Best Investment Sneakers That Will Rise in Value

- by VANSH DUNDY

Why smart sneaker buying in 2025 is more about good instincts than hype alone

In 2025, the sneaker market is no longer just about trends, it's increasingly about value, scarcity and long-term relevance. According to industry data, the global sneaker resale market is projected at USD 6 billion in 2025, yet profit margins have shrunk to 10-25 % per pair.

For the savvy buyer or collector, the question isn’t just which pair looks good today, but which pair will hold or grow in value tomorrow.
In this guide we look at the key drivers of sneaker investment brand heritage, scarcity, collab pedigree, cultural relevance, and condition and highlight six models (with some extra examples) that tick many of those boxes.

What Makes a Sneaker Good Investment?

Brand & heritage: A name like Air Jordan 1 Low has decades of cultural relevance and built-in demand.
Limited supply or special-edition release: Scarcity drives premium pricing in resale.
Cultural moment or collab: When a sneaker is tied to a major event, athlete, or designer, it often appreciates.
Condition & deadstock status: Unworn, original packaging, pristine state = better investment.
Global demand / re-sale marketplace presence: The model should have visibility in platforms and regions where re-sale is active.

Top Sneaker Picks for Investment

Here are six high-potential models. Each one comes with a refined breakdown of why it’s worth considering, what it roughly costs today, and a realistic ROI window if the market stays healthy.

1. Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Reverse Mocha”

This is arguably the modern grail for investors, a Travis Scott collab on an AJ1 Low OG with a wearable brown/cream palette that works with almost any streetwear fit. The collab, storytelling, and Cactus Jack branding give it long-term cultural weight, similar to older Travis highs and lows.

Current market cost (India / global resale): usually around ₹1.30–1.90 lakh for deadstock pairs, depending on size.
Retail at launch: about $190 (₹16K) in 2022.
What that means historically: early buyers sitting on DS pairs have already seen 700–1,000% returns in 3 years.
Forward ROI estimate: from today’s prices, a realistic goal (if Nike doesn’t restock and Travis’ relevance holds) is roughly +20–40% over the next 3–5 years, with the best upside in clean, smaller or very popular sizes.

2. Nike SB Dunk Low x Ben & Jerry’s “Chunky Dunky”

The “Chunky Dunky” is pure icon status – one of the wildest SB Dunk collabs ever, merging skate culture with Ben & Jerry’s pop graphics. Its story, packaging, and friends-and-family pairs pushed it into “legend” territory very quickly, and it’s now treated more like an art object than a simple shoe.

Current market cost: many Indian resale listings sit around ₹1.50–2.00 lakh for DS, with some special-box pairs even higher.
Retail at launch: about $100 (~₹8K) in 2020.
Historical performance: went from $100 retail to four-figure dollars on StockX in a few years roughly 800–1,000%+ ROI since release.
Forward ROI estimate: already very mature as an asset, but still likely to creep up slowly, think +15–30% over 3–5 years, especially for deadstock pairs with all accessories and OG boxes.

3. Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 “Oreo”

Why it’s worth buying:
The Yeezy 350 V2 “Oreo” is one of the cleanest, most wearable colorways in the entire Yeezy lineup a black Primeknit base with the bold contrasting white stripe. Demand remains global, resale supply keeps shrinking, and with no future restocks expected, scarcity is guaranteed.

Current market cost: ₹22,000–₹32,000 (depending on size & condition)
Retail at launch: ₹18,000 approx.
Historical performance: Most DS pairs have appreciated around 30–70% since Yeezy production stopped.
Future ROI estimate: +25–45% over the next 2–4 years, especially US sizes 8–10 which move fastest.

4. Air Jordan 4 Retro SP A Ma Maniére “Violet Ore”

A Ma Maniére’s take on the Jordan 4 is pure luxury sneaker design: rich violet nubuck, quilted lining, aged midsole and subtle storytelling details. It hits that “grown sneakerhead” aesthetic that GQ, Hypebeast and fashion media love, which usually translates into longer investment legs.

