The lineage has become the ultimate timeline of limited-edition culture, marking historic beats of collector frenzy and unprecedented hype throughout the global market. While the model remains loyally laced to its skateboarding roots, it has evolved into a cultural icon – each release, collaboration, and colourway adds another layer to its legendary status.

Rarity has also played a defining role in the streetwear staple’s success, with scarcity transforming certain pairs into golden-goose icons of their era. From bold collaborations to elusive Friends and Family editions, limited drops are a driving force behind the model’s enduring legacy. With that in mind, we’re looking back at some of the rarest, wildest, and most sought-after Dunks to ever hit the scene.

Nike SB Dunk Low 'Freddy Krueger' (2007)

A concept too bold, too ahead and maybe too close to the source material for its own good, the Nike SB Dunk Low ‘Freddy Krueger’ from 2007 sits at the intersection of legend and coveted lore. Inspired by the infamous slasher icon, the equally renowned silhouette clawed its way into the sneakersphere with a blood-splattered midsole and a nightmare-inducing colourway that made collectors do a double-take. But the story doesn't end there.

As the unfortunate victim of legal action from New Line Cinema (the rights holder for the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise), the kicks were pulled from production following a cease and desist which accused the Swoosh of getting too close to the trademarked character. Shoes already produced were ordered destroyed.

But word on the ominously twilit street is that a few pairs were quietly rescued by a Nike employee, who slipped them out of the factory before the destruction order kicked in. What escaped that day has become the stuff of myth. Fewer than 30 pairs are believed to have ever made it into collectors' hands, with some still allegedly bearing the oil stains from their close call with the incinerator.

Nike SB Dunk Low x Grateful Dead ‘Orange Bear’ (2020)

Even today, the remains a rare collector's piece which has kept sneakerheads buzzing. This collaboration with the legendary psych-rock band offered an unforgettable design featuring a fuzzy upper perfectly in keeping with the group’s trippy aesthetic. The bear logo on the heel connects the silhouette to the Grateful Dead’s distinct visual identity and cultural legacy.

Like many Dunks on this list, what set the Deadhead partnership apart was how difficult these kicks were to secure. Released only in small quantities at select skate shops, the project became a grail for sneakerheads and music fans alike, with prices on the secondhand market climbing almost immediately. Years after its release, the ‘Orange Bear’ Dunk influence continues to shape the way sneaker culture champions limited drops.

Nike SB Dunk Low 'Yellow Lobster' (2009)

The Nike SB Dunk Low ‘Yellow Lobster’ is arguably one of the most elusive entries in the legendary Concepts Lobster series, and easily one of the rarest Dunks ever made. Released in 2009 as an inner circle exclusive, the model’s scarcity mirrors that of the yellow and orange-and-black calico Lobsters, which are found at a rate of roughly 1 in 30 million.

Inspired by the traditional New England dinner experience and constructed with a rubber band toe, gingham picnic lining and a speckled upper, sightings of this flavoursome iteration have been few and far between. It is said that only 36 were made, and with resale prices crossing into six-figure territory, they’re definitely a delicacy for sneakerheads worldwide – a find as prized as a fugu dinner.

Nike SB Dunk Low x Jeff Staple 'Pigeon' (2005)

Launched in 2005, the Nike Dunk SB Low ‘Pigeon’ hails as a defining moment in sneaker culture – not just for its design, but for the mania its mere 150 pairs created. The brainchild of designer , the silhouette featured a grey and white colourway inspired by New York’s ubiquitous pigeons and was released as part of Nike’s ‘City Pack’.

The chaos the 'Pigeon' generated outside Reed Space in Manhattan truly cemented the Dunk’s place in history – sneakerheads were camped out for days, and tensions quickly escalated. By release o’clock, the scene had turned wild, and the NYPD had to intervene as bouncers struggled to control the crowd. The kick sold at retail for $300, but within hours, prices on eBay had skyrocketed to over $1000 – and the reseller market was born.

This drop was game-changing, turning kicks into collectibles and setting the stage for future hype-driven releases. Most importantly, the 'Pigeon' Dunk marked the dawn of camp-out culture, making releases a mainstream spectacle. Its legacy lives on today as one of the most coveted editions in history, shaping the hype energy that continues to drive the market.

Nike SB Dunk Low x Parra (Friends and Family) (2019)

The F+F release from 2019 is a textbook example of peak exceptionalism. With no general release, the F&F version took things to another level. The design echoed the titular Dutch artist’s bold and graphic style but with an added layer for extra finesse; the pairs featured smooth, buttery suede on the upper, with a deeper colour palette that contrasted the 3D-style Swoosh.

But it wasn’t just the materials that made them special. The pair came with a custom skate deck and special-edition packaging that paid tribute to Parra’s stylistic roots. Add in the extreme lack of available info on how many were actually made, and you have one of the most exclusive editions in Dunk history.

Nike SB Dunk Low x Jarritos (Friends and Family) (2023)

With very few pairs believed to exist, the Nike SB Dunk Low x Jarritos F&F edition remains a top-shelf cop. Complete with an all the extra-fizzy finishes, the 2023 collaboration featured everything you could want from the Swoosh and the soda brand, including a crate-style box, custom laces, exclusive tissue paper, and – in some cases – co-branded drinkware, making the unboxing feel more like cracking open a six-pack than a typical drop.

The Dunk itself shared the general release’s tearaway canvas upper which revealed a citrusy orange layer underneath, but the F&F pair soon caught eyes thanks to its refined textures and elevated stitching. Designed as a toast to friendship, flavour and the joy of going all-in on creativity, the colab flipped the script on what a footwear partnership could be. Even now, they’re still whispered about in forums, and flexed only by the lucky few who scored.

Travis Scott x Nike SB Dunk Low (Friends & Family) (2020)

The x Nike SB Dunk Low Friends & Family release is one of those pairs that thrives on fireside myth. Released in 2020 alongside the already-hyped general release, the uber-exclusive version was reserved for Scott’s inner circle, industry insiders, and a few very favoured friends. Visually, they look almost the same as the retail pair, featuring a signature mix of bandana and plaid overlays with rope laces and earthy tones. But look closer, and you'll spot subtle differences in colour and fabric that separate it from the pack. No special box, no wild extras – just a drop so limited it barely touched the streets.

While the exact number produced has never been confirmed, estimates suggest fewer than 24 pairs exist, making it one of the rarest SBs in recent years. In an era of high-profile colabs, the Travis Dunk is a reminder that sometimes the most powerful flex is the one most people will never witness IRL.

For more footwear round-ups, check out