-a-kind prototype, which immensely increased their value. When you throw in the fact that they were worn by West while performing at the Grammy's, you've got a recipe for success.

Sotheby's — the high-end auction house — initially sold the Nike Air Yeezy Grammy shoes for a jaw-dropping $1.8 million, according to Hype Beast. That marked the most valuable shoe ever sold under the auction firm's name. Over the years, these shoes have fallen from their sky-high evaluations, yet they still fetch impressive numbers. The most recent sale saw the Yeezy Grammys go for $180,106. While representing a 90% markdown from their highest selling price, this six-figure price tag still represents serious returns for the owner. 

Michael Jordan transformed basketball forever, and the legendary player left a similar legacy in the shoe space. Of the countless Air Jordan shoes that have been produced over the years, one of the most valuable and celebrated was a crossover with a record label. Interscope Records, a distinguished record company signing the likes of Kendrick Lamar, U2, and Billy Eilish, got together with the popular Nike sub-brand to collaborate on a shoe. The result was a subtle black design with concrete-style accents on the toe and heel.

A stylized, lower-case "i" appeared on the side, representing the record label. Interestingly, the Jordan 3 Interscope was never intended for circulation. Instead, the companies used the shoe to promote the upcoming All-Star Game in 2017. Although this detail bothered sneaker heads looking to get their hands on these popular shoes, the rarity helps boost their value. Now, these shoes are going for between $1,250 and $3,500.

A crossover between a popular shoe brand and a hot horror franchise wasn't on anybody's bingo card, but it resulted in an intriguing story and an insanely popular shoe. In 2007, Nike prepared to release a Horror Pack of unique shoes designed with famous horror-theme elements. The Nike Air Trainer with Dawn of the Dead inspirations and the Nike Dunk High with Jason Vorhees hints were released to great fanfare. Cinefiles were happy to be able to sport their favorite movies, and shoe lovers were stoked about the unique value proposition.

However, the planned "Freddy Krueger" SB Dunks were never released. These gorey shoes feature tan leather around the toes and heel with blood splatters. Red and grey stripes resemble the serial killer's sweater. Rumors indicate that legal complications kept the shoes from being officially released, but that didn't keep a few pairs from escaping. Sotheby's places the value of these kicks between $8,000 and $12,000. That frighteningly high price tag easily places the Nike SB Dunk Low Freddy Krueger as an old sneaker that could be worth a ton of money in 2025.

Sotheby's describes this vaunted sneaker as "one of the most iconic and important Nike Air Max sneakers of the era," which is saying something alongside several other extremely popular versions of this series. In 2009, Nike entered into a trifold collaboration with well-known Parisian artist Piet Parra and successful Dutch streetwear label Patta. The heavyweight trifecta produced an extremely limited lineup of five colorways. Lucky Green, Purple Denim, Corduroy, and Chlorophyll were all released initially, yet the final design was teased for nearly a year. 

The eager public caught glimpses of the mysterious cherry-colored Nike Air Max sneakers before a highly anticipated release in 2010. The Parra Patta Cherrywood shoes quickly established themselves as the preeminent example of the entire series. The Nike Swoosh and shoe tongue feature a light blue carpeting pattern, while the rest of the shoe is a dark red wine color. The insole features the three different logos of the companies that worked on the shoe. According to StockX, these shoes are selling for around $6,500, with the last auction price set at $3,949.

The PlayStation family is one of the best-selling lineups of video game consoles of all time, with hundreds of millions of units sold across all iterations. Air Force 1s, one of the most well-known Nike sneakers, sell tens of millions of pairs every year, according to Fame Magazine. With these unmatched numbers, a collab between these two powerhouse brands certainly had potential. In 2006, Nike designers joined forces with the PlayStation brand to come up with a shoe that could embody the elements of the famed gaming brand's consoles, in time for the launch of the PS3. The result was a premium black leather Air Force 1 with shiny accents. The laces would change, going from red to purple throughout the partnership. The light-blue bottoms, branded white Swoosh, and instantly recognizable PlayStation logo made these shoes an instant classic.

Only 150 pairs were produced, adding to their value. Although there have been rumors of a re-release in 2025, no concrete steps have been taken. Reports indicate the newer versions will mimic the premier release, piggybacking on their initial popularity.  The original Air Force 1 PlayStation sneakers are still packing a valuable punch, going for $5,000 online.

