{"id":400031,"date":"2014-08-20T15:50:59","date_gmt":"2014-08-20T20:50:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/?p=400031"},"modified":"2022-09-17T12:28:43","modified_gmt":"2022-09-17T17:28:43","slug":"16-nike-sb-dunks-lows-we-want-back-as-highs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/16-nike-sb-dunks-lows-we-want-back-as-highs\/","title":{"rendered":"16 Nike SB Dunks Lows We Want Back as Highs"},"content":{"rendered":"
Forewarning, we’re not against low-top Nike SB Dunks. We actually really like them. However, rather than give iconic SBs the retro treatment in OG form, Swoosh Skateboarding has switched things up by bringing back favorites from the past decade in updated, high top form. Not a bad idea– the nostalgia remains while Day 1 coppers, collectors and auction winners retain the uniqueness, foresight and value of their prized possessions.<\/p>\n
Following the surprise release of the Diamond Supply Co. x Nike SB Dunk High and recent reveal of the “Cali” Nike SB Dunk High, we’re pretty sure we spot a trend. Right or wrong, we’ve already started our wish list based on our high hopes. Here are 16 classic Nike SB Dunk Lows we want to see revamped and released in high top form.<\/p>\n
Talk about a cold one, the “Heineken” Dunks saw a lager laced SB that balanced collector cache with everyday guy wearability. Less clever color blocking but still strong response to the “Beer Bottle” Pack proves SB fans are still thirsty for “Heineken” Dunks and would gladly drop their beer money on some highs.<\/p>\n
Different coasts, similar success, Jeff Staple and Nicky Diamonds both hold prominent places in the worlds of clothing, retail and kicks. The latter saw his legacy with Nike get the retroed or rather revamped in 2014 with the Diamond Supply Co. x Nike SB Dunk High release. As fellow fans of Staple, we’d love to see the “Pigeon” Dunks get the same treatment.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Crustacean colorways saw a mainstream revival via Nike’s All-Star offerings in New Orleans. Let’s not forget where it all started. Frank the Butcher and the good folks from Concepts made a splash not once, but twice, with the “Lobster” themed Nike SB Dunks. We’d gladly take either of the two takes, or the samples, in high top form.<\/p>\n
The whole “WT___” trend that’s extended to basketball and even Sportswear all started with skateboarding. Back in 2007, the Nike SB Dunk Low “What the Dunk” made the most of patchwork styling, pre-labeled hype and the brash attitude originally associated with Nike SB. Yes, these would absolutely crush in 2014 as a high top.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
There’s a reason the top customizers have swagger jacked and revamped the “Freddy Krueger” theme: it’s really good. Scary, off-beat and not adhering to any conventional colorways, the Dunks are seldom seen on feet these days but their scratch marks have bled onto some of the most beloved basketball paint jobs. Don’t sleep on a high top.<\/p>\n
These would’ve made a good pair of Forces, right? Sorry, bad joke. Comedy attempts aside, these Yoda joints pull off the perfect balance of maturity and immaturity with an inspiration that affirms both. A high top pair would look just as good dressed up with dark denim as it would worn in costume at a convention.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Before elephant print stomped every sneaker and apparel piece ever created, it was only a somewhat forgotten feature from the model that changed the Air Jordan line forever. Re-appropriated for collaborative purpose before retros of the signature variety completely ran the game, both “True Blue” and Black\/Cement SB Dunks by Supreme prove truly ahead of their time<\/a>. With the rampant rate that Supreme drops (and sells out) new product, these as highs would surely be a hit.<\/p>\n Back when Canadian tuxedos or casual khakis were getting less (or at least different) love on the street wear tip, a lot of dope “Denim” Nikes dropped to under appreciated sales numbers. While slept on Air Max 1s made of the light washed variety were readily available at Finish Line, skate shops were pedaling the “Denim” Dunks. Though high top “Denims” would’ve absolutely crushed during the jean jacket\/tan pants pop at the turn of the decade, highs would still move in 2014.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Based on the Vince Carter championed fantasy basketball Nike campaign, a pair of Roswell Raygun themed sneakers would’ve made a lot more sense on an Air Force 1, Blazer or Delta Force silo. Nevertheless, Nike SB stole and sold the swagger of the spots on home and away Dunks that nobody feels bad about. In many ways, a high top retro would take these back to basketball while still paying homage to the franchise that brought the theme to retail.<\/p>\n Does it make much more sense than this? The Nike Dunk is rooted in basketball, becomes reinterpreted for skateboarding, Nike SB formally forms, signs a team of skaters, and laces NYC-representative Danny Supa with a Knicks-themed colorway. A high top would please many and even win over some AF1 purists. Props to Sneakerpedia for the history lesson, we’d gladly take the fellow OG endorser makeups as mids. Now that’d make a powerful pack…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Showing love to Uncle Phil, or rather Uncle Buck, these Oregon oriented SBs pay tribute to Nike co-founder Phil “Buck” Knight in Ducks drab. While track spikes, basketball shoes and now football cleats probably play stronger to UO and Nike’s relationship than SBs, a high top take would still be sweet.<\/p>\n Whether it’s Travi$ Scott’s thrashing sound or Kanye West’s Yeezus Tour merch, it’s clear that heavy metal and punk rock have a profound impact on the cutting edge of both hip-hop music and its aesthetic expression. At the origin of the inspiration is Pushead, an artist responsible for numerous Metallica visuals and two pairs of SB Dunks. Either pair would be fire as a high.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Truth be told, the “Baby Bear” SB Dunks did kind of release as a high in the form of the “Papa Bear” pair. Still, the youthful blue presented on the youngin’ lows is much more exciting than the mature accents featured on that of pop’s. Why not let the “Baby Bears” grow up into a high?<\/p>\n Sober enough to sport with your #menswear garb but all-SB at heart, the “Newcastle” Dunks still look live despite launching during a year where most other drops look terribly dated. Refreshing as a low, filling as a high, we’d be all for seeing these come back in above-ankle fashion.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n“Denim”<\/h2>\n photo via Kixclusive\n
“Raygun”<\/h2>\n photos via Kixclusive\n
“Danny Supa”<\/h2>\n photo via Sneaker News<\/a>\n
“Buck”<\/h2>\n photo via Kicks On Fire<\/a>\n
“Pushead”<\/h2>\n photo via Kixclusive\n
“Baby Bear”<\/h2>\n photo via Kixclusive\n
“Newcastle”<\/h2>\n photo via Kicks On Fire<\/a>\n
“Homer”<\/h2>\n photo via Kicks On Fire<\/a>\n