Top 10 Rarest Sneakers

These sneakers bring a whole new meaning to the phrase “take a walk on the wild side”. Coming in a wide variety of bright colors, they’re guaranteed to catch the eye of all passersby should you wear them out. But it’s not the vibrant hues, or even the huge price tag that makes them so unique. The interesting snakeskin patterning on the outside isn’t just a cool factory design, it’s the real deal. Made out of genuine snakeskin, the Flats are tough to get a hold of, slithering beyond the grasp of even the most dedicated sneaker collectors due to their limited availability and high value. They tend to go for $1,600 or more.

Space age style with modern flair? Yes, please! These metallic silver high top sneakers, with their chunky velcro straps, somehow manage to look both futuristic and retro at the same time. This unique aesthetic means that they stand out on even the most dynamic of store shelves - not that they actually appear there very often. Considering a new pair of these particular Balmains is going to cost you upwards of $1,400, they’re not exactly mainstream sneaker fare. If you’re lucky, you may be able to track down some pre-owned pairs on second-hand websites, but you’ll have to beat the rush of high end collectors clamoring to get a pair of these iconic kicks.

With a very limited number of pairs ever produced, the Nike Elite Peach shoes are some of the most sought-after sneakers on the market. Designed in 2013 and given exclusively to the players on the King James Shooting Stars team, the shoes aren’t available at any retail or online stores, though knockoffs are popular. Getting their name and color palette from the Nike Peach Jam AAU tournament hosted and sponsored by Lebron, these event-specific shoes would be the crowning jewel of any sneakerhead’s collection. If you’re willing to pay a hefty $1,800 for a chance at what might be an original… be our guest.

The University of Oregon is home to some seriously devoted and organized student basketball fans. In order to pay homage to this dedicated Oregon Ducks cheering section, who are referred to as the “Pit Crew,” Nike, Oregon football player Jason Williams and designer Tinker Hatfield produced this limited edition sneaker - pairs of which were given out to only the most dedicated Pit Crew members. So… how can you get your hands on a pair? By helping a student or recent graduate pay off a chunk of their student debt. These sneakers are high end, high priced, and in high demand. They resell online for anywhere between $3,460 and $5,800.

Another product on our list that hissed at one point, these luxurious sneakers are made out of genuine iguana skin. An extremely limited edition set of kicks, they’re so rare that even among sneakerheads, only the affluent and elite have a shot at wearing them. These distinct looking GeoBasket Hi-Tops originally sold for between $1000-2000 retail, and now fetch well over $5000 online. Most who sport these sneakers… are red carpet regulars. These kicks are off limits... save for those with wallets that can handle the bite.

Some rare shoes debut with a high price tag; others are originally priced modestly, but quickly rise in value due to high demand. Whenever “Yeezy” is in the title, you’ve got to get your feet in a pair quickly - unless you’re willing to cover the price of inflation. This limited edition “Zebra” print model, retailing at $220, had Yeezy collectors going crazy in 2017- selling out in minutes with no restock in sight. Though they are available through second-hand dealers online, their authenticity is difficult to guarantee, and they now regularly sell for over triple their original price. Forever waiting for the next re-stock alert...

Good art is expensive - and art on sneakers is no exception. Bearing a one-of-a-kind design from French painter Bernard Buffet, this edition of the Nike Dunks were as much a work of art as they were running shoes. With only 202 pairs ever produced, they’ve become one of the rarest and most sought after shoes on the market, attracting collectors with both the unique design of the shoe and the simple fact that they are so rare. We're not sure if you’re supposed to wear them or hang them on the wall next to your Monet, but at $10,000 a pair, you’re gonna want to get these puppies insured.

When great minds come together, you get something beautiful - and rare. Celebrating the 15th anniversary of Eminem’s record label, this shoe was a collaboration between the artist, Nike, and the Carhartt clothing company. Designed with a retro look and with only a limited number produced, the shoes were released through an online auction, selling out in record time. Now only available through second-hand online retailers, the shoes regularly sell for tens of thousands of dollars, owing to the high demand and rarity. Shoe authority Flight Club has historically priced their pairs, when available, at between $18,000 and $30,000.

Though the collaboration between Nike and Kanye West was short lived, it produced some of the most sought after sneakers the world of athletic wear has ever seen. Bright red and never released in retail stores, the Red October models have not been re-stocked since 2014. They sold out in seconds due to the anticipation surrounding their release. Nowadays, they regularly sell for $5,000 to $7,000, but have gone for $10,000 to $20,000 on numerous occasions. These particular Yeezys are off limits except to the most diehard of sneakerheads, but if you’ve got it in the budget, they make a one of a kind addition to any collection.

Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honourable mentions.
- Nike Dunk Hi SB ‘Flom’

- Air Jordan 2 Retro Eminem

- Nike Air Foamposite One ‘ParaNorman’


As the kicks of choice for Marty McFly when he traveled to 2015, Nike decided to produce a limited number of the shoes. Released in 2011, the sneakers sold out in minutes and were extremely difficult to find aside from online resellers. In 2016, Nike released a self-tying version of the shoe that was only available through a lottery. It became one of the most in demand sneakers ever produced - winning over collectors and movie fans around the world.