Nike SB Dunk Low

The Nike SB Dunk Low, though today a favorite among sneakerheads, once fell victim to lackluster popularity. After many notable collaborations, the 2002-born skateboarding version of the Dunk slowly faded into obscurity following the early 2010s’ attempts at turning it into something almost too playful.

And though most people incorrectly refer to all Dunks as “SB Dunks,” the base model was actually born years prior to the 2000s as a basketball staple. Its colorways, which quickly toured through all of the core Nike universities, became prolific since and have more recently made their way back to the spotlight via a few low-top retros.

Officially launched in 2002, the SB Dunk quickly became an icon thanks to the plethora of names it worked with early on. Alongside, the silhouette amassed more than a handful of legendary colorways that are now as elusive as they are expensive – the Heinekens, Pigeons, OG Supremes, and Lobsters to name a few. While many will stay untouched for collectors’ sake, the brand has gradually re-opened conversations with past partners to revisit the model in different ways. Supreme, for instance, moved on from their past motifs to create something more signature to the brand as it stands today. Jewel swooshes and a bevy of metallic finishes marked a trio that objectively helped spearhead the SB Dunk’s meteoric rise back to the forefront. Diamond Supply is owed quite a bit of credit as well as their F&F Canary Dunk was one of the first to eclipse the four figure mark in late 2018. Then, in what was effectively the most nostalgic nod to the past, Concepts released brand new takes of their beloved Lobster line-up with special access points taking place across New York City.

While the SB Dunk Low became extraordinarily hyped in the early 2020s, due in no smart part to Travis Scott wearing grails like the “Paris” colorway, new releases have since become a bit less buzzworthy and more attainable. 2025 will see the release of new Supreme x SB Dunks, a handful of skateshop-exclusive Orange Label colorways, and more collaborations by Nike’s various retail partners and sponsored skaters.