The Air Jordan 1 Low and the Nike Dunk Low are two of the world's favorite sneakers, but they look like twins. In this corner, we have the Air Jordan 1 Low, and in the other, we have the Nike Dunk Low. What is the difference between these sneakers? Which one is better? We will answer all of your questions so you can pick your winner.
Round 1: The Origins
Air Jordan 1 Low
Picture this: you’re coming off of an NCAA champion season, and you’ve just been drafted as the third overall pick, ready to head to the Chicago Bulls. To your surprise, Nike has now signed you for a $2.5 million deal, the largest endorsement deal ever signed by an NBA player. This remarkable story was a reality for Michael Jordan, and a $2.5 million deal was turned into a $6.5 billion global empire.
The Air Jordan 1 played a pivotal role in this success and is the brainchild of brilliant designer Peter Moore. When it debuted in 1985, it made quite the entrance, featuring a high and low-top version and coming in numerous colorways. The Air Jordan 1 Low followed in the footsteps of the Air Jordan 1 High by shattering norms and becoming the first ever low-top signature basketball shoe. It skyrocketed and captured the attention of fans worldwide due to how easy it was to wear.
Nike Dunk Low
It was the 1985-86 college basketball season, and the collegiate basketball world needed a push. Their knight in shining armor? The Nike Dunk. Nike had the brilliant idea of making warm-up shoes for NCAA teams that reflected their colors in a two-tone palette. The inspiration for the Nike Dunk was taken from an array of massively popular shoes and designs at the time such as the 1983 Legends, 1985 Terminators, and the Air Jordan 1s. However, in an unfortunate turn of events, the Nike Dunk Low fame was much more short-lived than the high. The Nike Dunk Low was forgotten, and Nike moved on.
Fast forward to the late 90s, skateboarding culture had exploded into a manifestation of art, rebellion, and sport. Funny enough, the Nike Dunks Lows resurfaced by being found in clearance bins in the hunt for the perfect skate shoes. The Dunks were perfect for skaters, and they weren’t just affordable. Their flat sole was perfect for the grip needed on boards. Simultaneously, Nike made its first push into the skateboarding community, releasing shoes they thought to be perfect for the sport. The community disagreed. The styles never caught on, but skaters begged for the re-release of the Dunk Lows. Nike heard their demands and answered them with a re-engineered Dunk Low called “The Low Pro SB.” (If you’ve ever wondered where the SB came from on your favorite Nike shoes, it's from this- it stands for Skateboarding).
The demand for Dunk Lows became a cultural phenomenon no one could have predicted. The world begged for their return, and their legacy remains strong to this day.
Round 2: Design
Air Jordan 1 Low
Designed by Peter Moore, the Air Jordan 1 Low displays an unparalleled athletic vibe, perfectly tailored for the basketball court. With a silhouette slightly taller than the Nike Dunk Lows, it provided an extra edge for performing athletes during the 1980s and is now a staple in people's closets for everyday wear. Available in hundreds of colorways and numerous editions, it offers many choices to suit any style. Since its debut in 1984, this iconic design has remained largely unchanged, standing the test of time as a consistent classic in the world of sneakers.
Nike Dunk Low
Also designed by Peter Moore, the Dunk Lows were an artistic collective of many shoes and inspirations blended together, including the Air Jordan 1. Often featuring bold color blocking, the Dunk Lows are among the most popular shoes ever created. They are shorter than the Air Jordan 1 Low and provide a more stylish appearance than athletic. They offer a truly snug fit, with support and comfort all around due to its thick leather upper and heel. The Dunk Lows are a cultural icon worn by skaters to celebrities, exuding a sense of individuality and style.
Round 3: Cultural Impact
Air Jordan 1 Low
It's no secret that the Air Jordan 1 sparked major controversy when it first debuted. The most infamous version was the Jordan 1 "Banned," also known as "Bred" colorway due to its black, white, and red design. This nickname arose because every time Michael Jordan wore them in a game, he was fined $5,000 by the NBA. Nike decided to embrace this defiance, willingly paying the fines and capitalizing on the growing publicity. Fans worldwide eagerly tuned in to see Jordan take the court in his "banned" shoes, curious about the NBA's reaction. This defiant spirit propelled the Jordan Brand into the spotlight. When the Low version was released, the excitement and momentum only grew, cementing the legacy of the Air Jordan 1. Now, the shoe takes real estate in millions of closets around the world. From avid sneakerhead collectors to athletes and celebrities, the Air Jordan 1 Low has become an essential and coveted piece of footwear.
Nike Dunk Low
In the early 2000s, the distinct subcultures of surf skate from California and hip-hop from New York began to intersect, influencing how people dressed and the cultural movements they embraced. This unlikely collision birthed the streetwear culture, a fusion epitomized by the launch of the Nike Dunk Lows. Skaters were drawn to the Dunk Lows for their unparalleled comfort and functionality, while sneakerheads, inspired by basketball aesthetics, admired their style. The Dunk Lows seamlessly blended practicality with style, leading to a frenzy with each new release and uniting these diverse communities in their shared passion for the iconic shoe.
Both of these shoes have transformed basketball, skateboarding, and hip hop culture, and continue to shape our society’s streetwear obsession. Which one do you think wins?
