What does the “SB” in Nike SB stand for?

The “SB” in Nike SB stands for “Skateboarding.”

Nike uses SB as the abbreviated name of its skateboarding division, which develops shoes, clothing and accessories for skateboarding. The line became widely recognized through models such as the Dunk SB, Stefan Janoski and Blazer SB, as well as collaborations with professional skaters and independent skate shops.

Nike’s earlier Dunks were designed for basketball, but the company later modified the silhouette for skateboarding. SB versions typically emphasized impact protection, board feel and durability. Features such as padded tongues, reinforced construction and specialized insoles helped distinguish them from many standard lifestyle Dunks.

The abbreviation can be confusing because “SB” appears on different Nike product names. In the context of Nike footwear and apparel, however, it is not a reference to basketball or a general sports category. It identifies the skateboarding-focused division and its product ecosystem. That distinction explains why a Nike SB Dunk can look similar to a basketball Dunk while having different performance details.