Is the Air Jordan 1 "Lost & Found" worth the investment?

Sneakers no longer serve a simple purpose. They have become icons of style and status or excellent investments. One example is The Nike Air Jordan 1 “Lost & Found”, which has become a front runner in collectors' and investors' eyes for its unique design with wide historical use.

Since its release, sneaker enthusiasts have voted for the Nike Air Jordan 1 “Lost & Found” pack as one of the most hyped releases in the sneaker community. This sneaker looks more like a relic or an art piece because of its age, rarity, and the fact that so many people are willing to pay to own a pair.

It is one of the market's most popular and valuable assets, and resale has repeatedly demonstrated a high return on investment (ROI). This article will discuss why the Air Jordan 1 “Lost & Found” is a good investment in 2024. Part II appreciates its looks up for the shoe’s value for more growth.

The Appeal of the Nike Air Jordan 1 "Lost & Found"

Nike Air Jordan 1 has been released in a “Lost & Found” iteration that retains some of the features in the shoe in 1985. The design is a replica of newly bred sneakers with features such as cracked leather and yellowed soles that would easily depict an aged sneaker.

The old-school yet contemporary design has appealed to sneakerheads and aficionados for decades. Despite the substantial visual similarity to its Air Jordan predecessor, its black and cement gray makeup and restricted release have made this one of the most interesting Jordan drops in recent memory.

Comparing Growth Rates Over Time (Graph)

Growth comparison of nike air jordan 1 (2015-2023)

This graph shows the projected sales increase of the Nike Air Jordan 1 from 2015 until 2023. The data shows a consistent growth in sales over time, demonstrating the sneaker's growing popularity.

As we delve deeper into the world of sneakers, it's important to recognize that the attributes that make a sneaker appealing to wearers also significantly affect its resale potential.

Air Jordan 1 'Lost & Found': Market Demand and Resale Value

That is why the Air Jordan 1 “Lost & Found” model has attracted considerable attention since it released the sneaker. This is because of the high demand for it due to its retro look and design. The “Lost & Found” colorway returns to 1985, restoring its original “Chicago” tone, earning the Jordan Brand a special place in most fans’ hearts.

The overwhelming interest in this product is well justified as many of these releases saw limited editions, resulting in limited Availability as the resell market consists of pairs resold at very high margins.

By using StockX – one of the largest secondary sneaker marketplaces, it is possible to state that within two months after the release, the colorway is sold for $400-$600, a relative dependence on the sneaker’s quality and size.

Despite newer releases on the market, Air Jordan 1 'Lost & Found' still remains a sought-after one as it only comes in limited stocks and features classic design. Retailing for $180, pairs now fetch prices of between $400 and $600 on the resale market only two months after these were released; an enormous ROI.

Critical Factors Behind Resale Value:

Nostalgia and Historical Significance: The “Lost & Found” name and company logo, with their classic vintage appearance in conjunction with the classic Chicago colorway, are welcoming to both newcomers and enthusiasts of sneaker culture.

Limited Stock and High Demand: Having a larger quantity at the beginning than some of the exclusive products, the retailers experienced normative demand against which supple far out-shadowed demand in terms of sale, thereby making the product priceless in resale.

Because of these features, the Air Jordan 1 "Lost & Found" is expected to maintain a high resale value for many years, appealing to sneakerheads and investors.

How to Evaluate Sneaker Resale Potential?

Market Demand and Resale Value:

In the resale market, they have been very much sought after since the release of the Air Jordan 1 “Lost & Found.” Its design has not changed much over the years, and due to the brand Jordan, it is now extremely expensive on platforms such as StockX or GOAT.

For instance, the sneaker used to cost approximately $180, yet one can currently sell for between $400 and $600, and this will only rise due to scarcity as the demand increases.

Resale Insights (Nike Air Jordan 1)

Current Resale Price: $400–$600 (as of 2024)

Potential for Appreciation: Very high, and this is likely to rise because there are few pairs in mint condition in the market today.

Investment Opportunity: The facts and the car’s old-school looks to position it as a long-term appreciation asset that would be of interest to both newbs and more experienced investors.

Chart for 1st 6 months of 2024

This chart represents the resale value progression for one limited edition sneaker over six months from January to June. Here are the key takeaways:

Analysis of the Chart

1. January: The other is the resale price which ranges from $220, probably after the holiday season and there is usually low demand as the year progresses.
   
2. February: I also see a great enhancement to $240 evident. This rise may be attributed to Valentine’s Day and special edition products, which create additional desire.
   
