Matt Varga The world of performance tech can be an overwhelming one, as companies compete with an endless cache of proprietary foams and propulsion units. If you aren’t overly tapped into specific densities and energy return percentages, some of the finer details between brands’ individual innovations can get lost. Yet two decades ago, there was absolutely no mistaking what Nike was bringing to the hardwood.
The Nike Shox platform was as ground-breaking as it was visually striking. Columns of foam attached to articulating plates made for true piston power, lending more of a tactile atmosphere to this new development when compared to the “Air” tech that’d lit Beaverton’s efforts for the preceding decades. A heavy marketing push helped capture consumer imaginations, but it was truly the “Dunk of Death” that made the Shox BB4 an indelible piece of culture. Vince Carter, wearing the Nike Shox BB4 “Olympic” pictured here, recovered after a USA turnover and baptized French center Frédéric Weis. In a career filled with soaring highlights, it’s still widely regarded as Vince’s best.
Though revisited in 2009 for a brief retro run, this “Olympic” colorway sets off the most full-fledged bring-back for the Nike Shox BB4 since its original market run. Moreover, Shox technology has become a rather buzzy portion of Beaverton’s catalog. Perhaps that means favorable wins for this revisitation of the line’s origins.
The Nike Shox BB4 “Olympic” will release on June 26th, retailing for $180. Catch detailed images below and watch our Sneaker Release Dates page for direct pick-up links upon arrival.
