Nike SB Dunk Low

The Nike SB Dunk Low, the Dunk reimagined for skateboarding

The Nike SB Dunk Low is a shoe with two lives. Born for basketball, adopted by skateboarding, it has become one of the most collected sneakers in the world, from Los Angeles to Paris. Its secret? An understated silhouette, panel overlays that are easy to reinterpret in endless ways, and a history that bridges American collegiate sports and urban culture. The Nike SB division turned it into a style icon without ever betraying the spirit of the original model, which already shared some lines with the Air Jordan 1.

At The Last Step, the Nike SB Dunk Low holds a special place in our sneaker collection, alongside all our Nikes. Products arrive regularly, in men's, women's, and children's sizes, from the latest releases to sale models. Our page features products for every profile: collectors, skaters, and sneaker enthusiasts.

From the basketball Dunk to the Nike SB

When it was released in 1985, the Dunk was a basketball shoe intended for American university teams. Nothing predestined it for skateboarding. However, its flat sole and support quickly appealed to skaters, who brought it from the courts to the streets. Nike observed the phenomenon for years, then launched its dedicated skateboarding division in 2002: Nike SB. The Dunk was extensively reworked to become the SB Dunk we know today. It is a rare trajectory in sports history, where a model changes discipline without losing its personality.

What differentiates an SB Dunk from a classic Dunk

At first glance, the Nike SB Dunk and the classic Nike Dunk share a very similar silhouette. However, several details make them easy to distinguish, particularly in terms of the tongue, padding, sole, and materials used. Here are the main differences to know:

Criterion	Nike SB Dunk	Classic Nike Dunk
Tongue	Thick and padded, designed to improve comfort and protection	Thinner and lighter
Collar	Padded to offer more support	Thinner, with a classic construction
Insole	Nike SB Zoom Air technology designed to absorb impacts	Standard insole focusing on everyday comfort
Materials	Materials more resistant to griptape abrasion	Materials more geared towards lightness and style
Primary Use	Skateboarding and lifestyle	Lifestyle and everyday use
Models	Variations from the Nike SB universe	Nike Dunk Low and Nike Dunk High
How to recognize them?	Thick, puffy tongue characteristic of SB Dunks	Generally thinner tongue

The simplest indicator? Pinch the tongue. If it's thick and puffy, you likely have an SB Dunk in your hands. This design detail makes all the difference, both on a board and on the street.

Design and materials of the Nike SB Dunk Low

The design of the Nike SB Dunk Low owes much to its primary function. Every element serves the sport, which is precisely what makes these products so pleasant to wear daily.

Construction built to take a beating

On a skateboard, every landing tests the shoe. The integrated cushioning protects the heel, the padded collar supports the ankle, and the side reinforcements extend the lifespan of the pair. The result: immediate comfort, even after hours of wear (or a full session). Many people who don't skate have also adopted the Nike SB Dunk Low. It has the stability of a sports shoe and the look of an everyday sneaker, hence the longevity of these products, even when worn daily.

Leather, suede, canvas: the materials of the SB Dunk Low

On a Nike SB Dunk Low, smooth leather is the most common: in white, black, or accented with orange depending on the edition, it is easy to clean and withstands intensive use. Suede, which is softer, gives colorways real depth, in both brown and pastel tones, but it requires a bit more care. Canvas, which is lighter, is primarily used for summer editions. Each material has its own style, and products require different care—we'll come back to that below.

Collaborations that made the SB Dunk Low legendary

The Nike SB Dunk Low was built on limited series and partnerships. These are what made these products legends of streetwear and brought together a global community of collectors.

Skateshop and skate brand collabs

The principle was born with skateshops: Nike SB entrusts the model to boutiques and brands in the scene, which imprint their identity and style on the shoe. There Skateboards signed a particularly notable collaboration, thought out down to the smallest detail. StrangeLove, for its part, delivered a version that has become cult among collectors. Other editions are circulating among resellers, but these two names concentrate the search volume in France. These products share one thing in common: reduced quantities, a narrative pattern or detail, and immediate success with every release.

