Nike launched its skateboarding division, Nike SB, in 2002.
Nike had experimented with skate shoes during the late 1990s, but the company struggled to gain credibility in a market dominated by specialist brands such as Vans, DC, éS, Emerica and Globe. The 2002 introduction of the SB brand marked a more focused commitment to skateboarding.
One of its key early releases was the Nike SB Dunk Low. Unlike the original basketball-oriented Dunk, the skate version added a padded tongue and collar, Zoom Air insoles and construction intended to withstand skateboarding. Nike also introduced models including the SB Angus, SB FC, SB Delta Force and SB URL.
The year can be confused with 1997, when Nike began producing an earlier skate-shoe line, or with 2004, when the company expanded its skateboarding identity through riders such as Paul Rodriguez and a California-focused Nike Dunk SB collection. The official Nike SB brand debut, however, was 2002.