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Everytime I get a new pair of SB dunks, I update the bottom of this article with a review of them. The latest pickup is the Nike SB Dunk High Strawberry Cough.
Jump To:
- Nike SB Dunk Low Sizing and Fit
- Nike SB Dunk Low Barcelona on feet
- SB Dunk Low Laser Blue
- SB Dunk High Strawberry Cough
- SB Dunk Low Big Money Savings
- SB Dunk Low Light Carbon
This page serves to summarize the model in general and show new pairs as I pick them up (pics at bottom of article). I used to make individual short reviews on older pairs, you can see those here.
What Is The Difference Between SBs and Regular Dunks?
Traditionally, SB Dunks have more padding and Zoom Air technology in the insoles. The SB Dunk low in particular generally has an extra padded “fat” tongue.
How Do Nike SB Dunks Fit? Nike SB Dunk Sizing Guide
Nike SB Dunks fit true to size depending on materials and release year. Newer dunks overall tend to be on the snug side, while older dunks are more forgiving. Newer dunks tend to have more padding, springier padding and stiffer materials while older releases tended to use more pillowy padding and pliable materials.
So, on older SB’s (Orange, Silver, Pink, Black and Gold Box), true to size works. If the materials are soft (i.e. suede) I’ve even gotten away with a half size down! During the 2010s, the stiffer pairs with narrower toeboxes and extra heel padding are in full effect. For Blue, Tape, Teal & early Purple Box as well as other 2010-2020 releases, half size up works better for me. True to size can sometimes be forced on these pairs, but the break-in time is more severe in my experience. These days (2021-onward) I’m finding true to size works once again as the toeboxes haven’t been as cramped as they were in the past.
The comfort on a pair of SB Dunks is going to be super basic. If the uppers are a pliable material, generally the shoe will fit comfortably. The thick, springy padding on newer SB dunks pushes the foot forward into the shoe, particularly on the lows. This for me can cause some pinky rub, especially on SB’s that came out during the 2010s. Releases from 2021-onward and gold box or earlier seem to have more forgiving fits. All newer SBs seem to require at least a solid couple hours of break in for me before they are tolerable to wear for longer periods of time.
Underfoot, SB dunks are about as basic as regular dunks, only with additional zoom air in the insole. I normally don’t feel this cushioning that much when just walking around. So for me they feel pretty basic underfoot, about as comfy as any other casual shoe. Again, the upper is what affects the comfort for me on Nike SB Dunks, and this differs from shoe to shoe.
Nike SB Dunk History
The first SB dunks were lows and released in 2002. This was known as the “orange box” era. As the dunk evolved the box colors would progress from orange to silver, then to pink, then black, gold, blue, “tape”, teal and now purple.
Those initial dunks were all colorways designed in part by Nike skate team riders such as Gino Ianucci, Danny Supa, etc. At first, Nike SB wasn’t really accepted among hard core skaters and was seen as a big corporation coming in to damage the sport. As time progressed, Nike SB dunks grew in popularity and Nike managed to win over newer fans of sneakers and/or skateboarding.
The team manager series including the Tiffany dunk lows, Stussys and Chocolates helped popularize the SB Dunk with sneakerheads and collectors. The fat tongue of the low combined with high profile collabs and inspired colorways helped propel the sneaker to the forefront of collectors’ minds.
Eventually, the popularity of the SB dunk declined for a while as Nike SB experimented with the look and fit. Changes over time included additional padding, adjusting the thickness of the tongue padding on the lows, and switching the materials up on different pairs.
With the sneaker getting some shine again with new popular musicians and celebrities, the Nike SB Dunk has received some new attention and is once again at the height of popularity. Many pairs these days sell out instantly and automatically go for large sums in the aftermarket.
Where To Buy Nike SB Dunks?
Typically, SB dunks release at skateshops, with some making it to sneaker boutiques and some onto the SNKRS app. Due to limited availability, many are also buying them on the aftermarket sites like eBay
See below for links to get individual colorways.
Nike SB Dunk Low Barcelona
Based on FC Barcelona’s jersey colors. Materials are suede with a leather swoosh. Includes navy, yellow and burgundy SB laces. These released only overseas and not in the US.
Colorway: Navy / University Gold – Gym Red
Style Code: DJ0606 400
Year of Release: 2021
MSRP: $110
Buy on eBay
Nike SB Dunk Low Laser Blue
The Nike SB Dunk Low Laser Blue looks to be based off of the OG Laser Blue colorway of the Air Max 90. This is similar to the Infrared colorway that was an Orange Label release at the end of 2019.
Laser blue 90s had a leather and mesh upper with a suede swoosh and these do the same thing. The leather seems soft and the suede seems a little rough but decent. These come in a purple box with white and black SB laces.
Colorway: White / Neutral Grey – Black
Style Code: BQ6817 101
Year of Release: 2021
MSRP: $100
Buy on eBay
Nike SB Dunk High Strawberry Cough Review
The Nike SB Dunk High Strawberry Cough was supposed to be the “420” sneaker (IYKYK) in 2020. However, delays due to the pandemic caused the sneaker to not be available until October 2021. The shoe gets its namesake from a strain of weed and its looks from an actual strawberry.
Buy: eBay
The Strawberry Cough’s features include a strawberry seed looking texture on the tumbled leather, embroidered graphic at the heel, stash pocket inside the tongue, insole graphic, strawberry stem pulltab, tongue fade from red to white, and double wing flaps. I really like how all the elements come together to form something really special here!
My pair came in a rainbow SB box and included sets of red, pink and green SB laces. The velvet, shaggy suede, tumbled and smooth leathers on here all seem to be of great quality! I went a half size up in these and they fit comfortably, but your mileage may vary.
Colorway: University Red / Spinach Green
Style Code: CW7093-600
Year of Release: 2021
MSRP: $110
