Like most Nike SB Dunk Lows, the new Rodeo Dunks aren’t just a wild colorway with a theme tacked on—they come with a story. While we’ve all been waiting for these flashy kicks to finally land at skateshops, the bigger question’s been floating around too: What’s the real inspiration behind the design? I’ve certainly been curious. Now that they’re hitting shelves, Nike SB’s giving us the answer.
All of this to say, the new Nike SB Dunk Low ‘Rodeo’ is more than just a shoe—it’s a respectful nod to the past. And the story is inspiring, to say the least. Take a look:
As we learn in the video above, SNKRS went down to Memphis, TN to chat and hang with a few members of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo to help paint the bigger picture for us, and of course, drop off the Nike SB ‘Rodeo’ Dunk to some of the folks who deserve them the most. If you haven’t watched it yet, press play.
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Related: Scholarships and Skateboarding: Learn More About the Upcoming CSEF Nike SB Dunk
“A longstanding staple of the American West, rodeo’s roots date back to the 1800s,” reads the caption on Nike SB’s Instagram. “Among the pioneers of what would become an iconic American spectator sport, Black ranch owners and hands changed the face of rodeo with groundbreaking riding and roping techniques and crowd-pleasing flair throughout the 1900s.”
Adding to that, The Swoosh mentions: “Nike SB celebrates these early trailblazers with the SB Dunk Low ‘Rodeo’ and headed to Memphis, TN to speak with a few from the community at the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo.”
The Nike SB Dunk Low “Rodeo” officially dropped at skateshops across the country yesterday, May 7 and will be available on SNKRS tomorrow, May 9. Hit your local to see if they have any left! Otherwise, cross your fingers and hit up SNKRS.
This is definitely one of the cooler “Dunk” stories of the year so far. Big ups to Nike SB for making this happen and shedding some light on this important history.
