5 Nike Shox Sneakers That Need to Be Retroed
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A little over twenty years ago, came out with new cushioning technology that was designed to absorb impact and offer energy return in a spring-like motion. This technology evolved into the . Although gimmicky in hindsight, when Nike Shox was launched, it caused a stir and was making headlines in the nightly news.
As Nike continue to tap their extensive archives with sneakers such as the and returning in recent years and the latter getting a , it seems like Shox sneakers are making a huge comeback in 2024. We’re sure Nike has more in store, but here’s a list of the Shox sneakers that need to make a return.
Nike Shox VC II
When you think of a Nike Shox athlete, the first to come to mind for most people is Vince Carter. Carter’s incredible leaping and dunking ability put the Toronto Raptors on the map for the first time since entering the league in 1998, and he executed arguably the greatest dunk of all time over Fredrick Weis during the 2000 Summer Olympics, and he did so in the Nike Shox BB4.
Carter was the face of the Shox line on the basketball side, so when it was time to get his first signature shoe with the Swoosh, it’s only fitting it featured Shox technology. The Nike Shox VC I was a polarising sneaker, as some loved the zippered shroud and full-length Shox setup while others despised it. However, its successor, the Shox VC II, was an instant hit since it didn’t push the futurism as much but still featured the full-length Shox cushioning, bridging the then present and future. Add in an iconic commercial featuring Vince Carter doing his best Mr. Rogers impersonation, and you’ve got a sneaker that will be remembered forever.
As Nike continues to head into their archive from the 2000s in recent memory, it’s only right that the Swoosh brings back a Shox basketball sneaker with the Nike Shox VC II being on the shortlist.
Nike Shox R4+
If the Nike Shox R4 is a race car, then the Shox R4+ is the off-roading vehicle. Originally released in 2001, the Shox R4+ brought a zippered shroud into the fold to blend in with the mesh upper, making the sneaker a bit more rugged and bulky compared to its slight and sleek counterpart. The Shox R4+ also adds in a visible forefoot midsole with four Shox pillars placed in the heel.
Seen across a variety of brands, the Nike Shox R4+ is a sneaker that would blend right in with the current 2000s mesh runner trend that’s extremely popular at the moment and would stand out thanks to its Shox cushioning and gorpy shroud.
Nike Shox XT
The Nike Shox XT is a sneaker that was too futuristic at the time as it looked like something Robocop would wear, but it would fit in perfectly for 2024. The Nike Shox XT featured a zippered shroud like the Shox R4+, but also had moulded heat-pressed designs throughout the upper with 4 Shox columns placed in the heel and three in the forefoot.
If the sneaker were to return in the near future, there’s a huge design flaw that needs to be addressed. The leaky ceiling would form a water bubble, which would cause the heat-pressed upper to lose its shape and become saggy. This forms unwanted creases and lines throughout. Despite this flaw, it’s still one to watch out for.
Nike Shox Stunner
With a Huarache-style bootie, zippered shroud and ankle strap, the Nike Shox Stunner was all about lockdown. Designed by Aaron Cooper, the Shox Stunner featured a leather build with a zippered shroud that looked like it was being taken over by Venom’s symbiote. Add in 4 Shox pillars in the heel with forefoot Zoom, and you have a sneaker that you’d want to see return if you’d ever played in it.
Although not associated with one specific player, the Shox Stunner was a hit from the college ranks to the NBA and WNBA. Players such as Jason Kidd, Baron Davis, and Sue Bird got blessed with some PEs of the Nike Shox Stunner, and the sneaker also got the Team Bank treatment with the 2002 NCAA Men’s Champs Maryland Terrapins rocking the sneaker during the National Championship Game.
Nike Shox TL 3
The Nike Shox TL made its return in 2019 with the help of CDG and has continued to trickle down into general releases in 2024. The ‘Total Length’ Shox setup is the standout feature, and like most Shox sneakers, brings that Y2K aesthetic that everyone is hot for at the moment.
A few more iterations of the Shox TL continued to drop before being discontinued, but the Nike Shox TL 3 was a slept-on banger (unless you have trypophobia). The multi-layered mesh base and overlays featured circular designs throughout with full-length Shox cushioning used in the midsole.
Like the Nike Zoom Vomero 5, the Shox TL 3 seems like a sneaker that can find popularity in recent years compared to its initial release.