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The Air Jordan XVII Lows had debuted hot off the press around $150-180 in the open market. That figure has since dropped to as low as $75 (which could be found at some Nike outlets around the country). However, as history would repeat itself, Air Jordan prices simply won't go down without a fight. Recent market values of the 17 Lightnings are back up to around $150 and higher. Since less and less of these shoes remain deadstock over time, one can only expect their worth to continue to appreciate.

Jordan misses dunk in Jordan XVII Lightning

Michael pulled a Dominique and missed this dunk at the All-Star Game. But he did manage to catch Pierce with his pants down and impress Ashton Kutcher with his Lightning kicks.

Trend:

Air Jordans will always rise in price 3-4 years after its initial release. Reason for this phenomenon:

Air Jordan design is almost always ahead of its time. Sometimes it takes years before their full appreciation in style and fashion is reached. By then, the models are off the shelves and limited in deadstock quantities - thereby raising the value of aftermarket J's.

What is hot today will one day come a full cycle and become hot again. J's are never about fads and its inspiration and nostalgia will come back repeatedly for future sneaker fans.

Air Jordan XVII Low Lightning Price Chart

Above is the Air Jordan Lightning's performance trend in the past year at the time of this writing. Its after-market valuation has improved steadily and consistently. While past performance is no indication of future results, all indicators say the Lightnings has the potential to be a much sought-after collectible in due time.

Air Jordan XVII Lightning

(Feb. 2004)

The Air Jordan XVII Low Lightning was neither the first to create a buzz at the All-Star Game nor the first to cause the limited-edition hysteria. But it is the last time that an Air Jordan would grace the feet of MJ himself and cause pandemonium in the sneaker hobby.

The trend in public-released kicks is simple: an initial spike in shoe prices followed by a spiraling downward trend. If it's a pair of non-Nike, then chances are that the shoe won't even be worth the leather it's produced on after a few years. If it's a pair of Air Jordans, then look for the value to gradually increase 3-4 years after its release. That's what makes J's so desirable among sneaker collectors. History has shown that in time they will always hold and appreciate in value.

Are there exceptions to the rule? Of course. One way to buck the trend is manipulate the concept of supply and demand. Over the years, Nike has played this card closer to its vest than any other manufacturer. They just about never release the production numbers of their shoes other than a few limited edition models. Nike is careful not to reveal their meticulous methods of making their products seem scarcer than they really are. Part of their effectiveness is to create an image of uniqueness to each individual customer's purchase. This strategy is quite common among the consumer marketplace. Honda Accords and Toyota Camrys may want everyone and their aunt to purchase one of their cars, but the same can not be said for Ferraris or Bentleys. The image of exclusivity is what makes those cars, or in this case, a pair of Nike worth that much more and command a premium price.

In recent years, in order to improve sales and drive interest in their products, shoe manufacturers are producing less public release shoes in quantity but adding more limited-edition shoes in terms of selection. The result is draining the pocketbooks of collectors who are always trying to buy anything and everything. Even regular issue releases have been getting the same treatment.

Early samples of the white/black/yellow Air Jordan Lightnings were not well received by retailers. Major stores feared the colorway simply wouldn't sell and did not place enough orders for Nike to justify the release. So what does the Swoosh do? Scrap the colorway? Of course not. When all else fails, why not play the consumers for a fool? Nike would still launch the shoes as planned, but only at selective stores and eventually at their own Niketown and Nike Outlets. The word leaked out on the street that these puppies are extremely limited. Quick strike! Super-Rare colorway! Cop'em while u can! To add to the hype of these Lightnings, Nike got MJ himself to wear the shoes during the 2002 All-Star Game. Even though the color scheme did not match his Wizard's uniform at all, the Lightnings became a smashing success. Everyone wondered just what those blinding yellow shoes Jordan had been wearing. The campaign was such a hit that it has since become a tradition to wear wild and eye-catching shoes at the All-Star game as a marketing gimmick. The Huarache 2K4, VC3, Dada Spree Spinners, chrome CDubbz and the mismatch red & blue T-Mac IIIs are just a few shoes that immediately comes to mind for the 2004 All-Star Game in LA. If that's not enough, the soon to drop Air Jordan XIX will be featured in regional colorways. Consumers will only be able to purchase the model associated with their geographical location - thus driving the demand up for those that they can not purchase.

Essentially, the XVII Lightnings struck twice: The first time in its own form; the 2nd time in the shape of all current and future limited edition models (can we say Altitudes?) that will continue to make consumers pull out their wallets.