Image credits: Nike
“Be true to your school.” Those five words kicked off a colorful revolution in college basketball during the '85–'86 season when Nike dreamed up the idea of pairing sleek warmups with matching sneakers in vibrant team colors. And just like that, the iconic Dunk and Nike's College Colors Program burst onto the scene.
It wasn't just players who fell hard for this fresh wave of apparel and footwear; fans couldn't get enough either. Suddenly, the courts were ablaze with team spirit in shades that demanded attention far beyond campus gyms. But nobody saw this coming: the Dunk’s bold colors and innovative design quickly sparked curiosity in fashion runways, music stages, art galleries, and across cultural borders worldwide.
Fast forward to today, and Nike Dunks have clearly become the cult favorite, raking in an impressive $5.85 billion in fiscal 2024 and claiming about 18% of Nike’s total footwear sales (per Bloomberg).
Nike Dunks, with their legendary status and hard-to-beat design, tend to disappear as fast as they drop, especially when it comes to limited editions and rare collaborations. But even those who missed out the first time, there’s still a way in: the resale market offers a second shot at owning these gems. If that sounds like your kind of win, keep reading for five rarest Nike Dunks you can still get your hands on (before they vanish for good!)
How the Dunk Was Born in Just 6 Weeks of Creative Chaos
Image credits: Nike
Nike took inspiration from beloved basketball sneakers of the moment—the streamlined 1984 Legend, the muscular ‘85 Terminator, and the legendary ‘85 Jordan 1—to rapidly craft a new masterpiece. Remarkably, the Dunk was designed, perfected, and launched in an adrenaline-fueled sprint of just six short weeks.
The Dunk had quietly faded from view until skateboarders stumbled upon it hidden in clearance bins in the ‘90s, snagging pairs at bargain-basement prices.
Price was key, but it wasn’t everything. Skaters quickly realized the Dunk offered exactly the blend of style and performance needed for street skating and pulling off tricks.
By the late ‘90s, Nike was trying its hardest to break into the skateboarding scene, experimenting with skate-specific shoes like the Chaod, but these new designs just didn’t resonate. Meanwhile, the skate community had already spoken loud and clear: they wanted their Dunks back.
Image credits: Nike
After bouncing around a few indie skate shops for ideas, Nike decided to revive the Dunk in the early 2000s with the Dunk Low Pro SB. The revival came with meaningful upgrades like more cushioning, a thicker tongue, and design tweaks that still respected the shoe’s original character.
To make things even more interesting, Nike SB handed creative freedom to its first four pro skaters, letting each rider inject their unique personality into the iconic silhouette. One notable standout from this experiment was the Nike Dunk Low Pro SB Supa—named affectionately after skateboarding phenom Danny Supa.
The Dunk’s comeback was fast and fierce, with Nike SB transforming it from a basketball staple into a skateboarding essential. What followed was a wave of bold colorways and legendary collabs that turned the Dunks into a permanent fixture in sneaker culture.
The Dunk Formula That Keeps Winning
Image credits: Nike
Nike Dunks are known for two things: relatively steep prices and sky-high popularity. Their enduring appeal comes down to a perfect mix of clean design and flawless craftsmanship that keeps winning over sneakerheads
Nike’s strong marketing gets attention, but it’s the blend of smart design and real performance that keeps fans coming back. The brand knows how to balance what people want with what athletes actually need.
Image credits: Nike
So what makes Dunks come with such a hefty price tag? It all boils down to the hype trifecta—tight supply, massive demand, and headline-making collabs. When sneaker lovers spot something truly worth it, they don’t think twice about paying top dollar.
Case in point: the Nike SB Dunk Supreme Stars. This collab fetches eye-watering resale prices, thanks to the kind of hype only Supreme can spark. When a name like Supreme gets involved, the hype goes through the roof, and so do the price tags.
Beyond the hype, Nike’s commitment to quality is second to none. Each Dunk reflects serious attention to detail, made with high-end materials and infused with innovation from some of the sharpest minds in the game. Each release feels like more than just a shoe, but a wearable statement of comfort, style, and cultural clout.
Top 5 Rarest Dunks Worth Every Extra Dollar
Image credits: Nike
If you think Dunks are pricey at retail, wait till you hit the resale sites, where some pairs are flipping for five, even ten times their original price. Tightly controlled drops and buzz-worthy collabs with high-profile artists, designers, and cult brands sent demand through the roof—and resale prices followed right behind.
Despite their considerably higher resale value, these five rare and stunning Dunks still feel worth the elevated price. With premium craftsmanship and a rarity that sets them apart, you’ll be owning and wearing what others can only wish for.
1. “Viotech” Nike Dunk Low
Image credits: ZenLuxe
The “Viotech” Nike Dunk Low is a good example of cult status driving value. Famous for their electrifying color palette and standout purple shade, the unique shoes first dropped in 2002 as a Japan exclusive, then made a return in 2013 and again in 2019.
It’s worth noting that Nike held the highest median price among major sneaker brands in 2017, averaging $80 per pair—$10 more than its closest competitors (per Statista). The “Viotech” Dunk Low far exceeds that, currently reselling on ZenLuxe for over $220.
