Grading 20 of the Most Expensive Kicks of All Time

If you want a fresh new pair of sneakers these days, be prepared to spend an arm and leg. Back when times were good and you were a kid, all you needed was low-cost kicks that lit up and a starter jacket with your favorite team's logo imprinted on it, and you were good to go.

But when you grow up, things tend to change.

The sneaker game has always been about style and quality. Nowadays it's also about figuring out a way to get your hands on these exclusive pairs.

Jordan and Nike rule the sneaker realm with their fire-breathing ways and iron fist, while Adidas and Reebok are still playing catch up. Even in the middle of this modern day "sneaker warfare," all of these companies have one thing in common: They move expensive product.

In an ongoing series dedicated to sneakers, this slideshow shines a light on 20 of the most expensive kicks of all time. From retail prices to what people are charging reselling these shoes, this list is full of overpriced goodness.

Air Jordan XVII

MORRY GASH/Associated Press

You could make an argument that there hasn't been an Air Jordan silhouette worth spending top dollar on since the Jordan XIII. Stylistically the brand has dramatically changed since the inception of that particular model.

But stuck between all of these obscure models was the Air Jordan XVII. These shoes were not only gorgeous, but they were also great to play ball in.

The design and structure of the shoes reflected a sports car. They were lean and molded to your foot while the combination of white, black and blue as the original colorway worked in harmony.

What's crazy about the XVIIs isn't the shoe itself. It's the fact that they came with a metal briefcase that looks like it should be used to hold pages full of high-grade military secrets or chilled containers of uranium.

When they first hit the market in 2002, they were priced at $200. For resellers that price tag is gravy, but for an actual retail cost? That number was astronomically high.

Had you decided to cough up that amount of dough, you would have gotten a ton of bang for your buck. Not only were they great shoes, but the metal carrying case alone is worth stashing.

Nike Kobe 9 Elite

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Of all the shoes to drop in recent times, the Nike Kobe 9 Elite is probably the most comfortable and beautiful-looking basketball shoe around.

The support you get from these sneakers is staggering, while the design is lightweight and easy to move around in. Besides being a pleasure to wear, the Kobe 9 Elites look great. With a variety of colors to choose from, it's easy for anyone to find a perfect pair.

When they were released to the public, they were given a $225 price tag. That's certainly steep considering these are the type of shoes you either adore or can't stand. But if you fall into the first group, trust me: They're worth every penny you can muster up.

Nike 180 Force Pumps

David Robinson gets knocked for not being a flashy player. In an era filled with names like Shawn Kemp, Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley, the Admiral went about his business in a classic sort of way.

That could be one reason why his signature kicks, the Nike 180 Force Pumps, aren't as revered as some of the other sneakers that launched during that period.

Retailing for $175, these were ultra expensive at the time—and are still pricey in today's day and age. Like Robinson's post game, the Nike 180 Force Pumps were silky smooth and the amount of support included was fortifying. That meant their lavish price was worth it, even back in the early '90s.

Adidas 1

DIANE BONDAREFF/Associated Press

In 2005, Adidas created a line of Adidas 1 shoes with the hopes of revolutionizing the sneaker industry. Michael McCarthy, writing for USA Today at the time, talked about the company's venture in this genre of footwear.

He called the product a "smart shoe" because of what it was equipped with. "The Adidas 1 uses a sensor, a microprocessor and a motorized cable system to automatically adjust the shoes' cushioning," McCarthy goes on to mention.

What was the cost for these bionic kicks? Around $250. This concept never took off, which makes this one of the most expensive flops of all time.

Air Jordan XX8

Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images

We spoke earlier about Jordan Brand's departure from the silhouettes that made them so iconic. Continuing with that trend, they released the Air Jordan XX8 in 2013.

The XX8 was covered in mesh and gave customers the ability to peel that layer down and reveal the skeleton of the shoe. Like a lot of the recent Air Jordans, the design was controversial.

Speaking strictly from a performance point of view, the XX8s were special. The shoes had a innovative vibe that made you feel like you were gliding across the court without losing maximum support.

Those who own a pair would tell you it's one of the best basketball shoes ever created. Its $250 price point wasn't that far of reach when you consider all of the positives the XX8s were equipped with.

Nike LeBron 9 Elite

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

Nike's LeBron 9 model was given special treatment when the company altered it and crafted the Elite edition. This shoe was created with a smooth, white colorway that featured a dashing gold trim to go along with a carbon fiber mid sole.