3. March: It drops to $230, usually a slow month as most brands get ready for the spring collections and fewer big-name releases.
   
4. April and May: It is noted that the resale prices are increased to $250 and $260 correspondingly for spring collections, and activation of the sneakerheads demand new models.
   
5. June: Demand is at its highest due to prices standing at $270+ especially when sneaker releases are common during summer.

Key Takeaways

This upward trend shows how exclusive shoe launches and seasonal demand affect resale pricing. The growth throughout the spring and summer months indicates increased interest in new collections and the summer fashion trend.

Pros and Cons of Investing in Sneakers for Resale

Pros:

✔️ Generate profits: at a multiple of 200-500% of the retail.

✔️Growing Market: By 2030, the sneaker resale market will be valued at $30 billion.

✔️Passion-Driven Investment: The thrill of changing income occasionally is always fun, especially in the dynamic world of sneaker investment.

Cons:

✖️Unpredictable Market: It can be worthless like it takes to become valuable.

✖️Storage and Condition: Sneakers ought to be appropriately stored, and when you have several pairs and sets, this can easily be a problem.

✖️Transaction Fees and Taxes: Transaction fees can cut the profitable margins.

Average Sneaker Resale Price (NikeAir Jordan vs Other Brands)

Average Sneakers Resale Prices (NikeAir Jordan vs Other Brands)

Average Resale Price (Expected)

Nike Air Jordan 1

$500-$700

Adidas Yeezy 700 V4

$450 – $550

New Balance 990 x Aimé Leon Dore

$400 – $600

Nike Air Jordan 1 'Year of the Dragon

Retail Price: $180

Expected Resale: $500-$700

Resale Drivers: Limited pieces; collectors want them; cultural appreciation, as it is aligned with the Lunar New Year.

This model is likely to perform well, as with previous models launched on holiday-themed releases, which saw a more than 150% boost in resale value.

Adidas Yeezy 700 V4

Retail Price: $300

Expected Resale: $450 – $550

Resale Drivers: Demand continues to exist, regardless of the brand's controversies and stock issues.

According to GOAT and StockX data, Yeezy models have consistently had usable demand, and resale prices are usually 50-80% more than the retail price range as there are very few units.

New Balance 990 x Aimé Leon Dore

Retail Price: $200

Expected Resale: $400 – $600

Resale Drivers: Collaboration and good-quality resources draw a lot of attention. New Balance has some severe hype as a brand in this space.

New Balance has risen to the occasion, as collaborations such as this one with Aimé Leon Dore experienced high resale prices throughout 2023 and 2024.

Risks and Considerations in Air Jordan Resale

1. Volatility: Air Jordans tend to depreciate soon. Indeed, the higher-demand shoes depreciate over time to 65 percent in just one year.
2. Counterfeit Risks : There are about 10 percent chances of purchasing an Air Jordan counterfeit; purchase only genuine ones in case you may lose your value on resale.
3. Condition Sensitivity: Tiny damage from either scuffing or even yellowing of the sneakers tend to lose as much value as 30%, hence keeping storage right will be paramount.
4. Platform Fees and Taxes: Major platforms charge seller fees of 8-12%, and new tax laws may require earnings reporting, reducing profit margins.

Summary of Key Points

Top 5 Takeaways:

1. Nike Air Jordan 1 is an original retro-style sneaker that was released in the form of “Lost & Found” and is a prime investment shoe.
2. Because demand is high and supply is low, Air Jordan offer an excellent opportunity to resell and potentially earn a profit.
3. The obsession with celebrity and discourses of popular culture make this sneaker fashionable and marketable.
4. The classic component of Air Jordans appeals to both retro collection collectors and newcomers to the sneaker trends.
5. It is common knowledge that most Jordan releases will sell well on the black market if availability is low and demand is high.

Understanding exclusivity

Exclusivity has increased resale by 200% after going live on StockX and GOAT. For resales, this Jordan 1 line always performs great, and there is a compelling narrative driving this particular design, with the potential of being a very high-demand stable asset, even more for enthusiasts or investors alike.

Closing

The "Lost & Found" Jordan 1 is a smart investment due to its nostalgic design, small batch release, and relentless demand. This drop mimics the original 1985 Air Jordan 1, yet details it like a piece of vintage discovery, powerfully appealing to collectors. Given the nostalgic foundation, narrow supply, and apparent resale strength of the Nike Air Jordan 1 'Lost & Found,' they could be quite a pop culture — not to mention financial— gold mine. This iconic shoe is a must-have for the sneaker enthusiast. What are your thoughts on this pair?