Top 10 Nike SB Releases for 2023
The Nike SB Dunk Low has evolved from its roots as a skateboarding shoe into a cultural icon that transcends its original purpose. Introduced in the early 2000s as part of Nike's Skateboarding line, the SB Dunk Low quickly gained popularity among skateboarders and sneaker enthusiasts alike. Over the years, it has become a canvas for various collaborations, unique colorways, and creative designs, cementing its status as a symbol of self-expression and sneaker culture. Let's delve into the rich history of the Nike SB Dunk Low, exploring its journey from the skate park to the fashion scene and beyond.
Here are the top 10 Nike SB Dunk Lows for 2023:
1. Nike SB Dunk Low Born and Raised
Established in 2011 by Chris "Spanto" Printup and creative director Alex "2Tone" Erdmann, the Born X Raised clothing brand serves as a homage to their native city of Los Angeles. This sneaker project features a classic two-tone color blocking, combining a white leather upper with contrasting game overlay panels. Embodying the brand's ethos, the signature motto "one block at a time" is skillfully embroidered at the forefoot and showcased on the tongue tag. Adding a distinctive touch, the holographic heel tab and Swoosh branding stand out, while 3D text graces the midsole's heel, completing the shoe's standout design.
2. Nike SB Dunk Low Jarritos
In 1950, Don Francisco Hill revolutionized the soft drink scene in Mexico City with his introduction of naturally flavored sodas, encompassing unexpected tastes from coffee to tamarind. Named after traditional Mexican clay drinking jugs, Jarritos not only upheld their cultural roots but also elevated flavor profiles.
The Nike SB Dunk Low encapsulates this rich history and distinctive color palette, drawing inspiration from the original canvas bags used for harvesting the vibrant fruits that define the brand's unique tastes. With custom insole art, vibrant colors, and the iconic green and orange hues, the SB Dunk Low Jarritos serves as a tribute to culture, tradition, and craftsmanship. Offering three lace options, co-branded tongue and heel art, and a tearaway canvas overlay in high-abrasion areas, this shoe reveals pops of safety orange when subjected to the rigors of skateboarding.
3. Nike SB Dunk Low Supreme 2023 High and Low Pack
Commencing with a captivating canvas upper, this pair prominently showcases artwork by the late multi-talent, Rammellzee. The vibrant abstract details seamlessly coexist with black suede overlays and matching Swooshes, all atop a stitched black midsole. The ensemble is perfected with gum bottoms, complemented by co-branded accents including a golden "SUPREME" dubrae, a collaborative hangtag reading "WORLD FAMOUS," a tonal tongue tag, and "WORLD FAMOUS" text gracing its aglets.
Similar to its high-top variant, this version showcases a range of artwork by the late American visual artist and incorporates black suede overlays spanning the mudguards, lacing systems, medial Swooshes, and tongues. Furthermore, the classic filled tongues of the silhouette are embellished with tonal Nike SB badges, all resting atop black midsoles and gum rubber bottoms.
4. Nike SB Dunk Low Crenshaw Skate Club
Tobias McIntosh started his own label Crenshaw Skate Club as a platform to express his affinity for skateboarding and its culture. And this year, the brand that’s designed to empower inner-city skaters across the globe is expanding its footwear collaborations catalog with an SB Dunk Low team-up alongside Nike and its Nike SB sub-label. This project follows its Air Jordan 36 Low PE initiative with Jordan Brand that was introduced in 2022.
Details include branding at the heel, interior tongue tab graphics, a full-length translucent outsole illustration and two sets of graphic insoles, one of which comes treated with LA-inspired palm trees and skies while the other bears all-over heat map-like patterns.
5. Nike SB Dunk Low Yuto Horigome
Securing an Olympic Gold Medal at the inaugural men's street event during the Tokyo Games in 2021, Yuto has solidified his status as one of the premier street skaters globally. Now poised to leave his mark in sneaker culture, the 24-year-old unveiled his inaugural Nike SB Dunk collaboration. Teaming up with Nike, he introduced his unique design featuring grey-on-grey suedes, olive/grey Swoosh logos, textured brown accents at the heel, and a distinctive logo on the heel depicting two elements. Pink tabs at the heel harmonize with the mid-foot plate on the outsole, while a brown sole imparts a touch of subtle luxury to a silhouette crafted for endurance.
Adding a personal touch, the insoles narrate a unique story through a series of white dots forming an obscure image. Notably, the Nike SB logo at the heel incorporates these artistic feather points. Anticipate a comprehensive backstory and a detailed breakdown from Nike SB in the near future.
