Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
The highest verified sale in the records covered here is Judy Garland’s screen-used Wizard of Oz Ruby Slippers, which brought $32.5 million including the buyer’s premium at Heritage Auctions in 2024. That is an auction result for film memorabilia—not a retail price for shoes. The available evidence supports several standout sales, but not a reliable, globally comparable top ten of individual pairs, so this guide separates the documented pair sales from a major multi-shoe collection.
Why there is no reliable top-ten ranking here
“Most expensive shoes” can mean a luxury retail price, a movie prop, game-worn sports memorabilia, or an unworn collectible. Those are different markets. A ranked list also needs consistent rules for sale date, currency, buyer’s premium, and whether an auction lot contains one pair, one shoe, or several items. The verified results below do not establish ten comparable individual-pair sales, so presenting them as the definitive ten most expensive pairs in the world would overstate what the records show.
Auction prices belong to specific objects and sales. Their histories, scarcity, authentication, and bidding circumstances may matter, but the available records do not isolate how much any single factor contributed to a final price. These figures should not be read as ordinary shoe values or as guaranteed resale benchmarks.
The standout documented sales
| Item | Sale result | What the figure represents |
|---|---|---|
| Judy Garland’s Wizard of Oz Ruby Slippers | $32.5 million | Buyer’s total, including premium; Heritage Auctions, 2024 |
| Michael Jordan’s game-worn Nike Air Jordan XIII pair | $2.2 million | Pair worn in the second half of a 1998 Chicago Bulls game against Utah; Sotheby’s, April 11, 2023 |
| Michael Jordan’s signed, game-worn Nike Air Jordan 1 pair | $560,000 | 1985 game-worn pair; Sotheby’s, May 17, 2020 |
| Nike 1972 Waffle Racing Flat “Moon Shoe” pair | $437,500 | Unworn-sneaker record cited by Guinness World Records; Sotheby’s, July 2019 |
Ruby Slippers: a film-prop result, not a shoe-store price
Heritage Auctions reported that the screen-used Ruby Slippers sold for $32.5 million including the buyer’s premium in 2024. The widely reported $28 million figure is the hammer price before that premium; the two numbers describe the same sale on different bases. For an apples-to-apples headline figure that reflects the buyer’s total, use $32.5 million and label it accordingly. Heritage describes the shoes as made by Innes Shoe Co. from red silk faille and hand-sequined georgette. Its auction release calls them a “supreme example of studio craftsmanship [that] is arguably the most beautifully made film prop we’ve ever encountered,” attributing that language to the auction catalog rather than to a named individual. Heritage Auctions’ sale announcement.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →#1 Best Overall
- Breathable mesh upper with leather & film overlays for added support & durability
- EVA midsole delivers a lightweight & responsive ride
- Durable, solid rubber outsole with herringbone traction pattern for ultimate on-court movement & control
- Regular
- Lace type: Standard tie
Jordan XIII: a game-worn pair
The $2.2 million Sotheby’s result is for Michael Jordan’s game-worn Air Jordan XIII pair, identified by Guinness World Records as having been worn in the second half of a 1998 Chicago Bulls game against Utah. It is a sports-memorabilia sale tied to a documented game, not a retail price for the model. Guinness World Records’ game-worn sneaker record.
Jordan 1: an earlier game-worn sneaker record
Sotheby’s sold Jordan’s signed, game-worn 1985 Air Jordan 1 pair for $560,000 on May 17, 2020. Sotheby’s described the result as a world record for a pair of sneakers at the time. That is a historical, category-specific record claim—not a statement that it remains the highest sneaker sale across every category. Sotheby’s sale report.
Rank #2
- Breathable mesh upper with leather & film overlays for added support & durability
- EVA midsole delivers a lightweight & responsive ride
- Durable, solid rubber outsole with herringbone traction pattern for ultimate on-court movement & control
- Regular
- Lace type: Standard tie
Moon Shoe: an unworn pair
The Nike 1972 Waffle Racing Flat “Moon Shoe” pair sold for $437,500 at Sotheby’s in July 2019. Guinness World Records lists it as an unworn-sneaker record. It should not be blended with game-worn results without clearly identifying the condition category. Guinness World Records’ unworn sneaker record.
A major result that is not one pair: the Dynasty Collection
The Dynasty Collection sold for $8,032,800 at Sotheby’s in February 2024. Guinness World Records describes it as six single-foot signature Air Jordans from games in which Michael Jordan clinched championships. It is a collection of six individual shoes—not one pair—so its total cannot fairly be ranked beside prices for a single pair without that distinction. Guinness World Records’ sports-memorabilia record.
Rank #3
- Breathable mesh upper with leather & film overlays for added support & durability
- EVA midsole delivers a lightweight & responsive ride
- Durable, solid rubber outsole with herringbone traction pattern for ultimate on-court movement & control
- Regular
- Lace type: Standard tie
How to compare expensive-shoe claims
- Check the lot: Confirm whether the sale was for a pair, one shoe, or a collection. A multi-item lot total is not a pair price.
- Check the price basis: Auction houses may report a hammer price separately from the buyer’s total including premium. The Ruby Slippers’ $28 million hammer price and $32.5 million buyer’s total are not competing estimates.
- Check the category: Film props, game-worn sneakers, and unworn sneakers have distinct record contexts. A category record should not be presented as an all-footwear record.
- Check what is documented: Look for the auction house’s sale report and a record-holder’s description of the item, date, and status. A model name alone does not establish provenance or condition.
- Check the date: “Record” means a result recognized at a particular time and within a stated category; later sales can change the ranking.
What these records mean for buyers and collectors
These auction results describe exceptional collectibles with specific histories, not the prices a consumer should expect to pay for luxury footwear or a new pair of sneakers. They also do not establish a repeatable investment return: the sale amounts are outcomes for particular lots, and the records cited here do not provide a common basis for forecasting resale value. Anyone evaluating a collectible should treat authentication, provenance, condition, auction terms, and the distinction between hammer price and total paid as separate questions.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Cushioned Landing, Energized Push-Off:The ENRG-X+ midsole delivers over 68% improved rebound, absorbing impact on landing and returning energy instantly at takeoff. Enhanced lateral rigidity ensures stable directional changes. Every step feels sharp and effortless, keeping your pace consistent over long distances.
- Stable Landing, Controlled Direction:QU!K BALANCE features a large TPU wrap that reinforces lateral support. It keeps landings stable and directional changes precise, providing strong protection for every fast-paced offensive and defensive move.
- Ground-To-Foot Feedback, Smooth Acceleration:Designed for guards, the shoe features a three-zone precision lockdown. The low-profile, responsive design delivers instant feedback, while the lightweight structure ensures smooth, effortless starts. Cuts and stops feel crisp, with no drag on your movements.
- EU 35-39 Recommend 1-2 size up more fit.Tough Torsional Support, Stable Defense:The ARCHLOCK nylon fiber plate is embedded in the midsole, providing rigid support to prevent arch collapse and ankle roll, enhancing stability during intense movements.
- Powerful Traction, Instantly Stable:The high-performance rubber outsole combines grip and durability, locking firmly on both indoor and outdoor surfaces. Every step responds instantly, maintaining stable propulsion throughout the game.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
