NIKE DUNK HIGH The Nike Dunk High was a basketball sneaker that debuted in 1986. It was one of the most popular sneakers of the 2000′s and was one of the original models of Nike Skateboarding. The most popular Nike Dunk High is the Be True To Your School Pack.
NIKE DUNK HIGH WEEK
What an amazing week it’s been for Dunk nuts worldwide! We’ve covered four of the more memorable Dunk Highs of all-time, starting with the UNDFTD No-Liners on Monday and hitting you with Wu-Tang fire yesterday. But no set of ‘best-of’ sneakers is complete without the inclusion of Stussy, the clothing label and urban culture anchor that paved the way for the many sneaker collaborations that followed, so in a way, we’re saving the best for last. This 2001 Dunk you see here was actually first ever collaboration between Nike and a clothing company (not to be confused with the Stussy x Nike Air Huarache of 2000 – a project between Nike and Michael Koppelman of Stussy UK); could the Stussy x Nike Dunk High be credited for setting the trend of sexy sneaker collabs of the 2000′s? Let’s take a look.
By 2001, the Dunk had grown to be a cult classic, gaining serious steam across the globe for its skate-friendly and Retro appeal. So, Nike decided to hit up Stussy yet again allowed them to give their own spin on the Dunk, composing two completely distinct colorways – a tonal black leather version and the Brown/Khaki we’re placing the spotlight on here. While both colorways were rather simple, they introduced exotic materials and specialty fabrics on the Swoosh – snakeskin on the Black colorway and ostrich on the Brown. The Stussy x Nike Dunk High was also a ‘test-run’ or experiment of sorts on extremely limited distributions; each of the four Stussy chapter stores (NYC, LA, Tokyo, London) released twenty-four pairs in total per day (twelve pairs per colorway) until the entire stock was depleted. This resulted in a stretch of 2+ weeks of line-ups every morning, setting the table for other ‘camp-outs’ for these limited-edition sneakers. Style, quality, concept, and trendsetting – the Stussy x Nike Dunk High had it all. Take a look at the extra looks below and stay tuned to Sneaker News as we hit you with yet another week of Classics Revisited treats!
Stussy x Nike Dunk High
Medium Brown/British Khaki-Cone
302763-221
2001
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NIKE DUNK HIGH WEEK
A very strong case can be made for the ‘sneaker collaboration’ being a trailblazer for widespread popularity of kicks today. The individually numbered shoes tied to a renown cult street-artist or sneaker boutique and boxed up in custom packaging had all the sex appeal to get the sneaker-libido raging for any obsessed fanatic, but before the era of the collaboration, there was a sneaker that stretched the definition of ‘Limited Edition’ so far that we often don’t even consider it when discussing the toughest sneaker pick-ups in history. Why? They’re nearly impossible to find. Leap years occur more often than Wu-Tang Dunk sightings, and Flight Club, the one-stop shop for finding the world’s most rarified kicks while keeping a blind eye to price-tags, hasn’t had a pair come through its doors in over five years. What are they valued at? It’s one of the very few sneakers that might have an inconsistent appraisal for a number of reasons; it could be priced identically to what it last sold for on Flight Club ($5,000), or it can be adjusted for inflation and appreciation and easily mark them at double that figure. Some may assess that these don’t have tangible value at all – a priceless sneaker at the very core.
Throughout the 1990′s, the Wu-Tang Clan, based out of the NYC boroughs of Staten Island, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, made an incredible name for their alternative style of hip-hop and wordplay, and have since sprouted a wide range of career paths that cover anything and everything that needed a unique flavor. Solo albums, careers in film and TV, music production – the Wu was very much a part of pop culture outside of their albums, and consistently the Wu-Tang Clan is listed among the greatest and most influential music acts in history. In 1999, when the original Nike Dunk High ‘Be True’ Collection was re-released, Nike created a special edition Wu-Tang Clan ‘Friends & Family’ edition of the Black/Goldenrod colorway associated with the University of Iowa – one of the original seven representatives of the Nike Dunk ‘Be True’ Series.
The Black/Yellow colorway was selected in accordance with ‘The Swarm’, a 1998 album put forth by the Wu-Tang Killa Beez – a collective of Wu-Tang members and its affiliates. The sneaker featured the iconic Wu-Tang logo embroidered on the heel and on a custom tongue label, and the mere addition of the logos made the simplistic two-toned colorway a staggering beauty that exuded the aggression and refined grit we associate with the Wu-Tang Clan and its music. The true number of issues of the Wu-Tang x Nike Dunk High isn’t exactly firm; while a number of pairs were given to the Wu-Tang Clan, a very limited number actually did release (perhaps the first Nike ‘hyperstrike’ release ever) in New York City at Training Camp, a sneaker spot known for its hip-hop celebrity clientele which included the likes of Raekwon, Jay-Z, and many more NYC-based rappers.
Sneaker historians, Dunk enthusiasts, and even those behind Nike walls consider the original ‘Be True’ series of the Nike Dunk as one of the holy landmarks of Nike Basketball and Nike Sportswear history. The ‘Be True’ re-release in 1999 struck a chord with the sneaker community and gave the Dunk new life and was praised for its Retro styling and energetic colorways, quickly becoming a cult hit and rolling out the red carpet for the Dunk renaissance of the early 2000′s. With our praise of these Nike Dunk classics this week, the Wu-Tang Dunk is, ironically, close to being an unattainable shoe – a Dunk ‘nirvana’ if you will. Perhaps, in another life. Wu-Tang Killa Beez forever!