If you've ever been surprised by the unexpected value of your old beer cans, you might want to hear about the valuable beer shoe. Yes, you heard that right. In 2003, Nike launched a shoe inspired by the popular Dutch beer brand Heineken. As with many other shoes on this list, the SB Dunk Heineken sports an understated look. The bright green suede contrasts with a plain white toe top, side, and heel. The beer brand's red star logo is featured on the outside heel, and red accents show up in the Nike symbol and the red laces, offering a characteristic pop.

Sotheby's reveals that the shoe didn't come from an official venture with Nike. The shoe brand simply released a Heineken-inspired shoe without any approval from the other brand. Unsurprisingly, this led to some legal snafus, which nipped the production of these shoes in the bud quickly, despite their warm reception. According to widely used online shoe retailer Goat, the Nike SB Dunk Low Heineken shoes are worth between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on size and quality.

Before going out of business, the French streetwear company Colette produced a shoe with Nike to commemorate its 20th anniversary. The designers decided to create a limited launch of a humble-looking pair of Air Force 1s. Dubbed the Au Revoir, the pair was intended to act as a sign-off for the French brand. The striking blue shoes feature white accents throughout, including on the logo, the soles, and the middle panelling. The dates 1997 and 2017, the brand's founding and closing years, respectively, are found on either side of the shoes next to the heels. 

The company's logo of two simple white dots stacked on top of each other is found on the back. The Air Force 1 Colette shoes may be the single most valuable item the brand has ever created, boasting a resale price between $15,000 and $18,000. These exclusive shoes are only available from a few vintage shoe dealers and private sellers, making them harder to obtain than the standard shoe. However, even buying Nike products on Amazon could cost you, so making the extra effort to snag these valuable Nikes could be a worthwhile investment. 

With five World Series victories and 14 All-Star designations, Major League Baseball legend Derek Jeter is often included in the conversation about the best baseball players ever to live. Fittingly, Air Jordan honored the star in 2017 with a personalized shoe. The popular Jordan 11 served as the canvas, and a stylish Yankee-blue suede was chosen as the primary color. A vanilla midsole is covered by the shoe's characteristically clear outsole. Logos for these two legendary brands can be found throughout the shoe.

Similar to the Yankees retiring Jeter's number after his retirement, the Air Jordan brand limited the production of these unique 11s. In fact, only five pairs were ever released, making them exceptionally rare and valuable. Instead of simply selling them, Nike decided to stage a raffle during Jeter's retirement celebration. Of the many fans who tossed their names into the running, a select five were chosen to receive these distinguished kicks. The brand knocked the design out of the park, with one pair fetching a whopping $31,200 on Sotheby's. And, StockX lists its last sale of the Jordan 11 Retro Premium Derek Jeter at $23,299.

The Nike SB Dunk Lows are an extremely popular shoe due to their uncompromising comfort, association with rebellious style, and their diverse array of creative partnerships. Some of the most highly anticipated and never-expected crossovers have happened within this series. The Nike SB Dunk Low Paris is the third of this legendary shoe series to grace the list of old sneakers that could be worth a ton of money in 2025.

Released in 2003, these sneakers were commissioned to follow Nike's White Dunk Exhibition on a world tour. One shoe was created for every city visited. For Paris, designers decided to use artwork from the celebrated Parisian artist Bernard Buffet. The shoes feature a tan suede acting as a canvas for several of the painter's Expressionist artworks. A scarlet Nike Swoosh cuts through the design. Overall, only about 200 Nike SB Dunk Low Paris shoes were ever released. What makes these sneakers even more unique is that no pair is the same; each features slightly different artwork. StockX has a pair listed for $50,000, although the previous purchase went for $17,619. Either way, these shoes have soared in value since their initial price.

In 2018, successful rapper and fashion icon Travis Scott released an extremely limited series with Air Jordan. The widely celebrated crossover resulted in a purple suede Air Jordan 4. Instead of being released to the public, the exclusive drop was given to the rapper's entourage, acquiring the F&F tag for "friends and family." There have been rumors floating around of a potential official release of this sought-after sneaker in 2025, although no specific details have been provided. More than five years after its initial release into the sneaker world, the Travis Scott and Air Jordan collab continues to generate buzz.

The eye-catching sneaker utilizes the Jordan 4's unique netting and mesh elements with a highly stylized mid and outsole. The purple suede throughout is what really grabs attention. The left shoe's tongue features that rapper's name. The right shoe's heel is adorned with a Cactus Jack logo — Travis Scott's record label. StockX reports that the final sale of one of these specimens went for $26,334. However, Timeless Investments currently lists a pair being sold in Europe for more than $41,000.

