Days after buying 99 out of 100 pairs of sneakers being offered up at auction from New York-based consignment shop Stadium Goods’ famed “Trophy Case,” collector Miles Spencer Nadal finished off the set by snagging the last remaining pair.
The price? $437,500, a new record for a pair of sneakers.
The kicks that Nadal paid the record sum for were a pair of Nike’s “Moon Shoes.” Made completely by hand for runners at the 1972 Olympic Trials, the shoe was designed by Nike co-founder and legendary Oregon University track coach Bill Bowerman.
So named because the mark the shoe’s waffle sole makes on the ground is similar to the tracks left on the moon by astronauts in 1969, the Moon Shoe does not say “Nike” anywhere on it, but does feature the brand’s signature Swoosh. It’s believed that fewer than 15 pairs of the Moon Shoes were ever made, and Nadal’s pair is the only one that exists in unworn condition.
After winning the auction, Nadal expressed how over the moon he is about his purchase.
“I am thrilled to acquire the iconic Nike ‘Moon Shoes,’ one of the rarest pairs of sneakers ever produced, and a true historical artifact in sports history and pop culture,” Nadal said. “When I initially acquired the 99 other pairs in this auction last week, I just knew the Nike’s had to remain part of this remarkable collection, and I couldn’t be happier with the result. I think sneaker culture and collecting is on the verge of a breakout moment.”
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