Wu-Tang x Nike Dunk High
Black/Bright Goldenrod-Black
630335-073
1999
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NIKE DUNK HIGH WEEK
We started with Air Foamposite One and continued to the Air Max 1. For the third week, we’re focusing on another sneaker model that deserves a lot of credit for bringing the ‘sneaker’ to the level of stardom it experiences today – the Nike Dunk High of 1986. The Dunk High, considered to be the a sibling of sorts to the Nike Terminator, is one of the earliest Nike Basketball sneakers to debut in a wide variety of colorful editions, kicking things off with the ‘Be True To Your School’ releases. Since then, the Dunk has been viewed as a cult model and the legend was reborn in ’98-’99 when the Dunk returned in larger droves in the ‘School’ Pack, the Japan-exclusive ‘City Attack’ Series, and a few other releases. Since then, the Dunk became an astounding hit and its prized status only strengthened thanks to the many iconic releases of the early 2000′s, the Dunk High’s inclusion of the budding Nike SB series, and a slew of other ’general’ releases that are cherished today. To kick of Nike Dunk High Week, we’ll focus on a label that is recognized as one of the best to ever collaborate with Nike – West Coast-based Undefeated.
In 2005, Undefeated teamed up with Nike on the Dunk High in the slimmer ‘NL’ form; the Dunk NL stood for ‘No Liner’, which featured a interior stripped of its thick padding to achieve a sleeker profile (a precursor to the current ‘Deconstruct’ Dunk Highs). UNDFTD’s uninhibited use of bright colors was matched perfectly with the supreme materials on the shoe, which feature a high-quality brown leather on the toe, the wine-colored heel, and the calf-skin leather used on the toe-box and tongue. This 2005 masterpiece was a Tier 0 release and limited to just 5,000 units worldwide, and surely stands as a definitive ‘Dunk’ of our time – rife with colorways and materials and seamlessly adapting the ‘NL’ construction without shedding the Dunk’s original heritage of basketball sport. Revisit this classic Nike Dunk High and timeless classic below and brace yourself for another week of all-time greats!
Undefeated x Nike Dunk High NL
Blue Reef/Cotton Candy-Black
312205-461
05/2005
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Nike’s excursions into the animal kingdom continue, with their little safari apparently stumbling across some leopards along the way. Well two at least, manifesting in the form of this Nike Dunk High duo. The black pair actually manages to keep things fairly tame despite the beastly look, with the metallic gold among them taking on the inspiration in a bit more full on and colorful manner. Let us know in the comments which pair from the Nike Dunk High ‘Leopard Pack’ you’ll be lacing up in and stay tuned for release info on both. Photos: SP
Nike Dunk High
Black/Stealth-White
308319-027
Nike Dunk High
Metallic Gold/Velvet Brown-White
316604-700
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The ‘Original 7′ Nike Dunks forever linked Arizona, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, St. Johns, UNLV and Villanova with the expression ‘Be True to Your School’. No longer just a lesser single from The Beach Boys, ‘Be True’ stood for a certain style of two-toned colorblocking that’s been the Dunk’s default for over a quarter-century. And when that style collides with NIKEiD, not only can you pick whichever colors you want to use, but you can also define your own ‘school spirit’ with a new blocking pattern of your choice. The Nike Dunk ‘Be True’ iD features options ranging from classic BTTYS-style varsity colors all the way to glossy metallics and all of them can be personalized with heel detailing. Check out some samples below and let us know which palette you chose to build your ‘Be True’ Dunk iDs.
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The Nike Dunk High might be the ultimate team-based shoe, as the most memorable original and Retro’ed set is undoubtedly the ‘Be True To Your School’ Pack. Sneaker customizer Diversitile (who specializes in the Dunk High) takes it to the pro level with his latest Nike Dunk High Customs dubbed the ‘Playoff Pack’; each custom combines the visual elements of basketball like the hardwood graphic on the heel panel and the dotted texture of the basketball at the toe-box and lace-placket, but each pair represents the sixteen NBA teams currently vying for a shot at the Title. These are available now at the Diversitile store, but if you don’t see your favorite team represented, hit up Diversitile directly as he will gladly design one for your squad.
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For a minute there the Nike Dunk High AC was going down a very distinct path materials wise, outfitting itself again and again with an all canvas upper. Seems like we’re at another fork in the road this time, with the autoclaved version of this Nike Sportswear classic now donning ripstop nylon on top to break up the bits of suede paneling. The boot laces and metal eyelets are still intact, pairing up with the earthy colors for a borderline ACG look. Continue reading for the full shots and pick up this chocolatey Nike Dunk High AC now from German retailer Burner. Also, let us know in the comments below if you’re feeling the recent uptick in the AC versions of the Dunk.
Nike Dunk High AC
Sequoia/Sequoia/Dark Khaki
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Sneaker News just showed you a University Red Air Force 1 Low that celebrates the upcoming Dream Team 20th anniversary, and it’s a look you can expect to see on the High version as well as the only other NSW model that can hold a candle to the AF1′s historical significance. This ‘Dream Team’ Nike Dunk High is in some ways quite similar, but opts for a darker distribution of that same University Red and black combo that colored the AF1s. Both feature that early ’90s USAB-style ‘BAR’ tongue tag that reminds us of Michael Jordan’s 10-story billboard in Barcelona along with all the other ways that squad towered over the rest of the world. Check these out up close after the jump and get ready for the NSW Dream Team tribute this July at stores like Burner.
Nike Dunk High
317982-608
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