Nike SB x Atlas Dunk High Pro QS

Following on from their ‘Electric Locomotive’ Dunk Low collab from 2015, San Francisco based Atlas Skateboards and skate-centric Nike SB pair up once more to drop yet another eagerly-awaited dunk profile into the already overflowing 2020 rosta. Inspired by the 1989 debuting Air Flight 90 sneakers and its ties to the ‘Great Shoe Spill of 1990’, these Hansa Carrier-inspired Nike SB x Atlas Dunk High Pro QS Shoes turn to the elements for creative incentive, whilst Nike’s original court-side roots remain ever-present and ever-perfected.

Goaded by the thought, ‘What happens when a pair of shoes gets lost at sea?’, Nike SB and San Francisco independent skate retailer Atlas turn their attention to parent-brand Nike’s admirable archive for abstract inspiration. Coined the ‘Nike Armada’ of the early ‘90s, the Hansa Carrier shipping accident leads as muse for this quick-strike collaboration. A simple shipping schedule gone wrong, Hansa Carrier was a cargo ship that set-off from a Korean dock bound for the US. After encountering storms across the Alaska Peninsula, five 40-foot containers filled with Nike sneakers were cast overboard and weren’t seen again until they washed up on Pacific Northwestern beaches approximately six months later. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, it wasn’t all doom and gloom as the unexpected wash-out actually allowed oceanographers to test several complex theories associated with the Pacific currents. With sneakers washing up across Atlas Skateboard’s hometown San Francisco Bay Area and even as far south as Oregon, this briny immersion sparks a 2020 Air Flight 90 colourway revival that sets about personifying sun-soaked aesthetics, salt-water colourings and naturally-aged composures.

Boasting similar vibes to the 2015 Nike SB Dunk High ‘Flamingo’ and the 2019 cracked leather Nike SB Dunk Low Premium with their weathered sense of appeal and their contemporary odes to corrosion, these distressed nubuck-leather Dunk High Pro QS shoes boast a ‘lost at sea’ aesthetic that pairs cast-away nautical trims with the brand’s often forgotten about maritime mishap. A worn-in yellowish midsole pairs neatly with an ocean-blue rubberised cupsole to epitomise its caught adrift undertone, whilst Nike’s performance-orientated Zoom Air Unit pairs innovatively with the retained underfoot traction detailings to honour its admirable court-side heritage. Perforated toe-box detailing ensures circulatory comfort is adhered to regardless of setting, whilst the puffy interchangeable 9-eyelet lacing system works effortlessly to keep the padded tongue secured in place across the arch of the foot. Embroidered ‘Nike SB Atlas’ branding is shown across the tongue, a creative swap-out of the Air Flight 90’s usual branding, whilst the yellow-tinted swoop-back blue leather Swooshes wrap around and meet at the single heel-tab pull across the rear. The high-rise padded ankle collar and the faded custom ‘Nike SB Zoom Air’ insoles seal the design with an ode to tradition, whilst its sea-faring colourway charters the design in line with contemporary desire.

Joining the likes of Alex Flach and Andreas Hesse’s Civilist, Be@rbrick’s Medicom and fellow independant skatewear retailer Instant Skateboards when it comes to weighing in on a pair of collaborative dunk’s, 13-year old Atlas Skateboards proves just how influential their grassroots aesthetic and no-nonsense persona remains to be. Backed by their ‘passion over profit’ ethos and their strive to celebrate ‘the true definition of skateboarding and the culture that surrounds it’, there’s no real surprise as to why the retail-store come art gallery decided to pair with power-hungry Nike SB to celebrate this close-to-home silhouette.

Please read carefully for purchase details:

This product is sold on an enter draw to purchase basis. The draw opens on Thursday 1st October at 12.00PM (BST) and closes on Thursday 1st October 2020 at 14:00PM (BST). You can enter the draw here.

Winners will be picked on Friday 2nd October 2020 at 08:00AM (BST) and we will aim to confirm both successful and unsuccessful entries within three hours.

Winning entries will start shipping Friday 2nd October for delivery Monday 5th October.

Limited to one pair per person. UK only, no forwarding addresses.

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For each release we will invite those interested to enter a draw to purchase prior to the products actual designated time of release. Card payment will be required to register for each draw and your payment will be authorised but the funds not taken by us unless your name is successfully drawn at the designated time and date of the actual release.

If you are unsuccessful in the draw the pre-authorisation will be voided and your funds released, it may take up to five working days before you see your funds available in your account again.

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