What's the difference between the Nike Dunk and Nike SB Dunk

What’s the difference between a Nike Dunk and a Nike SB Dunk? It’s a question as old as time itself (almost).

At a glance, you’d be forgiven for confusing the two, however, it’s the latter SB model that takes its inspiration from the OG iteration.

The Nike Dunk was initially created by Peter Moore in 1985 as a basketball model, but things changed in the early 2000s as the shoe began to gain traction among the skateboarding community.

In 2001, Sandy Bodecker became the General Manager of Nike SB – Nike’s skateboarding subdivision – it was one year later, that the first Nike Dunk Low Pro SB was born.

So, how can you tell the two apart, and what are the main differences? We outline everything in our guide below:

The Tongue

Typically, the Nike SB Dunk is chunkier than its counterpart, but one of the biggest differences between the two, is the SB Dunk’s padded tongue. This is much thicker than the tongue on the normal Dunk, providing more protection – it’s supported by elastic straps to keep it locked down.

The Insole

Unlike the Nike Dunk Low silhouette, which features an EVA insole underfoot, the SB Dunk insole has been engineered for comfort, and boasts a Zoom Air Unit beneath the heel, along with foam cushioning under the forefoot.

The Outsole

It’s hard to tell at first, but when you zoom in on the underside of the outsole, you’ll see a distinct difference in the traction pattern. While the outsole of the Nike Dunk speaks to its court origins – being that it shares the same one as the Air Jordan 1, the SB rendition is designed specifically for skateboarding – with thinner rings below the forefoot for increased flexibility and grip.

The Laces

While the original Dunk silo is equipped with flat laces, the SB Dunk has instead been furnished with round, fatter laces, that can withstand the effects of tricks and spills without breaking.

Now you know the difference between the two, check out our wide selection of Nike Dunk colourways.