Nike has created some of the world’s most expensive, rare and unique shoes and sneakers since it was founded in 1964. With sneakers made in collaboration with incredible artists, for great causes, and for tremendous sports influences, there are more colourways and options than you can fathom. With thousands of sneakers, here are the 15 most unique and/or rare Nike shoes globally.
1. Air Jordan 4 “NES”
Using the classic gaming system colours of off-white, red and black, these sneakers honoured classic titles like Super Mario Bros. and the shooter Duck Hunt on the tongues this time. Other elements, like the pressable D-pad and the A/B buttons built into the heel, were similar. They also had a cartridge hangtag to pay homage to the retro format of the games.
2. Nathan Bell x Zoom Fly SP “Doodles”
Released on Valentine’s Day in 2019, it’s no wonder that the exterior is a light pink that almost seems white unless you compare it against a white backdrop. The designs that cover the upper are motivational doodles, inspiring users with messages about bringing the running life into your own life like ‘Try & Stop Me’ and ‘Soul vs. Sole’.
3. Air Max 1 Golf NRG “Grass”
Originally a lifestyle running sneaker, this model was explicitly repurposed for golfers, with functional and whimsical changes for that purpose. The tufty material of the upper is clearly inspired by the green turf of the golf range, while the usually smooth sole of the sneakers was adapted with a new traction formula to be perfect for the green.
4. Nike Air Max 1 “Tokyo Maze”
Designed by Tokyo native Yuta Takuman, who won the On-Air contest, the designer had the chance to create her very own pair of Nike Air Max sneakers inspired by the city she calls home. The monochromatic “Tokyo Maze” sneakers pay homage to the labyrinth that is Tokyo’s intricate subway system. At the same time, a visible red Max Air unit is installed as a nod to the iconic Tokyo Tower.
5. SB Dunk Low “Freddy Krueger”
Most people have never even heard of these sneakers before, let alone seen a pair in real life. They were designed to honour the horror legend Freddy Krueger from Nightmare on Elm Street. Unfortunately, only a handful of samples for these sneakers were made. They were never released to the public because Nike received a cease-and-desist letter from the creators of Nightmare on Elm Street.
6. SB Dunk Low Pro Reese Forbes “Denim”
Famous for being Reese Forbes’ second-ever collaboration with Nike SB and being designed in partnership with skateboarder Natas Kaupas, these sneakers are sought after for the names attached and the look. These sneakers can sell for anywhere from $9,999 to $14,516 on bidding sites and $16,700 on Sotheby’s with guaranteed authenticity.
7. SB Dunk Low “Yellow Lobster”
You might be wondering why these sneakers were named this way, and you have every right to because it’s rather strange. According to the story, the chances of finding a yellow lobster in a lobster trap are roughly one in 40 million, and the rarity is where these sneakers really got their namesake from. These “Golden Ochre/Terra Brown” sneakers were created for friends, and Nike SB employees only and never made it to the retail market.
8. Eminem x Carhartt x Air Jordan 4 “Black Chrome”
These limited edition “Carhartt” Air Jordan 4 sneakers are one of Eminem’s most coveted collaborations with Nike, made exclusively for select family and friends in 2015. 10 additional pairs were made for auction on eBay, with the proceeds from the money going to support Michigan State University’s Community Music School’s efforts, and raised $227,000 for the cause.
9. Travis Scott x Air Jordan 4 Retro “Purple Suede”
Travis Scott is famously known for working with Nike and the Jordan brands, but this sneaker wasn’t created for selling. Instead, these sneakers were exclusively made for friends and family in 2019. Scott could be seen wearing them at several events.
10. Glass Nike Sneakers
This glass pair of Nike Air Max 1s seems too good to be true, and that is because they are. Being completely clear, with gold for the laces and the Nike Swoosh, looking for them will bring you to plenty of Pinterest pages where other people are looking for them. You might find some scam sites as well.
11. Cactus Plant Flea Market x Nike Flea 1 “Forest Green”
Cactus Plant Flea Market has a reputation for cooking up some out-of-the-box sneaker creations, and their Flea 1 design certainly fits the bill. The shoes have been dubbed everything from the “Grinch” to the “Overgrown” by sneakerheads, given their hairy green exterior. But that untamed plush look can be customised with a simple haircut.
12. Nike Air Max 95 “Pollen Rise”
Nike honoured the Air Max 95’s 25th anniversary in 2020 with regional-exclusive colourways. One of the looks they crafted happened to be this unique “Pollen Rise” design released only in South Korea. The shoe looks like your beautiful but basic AM95 colourway at first, but the uppers are covered in fuzzy fabric so that sneakerheads can attach Velcro patches. And who doesn’t like a customisable look?
13. Nike Air Force 1/1 “Nike and the Mighty Swooshers”
Nike’s Air Force 1/1 series offered its wearers customisable versions of the Bruce Kilgore silhouette. Still, even with all of the brand’s unique designs, the anime-inspired Nike and the Mighty Swooshers version is hands down one of the best looks. The sneaker has Velcro patches covered in action-packed anime graphics. It also offers extra Swooshes, eyes, and character patches to decorate with.
14. Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Mid “White”
Nike and Off-White continued to honour Virgil Abloh’s legacy by releasing an avant-garde Air Force 1 Mid design for the model’s 40th anniversary. These sneakers include white textile uppers, signature Off-White branding, and, of course, an orange zip-tie. But the most unusual detail about the shoe is its wavy, spiked sole unit. Just look at it.
15. Nike LeBron 13 25K Point Club (iD)
NIKEiD launched this special LeBron 13 25K design to celebrate King James reaching the 25,000-point mark back in 2015. This version of the shoe has a custom graphic pattern on the upper that fans could reimagine in different colours. To see more rare sneakers, visit: Sneaker Fortress