The Elites were priced at $250 upon their arrival. Fans of James and his signature kicks will testify to the fact that this model was excellent. It's simple, feels right on your feet and isn't too heavy.

There's no question that Nike LeBron 9 Elite is definitely another expensive performance shoe worth paying for.

Nike Air Command Force

The Nike Air Command Force shoes should be in the pop culture Hall of Fame. Made famous in the 1992 flick White Men Can't Jump, these were the sneakers that Woody Harrelson rocked on the scorching hot asphalt of Los Angeles, California.

It’s an ultra-high shoe that features a quintessential '90s-inspired silhouette. Comfort, support, it's all there.

Today's obsession with nostalgia and the '90s pushed Nike to bring these kicks back into the fold. Earlier this year, the company re-released the Nike Air Command Forces, which made a lot of sneakerheads happy.

Had you paid retail for them, it would have cost you $200. But before you say that's overkill, ask yourself one important question: Can you really put a price tag on kicks that were worn in White Men Can't Jump?

Nike Air Mag

There's been a lot of great cinema throughout history. Among the classics is the entire Back to the Future trilogy.

One of the dopest parts of Back to the Future was the shoes Marty McFly wore during the second film. The Nike Air Mags, to this day, are the most important sneakers in the history of movie culture. Nothing holds a candle to the look and design of the Mags.

In 2011, Nike decided to auction off a limited run of the Air Mags designed by footwear icons Tinker Hatfield and Tiffany Beers. The shoes were posted online, and pairs hit $3,000 almost immediately. You can still track down a few random pairs, but they will cost you around $9,000.

There is some good news though. Rumor has it that Nike will be releasing these kicks once again in 2015 and they will featured the power-lacing technology—made famous in the 1989 flick.

Hopefully the cost comes down significantly from the 2011's limited supply.

KD 6 Elite

Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images

Kevin Durant may be a forgotten man when it comes to NBA stars and their sneakers, but that doesn't mean his shoes are any less expensive.

When the KD 6 model got the Elite treatment, it jumped up the chart pricewise. Despite being listed at $200, the KD 6 Elite wound up being a pretty fantastic shoe. It featured a bright chromatic and was supported with extra cushion, which made the shoes remarkably comfortable to wear.

If you're in the market for an expensive shoe that will hold up over time, the KD 6 Elite should be on your short list.

Nike Foamposite

Nike's Foamposite model was going for $180 back in 1997. Aside from a select amount of shoes, this was a staggering price tag for consumers.

The Foamposite's calling card the way it was structured. With a single mold holding it together, this space age-like shoe went one way while the rest of the sneaker world trended toward another.

All these years later, you can still appreciate the art and dedication that went into this model. It's a flagship Nike product that to this day is still being released in diverse colorways.

In '97 the price was shocking, but in today's overpriced sneaker culture, it would fit right in. Too bad Nike now charges $250 to own a pair.

Air Jordan I

Ladies and gentleman, we've officially crossed over into a world controlled by resellers. Basically, they are a flock of people who purchase limited edition kicks and decide to resell them for a pretty penny.

One of the most expensive and hardest shoes to get are the originals: the Air Jordan I. These kicks are the holy grail of Jordans. With so many different colorways to choose from, you can essentially build your entire sneaker collection around these shoes.

Just how expensive are they? Reselling emporiums like Flight Club have the black and red—known as the "Bred" colorway—listed at a peak price of $625.

Paying a premium for the first Jordan silhouette isn't uncommon. They are exponentially popular and go with just about anything in your closet. Plus, unlike a lot of kicks, they just get better with age. The creases, weathered textures and exposure to all of the elements of nature offers up are all good things.

Nike Air Yeezy 2

Richard Shotwell/Associated Press

The only kick to make our list that isn't considered to be traditionally an athletic shoe is Nike's Air Yeezy 2.

Designed by Kanye West, the Air Yeezy 2 set the sneaker world on fire upon its release. Doesn't matter if we're talking about the traditional black, solar and red color combo or the legendary Red Octobers. This shoe is the most commercially talked-about model on the planet right now.

When they first arrived, the Air Yeezy 2s were priced at $245. That was high for "celebrity" shoes. But once they sold out and hit the Internet black market, the cost ascended through the roof. A pair nowadays will run you anywhere from $5,000 and up.

Air Jordan Future Premium

The price of kicks keep rising, especially when it comes to Air Jordans. The Air Jordan Future Premium model is a prime example of that.

Currently retailing for $375, this shoe is one of the most expensive ones out right now for the purpose of playing hoops. It's also quite different than the rest of the competition.

