Nike Skateboarding, primarily known as Nike SB, is the Nike brand for its line of shoes, clothing, and equipment for skateboarding. Nike Skateboarding won the 2020 Webby People’s Voice Award for Best Home/Welcome Page in the category Web.
History
In 1997, Nike commenced production of its own line of skate shoes, but was unable to sell to many specialist skate shops, as the market was already strongly in favour of companies such as DC, Globe, eS Footwear, Emerica, and Vans. Nike was not considered a core skateboarding brand among the skateboarding community and did not receive the necessary level of support.
In 2002, Nike introduced the "SB" brand. The Nike SB Dunk Low model was released, featuring a padded tongue and collar, along with "Zoom Air" insoles; the shoe was more similar to other skate shoe styles than the corporation's previous attempts. After the SB Dunk's mediocre sales, Nike released four other models: The Nike SB Angus, Nike SB FC, Nike SB Delta Force, and Nike SB URL.
In 2004, Nike SB signed Paul Rodriguez as a figurehead for the brand and recruited Lewis Marnell as the sole Australian team rider during the same period. In March of that year, Nike released the Nike Dunk SB collection, aimed towards skateboarders in California. The associated shoe designs differed from the previous SB Dunk range in that they were designed specifically for skateboarders. The collection included increased padding, Zoom Air insoles, and enhanced material quality, including triple stitching, a standard for skate shoes.
In 2005, Rodriguez released a signature shoe model named the "Nike SB Paul Rodriguez Zoom Air Low". That year, one of Nike SB's spokespersons Lance Mountain decided to release the Nike Blazer SB, a version of the Nike Blazer basketball shoe from the early 1970s. It was named the Nike SB Blazer and several new features were added, such as the padded collar and Zoom Air insoles. Mountain previously rode for Adidas and then joined Nike SB in 2007.
Nike SB released its first video Nothing But The Truth in 2007 and held the premiere at in New York City, U.S. The inaugural video production, directed by Lionel Goldstein, features the Nike SB team, with Marnell in the opening part and Rodriguez's part the conclusion of the video.
In 2009, Eric Koston left Lakai Limited Footwear to join Nike and a video featuring the Nike SB amateur team, called Debacle, was released later in the year. In December 2011, the video SB Chronicles Vol. 1 premiered online, while premiere parties and free video showings were held throughout the world. The first volume of a two-part series features Stefan Janoski, Wieger Van Wageningen, Chet Childress, Daniel Shimizu, Youness Amrani, Marnell, Grant Taylor, and Clarke Hassler.
In 2012, professional Sean Malto (riding for Girl) left Etnies for Nike SB, shortly after his 2011 street league skateboarding win. Flip rider Luan Oliviera was also added to the team and, in late June 2012, Nike SB announced its collaboration with Levi's and team rider Omar Salazar appeared in the promotional advertisements.
In July 2012, Nike Skateboarding opened a private training facility in Downtown Los Angeles, US. Entitled "6th and Mill", due to its location at the intersection of the corresponding street names (E. Sixth and Mill Streets), the official opening of the facility coincided with the launch of Rodriguez's sixth signature shoe with the brand. The training facility has featured heavily on The Berrics skateboarding website since its opening, with segments such as "First Try Fridays" (with professional skateboarder Theotis Beasley) and "Text Yo'self Before You Wreck Yo'self" (with professional skateboarder Chris Roberts) filmed inside the facility.
In the 2012 film The Amazing Spider-Man, based on the comic book character, Andrew Garfield who portrays Peter Parker / Spider-Man can be seen wearing low-top Nike SB Dunks.
The brand released a preview of Brian Anderson's first signature shoe model, entitled the "Nike SB Project BA", in February 2013. The Sneaker Report website explained that the "upper appears to be a two-piece construction with ample perforations for breathability." As of mid-June 2013, the model has not yet been released.