Top Best-Selling Nike Shoes of All Time
When someone says they own a pair of Nike shoes, you typically know what they mean. The fact that Nike has long been the shoe brand to beat is no secret, and even if you don’t consider yourself much of a sneakerhead, you likely recognize—and likely have owned—several models over the years.
But not all Nike shoes are created equal, even though some fans will swear otherwise. We decided to look into which Nikes are the most popular overall, taking into account both sales numbers and reputation among sneakerheads (a hard metric to quantify!).
If you want to learn more about Nike, as well as see a list of some of the top-selling Nike shoes, keep reading!
Where Did Nike Shoes Originate?
While the history of Nike is a long and storied one, it all started with Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight.
They originally named their company Blue Ribbon Sports, but later changed it to Nike after the Greek goddess of victory. The first product was a running shoe called the Cortez, which was introduced in 1972 and quickly became popular in college track & field circles because of its lightweight design and exceptional performance.
After Steve Prefontaine wore them during his famous track events at Hayward Field, they started appearing on more athletes’ feet nationwide—and by 1980, Nike had become one of America’s leading sports brands overall!
Continued Innovation
Nike has been a successful company for decades. They use celebrities to promote their product lines, and they’ve earned a reputation for innovation.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Nike continued to innovate with lightweight performance materials and new designs for different kinds of sports activities. They also made a marketing push into global markets, expanding their business and brand recognition around the world.
Today, the company has headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon (just outside Portland) but has expanded globally—and it’s not done yet!
It’s mind-blowing to consider that you’ll almost certainly have owned a pair of Nikes at some point in your life, and if you haven’t, you know someone who has! What other brands can you say that about?
Why Are Nike Shoes So Popular?
The Nike brand has been synonymous with a certain type of shoe since the early 1970s. The company has put a lot of research into their shoes, making them comfortable, durable, and stylish in addition to being affordable.
- They’re fashionable.
- They’re comfortable.
- They’re durable.
If you want a pair of sneakers that will work with any outfit or occasion, Nike is your brand!
That’s enough of the backstory behind Nike and its global dominance. Let’s take a look at some of the top-selling Nike shoes of all time
Nike Air Jordan 1
The Air Jordan 1 was released in 1985 and was designed by Peter Moore. Between 2014 and 2020, Nike produced retro releases of the Air Jordan 1, such as the Chicago colorway in 2014 and 2015, and the “Black Toe” version featuring a white toe box on the shoe instead of black.
In 2016, they released both Chicago-themed shoes again but with white soles instead of black ones since Michael Jordan had switched teams from Chicago Bulls to Charlotte Hornets at this point in his career (and thus no longer had access to their arena).
The following year saw yet another pair of Chicago-themed Jordans (this time with neon green accents) followed by two more versions with white soles before concluding with two more pairs featuring neon green accents last year (2019).
Nike Air Max 1
The Nike Air Max 1 was released in 1987 and designed for basketball. It was originally created by former Nike designer Peter Moore, who wanted to create a shoe that would allow players to move freely on the court. The shoe has since become one of the most iconic styles from Nike’s Air Max line, with over 40 different colorways released over its 30+ year history.
The shoe’s popularity skyrocketed in 2012 when hip-hop artists began wearing them as part of their style (Nelly wore an all-white pair). Since then, skateboarders and skaters have also incorporated them into their wardrobes as well—the bright colors are perfect for those who like to stand out or have fun with fashion.
Skiers love these shoes too because they’re warm but lightweight enough not to slow down your stride on snow. Runners can benefit from running shoes like this one because they provide support while still being light enough not to weigh you down during your workout session!
Nike Cortez
The shoe, which was designed by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight and released in 1972, was the first-ever running shoe. However, it wasn’t the first Nike shoe to be released. That honor goes to a basketball sneaker called the Nike Blazer, which came out in 1970.
The Cortez is also notable for its unusual look—it’s not exactly what you’d expect from a classic sneaker design! But as you can see from this photo of an original pair of Cortez (which were actually produced in Mexico), their unique shape quickly became iconic and has stood firm over time:
Nike Air Force 1
If you’re looking for the best Nike shoes of all time, look no further. The Air Force 1 is one of the most popular basketball shoes ever made and was first released in 1982.
It has since become not only one of the most popular Nike shoes ever to hit shelves but one of the most popular sneakers ever.
For many years now, this iconic shoe has been making its rounds among fanatics who love everything basketball-related—and we’d say that makes them pretty much everyone!
