You’ve seen them on every mood board. You’ve seen the red zip ties dragging on the pavement. Honestly, the Off-White Nike Ten collection is probably the most significant thing to happen to sneakers since the original Air Jordan 1 dropped in '85. It wasn't just a "collaboration." It was a complete dismantling of how we think about design.
Virgil Abloh didn't just change the colors; he took an X-ACTO knife to the soul of Nike.
What actually was the Off-White Nike Ten?
Back in 2017, the world felt a bit different. Virgil Abloh, the late founder of Off-White, teamed up with Nike to reimagine ten of their most iconic silhouettes. But he didn't do it the "normal" way. He didn't just pick a new leather or add a logo. He basically looked at these shoes—shoes like the Jordan 1, the Air Presto, and the Blazer—and decided to show us how they were made by ripping them apart.
He split the collection into two distinct vibes: REVEALING and GHOSTING.
The "REVEALING" pack was all about that hand-cut, DIY energy. We're talking exposed foam, shifted tongues, and those famous quotation marks that labeled things like "AIR" or "SHOELACES." It felt like a rough draft you weren't supposed to see, which is exactly why everyone wanted it. The "GHOSTING" pack was a bit more experimental, using translucent uppers to give you a literal window into the shoe’s structure.
The Original Lineup
- Air Jordan 1: The crown jewel. The "Chicago" colorway with the "AIR" on the midsole.
- Air Presto: Often called the most comfortable and arguably the best design of the lot.
- Air VaporMax: A tech-heavy runner that looked like a space boot.
- Air Max 90: Deconstructed with a raw, industrial feel.
- Blazer Mid: Turned a classic basketball shoe into a piece of modern art.
- Air Force 1 Low: The foundational silhouette for the entire project.
- Air Max 97: A sleek, triple-white look with that translucent "ghost" upper.
- Zoom Fly SP: For the runners (and the fashion-conscious).
- Converse Chuck Taylor: The outlier, since Nike owns Converse, but it fit the "Ghosting" vibe perfectly.
- React Hyperdunk 2017: The only performance basketball shoe in the bunch.
Why people are still obsessed in 2026
It’s been years since the initial drop, and yet the hype hasn't really died. If anything, it’s mutated into a form of high-art appreciation. Virgil's "3% Rule"—the idea that you only need to change a design by 3% to make it something entirely new—is now taught in design schools.
People aren't just buying shoes; they're buying a piece of history.
The market reflects that. If you're looking for a deadstock pair of the Off-White Nike Ten Jordan 1s today, you're looking at prices that could buy you a decent used car. We're talking $5,000 to $10,000 depending on the size. Even the "lesser" models like the Zoom Fly or the Hyperdunk have maintained a value that would make most investors jealous.
There's also the "Virgil factor." After his passing in late 2021, these shoes became more than just footwear. They became artifacts of a visionary's peak.
The "Zip-Tie" Debate: To Clip or Not to Clip?
Kinda hilarious when you think about it. One of the biggest arguments in the sneaker community for years was whether you should leave the red plastic zip tie on the shoe. Virgil himself said the point was to wear them, to use them, to "REVEAL" the process. But most people kept the tag on as a badge of honor.
It’s a bit like keeping the stickers on a New Era cap, but on steroids.
Honestly, in 2026, the trend has shifted. You see more people rocking them without the tag now. It shows a level of "I actually wear my kicks" confidence. Plus, let's be real—the clicking sound of a plastic tag hitting the floor while you walk gets old after the first mile.
What most people get wrong about "The Ten"
A common misconception is that this was the only Off-White x Nike collab. Not even close. There were the "The 50" Dunks, the Rubber Dunks, the Terra Formas, and the various Air Force 1 "Brooklyn" or "MCA" exclusives.
But "The Ten" is the foundation.
Everything that came after—the over-lacing on the Dunks, the spikes on the track shoes—all of it traces back to the DNA established in that first 2017 run. If "The Ten" hadn't been a massive success, the landscape of sneakers today would probably be a lot more boring. We'd still be getting the same retro colorways instead of the experimental silhouettes that brands are now brave enough to release.
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Actionable Tips for Collectors
- Check the Yellowing: If you're buying a pair of the original "Ghosting" pack (like the AM97 or the Chuck Taylors) in 2026, expect yellowing. The materials used back then don't stay icy white forever. It’s not necessarily a sign of a fake; it’s just physics.
- Verify the Text: On fakes, the "Off-White for Nike" text on the medial side is often slightly misaligned or the font weight is off. Compare it to high-res photos on sites like GOAT or CheckCheck.
- The Box Matters: The "The Ten" boxes were inside-out. If the box looks like a standard Nike box, run.
- Buy the Presto if you want to wear them: Seriously. Out of all ten, the Presto has aged the best in terms of comfort and style. The Jordan 1 is a trophy; the Presto is a daily driver.
The legacy of the Off-White Nike Ten isn't just about the resale price or the celebrity sightings. It’s about the fact that Virgil Abloh proved you could take something mass-produced and make it feel personal, handmade, and human.
Whether you love the look or think they're "unfinished," you can't deny they changed the world.