Nike shox is a sneaker cushioning technology that Nike frequently used in the early years. However, in recent years, the development pace of shox has gradually stopped. Why does this happen? As NIKE will release a new Shox cushioning shoe model in 2018: Nike Shox Gravity, the editor will give everyone a good introduction to the technology of Shox cushioning, and give a corresponding introduction to Shox shoes!

What is shox cushioning

As the name suggests, the literal translation of the word Shox is the shock absorber in automobile accessories. From the appearance of Shox, we can directly associate it with things like shock absorbers or springs. Its unique appearance also makes people remember it directly, and it does have an excellent cushioning effect like a shock absorber, although it has been some time since we have seen it in basketball shoes.

But Shox is definitely a generation of classic cushioning technology, and Nike has invested a lot of energy in it. In 16 years, Shox is a product that took the longest time to research and develop in Nike's history, and it will never give up so easily.

Shox cushioning technology was officially launched in 2000, and what really made Shox cushioning "famous" was Vince Carter's well-known "death buckle." In the 2000 Sydney Olympics, during the men's basketball group match between the United States and France, Carter dunked over the 2.18-meter-tall French center who was defending him. This is undoubtedly the best advertisement, and people can use this to believe that wearing sneakers equipped with Shox cushioning can soar into the sky.

Carter was wearing Nike Shox BB4 sneakers, and the configuration of the sneakers itself was not simple at all. This is also a pair of basketball shoes that can be said to transcend the times, and it brings Shox cushioning into the public eye.

The development history of Nike SHOX

The cushioning configuration of Nike Shox BB4 is equipped with Zoom Air cushioning in the forefoot, and Shox cushioning in the rear palm is combined with TPU protection. This is a new attempt and a great success. Shox cushioning is not a separate sneaker accessory like the Zoom air cushion. It consists of three parts (TPU) upper and lower support trays, elastic shock-absorbing columns, and front and rear palm connection wedges. Each performs its own duties to form a stable cushioning process. The cushioning system of Shox BB4 abandons the forefoot, and the cushioning of the rear palm is mainly completed by TPU and the Shox air column itself.

The upper and lower support trays are a particularly important part of Shox cushioning. Its materials are composed of various chemical composite materials and TPU materials. We mentioned above that Shox looks like a spring. Yes, this is also the earliest and simplest original intention of technology researchers. How do athletes jump higher? Put him on the spring. However, the spring-like Shox air column is an extremely unstable structure. When you step on it, it may deviate in any direction, including walking.

The upper and lower supporting trays solve this problem. The upper supporting tray allows the Shox air column to be stably built on the midsole, and the lower lining tray allows the entire structure itself to stably complete contact on various floors. Lined pallets are the cornerstone of Shox's success.

The reason why we call the Shox shock-absorbing column an ​​air column is because the inside of the shock-absorbing column is hollow, which can provide better cushioning for the entire shock-absorbing column and also make it lighter. We can see that each shock-absorbing column has a white hoop. This is to protect the shock-absorbing column from excessive deformation when it is squeezed by the force generated during exercise, and also improves the stability of this cushioning.

According to official instructions, the material of the shock-absorbing column uses the material of the suspension system of Formula One racing cars, which can buffer huge impact forces and complete energy feedback (similar to air cushions). The connection wedge between the front and rear palms is the transition between the rear palm Shox and the front and rear palms and the upper part of the rear palm. It is made of the same material as the Shox air column to complete the stabilizing function of the Shox cushioning part and the anti-torsion of the sneaker.

Shox cushioning and air cushions also come in different forms, just like air cushions also have multiple air chambers or air cushion designs with different structures. On this basis, Shox cushioning also has a continuous derivation process like air cushions.

On the Nike Shox BB4 we just mentioned, this shoe uses the most widely used Shox cushioning structure, which is composed of a supporting tray, a connecting wedge and four shock-absorbing columns. It is just a rear palm cushioning structure. In the various subsequent presentations of Shox, adjustments and changes were made especially centered on the number and structure of shock-absorbing columns.

Since Shox After the great success of BB4, Carter also broke the contract with PUMA, a contract brand that did not value him, and signed with Nike. Most of the money was used to pay liquidated damages, but Carter's Shox signature shoe series was born.

And the first generation of VC The I is also stunning enough. The upper and appearance of the shoe are combined with the elements of Gary Payton's signature shoe Air Zoom Flight Glove, which was the "glove" at the time. It is presented in the form of a one-piece metallic fabric zipper. The monkey's paw TPU inside is looming, which is very cool. The cushioning is completely controlled by Shox, and it is designed in the form of Shox with split palms at the front and rear. It is known as the generation with the best foot feel.

VC1's upper design limits people with high insteps to a certain extent, so Carter's signature shoe series has brought the upper back to the traditional design starting from the second generation. The full-length Shox air cushion is used for cushioning, and the full-length concept is developed to an exaggerated bottom.

VC2's full-length Shox air cushion is a structure designed with 29 shock-absorbing columns, which is crazy. The design of the round hoops on the shock-absorbing columns is canceled. It should be that the dense shock-absorbing columns make up for the stability. This Shox structure creates the heaviest Shox cushioning sneakers.

In VC 3. The cushioning design of the full-length Shox continues to be maintained. The area covered by the heel is increased to form an arc-shaped TPU, which enhances the overall stability and anti-rollover of the heel part of the shoe.

Why is Nike Shox gone

The full-length Shox with many air columns has greatly increased the price of this series of sneakers, and many people have difficulty supporting such expensive sneakers. Faced with this situation, Carter's signature shoe series was also changed back to a combination of Zoom and Shox like Shox BB4, but the number of air pillars is still more than that of BB4.

Since VC5, this series has gradually come to a halt. We have seen a lot of messy Shox branch line shoes, but the design is no longer what it used to be. They are only presented as a carrier of Shox. Apart from people's freshness about Shox, the foot feel of this cushioning technology has begun to encounter a lot of complaints.

As for the Shox cushioning that has not been seen for a long time, can we still have expectations for its future in basketball shoes? I think the answer is yes. Shox, like Zoom, is a cushioning technology widely used in various sports shoes. The return of Shox we are seeing now is believed to be a trial of the sneakers and sports shoes market. I believe there are still many people who still have great expectations and miss this technology.

Shox cushioning is a mature and complete sneaker technology. Maybe one day it will return to the cushioning system of a new sneaker. What do you think of Shox cushioning technology, and which Shox sneakers are your favorite? Are you also looking forward to the return of Shox in basketball shoes?

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