Some sneakers stand out because of their color; this one stands out because of its fabric. The Nike Dunk Low Retro Premium with stylecode IB7746-201 is made almost entirely from corduroy panels, and that changes the silhouette more than you might expect from a product photo. What I mainly wondered was whether it’s simply nice to look at, or whether you could actually wear it for six months straight.
What you see
The foundation is the familiar low-top Dunk shape, but rendered in corduroy. There’s a light brown panel on the toe, surrounded by a dark brown overlay that continues into the mudguard. The eyestay is rust brown, the mid-panel is navy blue, the heel panel is olive green, and an anthracite strip runs along the collar. The Swoosh is the same rust shade as the eyestay and is also made from corduroy, giving it a softer contrast than a smooth leather Swoosh would. Underneath is a gum-colored midsole with a lighter, translucent section near the toe, followed by a dark outsole. The laces are flat and cream white.
What stands out to me is that, despite the six different color panels, the overall look doesn’t feel busy. That’s down to the shades, which are all muted and come from the same autumnal palette. There isn’t a single bright color in sight. From a few meters away, you simply read it as brown and green; only up close do you notice how much is going on, including the fact that the ridges run in different directions on each panel.
Would I wear it?
Yes, but not all year round. Corduroy has a definite season, and it isn’t July. From September onward, it works well with straight-leg jeans in a dark wash or chinos in khaki or sand. I’d leave the corduroy trousers at home, though, because that would be too much of the same texture. Keep things simple up top with a plain sweater or a wool overshirt. The sneakers already bring plenty of texture, so there’s no need to pile on more.
There’s one practical point I don’t want to skip: corduroy is more vulnerable to stains and moisture than leather, and it’s harder to wipe clean because dirt gets caught in the grooves. If you mainly wear your sneakers on wet cycling days, these will require more maintenance. That doesn’t make them any less attractive, but it’s worth knowing before you place an order.
There’s little surprising to say about the fit: this is a regular Dunk Low, so anyone who already has one in their wardrobe knows what to expect. Still, it’s worth keeping in mind that corduroy has less give than soft leather and won’t really stretch with wear. If you’re between sizes, going for the larger one is the safer choice here.
What it costs
The retail price is €129.99, which makes the pricing particularly interesting. Of the four shops currently carrying it, the cheapest is selling it at exactly that price, while the most expensive is asking €199.95. That’s a €70 difference for the exact same sneaker with the exact same code—and this isn’t a resale situation: the Hypescore remains stuck at 21, placing it in the INERT band. Complete radio silence, in other words. The difference simply comes down to shops having different margins and stock levels, and that’s exactly the kind of discrepancy that’s easy to overlook.
If you’re considering a pair, compare the shops before checking out, and make sure your size is still available. With a model offered by four retailers, the difference between the first and last link can easily be the price of a second pair. The rest of the Nike selection is shown alongside it in the same comparison.