Image via Complex Original
The time to acquire that highly coveted pair of Nike SB Dunks from the line's golden era has passed. It is not a buyer's market when it comes to the most hyped SBs. Not five years ago, things were much different, and some of the line's best sneakers from the 2000s could be had for relatively low prices on the secondary market. A low level of Dunk interest and the general idea that Nike SB was dead pushed prices to their nadir.
Since then, global superstar rappers like Travis Scott ignited renewed interest in SB Dunks, Off-White designer Virgil Abloh helped resurface the Dunk, and demand skyrocketed prices for anything that was remotely hyped in years past. Fear not, though, there are still good, old Nike SBs available on the resell market for somewhat reasonable prices. These are the ones your favorite rapper hasn't posted on social media and inflated the prices for. If you're going hunting for old SB Dunks, here are a few more affordable options that will still set you apart.
Nike SB Dunk Low 'Vamp'
Original Release: 2003
Lowest Listed Price: $450
Black and red is just a foolproof color combination for sneakers. The “Vamp” Dunk Low from the Silver Box era is one of the countless examples that prove this to be true. The bright red suede Swoosh against the black tumbled leather makes it that much better. Sure, the “True Red” pair is better, but it also costs a little more. If you want a more subtle option that doesn’t put as big of a dent in the checking account, this is the shoe for you. —Mike DeStefano
Nike SB Dunk Low 'Tokyo Taxi/Blue'
Original Release: 2003
Lowest Listed Price: $374
This particular Dunk Low colorway inspired by Tokyo’s taxi cabs released back in 2006 alongside its green counterpart. While both are formidable options, many consider this baby blue version to be the better of the two. The free pair of white driving gloves it comes packaged with is a nice novelty accessory for anyone who appreciates some full circle storytelling. —Mike DeStefano
Nike SB Dunk High 'Shimizu'
Original Release: 2004
Lowest Listed Price: $425
Like many memorable pairs from the early years of Nike SB, this Dunk High colorway came from the mind of one of its team riders. Daniel Shimizu was inspired by a main character in his favorite anime series, Macross. The yellow heel panel makes the pair stand out, but many will remember it for its unique tongue tag stamped with a skull and crossbones. Special details like that and its easy-to-wear color palette make this one worth scooping up before the prices start to climb. —Mike DeStefano
Nike SB Dunk Low 'Boca Juniors'
Original Release: 2005
Lowest Listed Price: $313
How did resell prices on these stay relatively low? Is it a fútbol thing? Has the Argentine soccer team they're named for fallen from grace? Regardless of that squad's status, the white walls and gum bottoms from this underrated Pink Box-era shoe still look good. —Brendan Dunne
Nike SB Dunk Low 'Border Blue'
Original Release: 2007
Lowest Listed Price: $305
Make no mistake about it, this is not a classic Dunk by any means. There's no particular story behind the colorway, but it's a nostalgic pair for this writer, who bought them out of a skate catalog in 2007 and proceeded to put many hours of wear on the dusty blue suede. —Brendan Dunne
Nike SB Dunk Low 'Eire'
Original Release: 2006
Lowest Listed Price: $565
Remember how special those embroidered emblems on the heel made any given pair of sneakers? It worked on this Irish tribute, a Dunk that was never considered among the best of its era (no Gaelic pun intended) but still feels more authentic than the loads of questionable Saint Patrick's Day footwear out there. —Brendan Dunne
Nike SB Dunk High' Brian Anderson'
Original Release: 2006
Lowest Listed Price: $345
Had these back in 2006. The shop had $200 as the price. Told me that was only there to see if someone would pay it. They still ended up charging me for $150, which was the most I had spent on a pair of sneakers at the time. I ended up selling them for $100-$125 (I think) in 2012. They’re only going for $250 now. Not the first camo Dunk and not the last. Throw orange laces in these and they’ll slap. —Matt Welty
Nike SB Dunk High 'Shy Pink'
Original Release: 2005
Lowest Listed Price: $350
This might be the least heralded of the Pink Box releases. It’s hit or miss. Joe La Puma said he doesn’t like the white toe box. Surprise, surprise. They reminded me of the perfect SB-era twist with the pink Swoosh on classic Dunk colorblocking. Don’t be so shy about getting yourself a pair. —Matt Welty
Nike SB Dunk High' T19'
Original Release: 2005
Lowest Listed Price: $330
I remember the T19 sitting on the shelf when I first went into Identity in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, back in 2006. I didn’t know that it was a collaboration with a Japanese skate shop obsessed with the color blue. I just knew I needed them. Of course, they didn’t have my size. Blue leather hightops—I thought these would be bigger these days. —Matt Welty
Nike SB Dunk Low 'Tokyo Taxi/Green'
Original Release: 2006
Lowest Listed Price: $400
Inspired by the color of Tokyo’s taxi cabs, this Dunk Low dropped alongside another blue version. The yellow detailing on its quarter panel perfectly matches the taxi’s side doors, with its white Swoosh matching its middle striping. While this pair was considered to be the less popular of the two in the taxi pack, it still sits around the $400 range on the resale market. —Ben Felderstein
Nike SB Dunk Low 'Chrome Ball Incident'
Original Release: 2010
Lowest Listed Price: $325
Former pro skater Neil Blender is one of the names responsible for the Chromeball Incident skate blog, and subsequently this SB Dunk Low. While not the first sneaker homage to the site, but these Lows might be one of the cleanest with their radiant emerald detailing and black leather/grey suede mix. —Ben Felderstein
Nike SB Dunk Low 'Space Jam'
Original Release: 2011
Lowest Listed Price: $255
It doesn’t take much to realize that this Dunk Low comes inspired by one of the most iconic Jordan colorways of all time, the “Space Jam” XIs. Nike SB has taken plenty of cues from the Jumpman over the years, but in my eyes this is one of the best-executed variations. Patent leather, a quick hit of blue on its heel, and icy soles that perfectly yellow with age just like the pair from everyone’s favorite Looney Tunes crossover movie. —Ben Felderstein
Nike SB Dunk High 'Un-Futura'
Original Release: 2008
Lowest Listed Price: $500
The “Futura” Dunks rank among the elite in the Nike SB line, and, unsurprisingly, flip for four figures these days. There is a more-affordable, high-cut alternative, though. Before the days of flips from low to high (and vice versa), like with the Tiffany and De La Soul dunks, the “Un-Futuras” dropped in the Gold Box era and kept the spirit of the original without going the literal route of redoing an existing model. —Zac Dubasik
Nike SB Dunk High 'Ghost'
Original Release: 2004
Lowest Listed Price: $270
The “Ghost” SB’s are one of the more misleading nicknamed Dunks in the line. The moniker isn’t derived from anything Halloween-themed, but for the subtle shade of grey that accents the deep olive base of its colorway. There’s nothing flashy here, or any deep storytelling, but it is one of the chances to own a Dunk from Silver Box era, from before the hype truly took off, for a still-reasonable price. —Zac Dubasik
Nike SB Dunk High 'Brown Pack'
Original Release: 2003
Lowest Listed Price: $351
Nike SB has released a handful of brown and wheat-colored Dunks over the years, including the “Brown Pack" High, which dropped in late 2003 alongside a low-top version with reverse color blocking. Both versions feature full suede uppers, gum rubber on the midsole (or sole in the case of the Low), and are available for far less money than the earlier and more coveted “Wheat” Forbes Low or “Maple” Dunk Highs. —Zac Dubasik
