In a year in which the Nike Air Force 1 Low has seemed to appear in every material imaginable, on top of various other dramatic transformations, the Shox TL is getting in on the fun with a luxurious new spin.
The Nike Shox TL “Black Leather” moves away from its usual mesh and synthetic construction. As the entire sneaker is rendered in black, leather that looks particularly buttery is used for all of the upper’s paneling. To maintain the minimalist look, a barely-there Swoosh is applied only through perforated dots on the sidewalls, while the Shox logo is inset on the tongue and heel. Rounding out the shoe is a glossy black Shox unit.
Along with the Shox R4, the Shox TL is one of the two most enduring versions of the sneaker featuring its namesake technology. Ideation for mechanical cushioning dated back to the ’80s through designer Bruce Kilgore, best known for the Air Force 1, and the Shox R4 launched in 2000 as Nike’s first sneaker with springy polyurethane columns to provide energy return at the heel.
The Shox BB4 basketball sneaker would also release that year and appear on the feet of Vince Carter for his dunk leaping over another player at the Olympics. Following both the Shox R4 and Shox NZ, the Shox TL then launched in 2003 and extended the cushioning system throughout the entire foot.
Revivals for the Shox line have come in waves over the past eight years, and the high point of its current run has been the Martine Rose collaboration that’s turned the shoe into a mule.
The Nike Shox TL “Black Leather” is expected to release in the coming months through Nike’s website and select third-party retailers. Pricing has not yet been confirmed.
Nike Shox TL “Black Leather” [IR2097-001] (pair)
Nike Shox TL “Black Leather” [IR2097-001] (lateral)
Nike Shox TL “Black Leather” [IR2097-001] (medial)
Nike Shox TL “Black Leather” [IR2097-001] (above)
Nike Shox TL “Black Leather” [IR2097-001] (heel)
Nike Shox TL “Black Leather” [IR2097-001] (outsole)