eBay’s Sneaker Authenticators Reveal Their Rarest Sneaker Finds

It’s been just over a year since marketplace giant eBay launched its Authenticity Guarantee in the UK. Working in partnership with industry experts Sneaker Con, the Authenticity Guarantee is designed to offer an increased level of protection for sneaker buyers and sellers by vetting and verifying the most popular silhouettes and brands on the marketplace in new and, most recently, used conditions.

The process takes place at eBay’s dedicated Authentication Centre, hosted in a warehouse on the outskirts of London. Soon after its launch, Complex headed along to meet the experts behind the site’s trusted guarantee. A space filled with good vibes and even better grails, each of the sneaker enthusiasts at the centre work at a Jedi-like level to ensure the sneakers they are authenticating are 100% legit.

In the twelve months since, eBay has continued to serve as one of the industry’s biggest and most successful resale providers. Last year, the online platform authenticated an impressive 1.5 million sneakers globally from the likes of Nike, adidas, New Balance and more. If that wasn’t enough, the after-market institution also sold a pair of kicks every 9 seconds on its site in 2020 and also predicts that the sneaker resale market itself could be worth as much as £4.3 billion by 2025.

Thanks to eBay’s array of new services and its more recent OG Drops campaign—an initiative which gave sneakerheads the chance to cop sought after gems at their original and much cheaper price—the once wild card of the resale game has now become the go-to for the best sneaker drops and even rarer silhouettes.

Keen to uncover more, we decided to catch up with eBay’s authenticity team once again to find out more about the sneaker gems coming through their doors.

What is it like when super rare sneakers come into the centre?

When we do get a special sneaker, we all crowd around; it probably happens once a month. It is super cool to see them in hand and really appreciate the materials and thought that went into the shoe. I love to see how much it sells for and how much people really spend to get their ultimate grails.

What’s the rarest pair you’ve personally authenticated, how much were they, and what was it like working with them?

I’ve authenticated some Ben & Jerry’s “Chunky Dunky” Dunks, which went for over £1,200. It’s really cool to see the shoe in person and how someone has spent so much money on a shoe that you know they’re going to love. I always wonder if they will actually wear them or if they’re just for their own archive.

What’s the rarest sneaker you own or have owned?

I had a pair of the original Pine Green Jordan 1s, which had been my grail sneaker for years. I had to pay silly resell for them which made me love them even more—I wore them until they were trashed and still managed to get above retail for them.

What’s the maddest thing you’d do to get your hands on a sneaker grail?

I’m really not one to camp out for a shoe, but when it comes to paying rent or looking cute, I know which I would rather do!

Give me an underrated silhouette that everyone should have their eyes on this summer?

I love Nike Rifts for summer! They’re so easy to throw on, especially on holiday, and they’re super comfy and look great with cargos. What’s more to want?!

What would your dream sneaker collaboration look like and who would it involve?

I’m all for women being included in sneakers, rather than specific drops for men and women. So I would love someone like Jorja Smith to drop a shoe in both men’s and women’s sizes rather than making it a ‘women’s only’ drop.

If you had to wear one pair of sneakers for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?

That’s super tricky. I wear a lot of black, so probably something with a pop of colour in them. Saying that, I live in my Off-White Air Max 90s and I don’t think I’d ever sell them.

How often do you get rare sneakers come into the Authentication Centre, and how has this changed since you’ve worked there?

We get rare shoes come through the facility every day. The amount has increased every week since I’ve been here, and eBay authentication has become more and more popular.

What rare pair are you most hoping comes in?

The Air Max 95 Mita or the Air Max 95 Loopwheeler—which will be soon coming to my feet! Both are beautiful in their own way and I adore them.

What’s the rarest sneaker you own or have owned?

I’ve owned a fair few, my favourites being the Fragment x Travis Jordan 1 High and the Off-White Air Jordan 4. The colour and details on the Jordan 4 are immaculate—some of Virgil’s best work.

What silhouettes have you verified and wish you copped yourself?

The Supreme TNs came through the other day in the Mean Green colourway. I knew I’d made a mistake not copping them and now I can’t find my size for a decent price!

