Nike Air Dunk Jumbo

Air Dunk Jumbo

The Nike Dunk was originally designed as a basketball shoe back in the 1980s, but today it is one of the brand’s most popular lifestyle models. While it has been worked into a number of different variations over the years, none are quite as bold as the Air Dunk Jumbo.

Released in 2023, the Nike Air Dunk Jumbo is an exaggerated version of the original with enlarged features like the sidewall swooshes, which have a curvaceous, swooping shape, and the tongue. This last element stands out powerfully over the top of the shoe, with thick pieces of exposed foam at each end and a broad strip of woven fabric running straight up its centre. Over the main part of the tongue, this forms several lace loops, and at its peak, it becomes a convenient pull tab. On either side of it lie rows of perforations, while on its lateral edge, dual Nike tags have been layered atop one another and sewn down along the inner edge only so that they can be fanned out or pressed down as desired.

Atop this eye-catching tongue is a brand new lacing system that incorporates cord eyelets reminiscent of those used on Nike’s athletic footwear. The usual eyestay remains, but without any lace holes in it, instead containing flashes of exposed zigzag stitching which are mirrored on the heel. Here, the thickly padded collar creates a lip around the back of the foot, and inside, two plush pillows have been added on either side to soften things up and protect the Achilles.

The grippy rubber outsole of the Air Dunk Jumbo appears like the OG, but with much broader traction pads for a chunkier look. Thick lugs wrap around its edges, and its rubber surface extends over the toe, delivering extra reinforcement there. In the midfoot area, the Nike text has been expanded so that it just squeezes into the space, and further back, Air lettering can be seen, thus revealing the presence of an Air strobel along the bottom of the shoe. This bouncy cushioning brings extra comfort to the Jumbo model that reaches across the whole length of the foot.

On the upper, a mesh base layer brings a touch of breathability to the design, and the supple leather overlays maintain a classic aesthetic. The rear panel has been left floating where it reaches above the sidewall swooshes, meaning that it can be left hanging if the laces aren’t threaded through it to create an even more eccentric appearance.

Daring and audacious in its design and with a host of comfort-giving features, the Nike Air Dunk Jumbo both looks stylish and feels great.