Dunk Shoes

The Nike Dunk - Shoes Designed For Basketball

By Jeff Jarred

Nike, Inc. launched the Nike Dunks in 1985 as a line of product positioned side by side the Nike Terminator. The plan was to bend the basketball shoe market a bit introducing colors instead of the usual white pair with black swoosh. Designed for basketball
The Nike Dunks were really intended for the basketball players. Nike had the shoes designed with a lower profile outer sole compared to the previous shoes. Selected schools were signed up for exclusive Nike sponsorship. The eight schools that were chosen for the Dunks program included University of Maryland, St. John's University, Syracuse University, Villanova University, University of Iowa, University of Kentucky, University of Michigan, and University of Nevada.
The production for the Nike Dunks was put on hold for some time until Nike re-launched the line in 1998. The shoes exhibited the classic university colors but new colors were also released.
Unexpected niche in skateboarding
Although many skaters already started to use the Dunks even during the 90s, it wasn't until 2002 that Nike launched the Nike Dunk SB, which targets the skateboarders.
Skaters or riders got attracted to the Dunks because of the same features that made them very good basketball shoes. Sneakerheads and their eye for fashion
The return of the Nike Dunks proved to be a successful more by Nike. With the new branch, Nike Dunk SB, the shoe line is now cashing in on their limited editions, which often sell at insane prices.

The Nike Dunk - From Basketball to Skate Culture

The skaters who needed a good pair of shoes that can survive their active play bought their shoes from the small shoe stores that carried skate shoes from smaller shoe companies like Airwalk, DC Shoes, and Osiris.
The Nike Dunks came to the scene in 1985 and the shoe line stirred things up in the basketball shoe arena. Nike came up with bold colors that it targeted at the university leagues. Since skateboarding is just as active as basketball, the qualities that made the Dunks a choice by basketball players easily attracted the skaters. The shoes are also built for skateboarding although that was unexpected.
When Nike saw the growing market in skateboarding, the company created the Nike Dunk SB in 2002. The shoes were patterned after the shape and fun colors of the Nike Dunks but they made a few adjustments to match the skater's profile more accurately.
While the ankle padding had to do with better support, the padding at the tongue is purely for aesthetics. The Nike Dunk SBs are equipped with the Zoom Air Insoles to cushion the users fall. Although there are really hardcore skaters who knew about the advantages of the Nike Dunks, Nike still received so much controversy. The company then turned their Nike Dunk SB and took on a strategy that will prove to be successful.
Nike Dunk SB only got displayed in the small shops where the skaters frequent. People started buying the Nike Dunks and soon enough became the essential footwear for skateboarding.
See othe site in womens basketball shoes