Current market cost: Indian resale platforms commonly list DS pairs at ~₹35K–₹45K depending on size.
Retail at launch: $225 (~₹19K) in 2022.
Historical performance: broadly ~80–130% gain over ~2–3 years, with relatively steady sales and low volatility compared to louder collabs.
Forward ROI estimate: as long as the A Ma Maniére x Jordan line retains its prestige, expect a measured +20–35% over 3–5 years, with bigger upside in smaller and very clean pairs.

5. Adidas Samba x Wales Bonner “Pony Cream White”

Wales Bonner has turned the Samba from a classic into a luxury-adjacent cult object. The “Pony Cream White” pairs off-white pony hair, leather overlays and rich detailing with the Samba silhouette ultra wearable, ultra recognisable, and strongly backed by the fashion press.

Current market cost: typically ₹60K–₹75K+ for deadstock pairs on high-end resale and boutique sites.
Retail at launch: roughly $180–$220 (~₹15–18K) depending on region.
Historical performance: many Wales Bonner Sambas now resell for 3–4× retail, especially in neutral or highly styled colourways.
Forward ROI estimate: as long as the WB x Adidas partnership stays culturally hot, a realistic projection is +25–50% over 3–5 years, particularly for smaller sizes and untouched pairs.

6. Air Jordan 4 SB “Pine Green”

Why it’s worth buying:
The AJ4 SB “Pine Green” is one of the strongest Jordan releases in recent years, a perfect crossover between Nike SB skate heritage and the legendary Jordan 4 silhouette. Unlike basic GR Jordans, this pair features premium skate-specific materials, enhanced cushioning, and a limited global distribution, all of which make it a long-term collectible. Demand continues rising because the colorway is wearable, timeless, and sits in the same “modern classic” lane as the Military Black and White Oreo 4s.

Current market cost: ₹30,000–₹42,000 depending on size (US8–US10 tend to be highest)
Retail at launch (2023): ~₹18,000
Historical performance: Has comfortably appreciated 60–120% since release, with a growing scarcity curve
Future ROI estimate: +30–50% over the next 2–4 years, assuming no restocks and skate collaborators stay hot

Time horizon: Medium-term hold (2–4 years). This pair behaves like a “slow-burn grail,” rising steadily rather than spiking quickly.

How To Approach These as Investments

Buy at or near retail: The smaller the gap between retail and your acquisition cost, the better your potential return.
Store properly: Deadstock condition matters keep them unworn, in original box, out of sunlight and moisture.
Watch the drop size & distribution: Smaller runs + high demand = better investment potential.
Monitor resale marketplaces: Platforms show what is moving, at what price, and signal when a model is “hot”.
Think long-term: Quick flips (<6 months) are riskier; many investment pairs appreciate over years rather than weeks.

Final Thoughts

Sneaker investing is more nuanced in 2025 than the hype-driven flips of early 2020s. Yes the margins are narrower, but with the right model, discipline and timing, investment-grade sneakers remain a viable alternative asset class. Focus on models with heritage, scarcity and global demand and you’re not just buying shoes, you’re buying cultural currency.

FAQs

1. Are sneakers a profitable investment in 2025?

Yes. Limited-edition sneakers, high-value collabs, and iconic models continue to appreciate because supply is fixed and collector demand keeps rising. Well-chosen pairs can generate 20–80% returns over a few years.

2. Which sneakers have the highest long-term resale potential?

Pairs like Travis Scott AJ1 Lows, AJ4 SB Pine Green, Yeezy 350 V2 “Oreo/Core Black White,” Kobe Protros, and Wales Bonner Sambas consistently grow due to scarcity, cultural relevance, and strong collector demand.

3. How long should I hold investment sneakers for maximum ROI?

A typical hold period is 2–5 years. Sneakers behave like collectibles value rises as deadstock pairs become rarer. Short flips are possible, but the biggest gains come from long-term holds.

4. What sizes sell for the best profit?

Most profitable and fastest-selling sizes are usually US 8–10 for men and US 6–7.5 for women. These sizes have the highest global demand and strongest resale liquidity.