In fact, it’s safe to assume that if you’ve never owned a pair yourself or seen someone else wearing them before (which would be weird if they weren’t), then there’s always a chance that at some point down the road, someone will tell you about their own personal experiences with these shoes without even realizing how much joy they bring into people’s lives every single day around the globe.
Nike Dunk
The Nike Dunk is a basketball shoe that has been around since 1985.
The Dunk is a low-top basketball shoe and it was one of Bruce Kilgore’s creations, who wanted to design the perfect basketball shoe for Michael Jordan when he came back from baseball.
He used his experience in creating golf shoes with Tiger Woods as inspiration and incorporated some of the characteristics into the Nike Dunks. He used a soft grip in order to make it easier to catch balls and make moves on the court, but also so they wouldn’t wear down quickly like normal rubber soles would do during playtime.
The cushioning system was also made thicker than usual so players could take bigger leaps without feeling tired after playing for long periods of time or jumping up high off their feet (which can cause injury if not done correctly).
Nike Blazer
A classic, the Nike Blazer was first released in 1972. The shoe is a major hit, and many fans of the brand purchase it every year. The Blazer is often worn casually but also looks great with a pair of jeans or other casual pants.
The sneaker features Nike’s new waffle sole, which gives it its signature look that is so popular today.
Nike Tailwind 79
The Nike Tailwind 79 was one of the most popular running shoes of the 1980s and was offered in both men’s and women’s sizes. It was designed by Joseph Shendler, who had been executive vice president of design at Nike since 1985.
The shoe came out in 1987 with a flexible midsole that gave runners increased comfort while they were running. It also featured a no-sew upper construction that made it easy to wear without having to worry about getting blisters on your feet!
The Tailwind 79 had many different color options available to choose from, including black/white/violet (the most popular option), red/orange/blue, burgundy/white, navy blue/olive green, grayish-green and yellow tones.
Nike Air Max 90 (also known as the “Air Max III”)
The Air Max 90 is the third shoe to feature Nike’s revolutionary Air unit, which made its debut in 1987. The sneaker was released in 1990 and since then has seen a ton of colorways and collaborations with brands like Supreme. It has a visible Air unit that wraps around the heel, along with a padded collar for extra support.
The original 90s will run you $160 on eBay at the moment, but there are plenty of other options if you want to try out this classic model. You can find retro versions from last year’s releases for less than half the price at around $80 USD or less!
Nike Air Max 97 (also known as the “Silver Bullet”)
The Air Max 97 is a running shoe that was first released in 1997. It’s also popular for its basketball, lifestyle, and retro shoes. The 97 is considered one of Nike’s greatest achievements due to its iconic design, which has not changed much since its initial release.
The design of the 97 has remained unchanged since it was first introduced in 1997. Its silver upper with black stripes on either side make it unmistakable from afar and give it an edgy look that can be worn anywhere from school to work or even at home if you like having themes for different rooms!
The internet is awash with more on Air Max 97 if you’re interested in this particular shoe!
Nike Flyknit Racer
The Flyknit Racer was released in 2012 and is still one of the most popular Nike shoes out there. This lightweight running shoe is made from a breathable knit material, making it more comfortable than regular shoes.
It’s designed for runners who run faster than 5 miles per hour and will be a great addition to your collection if you’re looking for something that will last longer than a few months but won’t break the bank either!
Exclusive Nike Shoes
Shoppers who prefer to go the extra mile for a fresh pair of kicks may be interested in Nike’s Exclusive line. In addition to having some of the best-looking shoes on the market, these sneakers are also highly sought-after for their scarcity.
- Air Jordan 11 “Concord”
- Air Jordan 1 Retro “Banned”
- Air Yeezy 2 Red October
- Air Yeezy 2 Triple White OG
A few notes about this list: it is not in order of most popular or sold; it is simply our top picks based on research into what makes a shoe one of the best sellers. We hope this helps you make an informed decision when buying your next pair of kicks!
What Are the Most Expensive Nike Shoes Ever?
The most expensive Nike shoes are not even the most popular shoes of all time. They’re not even in the top 10 in any category.
They are valuable partly because of what they’re made of, and partly because of who they were for.
The title for most expensive Nikes ever goes to the Solid Gold Ovo X Air Jordans, which were custom made for the rapper Drake, and are worth $2 million dollars.
Have You Ever Owned Top Selling Nike Shoes?
There you have it! The top-selling Nike shoes of all time.
Every one of these shoes has a rich history and a storied past that helped it become the best-selling shoe in Nike’s long and illustrious history.
It might surprise you just how long some of these sneakers have been around, while others might not be aware they’re even still in production today!
We hope you enjoyed looking back on these icons with us! Check out our blog for more fun and engaging content!