Nike Dunk Low ‘Panda’: Hype, hate & hard facts

When people talk about ‘Panda Dunks’, they usually mean the Nike Dunk Low in black and white – officially called ‘White/Black’, but long known online simply as ‘Panda’. So it's not a separate model or a special edition, but a completely normal Dunk Low GR that has become a mass phenomenon thanks to its simple colour combination.

So, it's a classic Dunk Low. It's made of white leather, has black overlays on the mudguard, Swoosh, heel and lace panel, a white midsole and a black outsole. The shape is normal, without SB padding or special details.

What makes it so special is the opposite of ‘special’: it is as simple as can be. Black and white always works and, for many, seems like the perfect all-rounder if you just want a pair of ‘cool trainers’.

The Panda Dunk was introduced in the early 2020s, when the Dunk was back in vogue. Nike has since reissued the model seemingly endlessly: restock after restock, in almost every store, on SNKRS, at Footlocker, JD & Co. This is exactly what has made the shoe what it is today: an absolute mainstream sneaker that you see all the time in everyday life – from the schoolyard to the city centre.

So Panda Dunks are not a limited-edition hype silhouette, but the generic, universally wearable Dunk Low.

The first Panda Dunks officially hit the market in 2021. To be precise, they came out as a regular Nike Dunk Low version in a white/black colour combination. At the time, it wasn't a big deal and wasn't planned to be a future bestseller.

The first drop was relatively small, but the perfect timing ensured that the shoe immediately gained momentum. The Dunk was back in vogue, TikTok was promoting simple, ‘clean’ sneakers that were easy to combine, and many were looking for a black and white all-rounder for everyday wear.

Because demand exploded immediately, Nike kept bringing back the Pandas as a recurring restock. From 2022 onwards, they became a real perennial favourite in the range – almost like a modernised Air Force 1 for the next generation.

In short:
Initial release: 2021
Cult status: From 2022 onwards, thanks to countless restocks.

Since then, the Panda Dunks have become one of the best-selling and most frequently seen trainers of recent years.

It's no coincidence that the Panda Dunks are so popular. Several factors came together at the perfect time.

The design is really important. Black and white are the most straightforward colour combination ever. The shoe goes with jeans, cargo pants, sweatpants, shorts and dresses – basically everything. For those who don't want to have ten different pairs in their wardrobe, this is really practical. If you only want one pair of cool trainers, a black and white Dunk is a very logical choice.

And then there's the timing. The Dunk is very trendy right now, thanks to SB releases, retro colourways and collabs. Dunks have been heavily featured on social media – outfits, hauls, on-foot clips. If you want to be part of this scene, you can't ignore the Panda Dunk.

Nike has reinforced the effect with numerous reorders. The shoe was often ‘in short supply’ but never completely unavailable. This creates a feeling of ‘everyone has them – I want them too’ without making them feel as unattainable as limited collaborations. This is how the Panda Dunk became the standard model for the masses.

Another reason is that the shoe is ideal as an introduction to sneaker culture. Many people first learned about Panda Dunks through blogs, shops, raffles or the SNKRS app. The shoe is, so to speak, the door opener: first the Panda, then maybe the first Jordan, the first New Balance or a slightly more special Dunk.

Panda Dunks are worn by an extremely broad target group – and that explains a large part of their appeal. They are mainly seen on teenagers, students and young adults who value a modern but uncomplicated style. For many, the Panda Dunk is the first ‘real’ sneaker that introduces them to the world of streetwear.

But even people who aren't that familiar with trainers like to wear Panda Dunks. The reason is simple: it's a shoe that goes with any outfit. Whether for everyday wear, school, university, work or leisure – black and white always works.

And the best thing about it is that the shoe is also perfect for anyone who is interested in fashion but doesn't want to build up a huge collection. The Panda Dunk has enough streetwear flair without being loud or flashy.

Ultimately, the Panda Dunk is for anyone looking for a versatile everyday trainer, for those who are just starting to get interested in trainers, and for users who simply want something timeless that always works. It is precisely this universal applicability that explains why the Panda Dunk is so widespread.

Many sneakerheads are not so keen on Panda Dunks. This has less to do with the shoe itself and more to do with what it symbolises. A key point is its extreme presence. You see Panda Dunks everywhere. For a scene that celebrates individuality, special colourways and rare releases, a model that everyone seems to be wearing quickly becomes boring or interchangeable.

In addition, the Nike Dunk Low ‘Panda’ is an entry-level model for many. It is often bought without anyone delving deeper into the world of sneakers. This has created an image within the community that the Dunk Panda is the ‘I want to have at least one cool shoe’ sneaker – and thus a symbol of superficiality or a lack of interest in the culture. Some collectors feel that this extreme mass market appeal dilutes the significance of the Dunk line. The line was originally strongly influenced by skate culture, limited releases and creative designs.

And then there's the psychological effect: the more often you see a shoe, the less attractive it becomes. What initially seems modern or aesthetic eventually just becomes annoying because it's constantly popping up.

In truth, the Panda Dunk isn't that bad. Many sneakerheads find it annoying that it has become the face of a trend that feels fast and shallow. It's less about hating the model and more about the frustration that sneaker culture is sometimes overwhelmed by the masses and the mainstream.

The Panda Dunks changed the sneaker scene more significantly than many initially thought. Their influence goes far beyond their simple black and white design. One of the biggest effects was that they brought a huge number of new people into the sneaker world. For many, the Panda Dunk was the first shoe for which they entered a raffle, tried the SNKRS app or even visited sneaker blogs. The Panda was, so to speak, the gateway to the scene.

At the same time, the Panda Dunks showed how powerful a general release model can be when timing, trend and everyday wearability come together. With its permanent restocks, Nike has shown that a sneaker doesn't have to be limited edition to remain relevant. The Panda Dunk is proof that a shoe can become a cultural phenomenon simply through its versatility and constant presence.

However, the Panda Dunks have also triggered a counter-movement. Many long-time sneakerheads are fed up with their over-presence and are now looking beyond the mainstream again. This has led to brands such as New Balance, ASICS, Salomon and Saucony being noticed primarily by people looking for something fresh, unique or less common.

The Panda Dunks have divided the scene, but they have also enriched it. They have brought in new people, changed consumer behaviour and, at the same time, rekindled the desire for individuality. In their simplicity, they have achieved more than many more colourful, limited releases ever have.

The Panda Dunk will probably not be as popular in the future as it was in its early years, but it will not disappear completely. Its colour is too timeless and it is too widespread. Black and white always works, whether you are intensely interested in trainers or just looking for a clean, uncomplicated everyday shoe.

But perceptions of the model are changing. In the beginning, it was a real must-have, but now it's more of a basic sneaker. Similar to the white Air Force 1, which is still very popular even after decades, but is no longer considered mega exciting. Many sneakerheads now see the Panda Dunk as a symbol of a certain fashion phase of the early 2020s.

At the same time, it has received so much attention that the scene is moving back towards diversity. Today, more and more people want to stand out from the crowd with their clothes. But the Panda Dunk is still an integral part of the sneaker landscape – not as a trendsetter, but as a reliable, uncomplicated evergreen.

You can buy them directly from Nike in the official online shop or via the Nike app. The regular original retail price has been in the typical range for lifestyle Dunks. However, there is currently a special offer: as part of the Nike Black Friday sale, there is a whopping 50% discount on the Nike Dunk Low ‘Panda’. That means you can get it for only £60 instead of the usual price.