Adding a fresh pair of blue Dunks to your shoe rotation is like finishing off your wardrobe with a masterpiece. Our list of must-haves has many pairs of the highly sought-after model, which will be no shock to any sneakerhead. However, the likes of Supreme, Union LA, and AMBUSH—three of the greatest brands and collaborators on the silhouette—make their way on this list alongside classic designs.
Given that blue has gone beyond its traditional role as a collegiate color to become a signature shade for Nike, we figured it was probably time to honor all of its blue offerings. In preparation for the warmer weather of spring and summer, we have compiled a list of the best blue Dunks currently available.
Dunk Low University Blue
The Nike Dunk Low “University Blue” has a clean two-tone color scheme that is reminiscent of the sneaker’s original 1985 color palette. Powder blue overlays and a blue Swoosh complete the all-leather upper. The nylon tongue is airy and has the classic Nike woven label; the cushioned collar adds to the shoe’s overall comfort. A regular rubber cupsole serves as the foundation for this low-top.
A year after the initial release of the Nike Dunk Low colorway in 2021, Nike introduced a new iteration of the colorway dubbed “Reverse University” in 2022.
Dunk High Midnight Navy
The Nike Dunk High “Midnight Navy” brings back an original hue from 1985’s landmark “Be True to Your School” collection. The high-top was originally designed for Villanova University and has a leather upper in white with blue overlays for contrast. Nike logos are stitched into the sockliner and braided into a tag that sits above the nylon tongue’s minimal padding for extra style. The shoe is supported by a white rubber cupsole with a navy blue rubber outsole.
Dunk Low Hyper Cobalt
This Dunk Low “Hyper Cobalt” has a blue, black, and white color scheme and was one of the models included on Nike’s 2021 launch calendar.
These low-top sneakers have a timeless two-tone color scheme and are constructed with a leather foundation and a synthetic tongue. Overlays in the shoe’s namesake color land on the forefoot, heels, and neck, while the toeboxes, quarters, tongues, and collars are all black to provide a contrasting look. Logos are stitched into the shoes in the customary locations, such as the tongues and heels, with the former featuring brightly colored writing and the latter cloaked in a stealthy overlay.
Going down beneath, the “Hyper Cobalt” outsole provides stability for the white midsole. There’s a hint of orange on the inside, too, thanks to the branded Swoosh on the insole.
Dunk High Kentucky (2021)
Released in June 2021, the Dunk High “Kentucky” was inspired by the 1985 “Be True to Your School” colorway of the same name. The upper is made of leather and comes in a white and game royal color scheme with holes for ventilation on the toe box. Underfoot, the two-tone design extends onto the construction, which incorporates a concentric traction pattern for more grip and a nylon tongue for further permeability.
Dunk Low Next Nature GS Homer
Two of the most sought-after Nike SB Dunk iterations ever made are the “Homer” Low and “Marge” High, both of which pay tribute to The Simpsons, the groundbreaking animated television series that helped shape popular culture.
Featuring Matt Groening’s trademark colors, the newest Nike Dunk Low Next Nature eco-friendly iteration looks like it was inspired by a trip to Springfield. The yellow and blue Next Nature is made of mesh and leather and has at least 20% recycled materials by weight, similar to the SB Dunk Low “Homer.” White and grey Grind Rubber soles round off the design while the “Move to Zero” pinwheel insignia on the insoles highlights the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Dunk Low Jackie Robinson
Nike has unveiled a new colorway of the Dunk Low to commemorate its ongoing partnership with the Jackie Robinson Foundation. Robinson, a native of Los Angeles, was a trailblazer on the field, but his bravery and philosophy had an impact well beyond the baseball pitch.
The blue and white color scheme, the number 42 on the heel, and the stitching pattern on the laces all pay homage to Jackie’s baseball days, but the most significant detail is the writing that appears on the overlay and serves as the insole. Jackie Robinson famously said, “I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me. All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.” Even while the impact of their statements resonated across the entire professional sports industry, they were much more significant in the context of the Civil Rights Movement.
AMBUSH x Dunk High Deep Royal
The AMBUSH x Nike Dunk High “Deep Royal Blue,” designed by Yoon Ahn and inspired by motorsports, made its debut in May 2021. The shoe’s extended Swooshes, reminiscent of the tailpipes of a motorbike, made it a sportier take on the classic shape and a huge success with consumers. After a year, Nike finally released the Dunk High that borrows the color blocking from the renowned partnership.
It has a traditional white leather basis with navy blue overlays for a stylish presentation. Meanwhile, both the rubber outsole and the tongue logo are blue. The laces and Swoosh are black, and they rest above a white midsole for a clean look.
Union LA x Dunk Low Argon
Following a successful run with Jordan Brand, prominent streetwear retailer Union LA chose to collaborate with Nike to provide its own unique spin on the Dunk Low. After surfacing online towards the end of 2021, the “Argon” colorway made its debut in March 2022.
Union owner Chris Gibbs and his crew decided to break away from the classic tailoring of the form for this design. The shoes don’t use traditional smooth leather in the uppers, opting instead for a whole grid design that’s colored in a chilly baby blue across the forefoot and overlays and a gradient purple across the tops of the quarter panels and collars. The heavenly tongues, Union tabs that attach to the shoe’s quarters, and exposed orange stitching provide contrasting tones. Union’s Frontman logo sits above the button that’s sewn into the shoes’ lateral heels, left insoles, and forefoot ice traction.
A custom airline ticket with the words “Nike In Collaboration With Union” is included in the shoe box, which also has a design inspired by the world of aviation.
Supreme x Dunk Low OG SB QS Hyper Royal
The Supreme x Nike Dunk Low OG SB QS ‘Hyper Royal’ is based on the 2003 Dunk High that the New York skate company created in partnership with Nike. These low-tops are styled similarly to the high-tops, with a white leather base, metallic gold star detailing on the quarter panels, and contrasting croc-embossed leather overlays.
The traditional Nike swoosh is stitched in gold on the heel tab, and a woven tag is sewn into the top of the textile tongue. At the center of the lace cushion sits a golden Supreme dubrae. A Zoom Air unit in the sockliner provides responsive cushioning; the red upper has co-branding from Supreme and Nike SB for a flashy look.
Published by Malcolm Trapp
