20 Years of P-Rod: A Complete History of Paul Rodriguez’s Trailblazing Nike SB Line

It’s impossible to imagine Nike SB without its cultural compass, Known to fans as P-Rod, he wasn’t just one of the first skaters to sign with the Swoosh’s skateboarding division – he became its most prolific signature athlete. Over two decades, Rodriguez’s partnership with Nike SB delivered 10 signature shoes, countless colourways, and a stack of special editions that helped redefine what a skate shoe could be. From the streets of Los Angeles to sneaker shelves around the world, this is the complete history of P-Rod’s game-changing run with Nike SB.

Nike SB P-Rod 1 (2005)

needed a big name to kickstart its new era, and P-Rod’s debut model did just that. Released in 2005, the Nike SB Paul Rodriguez Zoom Air – aka the – looked more like a cross-trainer than a traditional skate shoe, which was the whole point. It was a clean break from the chunky silhouettes and slip-ons of the early 2000s, instead offering refined lines with Zoom Air in the heel, leather overlays, and breathable mesh for skating comfort. The ‘J-Rod’ edition of the shoe still occupies the daytime reveries of sneakerheads. Designed with help from the remix featured classic elephant print and unmistakable DNA – a nod to P-Rod’s admiration for His Airness. The P-Rod 1 was a massive hit and set the tone for the athlete's ongoing fusion of hoops heritage and skate tech.

Nike SB P-Rod 2 (2006)

For the second chapter, Nike pushed the P-Rod even further, integrating a visibly chunkier midsole, reinforced toe caps, and a full-length Phylon midsole with heel Zoom Air. The design took cues from basketball and training shoes, again blurring the line between skate functionality and streetwear. One of the standout colourways was the 'Cinco de Mayo' edition – featuring a red, white, and green upper that paid tribute to Rodriguez’s roots.

Nike SB P-Rod 3 (2008)

The third signature model honed in on performance. The P-Rod 3 was sleeker, lighter, and designed with increased boardfeel in mind. It featured a padded collar, updated cupsole tooling, and a ventilated upper that allowed skaters to go harder for longer.

One of the most celebrated P-Rod 3 colourways was the 'Doernbecher' edition from 2009. Designed by Collin Callsen as part of Nike’s program, the shoe featured laser-etched motorcycle graphics and a bold blue-and-white upper. Proceeds supported the OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, making it both a collectible and a cause-driven release.

Nike SB P-Rod 4 (2010)

By 2010, Paul Rodriguez had firmly established himself as the marquee name at Nike SB, and the P-Rod 4 reflected that stature. Designed like a lifestyle sneaker that could still take a beating on grip tape, the silhouette leaned harder into Nike’s classic trainer DNA, fusing form and function. This era also marked the expansion of the P-Rod line beyond footwear, with more cohesive apparel drops, lifestyle offshoots, and a stronger brand identity. Rodriguez wasn’t just a skater with a shoe anymore – he was a fully-fledged imprint within Nike SB.

Nike SB P-Rod 5 (2011)

Pour yourself a cold beverage – we’re at the halfway mark. The P-Rod 5 continued to evolve the line with a fresh round of tech upgrades. It retained the low-profile look of the 4, but introduced Lunarlon cushioning – Nike’s cutting-edge foam compound at the time. The result? A ride that was lighter, softer, and still packed with impact protection.

Up top, the shoe featured no-sew paneling and heat-bonded overlays, reducing seams that could cause irritation or blowouts during intense skate sessions. Interestingly, the P-Rod 5 was also the first model in the line to release in both low and mid-top versions from the outset, giving skaters greater choice in how they laced up.

Nike SB P-Rod 6 (2012)

The P-Rod 6 continued the evolution of Paul Rodriguez’s signature line, embracing a more technical and streamlined design inspired by athletic performance. The model featured a durable suede upper with internal TPU reinforcements for added structure, while Lunarlon cushioning offered lightweight impact protection without sacrificing boardfeel. Breathability was also a priority, with a mesh tongue and perforated side panels enhancing airflow during long skate sessions. The P-Rod 6 marked Nike SB’s move toward sleeker, more performance-oriented skate silhouettes – a shift that echoed Paul’s love of style and substance both on and off the board.

Nike P-Rod 7 (2013)

The seventh signature model in Paul Rodriguez’s Nike SB line drew clear inspiration from the Air Jordan 1, a silhouette Rodriguez has often cited as a personal favorite. Designed by Tony Hardman, the P-Rod 7 fused retro basketball aesthetics with skate-specific functionality, featuring familiar paneling and toe box shapes reminiscent of classic Jordans.

