Sneaker collectors—often lovingly known as “sneakerheads”—are a rare breed of fashion enthusiasts, often waiting long hours standing in line, entering raffles, and shelling out thousands of dollars for that perfect pair to complete their never-ending collections.
Comparable to the Supreme and Off-White-obsessed “hypebeast” subculturists but with far more longevity, the sneakerhead community’s dedication to their chosen interest is second to none.
Travis Scott x PlayStation Nike Dunk Low sneaker collaboration (Credit: @cactusjack / Instagram)
The newest sneaker to pique the interest of sneakerheads across the world is none other than a pair of Nike Dunk Lows, in collaboration with Travis Scott’s record label Cactus Jack and, surprisingly, gaming company PlayStation.
The shoes, aptly named Nike Dunk Low: Travis Scott x Playstation, are garnering insane asking prices across the internet.
At the time of writing, these elusive sneakers had asking prices at Goat and StockX ranging from $48,000 for a pair in men’s US 11 to $175,000 for a pair in men’s US size 12—the size of the shoe heavily impacts the price, as more common sizes will be more expensive due to the demand.
Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack record label and video game brand PlayStation have collaborated to celebrate the release of the PS5 gaming console in November 2020
But why are the Travis Scott Playstation shoes so expensive?
In all honesty, the shoes themselves are rather unremarkable. They bear the same casual profile as other Nike Dunk Lows in a baby blue and white colorway, featuring the PlayStation logo with the company name written in Japanese below, a large SONY label on the ankle, cream soles, dark grey Nike swoosh, and grey stitching throughout.
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No, the demand has nothing to do with the look of the shoe but the supply. Only 24 pairs of this exclusive sneaker were created and released into the world.
However, only 19 pairs were released to the public, as five pairs were raffled off during an exclusive “family only” — according to Scott himself — sneaker lottery to celebrate the release of the PlayStation 5 gaming console.
Sure, the shoes are cute and especially appealing to fans of the rapper or PlayStation gamers, but still—why would anyone pay more than $50,000 for a pair of sneakers?
Only 24 pairs of the Travis Scott x PlayStation Nike Dunk Lows were released, and five of which were raffled off during “family only” sneaker lottery (Credit: Stockx)
The Nike Dunk Low: Travis Scott x PlayStation’s exclusivity means that resellers and scalpers can ask exorbitant prices for the tennis shoes.
Since things are really only worth what someone is willing to pay for them, there must be someone out there willing to pay so much to own a pair of these once-in-a-lifetime shoes.
What do fans think of the Travis Scott x PlayStation Nike Dunk?
Sneakerheads and Travis Scott fans alike seem to generally appreciate the shoes, based on posts online.
“These are the first pair of Travis Scott’s that I like,” one Reddit user said about the PlayStation collaboration. “The color palette is amazing.”
Still, others aren’t convinced by the sneaker’s design, as it is certainly not anything new.
“These are weak af IMO. But it has Travis attached so everyone will love them,” another commented. “Only good collabs with him were the first forces, the 4’s (FNF especially, would be better without branding though) and the original dunks.”
Sneakerheads say that the Travis Scott x PlayStation Nike Dunk Lows would not be so sought after if it didn’t have the rapper’s name attached to it (Credit: ABACA / INSTARimages)
Another agreed, saying, “These would 100% be better if they just had a normal f*cking swoosh ngl and were PlayStation dunks, not [Travis Scott] Dunks.”
Sneakerheads online are correct when saying that these shoes would not be so sought after if the collaboration didn’t have the rapper’s name attached to it.
Pairs of Nike Dunk Lows on the brand’s website typically retail for just over $100, like this pair (though not in the same colorway) that retails for $115 at Nike.
Nike Dunk Lows, like the “Vast Grey,” typically retail for just over $100
If you really want to get your hands on a pair of these Travis Scott x PlayStation shoes, you don’t have to look far—many sellers create fake “replicas” for a fraction of the price. Not that we’re telling you to do that, though. It is technically illegal.
What are the most expensive sneakers ever sold?
The Travis Scott x PlayStation Nike Dunk Lows aren’t even close to being the most expensive sneaker, though.
As mentioned, sneakerheads are seriously dedicated to finding that perfect pair of tennis shoes.
The Air Jordan 12 OVO Drake Edition (left) was sold for $100,000, while Kanye West’s prototype Nike Air Yeezy 1 (right) fetched $1.8 million at auction (Credit: Stockx / Sotheby’s)
Unsurprisingly, many of the most expensive pairs of sneakers ever sold were created in collaboration with other well-known figures, like the Air Jordan 12 OVO (Drake Edition), which sold for a whopping $100,000 at the height of their popularity.
Or the (only pair in existence) prototype of Kanye West’s Nike Air Yeezy 1, which the rapper wore during his iconic Grammy Awards Performance and garnered an insane $1.8 million at auction.
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The most expensive pair of sneakers ever sold are not technically wearable. Rapper Drake’s solid gold OVO x Air Jordan 10s are worth an estimated $2 million, but then again, they’re pure gold.