The Insane Amount Of Money A Pair Of Steve Jobs’ Sandals Sold For

Steve Jobs's Birkenstocks, the ones he wore during the rise of Apple in the 1970s and 1980s, sold for a whopping $218,750.

By Tiffany Velasquez | Published

This article is more than 2 years old

 An unidentified buyer purchased a well-loved pair of Birkenstocks for a record-breaking price at Julien’s Auctions. The sandals belonged to Steve Jobs, and he wore them in the 70s and 80s. The price they were expected to sell for was around $80,000, but the actual price they sold for was $218,750.

Steve Jobs was an American entrepreneur and the founder of Apple. Apple was founded in 1978, and there is photographic evidence that he wore these Birkenstocks while brainstorming and making his vision for the computer and technology company come to life. Steve Jobs is known to be one of the most driven and inspired entrepreneurs of his time, and the new owner of the sandals certainly has enormous shoes to fill. 

The sandals previously belonging to Steve Jobs could never have been expected to sell for such a significant amount of money. The big price tag broke records for the highest price of sandals sold at auction. Previous items associated with Apple and Steve Jobs have brought in a significant amount of money as well. 

A computer previously owned by Steve Jobs sold at auction for around $677,000. That was a demonstration prototype Apple-1 computer. Additionally, a first-generation iPod once sold at auction for a few thousand dollars.

The record-breaking Birkenstocks previously owned by Steve Jobs were imprinted with his feet as he has worn them for nearly two decades. He was said to be a huge supporter and avid wearer of Birkenstocks. Jobs had a fascination with the design and the materials from which they were made. 

Steve Jobs’ ex-partner said that the Birkenstocks were a part of his uniform. He didn’t like to think much about what he was wearing and found the shoes to be reliable, comfortable, and practical. He also felt the shoes gave him a certain freedom in creativity.

steve jobs

The shoes were actually destined for the trash before a previous house manager for Steve Jobs decided they were no longer. Today, the shoes brand new would cost around $110, still a considerable price for a pair of simple sandals. The price for the shoes brand new is nowhere near the hefty price paid for the used pair at auction.

Steve Jobs’ Birkenstocks have made their way around the auction and exhibition market over the years. The sandals were originally auctioned in 2016 at Heritage Auctions for close to $3,000. As the Birkenstocks traveled around, making an appearance in museums and exhibitions, the value and interest in the Birkenstocks previously owned by Jobs increased. 

Steve Jobs was greatly admired and loved by many tech lovers and entrepreneurs alike. He was an inspirational man and an absolute pioneer in the computer industry. The price that the shoes sold for goes to show just how much someone admired Jobs, that they were willing to pay to have such a significant amount of money to own something that he used personally. 

The buyer of the Birkenstocks owned by Steve Jobs is unidentified and will likely remain that way. The new owner certainly has a piece of fun history now in their possession. Undoubtedly, the sandals will continue to be well-loved.