There once was a time Nike was unsure of the skateboard market.
Before they established themselves in the late 2000s. Before their explosive resurgence in the 2020s, Nike SB was only a concept. The Nike Pro B line was Nike’s way of testing said market. The brand had already seen other models, including Jordan Brand sneakers, on the feet of skateboarders – so kick-flipping into the sport felt like a natural progression.
Would there be enough demand within skateboard culture, though?
The Partner in Crime
The now beloved CO.JP line of dunks was, in a sense, the partner in crime for Nike’s Pro B line. The name of the game was scarcity. Thought today that might mean scarcity exists to create a form of hype- in this case, it was because of thoughts of low demand. Once the vibrancy of the CO.JP dunks were discovered by sneaker heads outside of Japan, there was no stopping that hunger. Naturally, this lead sneaker heads down the rabbit hole and allowed them to discover the Pro B line.
Upgrades Made for Performance
Lovers of the Fat Tongue have the Pro B Dunks to thank. This line introduced the world to the now standard padded tongue that has become a signature of Nike SB. But that is not all. The Pro B dunks also added elastic straps, and extra padding around the sneaker to create the on foot support skateboarders would need. Similarly, the use of a gum bottom was not just for aesthetics, as it’s intended purpose was to aide with traction.
For those keeping notes at home, that means that not only do sneaker heads in 2025 have to thank the Pro B Line for the fat tongue, but also for the gum bottom that’s so popular and beloved on sneakers today.
Good Color-Blocking made for Classic Sneakers
Nike Pro B’s legacy doesn’t stop with the introduction of tech, though. Several colorways from the collection have stood the tests of time and trends. Before your favorite mood board made you realize neutral sneakers could be fun too- the Pro B line released the Putty dunks and the Parachute Beige dunks. That said, the Pro B line is equally known for their vibrant sneakers. The Smurfs dunks, dressed in primarily blue suede, are to this day one of the most coveted dunks of all time. While the Lightning dunks took a tonal grey approach, allowing the yellow laces to do most of the talking.
A Comeback Worth the Conversation
In a time in the sneaker space where seemingly every sneaker has some semblance of “story” the return of the Pro B line is a breath of fresh air. This collection is an important line in sneaker history that should not be forgotten or overlooked by a shallow collaboration. The Nike Pro B line walked so some of our favorite sneakers could run. That is a legacy worth celebrating.
The Nike Pro B Dunk Low Parachute Beige returns, as part of the Nike SB Line, on January 24th via SNKRS. The iconic sneaker should be hitting your favorite Nike SB retailers as well.
Stay up to date on this release and more via the SoleSavy DROPS app. There you can find the latest news details as well as release info and raffle management.
