Nike SB Dunk Sizing, Fit, and Comfort Guide

The sneaker industry owes much of its success to the Air Jordan line, the adidas Superstar, Nike Air Force 1s, and a few other select legendary silhouettes across history. But when it comes to the modern sneaker industry’s obsession with collaboration, storytelling, and limited-edition hype, much of the credit goes to the Nike SB Dunk, the sneaker that brought skateboarding to the heart of Nike’s cultural standing and supercharged the sneakerhead obsession.

Taking the extra bulk and cushion of skateboarding’s impact-forward sneaker blueprint to one of Nike’s oldest basketball-turned-lifestyle silhouettes, the Nike SB Dunk has been the blueprint for new skate shoes since its release in the early 2000s. This is everything you need to know about the sizing, fit, and comfort of the Nike SB Dunk.

Does the Nike SB Dunk Fit True to Size?

In short, yes. The Nike Dunk is a pretty standard sneaker shape, and even with a little extra cushioning, the Nike SB Dunk is still designed to fit your true size. Because the shoe is designed in so many unique materials, the fit will change slightly depending on the colorway. Classic suede pairs fit most true to size, with stiffer leather pairs made for some collabs fitting a little more snug. If you have wider feet, going a half-size up might be the move, but to ensure you’re getting the right size, go to a skate shop or resell store to try a pair on.

Nike SB Dunk vs. Nike Dunk Fit

Some classic silhouettes go through rounds of changes throughout their life cycle, but the Nike Dunk has stayed largely the same since it debuted in 1985. The Nike SB Dunk, on the other hand, adds significantly more padding to the ankle collar and tongue to keep up with skating’s heavy impact, plus round laces instead of flat, a re-engineered outsole for extra grip, and a thinner insole with an added Zoom Air pocket in the heel. If you’re used to the fit of a classic Nike Dunk, it might be worth sizing up a half-size to account for the extra padding, with the thick tongue creating a snugger fit. Beyond the shoe itself, Nike SB Dunks have been sold in a rotating set of colored boxes corresponding to their era and exclusivity.

Is the Nike SB Dunk Comfortable?

The Nike SB Dunk is all about comfort. At the turn of the 21st century, when the shoe first dropped, skate shoes were known for their massive, bulky structure that felt like stepping into a roll of bubble wrap. The SB Dunk slimmed down that approach somewhat, while keeping more bulk than the OG Nike Dunk and creating a Goldilocks-style perfect mix of comfort without too much weight or chunk. The Nike SB Dunk has remained one of the skate and sneaker communities’ favorite silhouettes not just for its endless collabs and colorways, but for its effortless comfort, as well.

Is the Nike SB Dunk Low Good for Skateboarding?

Every skater has their own idea of the perfect shoe. Some skaters love a thin vulcanized shoe like the classic silhouettes from Vans or the Nike SB Janoski, but if you like a cupsole with a little extra padding, the Nike SB Dunk is one of the best skate shoes on the market. The rounded toe creates a perfect flick, the ankle protection is cushioned, the Air Zoom in the insole is great for impact, and the classic suede construction on most pairs is ideal for skating. The only downside to skating SB Dunks is ruining colorways that you won’t be able to cop again without paying resale.

Zach Harris

Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com