Nike SB

Nike SB is NIKE, Inc.’s skateboarding subdivision. Founded in March 2002 and formerly led by the late Sandy Bodecker, Nike SB is often credited for modern-day sneaker collecting because of its limited, concept-driven releases.

While Nike SB as it’s known today began in the early-2000s, The Swoosh’s earliest attempt to enter the skateboarding space took place in the 1990s. With the help of a young Brandon Cole “Bam” Margera, Nike launched the Choad, Snak, and Schimp to little commercial success and interest from skaters. (Margera notoriously skated in non-Nike shoes and taped swooshes on them.) The late Bodecker, who began working at the brand in 1982, recognized that die-hard skaters had already been using Nike silhouettes like the Air Jordan 1 and Blazer Mid.

Under Bodecker’s guidance, the imprint officially launched its first and most popular silhouette, the SB Dunk, as a skate-ready take of the Dunk High for basketball. The re-engineered sneaker featured a fat, padded tongue, Air Zoom insole, raised, exaggerated profile logo on ollie areas, and modified rubber sole for traction. While appreciated by skaters, these details arguably came second to Nike SB’s revisited marketing strategy. Unlike the brand’s previous corporate-style strategy (which directly opposed common anti-establishment sentiments among skaters), Bodecker’s approach was grass-roots-oriented: releases would not be mass-produced and distributed through big-box sportswear retailers. Instead, pairs would be available directly through select, independent skate shops.

Over the years, Nike SB has hosted professional skaters the likes of Lance Mountain, Paul Rodriguez, Stefan Janoski and Shane O’Neill. Nike SB’s earliest team included Richard Mulder, Reese Forbes, Gino Iannucci and Danny Supa, all of whom received the first four SB Dunk Lows.

Collaborations with Diamond Supply Co., Supreme and Jeff Staple, just to scratch the surface. Some Nike SB releases, like “Paris,” “Raygun” and “What The Dunk” versions of the SB Dunk Low, have garnered grail-status among many collectors, fetching six-figure buyouts on the after-market.

Although the skateboarding-division experienced mainstream lull throughout the latter 2010s, it’s regained widespread attention from casual consumers this decade, thanks in large part to Travis Scott and Virgil Abloh. Enthusiasts of both the sport and imprint have been enjoying and skating in models like the SB Blazer Low and SB GTS Return, among others.

Shopping Links

Nike SB

“Dusty Cactus” Drapes An All Canvas Nike Dunk Mid

Given the sheer inescapability of the Nike Dunk Low and Nike Dunk High, their mid-cut counterpart is something of a rare sight. Even rarer is...

By Matt Varga March 18, 2024
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Up Close With The Black Air Jordan 4 SB Wear-test Sample

2023’s release of the Nike SB Air Jordan 4 was so widely celebrated, that there HAS to be another release, right? While it seems like...

By Sneaker News March 11, 2024
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There Skateboards Gets A Nike SB Dunk Collaboration For Fall 2024

Nike SB is firing on all cylinders to start 2024, with upcoming Futura and Verdy Dunks set to compete for sneaker of the year status...

By Andrew Rizzo March 11, 2024
1650

Official Images Of The Nike SB Ishod “Summit White/Obsidian”

Updated March 8th, 2024: Official Images have been added of the Nike SB Ishod “Summit White/Obsidian.” At the time of writing, a release date has...

By Matt Varga February 29, 2024
3136

Blue Suede Drapes The Nike SB Blazer Mid

Nike SB has unveiled a large part of its Spring 2024 lineup in recent weeks, surfacing a variety of new Orange Label and Nike Ishod...

By Andrew Rizzo February 29, 2024
300

The Nike SB Ishod 2 Continues Its Run In “Black/Gum”

The arrival of Ishod Wair’s second signature shoe has sparked lots of buzz, more than what’s typical for new Nike SB silhouettes. The Nike Ishod...

By Andrew Rizzo February 29, 2024
5030

“Rugged Orange” Suede Takes Over The Nike SB Stefan Janoski

The Nike SB Stefan Janoski, a minimalist, lightweight skate staple for the past decade and change, has been equally prone to wild patterns and reserved...

By Matt Varga February 26, 2024
513

The Orange Label Nike SB Janoski Sports An All-Leather Upper

Fifteen years after its initial debut, the Nike SB Janoski remains a top dog among skate offerings. Having worn a wide selection of materials throughout...

By Andrew Rizzo February 14, 2024
547

Nike SB’s Orange Label Is Back With Red And Gum Blazer Mids

The Nike SB Blazer has established a true foothold in two separate looks, one as a lifestyle shoe and one embracing its skate history. With...

By Matt Varga February 14, 2024
300