These Apple-designed sneakers just sold for nearly $10,000 at auction. Here's the history behind the rare shoes.

Apple T-shirts have long been collectors' items. In the 1980s, Apple had a company store for employees, closed to the public, where it sold merch with different logos and slogans. Many became highly coveted, as fewer than 100 shirts of some designs were produced.

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Source: Chicago Tribune

One of the most famous pieces from that period was a hoodie worn by Apple staff around the time the original Mac was launched, right before the famous "1984" Superbowl commercial. It reads "90 HRS/WK AND LOVING IT."

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Source: Business Insider

Now, Apple sells some merch to the public at its spaceship headquarters in Cupertino, like this tote bag...

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Source: Business Insider

...and these onesies with the Apple logo.

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Special apparel is also available at WWDC, Apple's annual conference for software developers.

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Source: Business Insider

The most sought-after Apple merch, though, remains apparel only available to employees.

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These sneakers were created exclusively for Apple employees in the 1990s.

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Despite some light wear, they sold for $9,687 after 20 bids.

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Strangely, the same type of sneakers with less wear and tear went up for auction in 2017 starting at $15,000, but they are still listed as "Not Sold."

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Source: Heritage Auction

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Steve Jobs was notoriously a New Balance fan, so it makes sense that Apple would make sneakers for employees.

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A similar, but slightly different pair sold on Poshmark for $2,500, according to the website.

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Source: Poshmark

These sneakers were made by Reebok for Apple.

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Like the recently sold sneakers, they have a rainbow Apple logo on the tongue...

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...and on the side.

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This pair definitely has the same design idea as the $10,000 pair, though these look more worn and have a different shape to them.

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In 2018, Versace posted a photo that sneakerheads almost immediately pointed out looked like Apple's classic sneakers, leading to speculation that they might produce the iconic look. So far, the brand has not produced any Apple-related sneakers.

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Source: Esquire