Pretty Sneaky (Nike Dunk)

The Nike phenomenon is an interesting one, what began as an exclusive college basketball shoe in 1986, was resurrected from the dead 16 years later becoming one of the most popular and most sought after (by collectors) skateboard shoe. The latest buzz surrounds the company's Nike Dunks line of shoes. When it comes to Nike Dunks, I feel like a blind dude at a wet t-shirt contest in Daytona Beach. I just don't get what all the fuss is about. People love them so much. In fact, someone was so enamored he paid $30,000 (U.S.) for a pair in an online E Bay auction. Is he an idiot? I think so!

Collaborating with famous designers, graffiti artists, skateboard companies, the music industry and even beer companies to form this limited edition shoe line, Nike has done a great job of creating and marketing this object of desire. Dunks are categorized into two main styles, each style with a sub category called 'SB' (which many believe to stand for Skate Board). The two main styles are High Tops and Low Tops. They have also created what is referred to in the "Shoe World" as samples. Samples are actual authentic Nike shoes produced in very limited quantity for testing purposes to determine colours, quality, and appeal for future models. The retail price for a pair of samples $80-90 (U.S.) but the Nike Dunk 'Deftone' samples go for $800-900 (U.S.) on E Bay. There is no doubt that Nike has created a niche and weaseled its way into the skateboard industry.

People really go crazy for these shoes. They're just shoes, right? They don't give you super powers do they? The public isn't the only one cashing in. Nike participates in this greed by making a 'one of a kind' pair of shoes knowing that they would fetch thousands. I'll admit that some of them are cool, but in my eyes, the mania surrounding them makes them distasteful. I am aware that just about everyone likes Nike and I am not out to battle the world about it. I do admire their marketing schemes with the collaborated effort and limited edition models. You have to admit the online auctioning thing is pure genius. I hope they expand their efforts. They could auction a few items (not more as you wouldn't want to destroy the exclusivity) and donate money to the art or skateboarding community. I just hope that if Nike is involving themselves in the either world, they do it right. I hope they get truly involved rather than just trying to look like they do.

Extra Laces

The sub category 'SB' does not actually stand for 'skateboard' as most people think. Rather, they are the initials of Scott Bedbury the Head of Marketing for Nike in the U.S.
The first Dunks release in 1986 'College Colors' have a current market value of about $ 500.00 (U.S.)
Samples are only available in size 9.
The International Association of Skateboard Companies suggests skateboarding is annually a $ 2 Billion dollar industry.

Nike Dunk Pictures

Article by:
Trevor Riauka

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