The Sneaker Retrospective: Nike Dunk

The days of retroactive fashion are currently in effect, with a premium influence being placed upon the shoe industry. With the popularity of boutique shoe companies like Nike, adidas and Puma as industry leaders in the retro craze, the spread of this distinguished style has spread from the grassroots sneaker lovers to mainstream America, with even legendary shoe maker Converse reintroducing its classic Chuck Taylor All-Star with new design twists.

Among the leaders is Nike, which spearheaded the craze with its original sneaker hit from the Eighties in the Air Force I. But one other sneaker that has caught on with shoe aficionados is Nike's Dunk sneaker.

The Nike Dunk is considered the younger brother of the AF I, as both sneakers were created as premium basketball shoes within the first decade of Nike's emergence in the shoe industry (which began in the 1970s in the state of Oregon). While having been neglected as the later Nike models such as the Air Jordan, Air Max running shoe, and the industry's first-ever cross training shoe rose as the cream of the company's crop and the canon for what athletic shoes should be, the Dunk has come of age within the past five years.

The Dunk is a relatively simple shoe with basic stitch lines along the shoe. With the simplicity of plain leather sections on the shoe's upper, and a rubber midsole and outsole as the shoe's base, the Dunk has reemerged as a perfect candidate for a wide range of color arrangement and placement on the latest models. It is this wide assortment of style options that is available for the Dunk that has caused these shoe lovers (affectionately called "sneakerheads") to chase after limited models issued by Nike, causing some serious collectors to bid hundreds of dollars for special edition Dunk over the Internet.

Having been reissued into Nike's Skateboarding division, popularly known as Nike SB, it is the SB Dunk that has caused the greatest number of sneakerheads to come calling to sneaker stores not only nationally, but internationally. While the SB version of the Dunk has the same setup style-wise, its augmentation of a thicker/stuffed tongue (preferred by skateboarders and a standard feature of skateboard shoes) and Nike's Zoom Air technology has left a great impression on the Dunk's fans, with limited releases in U.S. regions causing a great dynamic of demand for the little supply of the sneakers themselves.

This leads to the issue of what shoes were primarily made for-protection and comfort. While Dunk lovers favor the shoe's hipness and versatility, it is the history of the Dunk itself which lends to performance. Skateboarders now can see the Dunk as a viable option for performance on the ramps and rails. The aforementioned Zoom Air setup and a thicker sockliner have allowed for the standard comfort needed for the constant body abuse, absorbed largely by the feet. Nike SB's sub-division, Nike 6.0, lacks the Zoom cushioning but does offset that with a thicker insole, and as a result, comes with a cheaper price tag.

As far as the Dunk's original blueprint design for the hardwood floor, it's not advised to actually play in the Dunk for basketball. As mentioned earlier, the standard Dunk models are basic and prehistoric are far as basketball shoes are concerned. With no Air cushioning, a relatively thin insole, its traditional low-cut style making the wearer vulnerable to ankle sprains, Dunks are no way to gain an edge in winning a basketball game. These are, in fact, performance-wearable with a few basic augmentations.

Dunks do come in the rare high-top version, as well as the newer mid-cut style (which also comes equipped with a strap for support). If you are participating in fast-paced court sports like basketball, these models should be what are worn, because of the protection provided to the lower leg and ankle. Outside of the mid-cut SB version of the Dunk (the SB Dunk Mid) utilizing Zoom Air to keep the bottom of the foot comfortable, the best thing to do is to buy new performance insoles that can either totally replace the existing glued-down midsoles or lay right on top of what are already inside of the shoes. Three-quarters-length arch support insoles also do the job.

In any case, whether the Dunks are solely stepping down the street or doing double-duty in the weight room, these shoes are high-fashion items, and certainly worth their weight in price and casual use.