Nike Dunk has come a long way, from college hardwood courts through skate parks to the biggest collaborations in sneaker history. In this category we've gathered all the Dunk variants available at SneakersJoint – low, high and skateboarding SB – and you'll find the brand's other shoes in the Nike category.
Nike Dunk
The Nike Dunk first saw the light of day in 1985. It was a fusion of four shoe models: Air Force 1, Terminator, Air Jordan 1 and Legend. These shoes were designed for playing basketball and built for the maneuvers of that very sport. However, the Nike Dunk became famous for the Be True To Your School campaign, which offered Division I college basketball teams Nike Dunks in the team's colors.
The Origins of the Iconic Nike Dunk
Nike signed deals with the universities in Kentucky, Iowa, Michigan, Syracuse, Georgetown, UNLV and St. John's. The Nike Dunk then became the official shoe of those teams. This helped Nike promote the Nike Dunk among basketball players and the community that formed around basketball games.
Over time, the skateboarding community began to grow rapidly, and Nike joined that market. However, the community saw Nike as just another big brand that wanted to sell its shoes in a new market. The community didn't want to see new brands and was strongly loyal to companies that specialized in making skate footwear, such as eS, DC, Vans and Globe.
The modified Nike Dunk Mid was warmly received by consumers. This gave Nike shoes a new lease on life in the skateboarding scene. It turned out that the shoe's construction was perfectly suited to the sport. On top of that, they were very durable.
Nike's New Initiative That Popularized the Dunk Series
Around the turn of the century, the Dunk Low Pro B and Dunk Low CO.JP models appeared, and in 2002 the Nike SB (Skateboarding) division was created. These were the results of an experiment that combined a wide variety of materials, colors and patterns. The Pro B was the first Dunk to feature a thick tongue and thicker lining to increase comfort while skating, which appealed not only to skaters but also to shoe collectors for purely aesthetic reasons.
The best period for the Nike Dunk was the aughts, when Sandy Bodecker headed Nike SB and the Nike Dunk Low SB, aimed squarely at skaters, conquered the market through a wide variety of collaborations.
The Dunk SB was reimagined by brands such as Supreme, Levi's, Stussy and many others. Today the most popular colorway is the Nike Dunk Low Panda – check its availability at SneakersJoint! Be sure to check out the rest of our Nike Dunk Low and Nike Dunk High colorways.
If you're interested in Nike Dunk models, check out the versions available at SneakersJoint – these are iconic sneakers with a timeless design.
Dunk Low, Dunk High and SB Dunk – What's the Difference?
Although all Dunks share a common lineage, the individual versions differ in construction and character:
- Dunk Low – a low-top upper, a versatile look and a huge choice of colorways; it's the most popular version for everyday wear,
- Dunk High – a high-top upper that rises above the ankle, closest to the basketball original from the '80s,
- Nike SB Dunk – the skater version with a thicker, padded tongue and an insole with Zoom Air cushioning; many of the most collectible editions are made in the SB line.
Nike Dunk Collaborations and Colorways at SneakersJoint
In our selection you'll find both classics and pairs that collectors hunt for years:
- classic Dunk Low University Blue, Panda and Black White Red,
- Off-White x Dunk Low "The 50" – a series of numbered "Lot" pairs designed by Virgil Abloh, collected in the Nike x Off-White LOT category,
- Supreme x Nike SB Dunk Low with the signature stars, and themed SB models like The Wizard of Oz or Big Money Savings,
- high-top editions, including Dunk High Wu-Tang and Concepts x Dunk High Pro SB "Turdunken".
You'll find all the skateboarding versions in the Nike Dunk SB category.
How do I choose the right size for Nike Dunk?
Dunks are usually chosen in your standard Nike size. However, they have a fairly narrow forefoot, so people with wide feet often go up half a size. The surest way is to compare the insole length in centimeters with shoes you already wear.
Frequently asked questions
Are Nike Dunks suitable for skateboarding?
Nike SB Dunk versions, designed with skaters in mind, work best for skating. Classic Dunk Low and Dunk High are today mainly everyday lifestyle shoes.
What's the difference between the Dunk Low and the Air Force 1?
Both models come from basketball, but the Dunk has a slimmer silhouette and a thinner sole, while the Air Force 1 is chunkier and has Air cushioning in the sole.
Are Nike Dunks at SneakersJoint authentic?
Yes. Every pair goes through authenticity verification with us – we inspect it under UV light, check the EAN codes and compare it against a reference. You can read more on the Authenticity at SneakersJoint page.
