It’s no secret that the Nike SB Dunk is enjoying a second golden age following its hugely successful run in the early to mid ’00s. Not only has Nike SB pumped out covetable contemporary general releases, the Swoosh’s subdivision has dropped some blockbuster collaborations. This has caused resell prices for Nike SB Dunks to skyrocket — new and old — making it difficult to get a bargain on the secondary market, let alone get your hands on one for retail.
Highsnobiety’s social media manager, Tim Suen, is an avid collector of retro Nike shoes and has a near-encyclopaedic knowledge of Nike SB. Below, Tim has put together a selection of Nike Dunks that he thinks are well worth their price tag — even in today’s hyper-inflated market. Tim’s reasoning ranges from the story behind the project and the significance of the release, to the quality of the materials when considering what makes a Nike SB Dunk worth its price tag in 2020.
The Nike SB Dunks that are worth it in today’s hyper-inflated SB market
atmos x Nike SB Dunk Low “Safari”
Tim: “This Dunk Low is inspired by the atmox x Nike Air Max 1 of the same name. While loud, the “Safari” Dunk is a timeless colorway that will always be coined as a classic. With its just-over $300 price tag, it is the most value-for-money Dunk you can buy right now.”
Nike SB Dunk Low “Nontourage”
Tim: “The “Nontourage” SB Dunk celebrates the HBO hit-show Entourage. It boasts a simple black and white colorway and comes loaded with details that make it a great shoe. The all-black upper is covered in suede and elephant print which add easily-overlooked textures to what is otherwise a minimal shoe. A gum sole completes the look.”
Nike SB Dunk Low “Mafia”
Tim: “The Goodfellas-inspired Dunk Low makes use of a multi-texture upper, combining patent leather with faux fur. A dark red outsole and laces provide a nice contrast. This is a Dunk that flies under the radar for most collectors but is as conceptually strong as a Nike SB Dunk can get.”
Nike SB Dunk High “Sea Crystal”
Tim: “This Dunk High was inspired by the godfather of Nike SB, Sandy Bodecker, and the washed-out sea glass he used to collect as a child on the beaches of Connecticut. When you ask a collector to share his top 3 Dunk Highs, the Sea Crystal is quite likely to find a spot on most lists.”
Nike SB Dunk Low “Bison”
Tim: “The Bison SB personifies quality. It is one of the few pairs of Dunks — if not the only — that features a full suede upper. The red mud guard adds a pop of color to the otherwise earth toned-sneaker.”
Nike SB Dunk High “Ghost”
Tim: “Another underrated pair from the coveted Silver Box era, the “Ghost” SB Dunk High sports a beautiful color combination, utilizing dark olive and mint hues. This is a great pair to kick off your SB collection if you're on a budget.”
Nike SB Dunk Mid “Goofy Boy”
Tim: “While many collectors discredit the Dunk Mid, there are still some bangers out there. The "Goofy Boy" refers to the way skaters dressed in the ’90s, wearing baggy tees and cut-off jeans. This pair sports a tartan print on the heel, and combines white, navy, and black suede to perfection.”
Nike SB Dunk High “Shy Pink”
Tim: “Also known as the "Arizumi" Dunk, this James Arizumi-designed Dunk High features a simple and — above all — wearable colorway, which has won the hearts of collectors. The “Shy Pink” Swoosh adds a pleasant contrast to the Dark Obsidian/White upper.”
Nike SB Dunk Low “Varsity Blue/Pink Ice”
Tim: “This general release Dunk Low is packed with details, featuring a Varsity Blue upper and pale Pink Ice accents. The eye-catching color blocking aside, the perforated mid panel behind the Swoosh — a rare sight on Dunks — is worth mentioning.”
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