Dunk Low

Nike Dunk Low: a basketball classic from 1985

What is the Nike Dunk?

The Nike Dunk is a Nike basketball model from 1985, created for the 1985/86 college basketball season. Nike designed it for college teams as part of the College Colors program, which paired shoes and tracksuits in college colors. Skateboarding versions are in the collection Nike SB Dunk, and high-top versions are in the collection Nike Dunk High.

How are Dunks different from Jordans?

The Dunk is a Nike model, while Jordan is a separate brand owned by NIKE, Inc. Nike says the Dunk was created by combining basketball models from the time, including the 1984 Legend and the 1985 Terminator and Air Jordan 1. They also differ in cushioning: Nike describes the Air Jordan 1 as featuring Nike Air technology, while the Dunk Low Retro has a foam midsole. Jordan models are in the collection Air Jordan 1.

Are Nike Dunks made of leather?

Not always. According to Nike, the black-and-white Dunk Low Retro DD1391-100, known as the Panda, has a premium leather upper, a foam midsole and a rubber outsole with a pivot circle. The women's Dunk Low FV1311-100 combines natural and synthetic leather, while the kids' Dunk Low Next Nature FJ4668-400 (listed in the collection as Hologram) has a durable synthetic leather upper. W descriptions of select SE and Premium versions also mention suede and textiles.

Nike Dunk Low versions in the collection

How does the Dunk Retro differ from the Next Nature?

The materials. According to Nike, the Panda Dunk Low Retro has a premium leather upper, while Nike describes the Dunk Low Next Nature as made with at least 20% recycled materials by weight, sourced from post-consumer or post-manufacturing waste. W the collection: including Next Nature Black White, Sail and Blue Tint.

Classic colorways include Black White Panda and Reverse Panda in black and white, Grey Fog and Two Tone Grey in grey, UNC and Valerian Blue in blue, Vintage Navy in navy, Spartan Green in green, Triple Pink in pink, and Triple White in white. Women’s Nike models include Cacao Wow, Rose Whisper, and Photon Dust in brown, while kids’ models include Racer Blue (GS).

Special editions: SE (including Barber Shop and Free 99), PRM and Premium (including Animal Pack and Tweed Corduroy), and LX (including Black Croc and Brown Ostrich). The abbreviation PRM means Premium, and according to Highsnobiety, PRM models usually have better materials and more refined details than general-release versions.

Collaborations: Off-White (including the Lot series), CLOT, Union, Comme des Garçons, and Undefeated.

Nike Dunk Low sizing

What size Dunk should you buy?

Nike doesn’t provide a single fit recommendation for the entire model. The men’s Dunk Low Retro DD1391-100 (Panda) product page doesn’t include a fit note, and the notes for women’s models vary: for some, Nike says the model runs large and recommends going half a size down, while for others, it says the model runs small and recommends going half a size up. So we don’t offer general advice to change sizes. If you’re unsure which size to choose, contact us before ordering.

Why choose Nike Dunk Low from Saturaise

Every pair at Saturaise is authentic and covered by an authenticity guarantee. W one collection features classic colorways, Next Nature, SE, and PRM versions, women’s and kids’ models, and collaborations.