Nike Dunk (1985)

Released as a college basketball shoe in 1985, the Dunk was a commercial failure. Then skateboarders in the early 2000s adopted it for its flat sole and padded collar, and Nike SB Dunks became the foundation of sneaker resale culture. The "Pigeon" Dunk (2005) caused a riot in New York City — police had to escort buyers from the store. Travis Scott, Virgil Abloh (Off-White), and Supreme collaborations pushed resale prices above $10,000 for limited releases. The Dunk's 2020 revival made it the #1 selling sneaker silhouette globally, outselling even the Air Jordan 1. A failed basketball shoe that became the most hyped sneaker on Earth.