The Nike Shox is anything but new, although it’s frequently heralded as one of Nike’s most famous innovations, it’s taken somewhat of a backseat in recent years. Often overlooked in place of Air cushioning – and in more recent times REACT tooling – the springy columned tech returns this season as Nike revive the Shox R4, Ride 2 and TL silhouettes. We’ll dissect these shortly, but first, a look back at the birth of this pioneering tech.

A brief history: Nike Shox 

Designer Bruce Kilgore – perhaps most well-known for being the creative behind the Air Force 1 – developed Shox technology in 1984, three years before the dawn of the first Air Max. It wasn’t until 1997 that the tried-and-tested combination of highly resilient PU foam columns, sandwiched between two solid TPU plates, was achieved. 

For those who don’t know how the technology works, the exposed spring-like pillars absorb the shock of the wearer’s heel striking the ground, returning the energy straight back into the next stride. Working together in unison, the solid TPU plates act as stabilisers, distributing the energy evenly across the foot. 

16 years in the making, Shox was finally unveiled to the world in 2000, with one of their first designs being the iconic R4. Remaining true to their OG release, the spring-cushioned Nike Shox R4 – along with its Ride 2 sibling – makes a welcome return to size? this season. Still boasting the same unmistakable space-age aesthetic as they did at the turn of the millennium, the bouncing pairs arrive with a thick bulky style and the four ‘puck’ column midsoles.

But the resurrection doesn’t stop there. Nike is also reviving its coveted Shox TL silhouette for the first time since its 2003 launch. Aggressive in its aesthetic, the Shox TL boasts an intricate, full-length Shox sole unit – delivering a striking design that could easily be mistaken for the Air VaporMax’s distant cousin. A combination of panels make up the upper, locked into place by a TPU cage to keep your foot stable and secure.

The Martine Rose Reboot 

Circa 2023, Martine Rose overhauled the Nike Shox and unveiled the MR4 at London Fashion Week as part of the British Jamaican designer’s SS23 collection. The MR4’s design was born from a desire to bring an elevated perspective to football fashion, merging two worlds: a dress shoe’s timeless sophistication with the fast-paced energy of a football boot.

Just as the 2023 UEFA Women’s EURO tournament unfolded, Rose worked her magic on the iconic Shox, raising its signature columned structure into a sculpted heel. Extending the form and elongating the profile with a refined toe, the new model took on a bold, avant-garde aesthetic, which embodied Rose’s creative visionary approach. 

Despite the Shox’s American roots, the design in our humble opinion, carries an unmistakably British sensibility and thanks to Martine Rose, the admirably unconventional Shox MR4 reigns supreme commanding attention on both sides of the Atlantic. After all, the Shox is a sneaker that works with sport casual looks and welcomes an unexpected edge to smarter ensembles.

Find an abundance of Nike Shox styles online and in-store at size?