Sneaker geek reveals the top 10 Nike shoes that you can re-sell to make a fortune

A self-proclaimed 'sneaker geek' has revealed how he made a fortune by flipping shoes and shared the top 10 kicks that you should invest in to become rich. 

Entrepreneur Zach Berkowitz, from New Jersey, first fell in love with sneakers in middle school after buying his first pair of Nike Dunk Low's, worth $300 – and now has a wardrobe filled with the finest trainers money can buy.

And while many people see his love for shoes as an obsession, Zach notes that it is a clever investment. 

He explained that sneakers are one of the only products that can increase in value over time, adding that if you chose the right brand and style you can begin raking in the cash. 

Self-proclaimed 'sneaker geek' Zach Berkowitz has revealed how he made a fortune by flipping shoes and shared the top 10 kicks that you should invest in to become rich

While many people see his love for shoes as an obsession, Zach notes that it is a clever investment

He explained that sneakers are one of the only products that can increase in value over time, adding that if you chose the right brand and style you can begin racking in the cash

'Sneakers are an interesting asset class because supply decreases over time as some of the shoes are worn, creating a scarcity effect that results in increasing prices as years go by after a release,' Zach, who is the co-founder of New Jersey sneaker brand High Fidelity said. 

'The re-sell market is currently recovering after what can be called a bubble in 2020 and 2021.

'So, if you own a pair of original Nike Air Jordan 1 Retro Chicagos you could be sitting on, or standing on, a small fortune.

'Now is a good time to invest as prices are no longer inflated.'

Zach's love of sneakers began when he was just a young boy.

He said: 'I had always been interested in all the different styles and colorways but couldn't afford any shoes at the time.

'When I got my first pair of Nike Tiffany SBs after working hard and saving up money to buy them, I wore them a few times and then put them on display in my room because I loved them so much.

'To date I have spent around $5,000 on my personal collection.

'Most of the shoes I got at the all-time low price and now have a much higher market value.'

Globally, the sneaker resale market is valued between $5 to $7 billion and is growing every year.

Zach has designed a 'Footsie Index', a guide to all the the retro items that are guaranteed to re-sell for a large sum of money.

Surprisingly, the top 10 list is dominated by one brand: Nike.

He said: 'Nike is dominating the market due to its long history in the sneaker industry, as the market today is highly amenable to classic/retro styles.

'Nike has 40 years of releases it can remix and re-release.

'The brand also had first mover advantage partnering with Michael Jordan, whose sneakers continue to command the highest degree of brand loyalty.'

The resale value depends on the brand and style, as well as coloring and even size.

Zach said: 'Last year, we were seeing more and more customers looking for classic colorways.

'Obviously new styles sell well but sales of classics have been the strongest for some time.

A pair of Nike Air Jordan 11 Retro Space Jam $220 in 2016 are now worth $600 (with bigger sizes worth $1,000 - $2,000)

A pair of Nike Air Jordan 1 Retro Chicago bought for $160 in 2015 are now worth $1300

A pair of Nike Air Jordan 3 Black Cement bought for $200 in 2018 are now worth $450

A pair of Nike Air Jordan 1 Bred bought for $375 in 2016 are now worth $750

Zach has designed a 'Footsie Index', a guide to all the the retro items that are guaranteed to re-sell for a large sum of money

'The new styles that sell the best tend to be colorways that resemble original retro styles.

'Often the bigger the size, the more they [the trainers] will be worth, as there is more demand and a short supply in the most common larger sizes.

'However, with the reopening of the Asian economies as pandemic restrictions cease, smaller sizes could see appreciation as Asian consumers tend to have smaller feet.

'So with some styles, where an eight or nine in some of these styles are around the $500 mark, the bigger ones can go for over $1,000.'

The Chicago is the most well-recognized colorway of the Air Jordan 1 sneaker, having caused controversy when it first launched in 1985.

They were quickly banned by the National Basketball Association (NBA), which issued a hefty fine each time they were worn on court due to their predominantly red and black coloring, which breached league policy.

Zach said: 'Even some of the less popular Air Jordans which have come out over the last five or six years have doubled or more in value.

'For example, the AJ1 Twist Women's traded for around the retail price of $160 for months after its 2019 release.

'Now the sneaker trades at close to $1,000.

'Even if you get in on a re-release of a classic style like the Air Jordan 1 Chicago's at a good price, you can make a quick buck flipping the sneaker instantly or hold out for a few years for a much bigger return on your investment.

'The AJ1 Chicago Lost & Founds, which is more or less a November 2022 re-release of the original AJ1 Chicago, retailed at $180, instantly skyrocketed to $340 on the secondary market upon release, and is currently trading at around $450 a pair.'

Zach launched High Fidelity in May 2021 with business partner Mark Chesler, and now the duo runs two stores and a warehouse.

Mark added: 'My philosophy as an entrepreneur was to pick a high-growth, dynamic industry you love and establish a business however you can.

A pair of nike Air Jordan 1 Royal bought for $160 in 2017 are now worth $450

A Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro Bred bought for $200 in 2019 are now worth $500

Zach's love of sneakers began when he was just a young boy when he purchased a pair of Nike Dunk Low's and now is the co-founder of brand High Fidelity 

As well as revealing up-to-date prices on the classics, Zach and his team at High Fidelity have put together a guide for first-time investors that reveals the shoes you should invest in

'This sneaker journey has been a lifelong passion for me.

'I am extremely grateful that I have been able to turn something I love into a successful business.

'Work doesn't feel like work, and I look forward to stepping into the warehouse every day.'

As well as revealing up-to-date prices on the biggest classics, Zach and his team at High Fidelity have put together a guide for first-time investors that reveals the shoes you should invest in for the future to make a fortune. 

Coming in at first place the Nike Dunk Low SB Concepts Orange Lobsters are said to resell for $450 to $900. 

Next, the Nike Air Jordan 3 Retro Reimagined  can make you anywhere from $400 to $800. 

Lastly, the Nike Dunk Low Triple Pink can resell for $100 to $400.