Nike Shox R4

Shox R4

In 1984, Air Force 1 designer Bruce Kilgore began work on an ambitious project to produce a mechanical cushioning system that could provide the wearer with high levels of energy return. It turned out to be quite a challenging endeavor, but after many years of hard work, the Shox support system was perfected, and a new model was designed to show off the high-tech cushioning. That shoe is the Nike Shox R4.

Arriving at the dawn of the new millennium, the Shox R4 running shoe is supported by four polyurethane columns that both absorb the impact of the foot as it hits the floor and return a portion of the energy expended with each step. This is the essence of Shox cushioning, but its purpose isn’t merely functional, it is also visual, giving the R4 its uniquely futuristic look.

Phylon foam fills the rest of the sole unit to provide comprehensive comfort, while a modified version of the classic Waffle sole containing circular instead of square grip pads delivers excellent traction underfoot. Synthetic materials and textiles combine on the space-suit-inspired upper in a captivating design that is full of smooth flowing lines. Laser perforations line the top of the outer and the toe, thus adding to the science fiction look while also offering excellent breathability.

Alongside the understated Nike swooshes on the sidewalls, the specially designed Nike Shox logo decorates both the tongue and the outsole, and a line of five dots on the forefoot highlights the fact that the Nike Shox R4 was part of the brand’s forward-thinking Alpha Project when it first came out in 2000. 

While the Shox R4 was popular after this initial release, following its return in 2019, it became a sought-after collaborative model as well, inviting partnerships with Neymar, who produced a vibrantly colored edition, and fashion designer Martine Rose, whose Mule MR4 variant includes even taller Shox Pillars and a lower cut around the heel.

Back in the early 2000s, the cutting-edge technology and chunky futuristic esthetic of the Nike Shox R4 made it stand out from the crowd, and to this day, its bold look continues to have that same attention-grabbing effect.