Perusing through the world of the most expensive sneakers in the world can be daunting since many have a provenance attached, making them a pedigree with collectors status. These sell for crazy numbers on the resale market and at auction.
Arguably, Nike would fill up almost any list thanks to their Air Jordan line. Scribble on an autograph by Michael Jordan and we’re talking about a pair of sneakers selling at auction for US$560,000. For reals, folks. Remember, you can still tilt the coolness meter in your favor with these affordable classic retro sneakers that are always in style.
You can also glam them up with gold, adorn them with diamonds, and create one-of-a-kind artwork on the sneakers, but this isn’t attainable for the masses since competition is fierce for one-offs.
So, for our top expensive sneakers list, these can be bought online, without the bidding or knowing somebody who knows somebody.
All you have to do is drop some serious bucks. Remember, if you want to live like a celebrity, you’ll need to walk in their shoes.
Golden Goose –
Leopard-Print and Neon Super-Star Sneakers. $560.00
Founded by Venetian designers Francesca Rinaldo and Alessandro Gallo, it didn’t take long for the Golden Goose brand to claim its place in the high fashion sneaker world.
These expensive sneakers are perfectly imperfect, with marks and scruff marks added to make the shoes feel vintage and well-traveled.
Each shoe is handmade, manually processed, and constructed by the artisans of Golden Goose, affectionately known as their “Sneaker Maker.” Sounds catchy and gets to the point.
These pre-distressed sneakers are made from high-quality Italian leather with a leopard print.
Golden Goose likes to incorporate animals and nature in their design and we can appreciate that – we love finding beauty in the wild.
Wearing Golden Goose sneakers, you’ll be walking the walk just like A-listers Reese Witherspoon, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, and Hilary Duff.
Next time you look at a paparazzi snapshot of your favorite celebrity, check out the shoes. For running errands, these are sneakers they love.
Paring: Scruffed up sneakers look best wearing these Zoo Jeans that were ripped up by a wild lion. You’ll look like the clear winner in a fight to the death. You may be called a lot of things, but wimp won’t be one of them.
Hermès –
Quicker Sneaker. US$1,025.00
The Hermès roots go back to the days of making quality saddles for Russian Czars, so it’s no accident we see the iconic horse on their products, including these shoes.
A little fun fact, one of the Hermès sons was granted exclusive rights to use a zipper on leather goods and clothing, and in 1918, introduced the first leather golf jacket with a zipper, made for Edward, Prince of Wales.
Glad that simple device made it to the public domain. Buttons seem to be the first thing to fall off our clothes.
With the Quicker Sneaker, you’ll jump into your casual day with these iconic calfskin shoes sporting the “Se Plier au Jeu” print and iconic “H” detail.
Loosely translated, these expensive sneakers are all about the spirit of the game, and all bets are on you while being chased by your fans and paparazzi.
Paring: People shouldn’t have to look all the way down to the ground to see the glorious iconic horse logo on your feet, so we recommend wearing these sneakers while flying your Martin Jetpack. Now people will look up to you and your sneakers, as they should.
Tom Ford –
Radcliffe Burnished Leather Sneakers. US$1,100.00
Tom Ford is the epitome of a renaissance man, having directed 2 Academy Award-nominated films, becoming a top fashion designer, and creating a line of high-end beauty products.
Ford designed those debonair suits for Daniel Craig in 3 James Bond flicks as well, so we know these sneakers have that Bond appeal.
Wearing these expensive sneakers, you’ll step outside of mere casual. You might even get a pass wearing these to those “jacket required” restaurants. Handsome as a wingtip, one might say.
That luster leather finish is achieved by hand burnishing the shoes and you’ll find the signature logo embedded across the tongue. The logo also protrudes on the sole, so everywhere you go, the legend of Tom Ford follows.
Paring: These shoes have high-end “robot dog walker” written all over, and while folks are looking down wondering if that crazy contraption you’re walking bites, they can’t help but notice your stylish sneakers alongside, a bold statement proclaiming your wisdom and worldliness. Just like Bond. James Bond.
Gucci –
Women’s Gucci Tennis 1977 High Top Sneaker. US$1,100.00
High tops were everything back in the day and these shimmering works of beauty bring us back to simpler times before climate change was an issue. Speaking of which, these are incredibly environmentally-conscious made sneakers.
Here’s the lowdown per the website:
- Lining contains organic cotton where the cultivation and manufacturing process restricts the use of chemicals, eliminates pesticides or artificial fertilizers, and incorporates methods that respect biodiversity, improve soil quality, and reduce water consumption.
- The ribbon contains recycled polyester that reuses waste or byproducts, reducing the environmental footprint associated with new fossil fuel-based material. Sole contains 20% bio-based content instead of non-renewable fossil fuels.
Who knew they could squeeze so much goodness into such a little sneaker? Highlighted with a gold sequin-embroidered quilted satin, accented by the green and red Web stripes, we know these are exquisitely made from the House of Gucci.
Pairing: A nice Cabernet Sauvignon cult wine from Screaming Eagle would adequately complement the red stripe on the sneakers, the shimmering gold sequins will take it from there. You’ll be noticed from head to toe.
You’ll reminisce of those simplistic days of backyard barbeques where wine and comfy shoes by the poolside was A-OK.
Christian Louboutin –
Louis No Limit Flat. US$3,295.00
Now things are getting interesting. Enter Christian Louboutin, the designer who made red soles a “thing” that no celebrity or heiress would step into the nightlife without.
This luxe fashion designer has even trademark protected the red soles on his shoes, most commonly seen on stilettos. A bold move, now seemingly outdone by the No Limit Flat sneaker. Gotta love those spikes.
These retro designed expensive sneakers bring us back to the days of shopping on Melrose Avenue then hitting the Rainbow Club on Sunset Boulevard – with spiked hair to match.
The rounded-toe sneakers have been crafted with black calf leather sprinkled with a play of golden spikes on the inner side with tone on tone strass on the outside. This is one formidable pair of sneakers.
Pairing: We see these sneakers being festival-worthy, allowing crowd control, and giving you the proper distance to wind up and pitch tomatoes in a world-class tomato fight.
For your fellow comrades who slip on crushed tomatoes and fall at your feet, they’ll quickly be reminded who’s the boss.
