Shopping for a sneakerhead this holiday season? The best shoes for gifting are rich in history and high on style. Whether you’re looking for OG Air Jordans from 1985, rare player exclusives, or coveted friends and family pairs from Virgil Abloh’s groundbreaking “The Ten” collection, we’ve got you covered. Read on to discover our hand-picked selection of covetable kicks: 7 sneakers sure to wow any collector and stand the test of time.
Nike Air Jordan 10 OG Seattle 1994
Originally released in 1994, the Air Jordan 10 was introduced while Michael Jordan was on a hiatus from basketball. In commemoration of Jordan’s career, designer Tinker Hatfield featured 10 milestones—one from each year—on the outsole of the Air Jordan 10 OG. The list began with Jordan’s Rookie of the Year award in 1985 and ended with a 1994 line that simply read "Beyond." In March of 1995 when Jordan returned to the NBA, he did so in the Air Jordan X. This 1994 Nike Air Jordan release, in the “Seattle” colorway, is part of the “City Series.” It features a predominantly white and black upper, with Kelly Green interior lining and accents on the outsole.
Nike Air Force 1 Low 1995
This vintage Air Force 1 style from 1995 features a timeless white and black colorway. Originally released in 1982, the Nike AF1 silhouette is named after the presidential aircraft. The Bruce Kilgore design was the first basketball shoe to feature Nike’s revolutionary air pocket technology. Today it is one of the brand’s most iconic, best-selling sneakers. This Air Force One Low features a white tumbled leather upper with a contrasting black Nike Swoosh.
Nike Air Jordan 1 OG High Chicago 1985
The Nike Air Jordan 1, designed by Peter Moore, is one of the most iconic designs in the history of both streetwear and basketball, and is a key part of the origin of the Air Jordan brand. In 1984, Nike gave Michael Jordan his own signature line of shoes and clothes. It was a first for the brand, and paved the way for many of the player collaborations we see today. The Air Jordan 1 OG was so popular and successful that Nike continued to make new signature Jordans each season. These Jordan 1 OG High Chicago sneakers are in the iconic “Chicago” colorway—perhaps the most recognizable for Michael, as well as the Nike brand. The Air Jordan 1 Chicagos are unmatched when it comes to quality, craftsmanship, materials, innovation, performance and, of course, style.
Nike SB Dunk Low Premium Concepts Blue Lobster
The Nike SB Blue Lobster was designed in collaboration with Boston streetwear boutique Concepts. Released in 2009, these Blue Lobster Dunks boast a colorway inspired by the ultra-rare crustacean of the same name. Speckled slate and nightshade uppers are topped with a gingham “tablecloth” liner. Included with the Blue Lobster Dunks are two blue rubber bands, which originally would have been wrapped around the toe box of the Nike SB Blue Lobster, in a nod to the traditional method of securing lobster claws.
Nike Air Presto Off-White The Ten Friends and Family
The Off-White x Nike Air Presto was released as part of ‘The Ten,’ a collaborative capsule between Virgil Abloh and Nike, in which the visionary designer explored ten classic Nike silhouettes.'The Ten' Air Presto features an “inside out” appearance, with an added heel strap, stitched on tonal Swoosh on the mesh upper, and signature red zip tie. These rare Virgil Abloh shoes are an especially coveted Friends and Family edition, and come with an Air Presto F&F gift set containing four pairs of laces, a pencil case, and a notebook.
Nike Air Jordan 3 Retro Michigan PE
The Nike Air Jordan 3 Retro Michigan Wolverines PE was made in Spring 2018 by the Jordan Brand as an exclusive for the Michigan Wolverines. With an estimated 250 pairs in existence, this Air Jordan Michigan PE was released specifically for the college basketball program, including the players, coaches and staff. Sporting navy blue and maize, these Jordan Retro 3s highlight the University of Michigan’s iconic school colors. The upper features navy leather with grey cement detailing. Contrasting yellow maize accents can be found at the eyelets, tongue and Air Jordan branding at the heel. The pair is finished with Michigan’s block-style “M” embroidered at the tongue.
