Remember the rush around 2010s sneakers. The drops, the lines, the stories. That same energy now powers second hand platforms where coveted pairs move fast and often below peak hype. Good news for wallets, and for rotation.
The market backs it up. Boston Consulting Group with Vestiaire Collective valued global fashion resale at 100 to 120 billion dollars in 2022, with growth almost three times faster than primary fashion (BCG x Vestiaire Collective, 2022). ThredUp’s 2024 Resale Report projected the global second hand apparel market to hit 350 billion dollars by 2028 and noted US resale expanding multiple times faster than retail (ThredUp, 2024). Translation for sneakerheads. Access to 2010s icons got wider, prices stabilized, and quality options exist if timing and checks are right.
Why second hand is winning for 2010s sneakers
Supply unlocked. Collections released between 2012 and 2019 started reappearing in great condition as tastes evolved. Liquidity grew too. StockX reported tens of millions of lifetime trades since launching in 2016 and a deep roster of 2010s models among the most transacted in recent years (StockX, Current Culture reports).
There is a sustainability angle that matters to many buyers. Extending the active life of fashion items by around nine months can cut carbon, water, and waste footprints by roughly 20 to 30 percent, according to WRAP’s analysis of wardrobe use in the UK (WRAP, 2012). Footwear follows the same logic when pairs keep moving and stay worn rather than stored.
And the culture stayed strong. Nike and Virgil Abloh shook the decade with “The Ten” in 2017, a design chapter documented by Nike News that reset how a collaboration could look and feel. Adidas pushed Boost tech in 2015 with Ultraboost and revived Stan Smith earlier in 2014. Luxury joined the sneaker lane with Balenciaga Triple S in 2017. Those calendars still set the tone on today’s resale pages.
The cult models of the 2010s worth hunting second hand
Not every pair ages the same. Story, condition, size liquidity, and accessories decide value. The following lines target models that consistently show buyer interest and wearable appeal.
- Nike x Off-White “The Ten” (2017) Air Presto, Air Jordan 1, Blazer. High demand, track sold prices on verified platforms for realism.
- Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2, from 2016 onward. Comfort first, check knit integrity and midsole clarity.
- Adidas Ultraboost 1.0 and 2.0, 2015 to 2016. Primeknit holds up well, heel cup scuffs decide grade.
- Nike Flyknit Racer, 2012 era. Lightweight classic, watch outsole wear around the forefoot.
- New Balance 990v4 and 997, 2016 to 2018. Made in USA lines age cleanly, seek original insoles.
- Balenciaga Triple S, 2017 debut. Ensure weight and build match brand specs, counterfeit risk sits high.
- Common Projects Achilles Low, mid 2010s peak. Leather creases tell the truth, dust bag and box boost value.
How to buy second hand safely: checks, sizing, condition
Start with authentication. Use platforms that provide item verification or trusted escrow such as StockX, GOAT, or Vestiaire Collective, each operating documented checks since their launches. Compare SKU, label fonts, stitching density, and insole logos against official product pages or brand lookbooks from the release year.
Condition grading needs rigor. Ask for natural light photos, toe box angles, outsole close-ups, heel drag, midsole foam, and inner lining pilling. For 2010s foams, oxidation can show as yellowing near glue lines. That is cosmetic, not always structural. True structural risk appears when midsole material shows cracks near flex points.
Sizing varies across the decade. Ultraboost in the 1.0 knit often feels snug while New Balance 990v4 runs more standard. Request outsole length in centimeters and compare with a pair that already fits. It sounds basic, but it saves returns and keeps shipping footprints low. And yes, smell tests still help. Glue and materials have a distinct scent pattern that fakes rarely replicate.
Care extends lifespan and preserves value. Rotate pairs, clean with pH-balanced solutions, and store with light airflow. WRAP’s finding on longer use cutting impact plays here as well when a buyer maintains the pair instead of replacing it early. That alone definetely helps value retention.
Pricing sense for 2010s pairs and what the numbers suggest next
Look at sold data, not asks. Platforms publish historical sales that show real clearing prices over time. For example, widely tracked pairs like the Off-White Air Jordan 1 from 2017 have sat at premium levels on StockX for years, with transparency on monthly averages and volatility. That context keeps negotiations grounded.
Release story and scarcity still lead. Collaborations tied to significant cultural moments, first runs of new tech, or luxury crossovers tend to hold better. Accessories matter. Original box, spare laces, tags, and receipts often lift sale prices by a visible percentage in marketplace comps.
Timing helps. Listings rise each season when closets turn over and during brand anniversaries that spark attention. Set alerts for target sizes, cap your max price, and review authentication turnarounds before a bid. The broader market trend shows sustained growth in resale participation according to BCG in 2022 and ThredUp in 2024, so liquidity for 2010s staples should remain, especially on core sizes where trades are already dense.
One last piece for peace of mind. If a pair checks authenticity, fits your wear pattern, and lands near or below the trailing three month median on verified sold data, the risk profile looks reasonable. That is how collectors have navigated the 2010s wave without overpaying while keeping a rotation fresh.