Under the hood, the shoe was built for performance, incorporating a drop-in Nike Zoom Air unit in the heel, a lightweight Phylon midsole, and a flexible cupsole with targeted grooves for enhanced boardfeel. The upper utilized durable suede, reinforced with leather or synthetic overlays depending on the colorway, ensuring skate-ready toughness.

Nike SB even released a red, white, and black version that echoed the Chicago Bulls palette—a subtle nod to Michael Jordan’s legacy and the influence he had on P-Rod’s personal style, both on and off the board.

Nike SB P-Rod 8 (2014)

The Nike SB P-Rod 8 marked a bold pivot in Paul Rodriguez’s signature line, showcasing Nike’s push toward performance innovation in skate footwear. Designed by Tony Hardman, the shoe introduced several hallmark technologies from Nike’s running and basketball categories into skateboarding – most notably Flywire cables for dynamic midfoot lockdown, a full-length Lunarlon midsole for lightweight cushioning, and a one-piece mesh and synthetic upper for breathability and reduced weight. A sock-like inner bootie delivered a snug, seamless fit.

While technically impressive, the P-Rod 8 was controversial among core skaters and fans, who felt its performance-runner look strayed too far from the traditional skate shoe DNA. Critics argued that it looked more like a LeBron or Kobe model than something for the streets or the park. Still, the shoe represented a major statement – it was Nike SB’s most tech-forward P-Rod to date, and a clear signpost of the brand’s intentions to blend athletic tech with skate function.

Nike SB P-Rod 9 (2015)

For many sneakerheads, the ninth P-Rod felt like a course correction. Blending cutting-edge tech with classic design cues, the P-Rod 9 introduced a cupsole construction for added support, Flywire cables for lockdown, and mesh panels at the tongue and heel to boost breathability. It also marked a return to a chunkier silhouette – a welcome throwback for longtime fans of the line. Meanwhile, the tonal suede editions added a touch of elegance, elevating the shoe's off-board appeal.

Nike SB P-Rod 10 (2017)

All good things must come to an end – and in 2016, the Nike SB P-Rod 10 marked the final chapter in Paul Rodriguez’s decade-long signature sneaker saga. A culmination of everything learned across the nine models that came before it, the P-Rod 10 was a refined, performance-focused farewell that delivered on both tech and style.

Visually, the 10 stripped things back. Gone were the overt design flourishes of earlier models – instead, the silhouette embraced a clean, low-profile shape that nodded to skateboarding’s timeless aesthetic. A durable suede upper was paired with mesh paneling for breathability, while the minimalist toe box allowed for maximum flick and boardfeel. Underfoot, Nike’s Lunarlon foam returned once again, offering lightweight cushioning and impact protection that didn’t sacrifice responsiveness.

Rodriguez himself described the P-Rod 10 as a synthesis of the entire line – the shoe took lessons learned from every previous design and distilled them into a versatile, do-it-all skate shoe. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t trying too hard. It was just solid – built to skate hard, and look good doing it.

Though the numbered series ended here, the P-Rod legacy lived on through retros, reissues, and Rodriguez’s enduring influence on Nike SB’s design DNA. As the last model in a historic run, the 10 didn’t go out with a bang – it bowed out with quiet confidence, and for many, that was the perfect send-off.

Team Models and Hybrid Variants

Throughout the P-Rod lineage, Nike SB released several hybrid and team-friendly versions that reimagined key silhouettes. The P-Rod 2.5, introduced in 2009, fused the upper of the P-Rod 2 with a vulcanised sole – providing better boardfeel and a lower price point. It quickly became a go-to for Nike SB team riders and budget-conscious skaters alike.

Other offshoots included models like the P-Rod 6 VR, which swapped the original Lunarlon midsole for a vulc construction, and the P-Rod 9 Elite, which featured upgraded Flywire placement, Zoom Air cushioning, and performance-driven tweaks. While these versions weren’t always included in the official numbering sequence, they played a crucial role in expanding the accessibility and versatility of Paul Rodriguez’s signature line.

Nike SB Dunk ‘What The P-Rod’ (2021)

While not technically part of Rodriguez's signature line, the ‘What The P-Rod’ Dunk Low deserves a final nod. This patchwork masterpiece stitched together elements from over 15 of his most iconic SB releases, creating a one-of-a-kind tribute that honored both his sneaker legacy and cultural influence. Released in 2021, it was a nostalgic time capsule – and a reminder of just how deep the P-Rod archive runs.