Sample

Sample sneakers are pairs produced to test how designs look in practice and functionally perform. In the long process of bringing a sneaker from the whiteboard to store shelves, sample pairs are one of the final steps in that operation. It’s also one of the most captivating for sneakerheads, allowing consumers to engage with the ever-enticing question of “what if,” as well as baking in some inherent ultra-exclusivity. While any in the category will often become an object of fascination, samples of hyped silhouettes or collaborations can often command resale prices above 5 digits.

Just ahead you’ll find a collection of our articles regarding sample pairs from the likes of Jordan Brand, adidas, Nike and every major sneaker brand.

Sample

Could More Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1s Be In The Works?

Virgil Abloh was a man of the culture, climbing his way up from Pyrex Vision all the way to the hallowed ground of Louis Vuitton....

By Michael Le March 30, 2023
25174

Hiroshi Fujiwara, Whose “The Ten” Collaborations Were Scrapped In Favor Of Virgil Abloh, Reveals An Air Max 1 Sample

There’s no doubting the influential role of Virgil Abloh’s game-changing “The Ten” collaborations with Nike. Originally launching in September 2017, this collection focused on ten...

By John Kim May 5, 2020
77762

VisionAir Winner Sean Wotherspoon Shares Samples Of His Nike Air Max 1/97 Hybrid

Sean Wotherspoon designed the winning hybrid of Nike’s RevolutionAIR program as he combined both the Air Max 97 and the Air Max 1 in a...

By Patrick Johnson June 28, 2017
6123

Ian Connor Reveals Black Colorway of OFF-WHITE x Nike Air Force 1 Low

Virgin Abloh’s OFF-WHITE label is the perfect example of when high-fashion meets streetwear sensibilities and the Kanye compadre is busy working with Nike as of...

By Patrick Johnson February 23, 2017
6648

Comme des Garçons Is The Latest Fashion Staple To Collaborate With The Nike Air Force 1

The Nike Air Force 1 has been on a tear lately, releasing a number of awesome grails like the “Linen” colorway that will be exclusive...

By Patrick Johnson December 2, 2016
8906

Are More Off-White Nike Air Force 1s On The Way?

The Nike Air Force 1 Low is having a moment right now. The naysayers that said nobody was interested in Bruce Kilgore’s iconic 80s basketball...

By Patrick Johnson December 2, 2016
7827

Sneakers That Ignited The Sample and PE Craze: DJ Clark Kent’s “112”

When thinking about the rare sneaker samples that had collectors in the frenzy over the last few years, the name of DJ Clark Kent immediately...

By John Kim June 12, 2014
18514

NIKEiD Air Max 1 “Elephant” Samples

It was just one week ago today that we learned of the NIKEiD ‘Elephant Collection’.  Sample images on the Dunk High followed shortly after, leaving us...

By Aaron Hope July 22, 2013
4101

atmos x Nike Air Max 1 “Elephant Print” – 2011 Promo Sample

The 2007 release of the atmos x Nike Air Max 1 is currently one of the more sought-after Air Max 1s in history, leaping off...

By John Kim May 11, 2013
14416