The sneaker industry is full of hot drops, and the sneaker resale market grew from that. The main thing that fueled it was exclusivity and limited drops that became grails for sneakerheads. But what if we told you that there’s another layer to the world of exclusive kicks? This comes in the shape of sneaker samples that 99% of the industry will always swoon over. So today, we’re gonna check out five of these samples that we wish would’ve actually dropped instead of staying a dream for many!
What Are Sneaker Samples?
It’s very important to understand what sneaker samples are and how they’re different from other kicks. Basically, samples are prototype pairs that a brand produces for various reasons. For example:
- Test Pairs: These are the sneaker samples that are made to test how the material, colors, patterns will affect the general look and feel of the kicks. These are usually the first run before the general release. Sometimes designs get scrapped at this stage, and the “unreleased samples” are the only existing pairs in the world.
- Look-See Samples: These exist in the case of a collaboration or endorsement. The brand shows the collaborator (usually an athlete, celebrity, or another brand) what it’ll look like. Based on these samples, the collaborator either accepts or rejects it.
- Wear Test Samples: These samples are made to test new sneaker tech and how they perform. Based on the reviews, the designers tweak the kicks to get the optimal result.
Finally, sneaker samples are not the same as friends & family sneakers. While they can fall under the “sample” category, they’re kicks that are exclusive to either Nike employees or the collaborator’s circle (if any).
Top 5 Samples We Wish We Could Own
Okay, if you ask any sneakerhead what their top 5 list of sneaker samples is, it will look very different. So, as a PSA, this list is personal to yours truly. With that said, we hope you agree with some or all of the list!
Nike Dunk Low Pro SB Jason Voorhees
So, in 2007, Nike had the “Horror Pack” in the works. However, some legal drama ensued with production companies hitting Nike with cease-and-desist letters. So, along with the Freddy Krueger Dunk, the Jason Voorhees pair went to the shelves. But that wasn’t before they produced 24 pairs. This kinda makes these babies some of the rarest kicks to exist today. Although none of them are currently in the market, their estimated resale value is a couple of thousand dollars!
OVO x Air Jordan 4 Splatter
In 2018, images of these babies got leaked, and the sneaker industry started wondering if they were going to drop in 2019. The design was pretty dope with paint splatter on the midsole and OVO branding to complete it. Unfortunately for all the excited fans, these babies never saw the light of day. However, the kicks remain some of the most hyped sneaker samples that exist. In fact, the kicks last sold for $16,800 on the resale market.
Off-White x Air Jordan 4 Bred
Whenever we talk about Virgil Abloh and Jordan Brand, you know a banger is in the works. However, not all of the collabs make it out to the world, including this Jordan 4 Bred. This pair was a part of Abloh’s “Figures of Speech” exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) in Chicago. But you see, in 2025, sneaker collector Simon Voltaire Tan put up a pair for sale. And well, let’s just say that you’re gonna have $60,000 less in your bank account.
Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Arabic
We know we already mentioned Off-White, but what can we do when the brand keeps serving heat after heat? Even the sneaker samples are as cool as you would expect! For example, the Off-White Air Force 1 Arabic features the unique Arabic lettering as well as Abloh’s signature design details. The coolest bit is that the Arabic text is the translation of the same text that usually appears on Off-White x Nike collabs!
Nike SB Dunk Low OFF! Bug Spray
Last but not least, this might be the most colorful pair on our list of sneaker samples! The Nike SB Dunk Low OFF! Bug Spray never saw the light of day. Rumor has it that this colorway was supposed to be a follow-up to 2008’s SB Dunk Low Mosquito… Which is worth about $2,000 in resale today! In 2024, though, Sotheby’s had a pair of the OFF! Bug Spray SB Dunk Low up for auction, and it was worth up to $24,000!
Now that you know what our favorite sneaker samples are, you get to start your own list! And with the holiday season upon us, who knows? The grail you want might be just a drop away. All you have to do is keep an eye out for the latest sneaker news on our blog, and you’re golden. Godspeed!
