Sneaker-Lovers Tell Us Which Kicks Are at the Top of Their Most-Coveted List

Sponsored by eBay

You don’t need an economics degree to know that the sneaker resale market is booming.

In fact, ‘booming’ is probably an understatement, given it’s a global, multi-million dollar market. Either way, it’s safe to say sneaker buyers, sellers and flippers take their wares seriously.

eBay is an integral part of that growing market, with a pair of sneakers sold on the platform every two minutes. And it’s not just a flash in the pan – eBay was the original channel of choice for sneaker heads desperate to nab a pair of highly-sought-after kicks back when buying and selling internationally was nigh-on impossible.

(Fun fact: This year, the most expensive sneakers sold on any of eBay’s global platforms was a pair by Louis Vuitton, which went for $17,000.)

In excellent news for anybody looking to get into the sneaker-trading game, eBay have just launched their Authenticity Guarantee, which sees a team of Sneaker Con experts inspect and verify the 180,000 kicks available for purchase on the local platform, including 80,000 pairs of Australian inventory. How good!

So, what is it about a pair of retro or mint-condition kicks that makes people all over the globe happily part with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars?

To celebrate the launch of the Authenticity Guarantee here in Australia, we chatted to a couple of local sneaker enthusiasts to find out.

Jennifer Chong owns somewhere between 30 and 40 pairs of sneakers, though she says only about half “have any street cred”.

She got into sneakers when a friend shared a photo of a rare pair he’d just bought.

“After that, I started paying more attention and noticed some of my style icons were wearing pairs I had my eye on,” she told POPSUGAR Australia.

“I was always trying to find ways to wear sneakers in the office… so it was a natural progression.”

That natural progression has led her to an Air Jordan 1 collaboration between Nike and Off-White, which she’d happily scoop up in any colour – and for any price.

“They are the perfect mixture of two brands whose designs are so distinct. You get the familiarity of the Jordan 1 design, as well as the creativeness of Virgil Abloh. In my opinion, [they’re] one of the most iconic pairs of sneakers one could ever own,” Chong said.

Despite her appreciation for the form and style of the Jordan 1s, she firmly believes sneakers are for wearing.

“I do respect all the sneaker heads who have hundreds upon hundreds of sneakers, never worn. For me, I have to wear them. I just hope, for my sake, that they don’t end up like mint-condition Charizard [Pokémon] cards!”

Kishama Meridian agrees sneakers should be enjoyed out in the real world. That’s why she carefully considers every new purchase before bidding or buying.

“I know as soon as I start wearing them, the resale value will go down quickly. And these sneakers are too good to just sit at home in my collection,” she told POPSUGAR Australia.

Developing her love of sneakers in high school, Meridian has around 50 pairs to her name and counts her Nike Air Jordan 4s in University Blue as her current favourites. “I always made sure my sneakers were the part of my outfit that stood out the most – and still do!”

Funnily enough, Meridian also covets the Nike x Off-White Air Jordan Retro 1s. “They’re such an iconic sneaker and I can’t wait to cop them one day,” she said.

It’s not difficult to understand why so many people are after this particular style. Abloh has headed up Louis Vuitton’s menswear division since 2018, in addition to running Off-White, which he founded in Milan in 2018. Add to that the cult-like status of Air Jordans in their original style, and you’ve got a veritable slice of sneaker history.

A new pair will set you back around $6,500, while you’re looking at $1,200-and-up for a second-hand University Blue colourway. At the time of writing, a pair in the original high-cut Chicago colourway were asking over $25,000.

Sydney DJ Irena Stella keeps it in the Nike family, with her 30-strong sneaker collection dominated by Air Max. Her appreciation for sneakers is a result of wearing her brother’s hand-me-downs as a kid in Milan. Now a true collector, a number of those are strictly for looking, not wearing.

“I have sneakers on rotation that I wear out or for DJing, but then also a stash that I don’t wear – [those are generally] light colours or white as they are so easy to ruin,” she told POPSUGAR Australia.

For her part, Stella says she’d love designer Melody Eshani to extend her relationship with Nike to include Air Max.

“She’s worked with some of my favourite artists like Lauryn Hill and Wu-Tang Clan, always incorporating hip hop references and an inspiring take on uniqueness and individuality,” Stella said.

“A pair I regret not fighting for was her Cherry x Jordan collab.”

That’s the great thing about eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee – you can fight for that style you’ve been coveting and know you’re copping the real deal when they arrive.