Dunks were inspired by basketball and made for the players of the day. They were designed as a sports trainer with the movements of the players in mind. They were actually designed from scratch with different panelling and lower profile soles. They were intended to reflect the quick moves and sharp turns on the basketball court. Nike had a big launch in which they signed up some university teams for example Maryland, Kentucky and Syracuse. The Dunks were made in the university team colours.
Nike relaunched their Dunks in 1998. At the time, nylon was the material of the day and many products incorporated it in their design. Nike made their relaunch Dunks with nylon tongues and arches. The shoes were now more popular and a growing part of popular culture. Nike made more colourways to suit everyone's style and not just the basketball team colours. They even made reverse colourways, so purple with blue trim and blue with purple trim. Something for everyone.
Dunks were designed as a sport trainer. They are streamlined and have a low profile sole. This gives them stability on the court or track. Once they are worn and tested, it can be seen how much more lift they give to runners and sportsmen. In a new age and a new generation, they were incorporated into popular culture.
Skateboarders love Dunks these days. Nike, with its ear to the ground, or its hand on the pulse - are quick to adapt to the changing trends. Dunks are made for skateboarders too. These SB Dunks, have more puffy tongues which is the type of footwear that skateboarders prefers.
Dunks are a real feel-good shoe. And you do feel incredibly good when you are wearing them! You do that thing where you unnaturally stick your foot out when you are sitting down so that everyone can see which shoes you are wearing. They are so good, they are not just a shoe, they are a noun!
Nike enlists high end designers to incorporate new elements into the Dunks design. And they do not seem too out of place on the catwalks of Paris and Milan. Nike's sense of humour can be seen when top artists were asked to create designs for Dunks and everyone from newsreaders to TV stars have had their own design made for them.
Although they are not the highest-end trainer - they were originally made for the student market after all, they can be sold for hundreds or thousands of dollars when customised or with some special provenance. Even so, with all the hip and street cred, you can still just grab your trusty Dunks and go out for the day.
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