Bidding for West sneakers hits $US16m

A pair of Kanye West's long-delayed Nike Air Yeezy sneakers has gone up for auction online with bids topping $US16 million ($A17.93 million).

Kanye West's Nike Air sneakers have gone up for auction online with bids topping $A17.93 million. (AAP)

The Air Yeezy II Red Octobers quietly went on sale on Nike's website on Sunday, without any advanced notice, and the $US245 shoes were snapped up by fans within 15 minutes.

A number of the highly-coveted sneakers have since surfaced on auction website eBay and one lot, located in the UK, has hit headlines for attracting an eye-popping offer of $US16 million. The item had a starting price of $US320.

Other lots of the same sports shoe range from $US320 to $US9600.

The Red Octobers were West's final sneaker design for Nike before he signed a deal to work with rival brand Adidas.