Image via Complex Original
Dunk Lead
Yeah, we did it. Nike SB has been dropping Dunk jewels since the start of the SB line in 2002, and we took it upon ourselves to rank the top 50. We kept to models that actually released (sorry, Iron Maiden), but kept in pretty much everything else. So kick, push – coast through our Best 50 Nike Dunk SBs of All-Time.
List compiled by Russ Bengtson, Bradley Carbone, Brandon Edler, Noah Johnson, Joe La Puma and Chris Lee.
50. Pusheads
#50 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Pushead
Year Released: 2004
Complex Says: One of the most artistic Dunks, these had a lot of hype built around them before their release in ’05. The synthetic leather and canvas carried Pushead's blend of blood reds, viscous yellows and sinister blacks perfectly. No doubt – a break necking colorway.
49. London
#49 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – London
Year Released: 2004
Complex Says: Part of the “White City Dunk Series,” the London got its two-tone grey colorway from the city's dark weather and gloomy skies. Limited to 202 pairs, you can also find the city's Thames River embroidered on the heel.
48. Rayguns
#48 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Rayguns "Road"
Year Released: 2005
Complex Says: Samples of these dropped in ’02 and had Nike heads going crazy, shortly after it was rumored they were only a sample. In 2005 Nike finally dropped them in the US and Canada. The colorway is inspired by the imaginary Roswell Rayguns b-ball squad from Nike commercials featuring Vince Carter, Jermaine O'Neal and many others.
47. Slam City
#47 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Slam City Skates
Year Released: 2005
Complex Says: Only released for the blokes in the UK, the Dunk designed by Slam City Skates was upgraded by adding padding and rubber to panels without changing the style. Gum bottoms are always a good look, too.
46. Pee Wee
#46 Nike Dunk High Pro SB – Pee Wee Herman
Year Released: 2007
Complex Says: Inspired by Pee Wee Herman’s signature grey suit and red bow tie from his television show - Nike killed the design and the pop culture reference. The suit-inspired design isn’t enough? Check the insole for a design of a dude sitting in the theater Mr. Solo Dolo.
45. Send Helps
#45 Nike Dunk High Pro SB - Send Help
Year Released: 2006
Complex Says: Consolidated Skateboards art director Todd Bratrud designed these super-clean teal, black and white suede Dunk Highs. They were dubbed the ‘Send Helps’ and quickly sold out.
44. Hulks
#44 Nike Dunk High Pro SB – Hulk
Year Released: 2003
Complex Says: Dubbed the Hulks for their mix of green suede tones, these Dunk Highs also featured a contrasting tumbled-leather Swoosh. Designed by Nike SB OG team rider and NYC resident Todd Jordan.
43. Brown Pack High
#43 Nike Dunk High Pro SB – Brown Pack
Year Released: 2003
Complex Says: The combination of brown and wheat suede gave the shoe a very clean earthtone vibe. There was also a Dunk Low with flip-flopped colors, but the Highs were the move.
42. Paul Brown
#42 Nike Dunk High Pro SB – Paul Brown
Year Released: 2002
Complex Says: The very first Dunk High Pro SB, the "Paul Browns" led the way when it came to outdoor-themed Dunk SBs. The rough blue, brown and green suede were set off proper by the white laces and midsole.
41. Unlucky
#41 Nike Dunk High Pro SB – Unlucky
Year Released: 2004
Complex Says: Black cats and ladders, snake eyes and spilled salt — the "Unluckys" were made for the losers. They made a lot of them — well, more than the "Luckys" anyway — which, considering the way of the world, made perfect sense. All black with red accents and contrast stitching made for a good look as you tried to avoid stepping on cracks.
40. De La Soul
#40 Nike Dunk High Pro SB – De La Soul
Year Released: 2005
Complex Says: The De La Soul Nike SB came in two options, low and high, both using a lenticular print of the "3 Feet High..." cover. Whilst the yellow lows were a little... bright for our taste, the brown highs hit the mark.
39. Futura
#39 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Futura
Year Released: 2003
Complex Says: One of the most versatile and underrated (maybe even by us) Dunks, the Futura x Nike uses a variety of materials and colors not typically seen on the model. The mix of muted blues and greys sort of remind us of another NY graf legend's style, too.
38. Carhartt
#38 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Carhartt "Black"
Year Released: 2004
Complex Says: All-black rugged look inspired by Carhartt (and done up in proper workwear material) for real Gs who move in silence.
37. Cinco De Mayo
#37 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Cinco De Mayo
Year Released: 2005
Complex Says: The green, white, and red colors signify the Mexican national holiday and our favorite “reason” to murk margaritas. The brown lining and outsole make sure they're not mistaken for Christmas or Italian.
36. True To School
#36 Nike Dunk High Pro SB – True To Your School
Year Released: 2005
Complex Says: Nike released a "Be True to your School Pack" paying homage to the original Dunks, which were initially produced for Nike's elite college basketball programs. We're letting the UNLVs stand in for the whole set — Michigans and Iowas were sick, too.
