The 50 Best Nike Dunks Of All Time

It's September, which means back to school time is upon us. And what sneaker is more appropriate for school than the Nike Dunk? In 1985, Nike released the original Dunk Hi sneaker to heavy-match with the uniforms of top-tier college basketball teams. Now, 24 years later, we've seen everyone from graffiti artists and super brands to cool-guy stores and rock bands put their spin on the iconic silhouette.

The sneaker is Nike's canvas, and while we're sure you've bought a bunch in your lifetime, we're hoping you bought some of the right ones. With the spirit of the kids going back to the books, we put together a master list of what we felt are the 50 Best Nike Dunks Of All Time—minus SBs (that list is coming later, so don't try to do it first!). See which styles made the cut, and have fun strolling down memory lane after the jump. Class is in session.

50. Nike Dunk Hi "Perfed Suede"
YEAR OF RELEASE: 2008
• These Dunk Premiums do what the Mighty Crowns, the Currys and all the others tried—a dope tone-on-tone Dunk, with premium material. Bang Bang. Start the countdown off strong.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

49. Nike x Stüssy Dunk Hi "World Tour"
YEAR OF RELEASE: 2006
• If you want to do something cool, you call Stüssy. If Stüssy calls you, you say yes. Nike joined in on the World Tour T-Shirt hype with a pack that consisted of these Dunks and the sleeper Dunk Low Trainer 1 Hybrid. Should have seen it coming.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

48. Nike Dunk High "Iron Tweed"
YEAR OF RELEASE: 2007
• Nike SB dropped the Harris Tweed Dunks, everyone went nuts. Regular Nike dropped these for everyone who either wasn't fast enough (or rich enough) to cop. Not as good as the SBs, but a great alternate if you missed the original.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

47. Nike Dunk High Premium "Curry"
YEAR OF RELEASE: 2002
• Sometimes a simple sneaker takes the cake, and when the design crew had it's first, "Maybe these are getting a little too nuts," moment, the "Curry" pack dropped. Soon enough they were back on the crazy tip, but not before this little "Wear-it-to-your-girlfriends-parents-house" pack dropped.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

46. Nike Dunk High "Ultimate Glory"
YEAR OF RELEASE: 2008
• To commemorate the June 1996 bout between Mexican boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez and then rising star Oscar De La Hoya, and to get in tight with the Mexico City sneaker stores before opening the Nike Sportswear shop in one of the craziest cities in the world, Nike dropped these puppies. A few pairs made their way stateside, but this one was mainly for the Latins.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLICK NEXT TO SEE DUNKS 45- 41