Nike SB is back and in a big way.
In the early days of the sneaker division, it wasn’t just about collaborations. In-line releases were driving affinity for the brand, putting the swoosh on the map for skateboarding in the mid-2000s. Once again, Nike has put this strategy into play, and it’s causing general release (GR) Dunks to sell out just like they used to.
In the beginning, Nike SB’s first four sneaker options were all Dunk Lows in colorways that took inspiration from the skate team’s original members—Danny Supa, Reese Forbes, Richard Mulder and Gino Iannucci. These Dunks continue to be some of the most coveted sneakers available, permanently shifting the way sneakers release—sometimes without collaborators.
The SB division recently called on its OG team members, with James Arizumi at the helm, to bring energy back to the category. These sneakers have appeared on the feet of Travis Scott, LeBron James and fellow Nike SB team rider Eric Koston, causing the demand that once made GRs fly off the shelves to return.
Here are five Nike SB Dunks that you definitely need to cop, even if they aren’t collabs.