What’s the maddest thing you’d do to get your hands on a sneaker grail?

If someone could source me a pair of the unreleased Travis Scott Jordan 4—the purple one, but I’m not picky—for free, I’ll quit my job.

Give me an underrated Nike silhouette that everyone should have their eyes on this summer?

Underrated silhouettes: Cortez, TNs, React Element 87s.

What does your daily sneaker rotation look like?

I work six days a week, so my rotation must be comfortable. It includes the OW Presto, New Balance Protection Pack, Foam RNR and Air Max 95s.

What would your dream sneaker collaboration look like and who would it involve?

I’d do either an AM95 or AJ3 with Aleali May because her eye for shoe design is insane and there are also loads of details that you can play with on either shoe.

If you had to wear one pair of sneakers for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?

If I had one shoe to wear for the rest of my life, bury me in my black CDG 95s please.

How do you decide who gets to work with which sneaker?

We don’t actually decide what sneakers end up on our desk, but if it is something really rare, then we all take a moment to appreciate the shoe. Different members of the team, however, specialise in particular brands and silhouettes, so it’s important to get their opinion so we can guarantee its authenticity for the customer.

What are the rarest New Balance sneakers you’ve seen enter the centre?

It has to be the New Balance x JJJJound 992, which is currently selling for around £1,000.

And what are the rarest New Balance pair you’ve authenticated yourself?

I authenticated a pair of Stussy New Balance 990v4s, which went on to sell for roughly £500. It’s always a joy to work with any hyped pair or collaboration because you can really see the effort and quality that has gone into them.

What silhouettes have you verified and wish you copped yourself?

I wish I copped the Parra x Nike SB Dunk. I love the detailed upper, abstract art design and tear-away material.

What would your dream sneaker collaboration look like and who would it involve?

It would be an Air Max 90 designed by Dizzee Rascal. It’s an important silhouette for me, personally, and his music represents my time in South London when grime and UK garage was on the rise. It would be great to have a sneaker that represents that.

If you had to wear one pair of sneakers for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

If I had any pair from the New Balance 2002r Protection Pack, I would wear them for the rest of my life. Firstly, because they were one of my favourite New Balance releases, and secondly, if I am only wearing one shoe for the rest of my life, they need to be comfy!

What’s it like when super a rare sneaker comes into the centre?

If it’s something crazy, then everyone wants to have a peek! I still remember the first pair of Travis Scott x Fragment Jordan 1s we got in, I was so excited to see them in person and they definitely didn’t disappoint.

What are the rarest adidas sneakers you’ve seen coming in?

We’ve had quite a few sample and vintage adidas silhouettes come in. I always find seeing vintage pairs interesting, plus it’s cool to hold a sneaker in your hand which is older than you. One of the most expensive we’ve had is probably the Oi Polloi Ardwick Spezial, which went for around £2,000.

What rare pair are you most hoping comes in?

I’ve seen almost every pair I’ve ever wanted to see by now, but the one that I’m still dying to see is the Kanye West College Dropout Bapesta.

What’s the rarest sneaker you own?

To me, it would be my Jordan 4 Linen from 2006. They’re very hard to get hold of as there’s not too many knocking about anymore. I was hunting them down for years and managed to cop them for just £50.

What’s the maddest thing you’d do to get your hands on a grail?

If a pair I’d been hunting down suddenly became available, I’d have to break the bank and be broke until payday—some sneakers are just worth it!

Can you name an adidas silhouette you feel is a little underrated?

I think any collaboration that adidas does with Wales Bonner is always gold. The colour palette is always so understated but could work for a whole range of personal styles.

What does your sneaker rotation look like?

The shoes I’ve been wearing at the moment include my pink Bapestas, Salehe Bembury x New Balance 2002R and Comme des Garçons Foamposites. During the winter, I’ll wear black sneakers all season—but for summer, I like to mix it up with something more colourful.

Check out eBay’s full range of coveted creps by clicking here. To find out about the site’s Authenticity Guarantee head to ebay.co.uk.