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
SoleFly’s Air Jordan 3 Collab Almost Looked Way Different
As one of Jordan Brand’s closest partners, SoleFly boasts a treasure trove of PE styles and unreleased samples that runs deeper than most. Coinciding with...
Nike Should Really Drop This Unreleased Air Foamposite One “Halloween” Sample From 2016
Feel a bit shorted with Halloween sneakers this year? You’re not alone. Although there have been some drops scheduled for the spooky holiday (the Nike...
All-Black Air Jordan 3 “El Vuelo” Sample Revealed At ComplexCon 2025
As those who checked into our coverage (or any site in the known footwear universe, really) last week know, a ton of brands telegraphed their...
An Alternate Version Of The Billie Eilish x Air Jordan 15 Is Revealed
Some Air Jordan heads are staunchly loyal to the 1 through 14, while others are more amenable to the line’s later, non-Bulls silhouettes. Billie Eilish...
Would You Wear Nike Foamposite Snowboard Boots?
The Nike archive is rife with samples that never made it into production — some of which fall into the unequivocally weird category. We know...
An Unreleased Travis Scott Jordan Jumpman Jack Sample “Yellow/Navy” Appears
It’d seem that the floodgates on Travis Scott shoes are wide open. Don’t be mistaken — we’re not saying that his collaborative efforts will be...
The 2012 Pushead x Nike SB Dunk “Bleached” Was Almost A High
At least in our minds, it isn’t the size of the collection that separates the real sneakerheads, but a love and appreciation for footwear history....
Unreleased Travis Scott Jordan Jumpman Jack Prototype Revealed
The wide world of Travis Scott shoes includes tons of samples and prototypes that never made it into development, offering an inside look at some...
Unreleased Nike Air Yeezy 2 “Metallic Silver” Sample Surfaces
Whether the art can be separated from the artist is a different debate entirely, but there’s no denying that Kanye West greatly helped shape the...