Dunkalikes

[jakeumms]

For those who haven't been following along, Nike has started to lean on the SB Dunk for crazy colorways and collabs and the shoe is hard to get consistently. If you do get a pair, the materials and designs are kinda all over the place, with some models seeming like they weren't even intended for skating. This hasn't always been the way and things will probably go back to normal at some point but, for those that like a Dunk, what are some shoes from other manufacturers that feel similar to Dunks? I see people all the time saying "Oh this shoe is a lot like a Dunk" so let's get a list going.

To start of, I think the Emerica Reynolds G3 felt a lot like a Dunk. I'm bummed that they decided to keep making the crummy vulc version instead of keeping the big boy in the line.

EDIT: Since I'm trying to make a quick reference, here are the shoes that have been discussed as worth a look if you can't get some Dunks:

Air Jordan 1
Converse Fastbreak
DC Kalis S
DC Legacy S
eS Accel/Slim
eS Swift 1.5
Etnies Marana
Etnies MC Rap/Natas
Etnies Joslin I & II
Etnies Veer
Lakai Telford
NB# 913
NB# 1010
Proper Cinex
Reebox Club C
Vans Ultrarange Pro 2

[legion]

Adidas Rival?
Cons ERX is like a dunk with more sole?

https://www.etnies.com/us/mens/shoes/mc-rap-high-4101000506.html
Etnies Mc Rap. Es Accel also uses some similar panels.

[gsosa]

I'm a cupsole dude and these types of shoes are exactly the shoes I like skating. I have skated the dunks, but don't do so anymore because keep it core bro. I'd say the DC Kalis S and Legacy Slims are so good and I would say even better than the dunks, the Vans Ultrarange Pros are ill too. éS has some good options too, like the Swift 1.5

[Dwyck]

The Proper Cinex (the midtop) in terms of fit and paneling, but the sole's different, your foot sits lower and the sidewalls seem higher. good cup regardless

[jakeumms]

The Proper Cinex (the midtop) in terms of fit and paneling, but the sole's different, your foot sits lower and the sidewalls seem higher. good cup regardless

I think the Cinex is my next pick up whenever I run through these two Orange label mids that I've been wearing.

[legion]

Oh. Feels similar..
How's the NB# 913 compare? I think it's got more midsole but less/thinner insole. I'm liking the molded Ortholite insole, fits my arches pretty well.
Kalis S seemed nice but fit too small for me, still hoping to try some though. Iirc the midsole has a slight heel-toe drop, maybe 4-6mm?
And it just has a thin, die-cut (flat) Ortholite foam insole.

[BoxStuffer]

Captain Obvious here,

Air Jordan 1.

Sole is the OG dunk version and a little stiffer/stickier/squeakier in my opinion.
Just swap out the insole for a zoom air insole. 

Highs/Mids/Lows

You just need to be able to find them for cheap online or at the outlets.   

[Uncle Flea]

I t hi k it's called the fast break. Its got a similar cup sole and the fit is close.

Had the same negatives as a dunk too

[SneakySecrets]

Sounds like something you’d put in a 3rd grader’s lunchbox.

[jakeumms]

Sounds like something you’d put in a 3rd grader’s lunchbox.

Dollar store lunchables

[FrozenIndustries]

Expand Quote

Sounds like something you’d put in a 3rd grader’s lunchbox.

[close]

Dollar store lunchables

Was thinking the same thing but Dunk-a-roos.

[jay_nev]

Oh. Feels similar..
How's the NB# 913 compare? I think it's got more midsole but less/thinner insole. I'm liking the molded Ortholite insole, fits my arches pretty well.
Kalis S seemed nice but fit too small for me, still hoping to try some though. Iirc the midsole has a slight heel-toe drop, maybe 4-6mm?
And it just has a thin, die-cut (flat) Ortholite foam insole.

913 eh, maybe the outsole but there is much less padding, the tongue being the biggest difference. Assuming you’re talking about SB dunks.
Jordan 1 as others have said, outsole the same and similar paneling.
NB 440 maybe but ankle cut way lower and they’re slimmer.

[legion]

Expand Quote

Oh. Feels similar..
How's the NB# 913 compare? I think it's got more midsole but less/thinner insole. I'm liking the molded Ortholite insole, fits my arches pretty well.
Kalis S seemed nice but fit too small for me, still hoping to try some though. Iirc the midsole has a slight heel-toe drop, maybe 4-6mm?
And it just has a thin, die-cut (flat) Ortholite foam insole.

[close]

913 eh, maybe the outsole but there is much less padding, the tongue being the biggest difference. Assuming you’re talking about SB dunks.
Jordan 1 as others have said, outsole the same and similar paneling.
NB 440 maybe but ankle cut way lower and they’re slimmer.

Yeah. I'm thinking SB dunks for the midsole. Did the Koston AJ1 have a midsole?
913 upper might be kinda like a decon dunk? Really no padding except for the heel/collar area.
I've been trying to think of stuff with a midsole. You seem like you're looking more at the shoe as a whole, which is probably the better way. I just fixate on cushioning..

And how does the sole on the GTS Return thing compare?

[jay_nev]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Oh. Feels similar..
How's the NB# 913 compare? I think it's got more midsole but less/thinner insole. I'm liking the molded Ortholite insole, fits my arches pretty well.
Kalis S seemed nice but fit too small for me, still hoping to try some though. Iirc the midsole has a slight heel-toe drop, maybe 4-6mm?
And it just has a thin, die-cut (flat) Ortholite foam insole.