Nike might dominate the amount of old sneakers that could be worth a ton of money in 2025, but Adidas is a close second, with a lineup of some valuable examples. Among the more prized sneakers is the mix between the luxury brand Chanel and the famous pop artist Pharrell. Only 500 pairs of the Adidas Human Race NMD sneaker were released. While standard sneakers are shipped directly to stores across the country or sold online, Adidas launched a sweepstakes to generate more hype around the release. The lottery was held at the extinct Colette fashion shop in 2017.

The modest shoe features a solid white bottom with an outer netting holding the laces. The rest of the shoe is sleek black. In the same monochromatic style, the shoe laces are white and black. The words Chanel and Pharrell are printed on the top of the right and left shoes, respectively. Initially, the kicks were expected to retail for a little over $1,000. However, the Adidas Human Race Trail NMD Chanel x Pharrell sneakers are worth much more today. According to StockX, a pair is valued at between $2,200 and $9,700.

Pharrell's work with Adidas extended beyond a single shoe, with the duo releasing a handful of sneakers that would go on to be worth a considerable amount. The Friends and Family sneakers come in rich burgundy with black meshing and midsoles and a white outsole. The upper part of the shoe is a mesh material, adding to the shoe's comfort and light weight. Japanese characters are featured on the top of the shoes. The word "family" is featured on the right foot, and "friends" is on the left. 

Similar to the Travis Scott feature, the kicks were only handed out to Pharrell's close friends and family. The shoe laces contain reflective highlights throughout the burgundy tone. These sneakers also feature logos on each heel tab. One with the Adidas logo and the other with an equal sign, associated with Pharrell. StockX reports that the shoes initially retailed for $220 in 2016. However, they're now worth dramatically more. The last sale reached $2,340, although the sneaker site has a pair available now for $1,482.

In 2018, Pharrell released a limited edition four-pack of shoes exclusively in China. The shining star of the China Pack is the Happy Gold edition. This colorway features white outsoles and a grayish mesh on top. Adidas topped off the design with gold accents throughout, including on the lacing mesh and various sole elements. In traditional Chinese, "happy" is printed on top of the right shoe, while the left shoe features the word in English. A mere 300 pairs were produced, owing to the sneaker's high evaluations.

Adding to its scarcity, this lineup was only released in China. Adidas promoted its launch across stores in the populous country, but a handful have made it onto American shores. Speaking of the U.S., Adidas is actually one of the best places to use your military discount. These sneakers initially retailed for $250 in 2018, although they've surged in value since their release. Today, a pair of China Happy Pack Gold Pharrell shoes can easily go for $1,000 or more, confirming their status as an old sneaker that could be worth a lot of money in 2025.

Adidas NMD running-style shoes have been a lightning rod of collabs, attracting popular figures and brands throughout their long production period. In 2016, Adidas took inspiration from New York City for its aptly named Red Apple NMD R1 shoes. The German sports brand was marking the grand opening of its Spring Street store in the Big Apple. True to its name, the limited release features a bright red and subtle black colorway. This two-tone design is contrasted by a conventional white midsole. Only 200 pairs were released.

According to StockX, the Red Apple kicks were valued at around $170 upon release in 2016. Nearly a decade later, these sneakers are worth exceedingly more. On the popular sneaker site, a pair is listed for $699, although the previous sale went for $1,006. Goat lists multiple pairs for even more, with one reaching up to $1,835, underscoring the variable price tags of these popular shoes. You might be wasting money if you pay to see the Statue of Liberty, but these Red Apple shoes could actually serve as an investment. 

Kanye West is the throughline between widely saluted Nike and Adidas designs. The Yeezy lineup started with the former brand but migrated to the latter. The shoes West did with the German brand actually ended up being more successful than their Nike counterparts. The Yeezy 350 V2 are among the most valuable of this crossover. More specifically, the Core Black White colorway has generated a lot of attention and significant investments over the years. The relatively downplayed design features a black outsole, mesh, and shoelaces. 

The sole color on the shoe is a cream stripe with the code SPLY-350 on the side. No official reason has been given, but many sneaker heads think this mysterious collection of letters and numbers stands for "Saint Pablo Loves You" or "Supply 350." Today, these shoes are going for anywhere between $171 and $304, depending on their condition, according to StockX. Unfortunately, Adidas has officially ended its work with the controversial rapper and liquidated its supplies of the shoes. However, two successful shoe launches with popular shoe brands aren't bad for a millionaire who didn't finish college.