By now you should be aware that the Nike SB Dunk has risen to be the most hyped silhouette on the planet. SB Dunks, new and old, have been at the top of every sneaker enthusiast’s wish list this year and there’s zero sign that the hype is slowing. Every weekend a new SB release has taken our platform by storm and has smashed Dunk resale records. The craziest part is we’re only halfway through the year.
Consistency is a challenge for any brand, yet Nike SB hasn’t missed on a single drop. From ultra-exclusive collabs to sleeper general release colorways, SB has been going all-out to make sure 2020 is one for the books. Last week, we examined the numbers and history behind SB’s remarkable run. Now, in preparation for highly-anticipated upcoming releases like the Nike SB Dunk Low Grateful Dead Bears, we highlight the SB Dunk drops that have already made this such a legendary year.
Here are the top 10 best Nike SB Dunks in 2020 so far.
Top 10 Best Nike SB Dunks
10. Nike SB Dunk Mid Griffey
Nike SB Dunk Mids have a tendency to slip under the radar. So, when there is a really good colorway, we’ve got to show it some love. The Nike SB Dunk Mid Griffey takes us all the way back to 1996, drawing design elements from the Air Griffey Max 1 Freshwater and adding it to the SB Dunk Mid silhouette. By giving a freshwater twist to an underappreciated Dunk Mid silhouette, the SB Dunk Mid Griffey cracks our list as one of the best SB Dunks to release this year.
9. Nike SB Dunk Low Laser Orange
Many of the best SB Dunks rely on collaborative partners and limited numbers to set them apart from the rest. But unlike other flashy, in-demand Dunks, the understated Laser Orange SB Dunk Low lets its details do the talking. The Nike SB Dunk Low Laser Orange radiates Los Angeles Lakers vibes just in time for the NBA restart. Laser Orange suede overlays, a purple patent leather Swoosh, and icy translucent outsoles take this Orange Label masterpiece to another level.
8. Nike SB Dunk Low Infrared
To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Air Max 90, Nike SB paid homage to the first AM90 colorway with the Nike SB Dunk Low Infrared. Each and every detail on this release is a nod to the original Air Max 90 Infrared. From its mesh and suede upper to vibrant hits of Infrared, the SB Dunk Low Infrared is a flawless translation of one of Nike’s most popular colorways in history.
7. Nike SB Dunk Low J-Pack Shadow
The Nike SB Dunk Low J-Pack Shadow represents the merger of two towering icons of sneaker culture. For those unfamiliar, the J-Pack is an ongoing Nike SB project wherein they borrow Jordan Brand’s most popular colorways and add them to the SB Dunk silhouette. The 2005 SB Dunk Low J-Pack Royal was the first release in the J-Pack, and now, the classic Shadow colorway has found its way to the SB Dunk Low silhouette as well. The result is one of the best SB Dunks in 2020 (so far).
6. Nike SB Dunk Low ACG Terra
The Nike SB Dunk Low ACG Terra is one of the best SB Dunks in 2020 because honestly, it’s just an amazing colorway. Point blank. Period. This retro release draws inspiration from the original Nike Air Terra ACG that debuted in 1991 and while the ACG Terra colorway used to mainly inhabit running trails, the SB Dunk Low ACG is taking it to the streets. Early on-foot photos have revealed the seemingly limitless possibilities for getting a fit off in these shoes, and we’re excited to see more fit pics once they fully release in skate shops across the world.
5. Nike SB Dunk Low Safari
By now you are probably noticing the trend where Nike SB borrows a popular colorway from another Nike release and creates one of the best SB Dunks of the year. But out of all the heavily-inspired colorways to drop this year, the Nike SB Dunk Low Safari reigns supreme. This SB Dunk pays homage to none other than the Nike Air Max 1 Atmos Safari, arguably one of the rarest Air Max 1s to ever release. The Safari theme hits where it counts: the details. The canvas uppers, Safari print overlays, and even the smaller Swoosh logo embroidery near the toe are almost identical to the Atmos Air Max 1 release, providing a great example of Nike SB’s flawless execution.
4. Nike SB Dunk Low Strangelove
While older SB Dunk releases have seen a surge in demand in the last six months, the Nike SB Dunk Low Strangelove is the first SB shoe this year to hightail it into four-digit resale territory. The appreciation didn’t happen overnight. As more SB fans discovered how unique the Strangelove design really was, resale prices skyrocketed, rising 100% in just a few months.
The Strangelove SB is a love story featuring pink and red velveteen and suede. Beyond the materials, artwork from legendary illustrator Sean Cliver pushes this Dunk into a space between skate shoes and fine art. The Strangelove is a collector’s dream, and for that, it has a rightful place as one of the best SB Dunks to release in 2020.
3. Nike SB Dunk Low Travis Scott
Not many musicians get the honor of having their own Nike SB Dunk, so when it does happen, there must be a good reason. The Nike SB Dunk Low Travis Scott is the pinnacle of pop culture. Merging the most influential musician on the planet at this moment with the most popular Nike silhouette on StockX is a surefire recipe for resale success. Especially when its release is exclusive to skate shops. With its unique hidden layer design and Cactus Jack branding, the Travis Scott SB Dunk Low is one of the hottest SB Dunks on our platform and we don’t see it fading any time soon.
2. Nike SB Dunk High Reverse Skunk (Special Box)
We know what’s cooler and being cool (thank you, André 3000) but now we know what’s rarer than being rare: the Nike SB Dunk High Reverse Skunk (Special Box). Even before this release, Todd Bratrud boasted an impressive resume filled with some of the best SB Dunks in history. But it’s the Reverse Skunk that solidifies him as the G.O.A.T of SB colorways. The Reverse Skunk released exclusively at Familia Skate Shop in Minneapolis in celebration of the 4/20 and the 10 Year Anniversary of the original Nike SB Dunk High 420 Skunk. Only 420 pairs were produced, each one featuring its edition number on the heel and special edition artwork by Bratrud himself. The result? A glorious piece of sneaker art that routinely resells for $5,000.
1. Nike SB Dunk Low Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Dunky
The featured image of this piece gives the surprise away, but let’s keep it real: no one will be surprised by this #1 pick. Indeed, hardly anything could be more obvious. The Nike SB Dunk Low Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Dunky has been viral since the earliest leaked photos started to spread. Everything about the Chunky Dunky is unique. From its ice cream pint Friends & Family packaging to its faux cowhide overlays, the Chunky Dunky delivers an authentic experience that only Nike SB and Ben & Jerry’s could share. This collab is nothing less than a resale phenomenon: more than three thousand pairs have resold on StockX, at an average price of over $1600. In a year when SB Dunks reigned supreme in sneaker culture, the Chunky Dunky is a king among kings. It remains to be seen if future releases – most notably, the Grateful Dead Bears that drop this weekend – will be to steal the SB Dunk crown.
