Dunks: Get to Know Some Facts About Nike’s Popular Sneakers

When it comes to brands that were iconic with footwear in the past decades, and continue to be so even to this day, there’s no doubt Nike would come up among the top. Why is the Nike brand so popular? Well, several reasons, really.

The Swoosh company is deeply rooted in the world of sports and amazes with its designs, innovations, materials, and craftsmanship, as well as its investment in development and marketing. Even in the diversified world of fashion today, with various options of athleisure brands and products, the brand continues to stay relevant.

The Dunk Craze

Take the example of Nike Dunks – the once popular shoe that became the trend once again in the last couple of years. Part of this is due to the nostalgia for trends of the 80s and 90s that swept the globe post-pandemic, and the other part is due to the hype that was created on social media with popular celebs, like Travis Scott, doing their takes on this iconic shoe.

The sneaker resale market certainly went through a milestone thanks to this footwear, and with the latest global Dunk craze, the retailers have plenty to offer in not only men’s and women’s Dunks, but low-profile youth Nike Dunks too. While they stay true to the timeless Nike design of the 1980s, they come with the improvements that make them sought after to this day.

With the flat, thin soles, skater-friendly Zoom air padding and grip on the SB Dunks, protection, durability, support, and a range of colours and prints (think black/white iconic Panda or kids’ roaring Next Nature), they are the perfect models of sneakers. These appeal to a wide range of people, from skaters and fashionistas to regular sneaker wearers seeking the needed shoe comfort.

With the continuous new releases, upgrades, special editions (SE) in the example of ghostly Nike Dunks youth Low SE, and collabs like those with the SP (Special Project) and Supreme, who knows what more Nike has in store for us? How exciting! But, before you set out on the quest for the ideal Dunks for you or your child, it’s important to get two things straight.

How Are Classic Dunks Different from SB Dunks?

Although seemingly the same, at least from afar, the two aren’t to be confused or the names used interchangeably because they are different. They sure have some features that are the same, such as the panelled Dunk upper, grooved outsoles, and perforated vamps, however, the SB (skateboard) Dunks have that signature padded tongue that makes these shoes fit for skateboarding without the discomfort.

Also, you have elastic straps on the sides and thicker laces. Mid-skating, the skater doesn’t have to fret about undone laces and can create their customisation with the adjustable laces for an added mark when doing all the ollies, and tricks. The tongues of the classic Dunks are traditionally nylon-made and aren’t cushioned, except for those of some rare releases.

Then, there’s the greater insole cushioning of the SB thanks to the addition of the Zoom Air unit in the heel plus the bouncy foam in the forefoot – added for ideal comfort and responsiveness with the skateboard to lower the impact. Lastly, the later models that came to the market after 2010 got another amazing feature: soles with enhanced grip thanks to the concentric pattern that boosts flexibility.

All these were the invention of Sandy Bodecker whose initials also happen to be SB! Some people don’t like the fact the toe part of both the classic and SB Dunks feels rather restrictive, but that’s the case with those who have wider feet considering both of the designs fit true to size. If you have wider feet, rest assured you can still find your ideal pair of Dunks – the secret lies in going up half a size! Now that we know what sets these two designs apart, it’s time to talk about the other key difference.

How Are Low Dunks Different from High Dunks?

Technically, one would say they’re the same shoes, yet it’s undeniable they have some crucial differences. Firstly, the name comes from the low and high ankles models respectively, each of which has its advantages. The low ankles are perfect for daily comfort, as they offer the needed flexibility with the movements, whereas the high ankles are great for the added ankle support and as such happen to be ideal for playing some hoops.

The difference in this specific feature makes the high dunks heavier than the low dunks. With this thought in mind, if you’re buying sneakers for yourself or your kid, be sure to choose based on the activities they’re going to be used for. If your kid plays some high-impact sport, the high Dunks are the main choice, while the low-youth Nike Dunks are best left for daily wear.

Some people don’t like the high Dunks because the added ankle piece creates chaffing and leads to uncomfortable blisters. This adds a point for the low Dunks. If you still prefer the high models over the lows, one piece of advice that could help you out would be to avoid lacing up the top two holes and see how that fits you. In case it doesn’t work out and you still end up with painful blisters, then you still have the lows which are as popular as ever!