35. Brian Anderson
35 Nike Dunk High Pro SB – Brian Anderson
Year Released: 2006
Complex Says: A camo sneaker with a gum sole, need we say more? The camo and bright orange go together perfectly. Brian Anderson really looked out for the skateboarding hunters with this drop.
34. Green Hemp
#34 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Green Hemp 420
Year Released: 2004
Complex Says: The original SB 420 drop, the Hemps were a three-sneaker pack, the other colorways being maroon and baby blue. The green were limited to 420 pairs — figures.
33. Jordan Pack
#33 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Jordan Pack
Year Released: 2005
Complex Says: Take a look at the shoes – it's not too hard to tell they get their name from the influence of the black and blue Jordan Is. Best part is you can still grab these at a reasonable price.
32. Stussy
#32 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Stussy
Year Released: 2005
Complex Says: Stussy manager Robbie Jeffers laced these pink and brown joints, which were part of the Team Manager series. Neapolitan all day — and check the cherries on the tongue.
31. Chocolate
#31 Nike Dunk Low Pro SP – Chocolate
Year Released: 2002
Complex Says: These kicks were designed by Richard Mulder and Chocolate Skateboards – where they got the name – and were nearly impossible to get when they were new, let alone now. Check the sick design and the always-applauded gum sole.
30. Medicom
#30 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Medicom 1
Year Released: 2004
Complex Says: Nike SB and Bearbrick bosses Medicom teamed up on a few sneakers, this being the first and best colorway. Super tough to obtain, the prices were through the roof for this sneaker.
29. Bison
#29 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Bison
Year Released: 2003
Complex Says: Nike again took a simple design yet made it huge. The shades of brown suede throughout the upper (and the gum sole) are rugged and all, but it was the red toe that make these Dunks really stand out.
28. Boca Juniors
#28 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Boca Juniors
Year Released: 2005
Complex Says: Influenced by the beloved, century-old Argentinian soccer club, the Boca Juniors featured the squad's royal and lightning yellow colors along with the goes-with-everything gum sole. Word to Diego Maradona.
27. Shnaghai I
#27 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Shanghai I
Year Released: 2004
Complex Says: Mainly released in Asia, but a few pairs snuck into the states. The tongue says “Good Luck and Fortune” while the patterns on the side represent the architecture and temples in Shanghai. The gold Swoosh is a perfect finish.
26. Tweeds
#26 Nike Dunk High Pro SB – Tweed Pack
Year Released: 2004
Complex Says: Nothing reps grown-man status like a little tweed. With these Dunk SBs you can skip the sportsjacket and elbow patches – but still feel free to put something your pipe and smoke it.
25. Sea Crystal
#25 Nike Dunk High Pro SB – Sea Crystal
Year Released: 2004
Complex Says: Another pair of suede Dunk Highs, yes, but quite a departure from the usual earth tones. Only downfall is they get really dirty.
24. Melvins
#24 Nike Dunk High Pro SB – Melvins "Black"
Year Released: 2005
Complex Says: Seattle grunge noise pioneers the Melvins aren't the first (or hundreth) band you'd think of to get a Nike SB shoe, let alone two. The black versions are hardbody and our dude Theophilus London co-signs these as well.
23. Reese Forbes Hunter
#23 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Reese Forbes "Hunter"
Year Released: 2004
Complex Says: The first SB for the hunters, Reese Forbes flipped a Dunk Low with Real Tree camo, orange highlights, and — of all things —burlap, all coarsely stitched together and set off by a quilted lining. Weird. But man, did it work.
22. Supreme Blue
#22 Nike Dunk High Pro SB – Supreme "Blue"
Year Released: 2003
Complex Says: The second Supreme x Nike collabo saw another hit – Barry Bonds. Gator print and gold stars and three sets of laces on stuffed-tongue leather highs seemed excessive, but it was the RIGHT kind of excessive.
21. Ianucci 2
#21 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Gino Ianucci II
Year Released: 2002
Complex Says: Basic black? Sure. But it came from one of the original SB team — Gino Ianucci. Nike stated they “like to think of it as homage to their long haired, denim-clad brethren”. Maybe so, maybe no – but the black on black suede and perforated leather combo was all-murdered out before you could even kick flip.
19. Tokyo
#19 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Tokyo
Year Released: 2004
Complex Says: The Tokyo Dunks were the signature part of a “White Dunk” exhibition, limited to 202 pairs and sold through a lottery. The Dunks were meant to be philosophical so Nike kept the name off of the back on purpose. Simplify.
20. Reese Forbes
#20 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Reese Forbes
Year Released: 2002
Complex Says: Another OG colorway, of course it’s a Reese Forbes signature colorway, seems like he has the best out of everyone. These were orange box Nike SBs, early days. The suede was so soft, they were like the Jeremy Scott teddy bears minus the bear.
18. Charhart Shale
#40 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Carhartt "Shale"
Year Released: 2004
Complex Says: Inspired by the rugged workman’s Carhartt style, the shoes feature a tan canvas upper perfect for doing your dirty work. The blacks were dope, these were doper.
17. Huf
#17 Nike Dunk High Pro SB – HUF
Year Released: 2004
Complex Says: This was the first HUF collaboration with Nike and it came out well. The cracked leather and tie-dye mid panels simultaneously gave props to Frisco's Summer of Love as well as the hometown Giants.