6. Nike SB Dunk Low April Skateboards
April Skateboards brings together a dynamic roster, featuring both industry veterans like Guy Mariano and rising stars like Rayssa Leal. In their inaugural Nike SB project, O'Neill's label seamlessly blends elements from both old and new schools onto the cherished silhouette. Originating from Peter Moore's modified basketball sneaker in 1985, born in 2002, April Skateboard's vision incorporates suede, mesh, and leather into the uppers.
A lively blue, previously featured on skate decks, t-shirts, and caps, enlivens overlays throughout the sneaker, harmonizing with silver-finished aglets, profile swooshes, and co-branding on the spines. The lateral heel proudly bears the imprint of the fourth month, solidifying O'Neill's connection to his home after Primitive, also the home base for Yuto Horigome, within the legacy of Nike Skateboarding. Underfoot, the outsoles boast an icy finish that complements the upper seamlessly while revealing intricate blue details.
7. Nike SB Dunk Low Power Puff Girls Pack
Crafted by Professor Utonium using a mix of sugar, spice, everything nice, and a dash of Chemical X, The Powerpuff Girls, namely Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup, emerge as pint-sized superheroes dedicated to protecting Townsville from villains with their unique abilities.
Blossom takes the lead with her ice breath and intelligence, Bubbles communicates with animals, and Buttercup exhibits toughness with super strength and a sonic scream. Together, they champion justice and teamwork.
The upcoming collaboration will showcase three distinct colorways inspired by each girl – Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup. These sneakers will boast premium materials and feature the characters' iconic big eyes on the heels for a standout aesthetic. The package will include special co-branded packaging along with extra laces. Sources reveal that only one colorway will be publicly available, while the other two will see limited releases. One might be exclusive to select retailers and The Powerpuff Girls' channels. Mark your calendars for December 14th when The Powerpuff Girls x Nike SB Dunk Low collection hits select skate shops in family sizes, followed by a broader release on December 15th via Nike SNKRS.
8. Nike SB Dunk Low Tightbooth
Nike SB has joined forces with the renowned Japanese skateshop TIGHTBOOTH to introduce an exclusive Dunk Low SB. This highly anticipated collaboration takes inspiration from TIGHTBOOTH's distinctive brand identity and captivating color schemes. The TIGHTBOOTH x Nike SB Dunk Low presents a sleek and stylish fusion of White and Black tones.
Featuring a Black hairy suede upper, the shoe is complemented by White leather overlays that showcase debossed scratch-like graphics, adding an edgy flair to the design. Elevating the aesthetics, Black tumbled leather Swooshes, adorned with the TIGHTBOOTH label tag, grace the lateral side. Co-branded details on the padded tongues and insoles further mark this unique collaboration. The sneaker is completed with a Black midsole and a White rubber outsole, providing the perfect finishing touches.
As an extra bonus, the shoe comes with an additional set of laces, all housed in a distinctive and special box. This remarkable sneaker made its debut on November 14, 2023.
9. Nike SB Dunk Low Albino and Preto
In an unexpected collaboration, Nike SB has partnered with Albino & Preto for the creation of the Albino & Preto x Nike SB Dunk Low. Albino & Preto, renowned for its Jiu-Jitsu uniforms and lifestyle offerings, has been dedicated to embodying the shared essence of every Jiu-Jitsu enthusiast since its establishment in 2011.
The collaborative Dunk Low showcases a neutral color palette with a complete Fossil upper crafted from pearl weave gi fabric, a material commonly used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu uniforms. Notably, the sneaker features tear-away uppers, each panel revealing a different color that symbolizes the various belt colors in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The design is further accentuated by black Swooshes with white embroidery, "AP" branded heels, and graphic insoles. Completing the aesthetic, the shoe incorporates white rubber midsoles and black rubber outsoles.
10. Nike SB Dunk Low Steertwear Gardenia
From collaborations with StrangeLove Skateboards to Stingwater, Nike SB has engaged in partnerships with an extensive array of collaborators in recent years. In 2023, the sub-label takes its collaborative efforts all the way to Shanghai, presenting FLY Streetwear with its very own Dunk Low.
Following leaks earlier this year, tangible images of the collaboration have finally surfaced. The colorway, dominated by blues, creams, and a touch of Volt, predominantly reflects the personalized touches requested by FLY Streetwear. Co-branded tongue labels and sockliners adorned with Chinese characters are accompanied by embroidered Swooshes on both sides, with the lateral side resembling a feather. This design choice complements the earing motif on the heel and insole, aligning with the finish of the literal rope laces.