text: I've long worn Nike Dunks as my go-to sneakers for almost 20 years now due to their solid durability, comfortable toe box, and understated simplicity. Unfortunately, this model is has none of the merits of it's ancestors. With the new Dunk design opting for a herringbone sole ala Vans and other skater shoes that is nowhere as flexible as the previous soles and creates pressure creases when curled. Curling your toes or pushing off the forefoot thus will cause unbalanced pressure on the rubber herringbone sole and will lead to cracks in the front sidings of the shoe leaving it's long term durability in serious question. Additionally the new sole is significantly narrower than the older models it's recommended to size up in width. The toe box shape has also changed and combined with a lack of flexibility in the upper material, people with a larger volume forefoot will find that their toes feeling strangled and cramped due to the lack of adjustment available at the lowest set of eyelets at the base of the tongue. Breath-ability is also a concern for this model with a combination of a full leather upper, a higher than a industry standard ankle cut, and lack of air holes which means your feet will get hot quick. Style-wise the snakeskin textured mid panels also are a horrid contrast to the otherwise plain and solid paneling as well.<br /><br />The old Dunks were great because they were a basketball sneaker that can be comfortably worn all day without issues. They were versatile in that the toe box and breathable material did not constrict with any activity and the understated styling allowed it to be worn as as an athletic shoe or casual shoe. This new model can't do either, with a skater sole that is too rigid to be used for any traditional sports and, as far as casual wear is concerned, this model has a hefty volume and silhouette that can make it's wearer look like they they have an identity crisis like the shoe itself.