16. T19s
#16 Nike Dunk High Pro SB – T19
Year Released: 2005
Complex Says: The blue on the T-19 Dunk high is on (set off by a white midsole, laces and tongue), the leather and perforated look makes the sneaker complete. Only released in Tokyo for the T19 skate team, so hit eBay for your pair.
15. Lucky
#15 Nike Dunk High Pro SB – Lucky
Year Released: 2004
Complex Says: You know the deal if you’ve shot dice with your boys at a party – need that lucky number 7. In ’04, Nike’s combination of the gold and green throughout the upper was a good look and the number 7 embroidered on the side of the kicks sets things off. If you copped a pair, you WERE lucky.
14. Supreme High
#14 Nike Dunk High Pro SB – Supreme "Red"
Year Released: 2003
Complex Says: The first Supreme x Nike collabo in ’02 already had fiends going crazy. When the second release dropped, people were ready at the Supreme shops in NYC and Tokyo. It was rumored that just 1,000 pairs were made of each colorway (red, orange, and blue) with the unique gold stars and Supreme lace dubret making these one of the dopest shoes of all-time. The reds were the best of the bunch.
13. Jedi
#13 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Jedi
Year Released: 2004
Complex Says: The Jedi Dunk looked back 20-plus years for inspiration, all the way back to "Return of the Jedi." The mix of drab tones set off by the neon laces and gum sole was unstoppable.
12. True Reds
#12 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – True Red
Year Released: 2003
Complex Says: This sneaker also came in the reverse colorway, which was cool, but the red colorway prevailed. Word to Scottie Pippen in the '94 All-Star Game.
11. Caliifronia
#11 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – California
Year Released: 2004
Complex Says: If you’re from Cali, you’re going to argue the left coast is the best coast. Apparently Nike agreed, lacing California skate shops with an exclusive 444-pair run of Dunk Lows designed after the state flag.
10. Dunkle
#10 Nike Dunk Pro High SB – Unkle Dunkle
Year Released: 2004
Complex Says: One of the rarest Dunk SBs, famed NYC artist Futura slaughtered the design. The details of Futura’s artwork stem from his most popular Pointman and Atmos series and blended with the black, pink, and white colorway – these are untouchables.
9. Heineken
#9 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Heineken
Year Released: 2003
Complex Says: Although Heineken has been less than supportive about this unofficial collabo, requesting eBay users pull their name from the listings on these, the shoe still reigns supreme. Officially endorsed or not, these just plain worked.
8. Pigeon
#8 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Pigeon
Year Released: 2005
Complex Says: Only released in The Big Apple and limited to 202 pairs. You know what that meant, right? Mayhem. Just 30 pairs were released at designer Jeff Staple's Reed Space where the ensuing chaos made the tabloids. Only in NYC, kids.
7. Danny Supa
#7 Nike Dunk Pro SB – Danny Supa Dunk Low
Year Released: 2002
Complex Says: The OG of SB releases, the Supas (the first colorway for Zoo York ripper Danny Supa) came out the box strong making sneakerheads take notice. We’re sure the NYC Knicks and Mets colorway didn’t hurt the cause.
6. Paris Dunks
#6 Nike Dunk Pro SB – Paris Dunk Low
Year Released: 2003
Complex Says: Only 202 pairs were released, and no two pairs are the same due to the artwork by French painter Bernard Buffet. If you have these unique pieces of wearable artwork in the arsenal – props due.
5. Zoo York
#5 Nike Dunk Low Pro SP – Zoo York
Year Released: 2002
Complex Says: Part of the first Nike SB (actually, SP) Dunk series comes this Zoo York collaboration. Releasing at the same time as the Chocolates, the brown/black/graf/gum Zoos were the bangers.
4. Tifanys
#4 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Tiffany
Year Released: 2005
Complex Says: Designed after the classic Tiffany jewelry box, the "Tiffany" SBs were the brainchild of Diamond Supply Co. Not sure whether it was the contrast between the matte teal and the gloss black or the shiny silver Swoosh or what, but these were all-timers.
3. Supreme White
#3 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Supreme White
Year Released: 2002
Complex Says: Designed after the Air Jordan III, the Dunk SB "Supreme" sold out as fast as they came out of the box. Bronze medal.
2. Reese Forbes Denim
#2 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Reese Forbes Denim
Year Released: 2002
Complex Says: Part of the inaugural year of SB drops, Reese Forbes slayed it. Another nearly impossible find due to the small volume produced, the dark and light denim flow is dope and the white midsole and red trim make these SBs really stand out against the other releases. And remember, there wasn't an overflow of denim kicks back in '02. Retro please? Silver.
1. Supreme Blk
#1 Nike Dunk Low Pro SB – Supreme Black
Year Released: 2002
Complex Says: You know Supreme is always going to kill it, so when they teamed up with Nike for the black Jordan III inspired SBs they produced one of the best kicks ever. And just like denims, elephant print on kicks was still pretty off-the-radar back in '02. The influence of these is still ringing on the streets damn near a decade later. Gold medalists.