Nike SB Dunk Low Staple NYC Pigeon
Nike • Nike SB Dunk Low • Medium Grey/White-Dark Grey
Confidence Level
99% — The combination of modern 'SB' tongue tag formatting on a 2005-era model and specific pigeon embroidery flaws confirms this is a counterfeit.
Overall Assessment
The pair shown is a replica of the legendary 2005 NYC Pigeon Dunk. Multiple era-inconsistent details are present, most notably the tongue tag which features the skinny logo and font spacing typical of post-2012 SB Dunks rather than the beefy, wide-font variations of the 'Pink Box' era. Additionally, the pigeon embroidery scale and the texture of the suede overlays do not match the high-quality, dense nubuck/suede used on the original 150-pair production run.
Style Code
304292-011
Release Year
2005 (Original Release)
Retail Price
$200 USD (Approx. at release)
Market Value
$30,000 - $50,000 USD (Deadstock condition)
Materials Analysis
The grey overlays appear to be a cheaper long-hair suede rather than the premium short-nap nubuck seen on authentic pairs. The side panels lack the distinct smooth leather texture of the original. The orange lining appears significantly more vibrant and 'synthetic' than the muted 'Pigeon' orange used in 2005.
Stitching Analysis
Stitching on the lateral swoosh is inconsistent with the 'Pink Box' era density. The double-stitching on the mudguard is uneven, and the spacing between the heel tab and the pigeon logo is incorrect. Authentic pairs feature precise, high-tension stitching typical of early 2000s Indonesian production.
Sole Analysis
The midsole color is a flat dark grey that lacks the slight sheen of OG pairs. The outsole transition from the midsole is sloppy, with orange paint bleeding onto the grey rubber near the toe—a common flaw in mid-tier replicas.
Logo & Branding Analysis
The Pigeon embroidery is the most obvious tell; the bird's head is misshapen and the 'leg' detailing is thin and poorly defined. The tongue label's 'NIKE SB' text is too thin; authentic 2005 tags utilized a much thicker, bolder font and a differently shaped Swoosh tail.
Tag & Label Analysis
The visible internal size sticker (the small white circular sticker on the insole) is a modern factory sticker often found on replicas; original 2005 pairs did not include this specific style of size label inside the shoe.
Box Analysis
Box not visible in image
Construction Quality
Overall construction is inconsistent with a sneaker of this market value. The toe box has a 'boxy' or 'squared' shape rather than the slim, aerodynamic profile of early SB Dunks. The collar padding appears overly thick and unevenly distributed.
Shape & Silhouette
The silhouette fails to capture the 'overstuffed' but sleek look of the early SB era. The heel is too upright, and the toe box possesses the 'budget replica' height which is much taller than the authentic 2005 pairs.
Color Accuracy
The orange used for the lining and outsole is an 'infrared' shade rather than the deeper, burnt orange required for the NYC Pigeon colorway. The grey panel colors lack the proper contrast between the light grey and dark grey values.
Red Flags
Incorrect tongue tag font (post-2012 style on a 2005 shoe), misshapen pigeon embroidery, modern factory size sticker on insole, incorrect suede texture, and poor toe box shape.
Positive Indicators
The color-blocking follows the correct general patterns of the Staple collaboration.
Key Details
The NYC Pigeon is one of the rarest and most expensive sneakers in history, with only 150 pairs released at Reed Space. Because of this, authenticating through image metadata and specific era-correct manufacturing quirks is essential. This pair lacks all the 'Pink Box' era characteristics.
Care Recommendations
As these are identified as replicas, standard cleaning with a soft brush and mild soapy water is sufficient. For authentic pairs of this age, they would be unwearable due to midsole hydrolysis and would require professional restoration and storage in a humidity-controlled environment.