[close]

913 eh, maybe the outsole but there is much less padding, the tongue being the biggest difference. Assuming you’re talking about SB dunks.
Jordan 1 as others have said, outsole the same and similar paneling.
NB 440 maybe but ankle cut way lower and they’re slimmer.

[close]

Yeah. I'm thinking SB dunks for the midsole. Did the Koston AJ1 have a midsole?
913 upper might be kinda like a decon dunk? Really no padding except for the heel/collar area.
I've been trying to think of stuff with a midsole. You seem like you're looking more at the shoe as a whole, which is probably the better way. I just fixate on cushioning..

And how does the sole on the GTS Return thing compare?

913 could be comparable to a decon dunk, yes. Wore my 913 a bunch yesterday (only second time) and trying to see if the midsole and cushioning really needs to be broken in before giving more support and response

[Richard Skidder]

[Paperclip20]

Etnies Veer seems like a pretty close match. Not as puffy but a very similar toe shape.

[baustin]

The Adidas Top Ten seems similar to the dunk high and I know some people have skated them successfully. Also Griffin Gass has been seen skating Lakai Telfords in recent clips so that may be another option soon.

[Wizard0f0dds]

éS accel slims are pretty nice to skate in tbh, a little slimmer than dunks. Etnies Maranas, Joslin and Joslin II are also good. Adidas Tyshawns are also a good cupsole shoe, although very different from dunks.

Like you said, DC Kalis S and Legacy slims are also awesome. Had a lot of fun skating the DC Lukoda (Bronze 56k collab) although they are quite a bit bulkier than dunks.

Waiting for those new Heitor Adidas too, they kinda look like dunks a little bit, would be stoked to get a pair when they come out.

Probably a lot other models I didn't think of too, but those would be my go-to's.

[cosmicgypsies]

https://store.cali-strong.com/

Welcome To CALI Strong, The New Adio

CALI Strong was created by Adio expats who left to expand their passion. The spirit and ideas of Adio continues with the people and products of CALI Strong.

[Frank]

what about nb# 1010? i think dunk lovers could like this shoe as well. i find it to be a pretty good replacement. somewhere between the decon dunks and regular dunks, and also a bit lighter. they fit similar, but overall a bit more athletic, if that makes sense.

[jay_nev]

popular discussion.. 3 pages just posted a couple weeks ago
https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=113589.0

[johnes]

Adidas Rival?
Cons ERX is like a dunk with more sole?

https://www.etnies.com/us/mens/shoes/mc-rap-high-4101000506.html
Etnies Mc Rap. Es Accel also uses some similar panels.

I’ve been skating the Mc rap high and they are good but I had to swap the insoles for better ones.

[jakeumms]

If you told me that Etnies would be still producing a version of Natas' pro shoe in 2020 I wouldn't have believed you but nope there is it. If they weren't all red I would be pretty keen to get a pair

[Uncle Flea]

I'm feeling those but not the name.

 Who rides for cali strong dunx?

[arrbee]

https://store.cali-strong.com/

Welcome To CALI Strong, The New Adio

CALI Strong was created by Adio expats who left to expand their passion. The spirit and ideas of Adio continues with the people and products of CALI Strong.

I'm not even sure I want the story on how you found that brand

[TwisT]

Expand Quote

https://store.cali-strong.com/

Welcome To CALI Strong, The New Adio

CALI Strong was created by Adio expats who left to expand their passion. The spirit and ideas of Adio continues with the people and products of CALI Strong.

[close]

I'm not even sure I want the story on how you found that brand

it's the first result when you type adio footwear into google

[arrbee]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

https://store.cali-strong.com/

Welcome To CALI Strong, The New Adio

CALI Strong was created by Adio expats who left to expand their passion. The spirit and ideas of Adio continues with the people and products of CALI Strong.

[close]

I'm not even sure I want the story on how you found that brand

[close]

it's the first result when you type adio footwear into google

It's 2020 why is anyone googling Adio?

[Frank]

If you told me that Etnies would be still producing a version of Natas' pro shoe in 2020 I wouldn't have believed you but nope there is it. If they weren't all red I would be pretty keen to get a pair

i missed out on the all black ones, i really wanted those, but was on shoe embargo at the time.

i guess they will keep it hopefully, there is one colorway every six months or so.

I'm feeling those but not the name.

 Who rides for cali strong dunx?

i wish i bought all htese ipath samples in that shop in prague 14 years ago. i forgot the model name, but they were pretty much dunks through and through. they had tons of em.



i had this ugly ass colorway, but there were others, too. this model seems to be called the tam? i never saw it for sale anywhere.

ipath locusts would be a good dunk replacement i guess.

fuck, we need ipath back. so many good models actually. the yogis were bomb, too.

[hobochimp]

Expand Quote

https://store.cali-strong.com/

Welcome To CALI Strong, The New Adio

CALI Strong was created by Adio expats who left to expand their passion. The spirit and ideas of Adio continues with the people and products of CALI Strong.

[close]

I'm not even sure I want the story on how you found that brand

After seeing this posted here I visited their website and instagram out of pure curiosity.  Super funny, it seems almost like its a joke it's that bad. Definitely one of the most out of touch "companies" I've seen.

[os89]

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Sounds like something you’d put in a 3rd grader’s lunchbox.

[close]

Dollar store lunchables

[close]

Was thinking the same thing but Dunk-a-roos.

I got sent to the principal's office on the first day at a new school in 1st grade because of Dunkaroos. Damn those things.