Release Date: Nike Dunk High ‘Varsity Purple’
News on this release was first published December 17, 2020.
Update November 30, 2022: A reissue of the women’s Nike Dunk High ‘Varsity Purple’ dropped in 2020, and it looks like Nike are ready for its return once again. They’ll see a release on December 2 at Nike and select retailers.
The main selling point of sneaker leakers is their release predictions tend to land in the ballpark, but sometimes the final product is wildly different to what’s expected. For example, word of the had been gaining momentum on the rumour mill prior to its release, with plenty of speculation it’d be a reissue of the ‘City Attack’ edition from 1999. Alas, the official ecomm shots and product details straight from the Swoosh’s mouth reveals the 2020 version isn’t intended to be the one-to-one reissue some sneakerheads had been hoping for.
Naturally, there are plenty of similarities to the 99 colourway, namely the two-toned white and purple leather upper that’s arranged in BTTYS style. Even the gold Nike branding on the woven tongue tag is a clear replication of the 21-year-old OG retro. However, the longer the details are scrutinised, the more the differences become obvious. The most notable change is the ice sole with a light purple tinge, as opposed to the usual solid-coloured type. Shoelace width is an important metric among the hawk-eyed collectors, and here the laces are marginally thinner and slimmer than previously (something completely insignificant to the layperson, as it probably should be). Finally, the satin-look lining is a major deviation from the usual nylon or mesh specification, but it’s a nice touch.
The Nike Dunk High ‘Varsity Purple’ initially released on December 3 at select retailers, and will now also release at SNKRS on December 22. By the way, it’ll be in women’s sizing, so convert accordingly (add 1.5 to a given women’s size for the men’s equivalent).