The woven upper is key here. It gives the shoe a boatload of support while remaining light and fluid. Carbon fiber and additional cushioning make the shoe one of the top performers in the industry.

Jordan Brand may be light years away design wise from their early shoes, but the Future Premiums take a step forward with performance.

They're worth the price of admission if you love the legacy of Air Jordans and are looking for a one-of-a-kind basketball shoe.

Air Jordan XI

Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images

We discussed earlier how the Air Jordan Is are considered to be the holy grail of sneakers. But if those are holy grails, the Jordan XIs are hyper-grails.

Besides the originals, the XIs are the most recognizable. They were made famous with the Concord editions and taken to the next level with the Space Jam models.

Resellers love these sneakers. They charge top dollar for anything with the XI pattern sprayed on it. Search Flight Club and you'll find outrageous price points for these majestic kicks that usually end up being in the $500 range.

Air Jordan V T23 'Tokyo'

Like any other Jordan Brand retro, the Air Jordan V has been released in a myriad of colorways. All of them are expensive when it comes to the reseller market, but one of the most extortionate pairs is the T23 Tokyo.

Dipped in a yellow base coat, these Vs are complemented by a grey tongue and black laces and a clear bottom. They are a rare, which automatically means the price is going to be staggering. Flight Club has pairs available for $4,000.

The Vs are radiant. The timeless design always finds a way to work. However, because there are so many different models to pick and choose from, it's hard to justify ever spending that kind of money on this specific edition.

Air Jordan III 'Oregon Pit Crew'

When one of the most prominent designers working for Nike went to your alma mater, chances are your school is going to be hooked up with some incredible gear.

The University of Oregon, home of the up-tempo offense, was the place where Nike pioneer Tinker Hatfield spent his collegiate days. Because of that they've always been privy to custom kicks.

The Air Jordan III "Oregon Pit Crew" may take the cake as the No. 1 Ducks-themed sneaker. As Hatfield mentions in the interview above, the shoes weren't really for sale. Still, Jordan fiends everywhere had to get their hands on a pair.

These exclusive Hatfield gems go for around $5,500 on Flight Club and even higher elsewhere. That's Herculean price for a clean pair of Air Jordans.

Nike Dunk High SB 'Iron Maiden'

Nike Dunks are the one silhouette that has more customizations than just about any sneaker on the planet. You can find countless collaborations with large price tags attached to them.

This particular pair, the Nike Dunk High SB "Iron Man," is one of the more expensive pairs around. The shoes never made it to production, which means only a limited amount of sample pairs were constructed.

Reselling for a hysterical $5,000, these Dunks should not be worn to skate in. One tear later, and like a BMW driving off the dealership's lot, the value is shot.

Jordan Shine

Jordan Brand's Jordan Shine shoes are listed at $400. Unlike a lot of traditional sneakers, these shoes actually have more of a designer look and feel to them.

You wouldn't go out and hoist jump shots in these kicks for any reason. The sole intention of these was to create sneakers that could be rocked off the court.

Even with the Jordan name by its side, it's tough to warrant forking up that much loot for these.

Reebok Shaq Attaq

You don't see a ton of Rebooks on this list and for good reason. Unlike Nike or even Adidas, Reebok has never quite been on the same playing field as its peers.

Even with their flaws, the Reebok Shaq Attaq were a pair to be reckoned with. They represent everything good about the '90s. With a pump attached to the tongue and an Orlando Magic chromatic to bode, these kicks were a nice break from the stuff the Nike was doing.

Understanding the craze that is retro sneakers, Reebok relaunched the Shaq Attaq line in 2013. Priced at $140, they are lower than the rest of the shoes on this list. The one kicker, though, is that they are Reeboks. That automatically makes the price high.

If you can get over the fact they aren't Nikes, the Shaq Attaqs have enough nostalgia packed into them to justify the cost.

Air Jordan XX

DAVID ZALUBOWSKI/Associated Press

The 20th edition of the Air Jordans were a special shoe. In order to properly enjoy them, you have to throw out all your preconceived notions surrounding design.

There aren't any kicks quite like the Air Jordan XX. From the hieroglyphic-like art on the strap that represented Jordan's career, to the unique ankle strap support system, even today these shoes remain ambitious and shockingly beautiful.

When they hit the stores back in 2005, they were priced at $175. A worthy price point for a worthy pair of kicks.

All original Nike/Air Jordan retail prices via TheShoeGame.com or Nike, unless noted otherwise.