Travis Scott and pop culture collabs

Some editions go far beyond the world of skateboarding. The collaboration with Travis Scott is the best example: a pair worn as much by rap fans as by skaters, with a resale price that skyrockets on the secondary market. Before him, the Supreme x Nike collab had already proven that this style could live beyond the skateparks. The "City" series paid tribute to key cities in sneaker culture, with unexpected colors: Paris, Tokyo, and of course New York with the famous Pigeon imagined by Jeff Staple, whose launch made waves in the city streets. The Paris edition remains one of the grails for collectors. Limited pairs, lots of hype, and products elevated to the status of a symbol.

The SB Dunk Low Pro and pro skater models

The final pillar of the legend: signature models. Reese Forbes was among the first skaters to have his name associated with the silhouette during the division's early days. Eric Koston and Paul Rodriguez then left their mark on the Nike SB program. Today, the new generation is taking over: the SB Dunk Low Pro features products designed with Yuto Horigome or Rayssa Leal, and each brings their own style. Their pairs often disappear in minutes.

How the Nike SB Dunk Low fits

The Nike SB Dunk Low fits true to size. Our advice, valid across the whole site: take your usual size, just like with a classic Nike Dunk Low. The fit is a bit more snug due to the padding, which is sometimes surprising the first time, but these shoes quickly break in without sacrificing any comfort. Very wide feet? A half-size up might be justified on some models. Sizes range from children's to large men's sizes, and most products on the page exist in both men's and women's versions.

Maintaining your Nike SB Dunk Low

Care suited to the material significantly extends the lifespan of your shoes, and these tips also apply to a classic Nike Dunk Low. Three habits:

• Smooth leather: a damp cloth after wearing and an occasional touch of nourishing cream, and the Nike SB Dunk Low keeps its shine for years.

• Suede: soft brush only, always dry. In case of a stain, a special eraser is enough. Water is its enemy.

• Canvas: a little lukewarm soapy water on dirty areas, then air dry, never against a radiator.

Applying a water repellent as soon as you unbox them remains the best habit, regardless of the version chosen, and your products will last through the seasons without losing any of their style.

Why buy your Nike SB Dunk Low at The Last Step

Every Nike SB Dunk Low sold on the site is inspected and authenticated by our team before shipment, without exception. You can pick up your order at one of our three boutiques in Toulouse, Biarritz, or Montpellier, or opt for delivery throughout France and internationally. Browsing by size and color makes searching the collection easy, and our customer service is available both before and after your purchase. Men's or women's shoes, limited editions or more discreet models: the products displayed are truly available, whatever your style.

FAQ

What is the difference between a Dunk and a Dunk SB?

The Nike Dunk SB uses the Dunk silhouette but adapts it for skateboarding: padded tongue, padded collar, reinforced cushioning, and more resistant materials. A classic Nike Dunk Low is thinner and lighter, designed for style before sport. Both product families coexist in our catalog: check out all Nike Dunks to compare.

How do Nike SB Dunk Lows fit?

Nike SB Dunk Lows fit true to size: take your usual size. The fit is snug at first due to the padding, then the shoes loosen slightly with wear. A half-size up may be suitable for wide feet.

Which Nike SB Dunk Low should you choose when starting out?

For a first Nike SB Dunk Low, aim for versatile models: a white Dunk SB or a gray Dunk SB goes with everything, while a pink Dunk SB adds a bolder touch—one of the most requested products on social media. In terms of material, smooth leather remains the easiest to live with for a first purchase.

Where are Nike Dunk Lows manufactured?

Like most Nike shoes, Nike Dunk Lows are manufactured in Asia, primarily in Vietnam, China, and Indonesia. The exact country appears on the interior label of every Nike Dunk Low, sewn under the tongue.

How to recognize a real Nike SB Dunk Low?

Examine the stitching, the shape of the Nike swoosh, the thickness of the tongue, and the interior label: as with any Nike Dunk, its information must match that on the box. The safest way remains buying from a seller who authenticates their products. At The Last Step, every pair is checked before being shipped.