Fashion is an endless cycle, where styles and trends come back into vogue over and over with a touch of novelty and modernity. We know it well, and on the sneakers front in particular, Nike Dunk are a splendid example of how the past can merge with the present. Originally born as basketball shoes in the 80s, Nike Dunks have since traversed various eras, winning over both sneaker enthusiasts and fashion lovers worldwide.
Designed to provide support and cushioning to professional players, the Dunks soon became a sports icon, also thanks to collaborations with universities and star-studded basketball teams. However, what made Dunks a phenomenon of transcultural style was their adoption by the streetwear scene.
In the 90s, Dunks evolved from basketball shoes to a must-have for skaters and street culture enthusiasts. The versatile design – in both Low and High versions – and the wide range of colorways attracted the attention of an increasingly wider audience, turning them into a symbol of individual expression and belonging to an urban subculture.
And today? Nike Dunks – which are available on the official Nike website in a constantly updated long list of color combos, and can also be customized to your liking – continue to dominate the fashion scene with new colorways and collaborations with designers and luxury brands. Here are some of the best Nike Dunks, High and Low, that should not be missing from every enthusiast’s collection.
Nike Dunk Low “Chicago Split”
The Nike Dunk Low “Chicago Split,” as the name suggests, utilizes the typical colors of Nike and Jordan Chicago models, namely red, black, and white. What makes the “Chicago Split” special is the Nike logo split in two colors.
FROM 225€ – BUY ON FARFETCH
Nike Dunk Low “Panda”
Released in 2021, the Nike Dunk Low “Panda” is definitely among the most seen sneakers in recent years. The reason is surely attributable to the black and white colorway, easily matchable with any outfit. Timeless, absolutely.
119.99€ – BUY ON NIKE
Nike x COMME des GARÇONS Dunk Low “Monogram”
The Nike Dunk x Comme des Garçons “Monogram” debuted in September 2019 during the Spring/Summer 2020 fashion show of the Japanese brand Comme des Garçons. They offer a fashion reinterpretation of the famous classic Dunk silhouette. Furthermore, the deconstructed structure is covered by an all-over CDG monogram print that adds a sense of dimensionality to the upper.
159€ – BUY ON FARFETCH
Nike Dunk Low Retro Summit White/Black/Industrial Blue
The bicolor, or rather tricolor, version of the Dunk Low has objectively an extra charm of vintage allure. The Summit White, Black, and Industrial Blue combination works really well, as does the mix of materials. They have just arrived on the Nike website, but it’s worth grabbing them before they sell out.
129.99€ – BUY ON NIKE
Nike Dunk High “Game Royal”
At first glance, they could be mistaken for the “Kentucky” model, but the blue “Game Royal” is slightly different. The blue panels overlap a white leather base. The Dunk High, then, remains one of the most popular sneaker silhouettes in history, and this version reminds us of that in style.
173€ – BUY ON STOCKX
Nike Dunk Low “University Blue”
The Nike Dunk Low “University Blue” is also among the most popular Dunk models: in this case, the white and blue colorway follows the classic scheme of the Dunk model. The particular shade of blue gives the shoe a wonderful retro touch.
309€ – BUY ON STOCKX
Nike Dunk Low “Medium Curry”
The Nike Dunk Low “Medium Curry” is one of the most versatile models on the market: the white, cream, and brown colorway makes it suitable even for those who do not dress in a purely street style. The suede upper makes it a shoe with a vintage flavor.
168€ – BUY ON STOCKX
Nike Dunk High “Spartan Green”
The Nike Dunk High “Spartan Green” features a white and very dark green bicolor palette in Michigan State key, one of the most competitive universities in terms of college sports championships. The shoe has all the classic elements of the Dunk High, including the fabric mesh tongue.
138€ – BUY ON STOCKX
Nike Dunk High “Wheat”
Released in 2002, the Nike Dunk High “Wheat” has now become a collector’s item: a suede upper in “wheat” color, with brown sole and swoosh. They resemble the palette of the original Timberland model, but in a Nike version, of course. The price remains very high, but it is indeed a collector’s shoe.
898€ – BUY ON STOCKX
Nike Dunk Low Retro Court Purple
Having a pair of shoes in shades of purple in your sneaker rotation is certainly something that many crave: hence the Nike Dunk Low Retro in White/Court Purple version is always a staple in sneakerheads’ shoe racks. The white and purple colorway in its simplicity remains one of the best possible combinations.
119.99€ – BUY ON NIKE
Nike Dunk Low Arizona State
The Nike Dunk Low “Arizona State” is an unofficial tribute to the Arizona State Sun Devils football team. Yellow is definitely one of the most successful colors in sneakers in recent times (just think of the success of Nike Cortez inspired by the Kill Bill color combo). And so everything is in the right place.
FROM 279€ – BUY ON FARFETCH
Nike Dunk Low Reverse Brazil
The summer of 2023 was (also) the Brazilcore one, a trend in clothing and accessories that extensively uses the colors of Brazil (green/yellow), its flag, and symbols. We cannot overlook the Nike Dunk Low Reverse Brazil, which as the name implies, references the Brazilian palette.
FROM 95€ – BUY ON STOCKX
Travis Scott x Nike SB Dunk Low
Arising from the famous collaboration between Nike and the renowned rapper Travis Scott, this sneaker model remains one of the most sought-after grails among enthusiasts. The inserts of the upper in paisley bandana and checkered flannel reflect the style of the American star. The retail price in 2020 was 150€, but the resell price now exceeds 1200€.
FROM 1249€ – BUY ON STOCKX