August 22, 2024

Last updated on September 5, 2024

The Best Dunks for a Budget

Kyle Delaney

Content Writer. Big fan of basketball, sneakers, and basketball sneakers. Will spam the give-and-go in pickup hoops if given the chance.

The Nike Dunk has become the go-to shoe for practically everyone. As its name suggests, the Nike Dunk was first introduced as a basketball shoe, releasing in a variety of collegiate colorways in 1985. However, after gaining notoriety on both the court and street for their comfort, style and performance, the Dunk evolved into more than just a sneaker to shoot hoops in.

With limited edition releases, neck-breaking colorways, and high profile collaborations, the Nike Dunk has cemented its place in sneaker culture as a must-have. The best part? With their increasing popularity, the Nike Dunk has become more accessible than ever. To save you time, we’ve rounded up the best Dunks for a budget on StockX. So whether you’re an athlete, skater, or a self-proclaimed niche internet micro-celebrity, you can step out in style, and do so without breaking the bank. 

Nike Dunk Low Retro ‘Panda’

Funny how a sneaker named after an endangered animal isn’t actually that hard to find these days. Ba-dum tss!

The Nike Dunk Low Retro ‘Pandas’ stay true to their moniker with a predominantly white and black color scheme. The shoe consists of a white leather upper with black leather overlays. Completing the design is a black swoosh, which sits above a white midsole and black outsole, resulting in a sleek and classic look. 

Bottom line, you could wear these anywhere with just about anything. Church, the club, graduation, or even a first date, these dunks are versatile. A swiss army knife in any one’s closet. Plus, the price is currently below retail. How can you beat that?

Nike Dunk Low ‘Medium Curry’

No pun intended, but these culinary-inspired shoes are a feast for the eyes. The Nike Dunk Low ‘Medium Curry’ features a soft cream suede on the base with contrasting curry brown overlays on the toe and heel. A fossil-colored swoosh complements an off-white midsole. A deep brown outsole rounds out the shoe. Overall, this Nike Dunk might be the best deal of the season, because this shoe is as suitable for summer as it is for fall. In other words, you might be able to pull off two seasons of fits with these. They’re warm, cozy, and their price is below retail. What are you waiting for?

Nike Dunk Low ‘Mica Green’

The Nike Dunk Low ‘Mica Green’ was released as part of Nike’s Spring/Summer 2023 collection. The shoe is constructed with a photon dust canvas overlay and ‘Mica Green’ leather uppers. Thanks to that sail midsole, the shoe has a kind of vintage, almost dusty feel to it. On the tongue and the laces, we see that ‘Mica Green’ again, rounding out the shoe. Ultimately, it’s a very wearable Nike Dunk that’s simple, stylish, and, most importantly, affordable.

Nike Dunk Low QS ‘Reverse Ultraman’

A first-ever retro of a ‘99 release, the Nike Dunk Low QS ‘Reverse Ultraman’ released earlier this May. The shoe is a re-introduction of a classic Nike colorway from the 90’s, inspired by 1960’s Japanese sci-fi character Ultraman. The shoe takes inspiration from Ultraman’s red-gray color scheme and combines ‘Metallic Silver’ overlays with a ‘Varsity Red’ base. Originally released for $125, these are currently available on StockX for much less than retail.

Nike Dunk Low ‘Miami Dolphins’

This Nike Dunk Low is inspired by the Miami Dolphins uniform. A white leather base is paired with a vibrant turquoise overlay and sock liner. An orange swoosh complements the orange heel tab, with matching white tongue and laces completing the shoe’s look. This Nike Dunk Low is bright, fun, and a great shoe for summer. A lot cheaper than a plane ticket to Miami, too, fwiw.