Nike Dunk vs Air Jordan 1
by
Caitlin C.
on Apr 01 2025
SAVE ON LEVI'S & HURLEY*
Undoubtedly, some of the most popular sneakers recently have been the Nike Dunk and Air Jordan 1 sneakers. But what makes them so popular? In this blog, we’ll discuss the history of each sneaker, why they’ve gained popularity, their fit, and more. Both sneakers have a high and low version, so to be thorough, we will discuss both styles.
History of the Nike Dunk High Sneakers
The Dunk High design took inspiration from existing basketball sneakers like the 1984 Legend, the 1985 Terminator, and the 1985 Jordan 1. There was an unprecedented six-week turnaround time for the sneaker from design to shipment. The tight turnaround time was due to the shoes needing to be manufactured by the time the collegiate 1985 basketball season started. The Nike Dunk High was created as a warmup sneaker for collegiate athletes.
Credit: Nike
Each sneaker was intended to feature the team’s school colors, resulting in unique colorways that quickly caught the eye of those outside the collegiate scene and made their way into pop culture.
History of the Air Jordan 1 High Sneakers
Nike took a historic chance on a player named Michael Jordan in 1984, paying him a whopping 15 million dollars for a five-year contract, which allowed them to collaborate on the now-famous Jordan sneaker line. The Air Jordan 1 was inferior to subsequent models from a technical standpoint. However, these sneakers are cemented in history due to Nike and Michael Jordan's unique marketing strategy. The basketball sneakers of this era were primarily all-white due to NBA regulations, so when Jordan disregarded the league's rules, incurring a $5,000 fine per game, it gave the sneakers the perfect promotion strategy. The color, unique design, and logo on the sneakers stood out amongst the white and bland sneakers of the time.
These are the only shoes with the winged logo, designed by Peter Moore, near the angle that preceded the Jumpman logo we know today.
History of the Nike Dunk Low Sneakers
The history of the Nike Dunk Low and Nike Dunk Low SB sneakers is deeply intertwined, as the success of the Nike Dunk is attributed mainly to the skateboarding community and popular collaborations.
Originally designed for basketball players in the mid-1980s, the Nike Dunk High sneakers lost their luster in years to come with the public. They were subsequently heavily discounted and sent to outlet and discount stores in the early 90s. This was when the sneakers were plucked from sneaker obscurity by the skateboard community: they appreciated the Nike Dunk High for its construction and look. This prompted Nike in 1997 to launch the precursor shoe to the Dunk SB or Dunk Low we know now that was called the Choad. Consumers who favored popular skateboarding brands like Vans and DC rejected the shoe and its marketing. While the skateboarding community rejected Nike’s attempts at trying to market to them sneakers like the Choad, the Snack, and the Schimp that same community organically started to love the Nike Dunk that had gone through a few design improvements since the days of the early 90s when it was first pulled from obscurity by the skateboard community.
Nike wanted desperately to get in on the burgeoning skateboard community, so in 2001, they appointed Sandy Bodecker as the head of the Nike SB division. This division was the catalyst for Nike to integrate itself with the skateboarding market. Sandy Bodecker made strategic connections with popular skateboarding shops, brought members from the skateboarding community onto the Nike SB team, and released unique colorways that resonated with the community. The first Nike Dunk SB shoes were launched in March 2002, and since then, the brand has collaborated with popular brands like Supreme, Zoo York, and Tiffany.
By the end of the 2010s, demand for the sneakers waned and was not revived until the Travis Scott x Nike SB Dunk Low Cactus Jack collab hit the market. These skyrocketed the Dunks back into mainstream popularity, and the demand for the Nike Dunk SB or Nike Dunk Low has not waned. Bringing it full circle, it seems as if this has been a history of the Nike Dunk SB, but the truth is the popularity of the Nike Dunk Low would not exist without the SB counterpart. The Nike Dunk Low is the comfortable and affordable version of the Nike Dunk SB. Since they don’t require the same construction as the skateboarding shoes the Nike Dunk Low costs between $90-$100 for the big kids size.
History of the Air Jordan 1 Low Sneakers
The Air Jordan 1 Low debuted the same year as the Air Jordan 1 High, in 1985. Like its High counterpart, it was designed by Peter Moore. The low design made the shoe easier to wear with everyday looks while still maintaining the stylish components. Not to mention, the low design makes the sneaker more wearable daily. Like the Nike Dunk the Air Jordan 1 Low saw a resurgence in 2020.
NIKE DUNK FIT
Air Jordan 1 Fit
Nike Dunk & Air Jordan 1 Shared Traits
Shop Nike Dunks
Shop the latest colors and most popular classic Dunks now. We carry in demand white, red, and panda Dunks. The best feature about this sneaker is that there’s a color for every preference.
Shop Air Jordan 1
Shop the most popular green, pink, and black Jordan 1 sneakers now. There’s a colorway or pattern for every preference.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Shop our full Nike Dunk and Air Jordan 1 collections now. Don’t forget accessories! We have Nike and Jordan socks that pair well with both sneakers. If you enjoyed this blog, read about the creation of Nike Air Max sneakers or the history of your favorite shoes, such as the Air Force 1 and Nike Cortez.
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