Nike Dunk

The Nike Dunk is a sneaker originally designed for basketball by Peter Moore for the North American sportswear company, NIKE, Inc. Debuted in 1985, the model has enjoyed newfound mainstream attention since 2017 thanks in large part to co-signs from Travis Scott and the late Virgil Abloh.

Initially named the “College Color High,” the shoe was originally sketched as a mash-up of various sneakers – including the Air Force 1 from 1982 and Air Jordan 1, which debuted just months before it. Although the Oregon-based company had amassed a formidable roster of hoops-ready sneakers by the mid 1980s, it was determined to capitalize on the off-court appeal basketball footwear had begun enjoying thanks to fashion trends, music-driven subcultures and film. The creative minds behind the Nike Dunk landed on said name because the final product was created on the same shoe last used to make what was widely considered as the best-fitting basketball shoes of the time: the Nike Legend.

Aware of network television’s role in expanding college basketball’s reach throughout the ’80s, the Swoosh (as Nike is also referred to because of its iconic check logo designed by Carolyn Davidson) stylized its new design after 12 key schools so that fans could support their favorite teams from head to toe. Nike introduced the “College Colors” program via print advertising using the tagline “Be True to Your School,” with the original eight colorways drawing inspiration from the University of Kentucky, Iowa State, Syracuse University and University of Nevada, Las Vegas, among others. The Nike Dunk High was introduced in August of 1985 with color-coordinated apparel and bags.

Over the last 37 years, Moore’s original design has been offered in a variety of trims, with Nike SB – the brand’s skateboaring-focused category – utilizing the High, Mid and Low iterations interchangeably. Although the Swoosh didn’t officially recognize the Nike Dunk as a skate shoe until March 2002, the month during which the late Sandy Bodecker took over the SB team after a failed first launch in the 1990s, countless skaters gravitated towards the basketball silhouette in the years following its debut: all the characteristics that made it a progressive option on the hardwood – lateral support, Air cushioning, pivot-oriented traction – helped Moore’s design become a staple within the skateboarding scene.

Nike Dunk

Scotland’s Harris Tweed Dresses Up The Nike Dunk In Three Ways

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By Sneaker News July 5, 2025
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Blue And Gold Add To An Embarrassment Of Panda Dunks For Fall 2025

Believe it or not, a group of pandas is actually called an “embarrassment”. That said, Nike is dropping another Dunk Low “Panda” later this Fall...

By Sneaker News July 3, 2025
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With The Nike Dunk Heading Towards A Major Milestone, Another “Panda” Style Appears

The Nike Dunk is beyond cooked; it’s burnt to a crisp. There still remains a following, but the hordes of Panda Dunk wearers have since...

By Sneaker News July 1, 2025
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The Nike Dunk Low Ventures Into “Persian Violet”

What else is there to say about the Nike Dunk Low? Forever an object of fascination in Beaverton, having gone from a forgotten staple, to...

By Matt Varga July 1, 2025
370

Stranger Things Celebrates Final Season With A Nike Dunk Collaboration

After a three-year hiatus, hit Netflix show Stranger Things will finally see its fifth and final season this November, concluding a small town tale that...

By Andrew Rizzo June 26, 2025
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A Silver Swoosh Adds Spark To A Greyed Out Nike Dunk

If there’s any indication of history repeating itself, look no further than the Nike Dunk. Twice, it was the hottest shoe on the market. Twice,...

By Sneaker News June 21, 2025
386

The Kids’ Nike Dunk Low “Comet Blue” Rocks Suede And Canvas

We’ve spilled plenty of ink before on how the decline of the Dunk from a secondary market standpoint doesn’t necessarily mean a death knell in...

By Matt Varga June 10, 2025
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The Nike Dunk Low “N7” Restocks June 21st

Updated June 2nd, 2025: The Nike Dunk Low “N7,” originally released in November of 2024, is restocking via nike.com on June 21st, 2025. Retail is...

By Matt Varga June 2, 2025
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Pre-Order The 1,180 Piece LEGO Nike Dunk Set Now

For once, these are some sneaker bricks you definitely can’t pass up on. LEGO and Nike have officially unveiled the debut collection of their collaborative...

By Sneaker News May 29, 2025
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