2. Supreme X Nike Dunk
Image credits: ZenLuxe
Supreme fans already get the hype—any collab with Nike is destined to be legendary. Since launching in New York in 1994, the brand has become a streetwear heavyweight, with deep roots in skateboarding and hip-hop culture.
A collab like the Nike SB Dunk Low Supreme nails the balance, merging Nike’s basketball legacy with Supreme’s raw, rebellious street-skate edge. With countless colorways and bold designs to choose from, there’s always a Nike X Supreme Dunk to match your vibe and deliver that kind of energy sneakerheads live for.
3. Nike X Off-White Dunk
Image credits: ZenLuxe
Off-White, the Italian luxury label founded by Virgil Abloh in Milan in 2013, took things to the next level when it teamed up with Nike. The result was the unforgettable Nike x Off-White Dunk Low—a bold tribute to both Nike’s basketball roots and its skateboarding influence.
Flywire cables and secondary lace loops bring a rugged, hiking-inspired aesthetic, while Off-White's signature foam tongue and Helvetica font branding elevate the sneaker into instant-icon territory. Finished with Virgil’s unmistakable zip-tie tag, this Dunk quickly transformed from a mere basketball shoe into a street staple with a loyal, global fanbase.
4. Grateful Dead x Nike Dunk
Image credits: ZenLuxe
Some shoes don’t need an introduction, and the eye-catching Grateful Dead x Nike Dunk Low is one of them.
Released in July 2020, this whimsical pair pays homage to the band’s American Beauty era with a splash of psychedelic color and nostalgic flair. These Dunks bring the Grateful Dead’s trippy energy to life with fuzzy neon uppers that echo their iconic bears, plus fun extras like a stash pocket behind the tongue and custom logos.
As bold as they look, you really can’t go wrong with such a well-made pair of Dunks.
5. Nike x Travis Scott Dunk
Image credits: ZenLuxe
If there’s one must-have for any sneakerhead, it’s the Nike SB Dunk Low Travis Scott. This limited-edition collab between Nike and the chart-topping rapper blends innovative design with massive influence.
Travis Scott may be one name among many in the world of sneaker collabs, but his attention to detail, bold aesthetics, and tightly executed campaigns pushed his shoes into icon status from day one. With its limited release and instantly recognizable silhouette, this pair has become the ultimate flex piece in the world of serious collectors.
“Travis Scott is arguably the biggest sneaker collaborator,” praised Yu-Ming Wu, Stadium Goods’ chief marketing officer (per GQ). “The only other name that is driving the same level of hype and sales is Virgil Abloh and the Off-White Nike collection.”
Scott’s sneakers and merch have performed so well that Stadium Goods hosted an entire pop-up dedicated to him at Fred Segal in L.A. What sets him apart from other collaborators isn’t just the product; it’s the atmosphere he creates.
“There’s been a vibe around Travis the last few years,” noted Wu, “and people really gravitate towards his music and anything about him.”
Image credits: GQ
Travis Scott’s rising influence in the sneaker world is often met with sheer awe from consumers and insiders alike. As sneaker consultant and DJ Kish Kash put it, “This one is beyond anything I've seen.”
A major reason for Scott’s phenomenal impact is the models he’s trusted to reimagine. “A lot of rappers and entertainers like to think of themselves as sneakerheads, but Travis Scott is a rare breed with a deep appreciation of the culture,” said Wu.
“He often brings back older, hyped sneakers which helps educate new heads and remind the old heads. His love and respect for the industry is a big part of his sneaker cult following.”
The perfect storm of exclusivity, Travis’s influence, and eye-catching design launched this Dunk into grail status, subsequently sending resale prices up to nearly $2,000. Worth the splurge?
Shop Hard-to-Find Dunks at the Best Resale Prices Out There
If rare Nike Dunks are on your radar, ZenLuxe is the jackpot. This online platform is home to a virtually endless collection of the legendary silhouette in just about every form ever released.
Sure, fresh-off-the-shelf pairs have their appeal, but they don’t always hold the value of secondhand rare Dunks, which may never see another release. ZenLuxe makes it easy to shop these prized pairs—from limited holy grails to timeless staples—all attractively priced, professionally packed, and delivered right to your doorstep.
Beyond its legendary Dunks, ZenLuxe opens the door for luxury lovers to score their dream designer pieces at a fraction of the original price. Imagine shopping a curated lineup of authentic, gently-loved goods from every big-name brand—whether it's Gucci's legendary opulence, Chanel's Parisian elegance, Fendi's playful chic, or Louis Vuitton's celebrity-approved style.
Start exploring today, and turn your dream wardrobe into a reality quicker (and smarter) than you ever imagined possible!
About The Writer
Meet Mariam — a fashion writer who lives and breathes all things vogue and glamour. For her, the most therapeutic aspect of fashion goes beyond simply shopping for the latest styles that appear in stores; it’s fully experiencing this glamorous world from the little details to the big moments (there's nothing quite like the thrill of flipping through a sleek fashion magazine, is there?).
