Nike Dunk SB Shoes

In the 1980s, skateboard companies started to pop up around the globe. However, skateboarding still had a relatively small community not enough to attract serious interests from major shoe companies, who were battling it out for precious basketball shoe territory. This gave smaller companies a chance to gain ground in the skateboarding market. Skateboarders mainly used Converse and other types of basketball shoes such as original Nike Blazer. Although Nike never officially entered the skateboarding market in the 1980s, many of its shoes gained a following in the skateboarding community because skateboarding shoes and basketball shoes share many similarities. Strong grips, durable ankle support, and relative comfort were some of the offerings that attracted skaters to Nike shoes. However, they were not considered the most desirable skate shoes due to the "underground" nature of skateboarding at that time, and many skateboarders rejected Nike because they believed the brand was too commercial.