What Does SE Mean in Shoes? A Complete Guide (with Pictures)
What does SE mean in shoes? Let’s understand this with an example.
The Air Jordan 13, which Michael Jordan wore during the 1998 NBA final, was recently sold for a whopping price of $2.2 Million.
This was an SE pair with a sporty historical significance (yes- a Jordan that Mr Jordan wore in the final), and that added to its price. Short for the special edition, SE shoes have unique designs and partnerships that remember special people or occasions (just like the example above). And since these special people and occasions are popularly loved and celebrated, these kicks become expensive.
Luckily, I’ve had the fortune of owning a couple of these pairs, and that’s what motivated me to write this article. If you have recently heard any of the following terms:
“SE sneakers, SE shoes, or SE cleats”
and are wondering what it means, this article is for you.
Here I will talk about SEs in detail, also highlighting a few popular examples, and much more. So, take out your notebook and let’s get started.
First things first, What does SE mean in shoes?
Here’s a simple answer—in shoes, SE stands for special edition.
But that’s not it! What exactly does special edition mean?
Well, a pair of SE or special edition shoes often feature partnerships and unique designs honoring special occasions or people.
Just as the Air Jordan 13 I mentioned in the example above.
Similarly, the Retro Air Jordan 1, which came out in 1985 can still be found at prices above $2,000. The reason? These sneakers now hold great value as some special events have been associated with them.
This is one factor that makes a pair of shoes fall into the “Special Edition” category.
Plus, here’s the best thing about SE shoes—their value appreciates over time.
Here’s a bunch of other special editions you may recall:
- Dunk Low SB “What the Dunk”
- Dior X Air Jordan 1 High
- Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG X Zion Williamson
- CLOT x Nike 1World Air Force 1
But, what makes SE shoes stand out?
So much word and hype about the special edition sneakers, but what exactly do they offer? What makes them so good to be worth all the money? And what makes them stand out? Well, a bunch of factors do.
1. SEs rarely come around
One of the key factors contributing to the unmatched value of SE shoes is their rarity.
As the name suggests, special edition shoes are not mass-produced. These models are usually rolled out in small batches only representing a special date, person, or brand collaboration.
Since the production of SE shoes is low-scale, contrasting to their high demand, they can be extremely rare and pricey.
2. Timing, branding, collaborations
One of the key factors affecting the hype around special edition shoes is the way brands time them.
For example, Air Jordan 4 Retro Laser 30th Anniversary Sneakers and Air Jordan 11 ‘Jubilee’ are two such special edition sneakers that Nike has timed around the Jordan anniversary.
Similarly, Dior collaborated with Nike to come up with a Special Edition Dior X Air Jordan 1 High sneaker. And there are a number of other examples.
Now, since these shoes are timed around special events, named around these events (or popular people, such as Zion Williamson) or brands, and produced in very limited numbers—they automatically acquire the Special Edition title.
3. One of a kind
An SE shoe has to be one of a kind.
As special edition shoes are named and designed in association with a brand, celebrity, or event, they also have unique themes that are reflected in their designs.
For example, Air Jordan 1 X ‘J Balvin’ is so full of color and vibrance, that no other Jordan matches its energy.
Similarly, a bunch of other special edition Jordans have been dramatically vibrant, attracting attention and money.
4. Unique packaging
As these are special edition shoes, the packaging on them is also exclusive. For example, I remember getting my Zero Why Not sneakers from Nike, and the packaging was still very fancy (even though it’s not a special edition pair).
This packaging also contributes to the exclusivity of these shoes. Plus, when reselling these shoes, sneakerheads preserve the packaging for a great deal.
5. Pricey shoes (really pricey)
Special Edition shoes, as the name suggests are special in nature. While any sneakerhead would love all (or most) of their sneakers, their affection with SEs is always exclusive.
In fact, in many cases, sneaker collectors can be able to pre-order special edition shoes and get them before they are out for sale.
Now, as these SEs are produced in limited quantities, their pre-launch sale hollows down the supply at the time of launch. As a result, at the time of launch, more people wished to buy these sneakers, while the available units were far fewer.
This spikes up the prices a great deal. For example, Nike might have planned on selling a special edition pair at $200. However, as availability is scarce, the collectors holding multiple pairs may go on to grab even thousands of dollars for a pair.
Are limited edition (LE) shoes the same as special edition (SE) pairs?
Here’s a straightforward answer—NO!
Limited Edition shoes vary a great deal from their Special Edition counterparts. And the difference starts with their definitions.
Special Edition shoes are unique, reflect a certain style, trend, event, or celebrity, and are only available for a limited period of time.
On the other hand, Limited Edition sneakers may or may not be so unique, and may reflect a theme or style, but are only produced in limited quantities. This makes them rare.
The following table can help you understand this better:
Marty’s final words
A special edition shoe is special for a number of reasons. As I said above, from having a unique design to carrying a theme and character, SEs certainly stand out. And it doesn’t matter whether you are a sneakerhead or someone who has just started learning about sneakers, these can add well to your footwear collection.
However, if you want to grab a pair of special edition or limited edition kicks, you may need to be aware of when these shoes come out and where they are sold—don’t worry, I’ll keep you posted about that.
FAQs
Let us look at some of the most frequently asked questions about these shoes.
1. Can I resell my special edition kicks for profit?
Yes. In fact, this is one of the best parts of buying an SE. Sneakerheads across the globe try to get their hands on to-be-launching SEs and sell them off for huge profits once the demand peaks and supply drops.
However, to resell these at a profit, you must ensure to buy them for as cheap as possible. That may require some thorough research, finding out the right source to grab these from.
2. How can I get SEs at a cheaper price?
The popular answer to this question is—that you can’t; unless you are someone with a huge lot of contacts. And speaking of backdoor rumors on Reddit, I’d suggest you practice caution.
Apart from that, you may have a thin chance of getting SEs at a cheaper price. However, for that to happen, you should be lucky enough to get one directly from the store. Or meet a generous seller selling them at a cheaper price.
3. Why do some SE shoes gain value over time?
The whole pricing and value dynamic depends on demand and supply.
When an SE model reaches the market, its demand is usually peaking. Plus, as the shoe is new, some units may still be available to sell.
As a result, a handful of people may have the opportunity to get these pairs for a fair price.
However, with the passing of time, most of these units are taken up by users, sneakerheads, and resellers—leaving a high demand and low supply in the market.
Now, as more people want their hands on these sneakers, with fewer pairs available for sale, their price shoots up! This is how Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Final pair was sold for $2.2 Million. And this is how you may have to pay over $8,990 for a Dior X Air Jordan 1 High.
