Grails are highly coveted shoes in the sneaker world. The expression comes from the historical legend of the “holy grail.”
Almost everyone has their own interpretation of a grail and its meaning. But there is one main trait defining grails: they’re rare.
So, if you want to find out more about sneaker grails, you’re at the right place. Keep reading this post to get all the info you need. 🗞️
Why are sneakers called grails?
The Oxford Dictionary defines the term “grail” as: “a thing that you try very hard to find or achieve, but never will.”
The expression refers to the mythical object from Arthurian legend, the “holy grail,” and its quest. This shoe expression is then linked to the “holy grail” quest.
Grails are sneakers you want more than any others that are almost impossible to find. They’re hugely rare and nearly unattainable, like the “holy grail.”
The term was first used in the 90s by sneaker collectors who started to use it for highly rare sneakers.
What are grails in sneakers?
The term grail is used for a scarce pair of sneakers that is (really) difficult to get, if not impossible. Many people are looking for those grails but can’t put their hands on them.
Sometimes grails are special editions. But most of the time, grails are limited editions. Some are even highly limited in quantities. For instance, some can drop with only 50 copies.
Then, you understood that because there is little quantity, grails are hard to cop when released.
Grails are even harder to find after their drop date. Why? Because their value skyrocketed quickly on the resale market.
Sometimes, the price of grails can be a rarity indicator. For instance:
- The Jordan 4 Retro Eminem Encore from 2017 dropped with only 23 pairs.
- It is now listed between $35,000 and $43,770 on StockX.
Those minimal stocks can also be due to canceled drops. This is what happened with the Nike SB Dunk Low Freddy Krueger.
The shoe was supposed to drop in 2007. But its release was canceled by New Line Cinema, who owns the movie’s rights.
Some people managed to get those sneakers. Then, due to the fact they never officially dropped, they became hugely rare. People are now looking after those sneakers that became huge grails.
Real grails in sneakers
Among all the sneaker grails, if I had to give you only one example of a sneaker grail, it would be the Jordan 1 OG Chicago from 1985.
This pair of sneakers represent everything a grail is. It is rare, has a unique history, is the symbol of the sneaker culture, etc.
However, there is a massive difference between grails and hyped sneakers. A grail will be valuable for you, whereas the hyped shoe will have a market value.
A true grail is the one you can’t reach, even after years and years of research. Then, the most crucial trait is the rarity and not the value.
But what’s sure is that the expression has evolved:
- Back in the day, grails were unobtainable sneakers.
- Nowadays, grails are the most hyped and expensive shoes.
Personal grails in sneakers
The thing is, everyone can have their own interpretation of grails. Then that’s what we can consider as personal grails.
They are sneakers you want because they have a specific value for you. For instance, they can remind you of a nostalgic feeling. Then, it is not necessarily a scarce pair.
Back in the day, when I started to love sneakers, my 2 grails were the Jordan 4 Bred and the Nike Air Max 90 Independence Day.
Those 2 shoes are not highly rare sneakers, but they have a specific value for me as they made me fall into sneakers.
In the end, some people refer to grails as:
- Your favorite sneakers
- A pair you pain to find on the resale market
- A historic pair of sneakers
- A pair you can’t get off your mind
- A pair you need to seek and dig for years to find
- Etc.
What sneakers are considered grails?
Most common grails are super, super rare, really expensive, and/or meaningful in sneakers history. Some examples of grails are:
- The Nike SB Dunk Low Freddy Krueger
- The Jordan 2 Eminem
- The Jordan 1 High OG SP Travis Scott
- The Jordan 12 Flu Game (from the 1997 Finals) signed by Michael Jordan
- The Nike Air Yeezy 1 and 2
- The Jordan 2 OG (from 1986-87)
- Etc.
Nowadays, grails are mainly linked with their expensive resell value. For instance, a pair of Jordan 1 Low Travis Scott can be considered a grail. Why? Because the shoe is expensive (but mainly because it’s a Travis Scott collab).
But the thing is, there are 4 different Travis Scott’s Jordan 1 Low. So, if we talk about rarity, they’re not that rare…
As I told you, the essence of grails, true ones, is the rarity. Examples of true grails are for instance:
- The Nike Air Force 1 Low Playstation (2006)
- The Nike SB Dunk Low Staple NYC Pigeon (2005)
What are the most sought-after sneakers?
To give you an idea of some of the most sought-after sneakers in the world, we made you a list of 10 extremely rare sneakers.
Here is the list (they are not ranked):
- The Air Jordan 1 Craig Sager
- The Air Jordan 11 Jeter
- The Nike Dunk High Wu Tang
- The Air Jordan 3 and 8 from the Kobe PE Pack
- The Air Jordan 4 Retro Carhartt x Eminem
- The Air Jordan 4 Retro Eminem Encore
- The Nike Air Yeezy 1 Prototype worn by Kanye at the 2008 Grammy’s
- The Nike Dunk High Pro SB FLOM (For Love Or Money)
- The Nike Dunk SB Low Paris
- The Nike Mag
Those grails are part of the most sought-after ones. These are sneakers that were released in extremely few quantities. Some have even been unofficially released in a single copy.
This explains why many collectors want those grails; they are rare as f*ck. But it also tells why they have exorbitant values right now.
Conclusion
Grails are almost unattainable, rare, and expensive shoes. Their name “grails” comes from the medieval legend of the “holy grail.” Why? Because you want those sneakers more than any other.
In sneakers culture, everyone has their own interpretation of what a grail is. Which leads to what we can call personal grails. Then, they are shoes that have value only to you.
Some of the most sought-after grails are the Nike Mag, the Jordan 1 High OG Chicago from 1985, and the Nike SB Dunk Low Freddy Krueger.
And if you want to know the meaning of every sneakerhead terms, come check out our sneaker lingo dictionary!
