Nike Shox VC

5,941
1,294
Joined
Feb 11, 2013
I've seen the BB4 retro once or twice but what about these? These just randomly crossed my mind. Got them back when they came out at the outlets for $39.99. Wouldn't mind owning them again for the nostalgia.

 Opinions?
 
I think nike knows shox won't sell, so they won't retro it. I still have my black ones, it's very durable. Nike used to make good shox campaigns, now it's a dead product. I never did find shox that comfortable so I could see why the market changed
 
i remember i wore them the first time they were nice shoes, but high sprain my ankle and couldn't walk for a month 1/2 right after my last Final. that summer sucked!!!!! 

good part was the shoes were only $15 plus tax from outlet. gave them to one of my friends. 
 
I think nike knows shox won't sell, so they won't retro it. I still have my black ones, it's very durable. Nike used to make good shox campaigns, now it's a dead product. I never did find shox that comfortable so I could see why the market changed
makes sense. The style is still nice but I guess it wasn't widely popular enough to be worth retroing at this time. perhaps when a lot more time goes by shox will be back in style
 
VC had such a dope line. Still mad I missed out on the black/red colorway for $40 at a Nike outlet back in the day...the struggle was real.

I would love to see them make a comeback, but I don't see Nike bringing them back, sadly. But I'm copping if they bring the 1 or 2 back.
 
VC's line was pretty hideous. Only liked the BB4s which they need to bring back. I look on eBay once a week for the navy/gold, red/silver and blk/silver/blu
 
Shox i think is bad for the knees. I had 2 pairs of the Shox BB4, VC low, VCII and IV and when i used these for ball my knees hurt. But it doesn't happen when i use air or zoom
 
I had the black/red Shox VC 1's in early 2002.. I remember they were very heavy and super super snug. I remember when they released, about a week later, they went on sale for $109.99 here in the DMV. Retail was $160. Like someone above said, they were bad for my knees, but they were super durable. I also had the black/dark grey Shox VC 2's, which were my favorites as far as looks and wearing casually, but those things were heavy, also..lol I think Shox are falsely advertised as far as comfort because before I had them, I thought the shox on the heel were suppose to be feel springy, but I was completely wrong..LOL
 
I had the black/red Shox VC 1's in early 2002.. I remember they were very heavy and super super snug. I remember when they released, about a week later, they went on sale for $109.99 here in the DMV. Retail was $160. Like someone above said, they were bad for my knees, but they were super durable. I also had the black/dark grey Shox VC 2's, which were my favorites as far as looks and wearing casually, but those things were heavy, also..lol I think Shox are falsely advertised as far as comfort because before I had them, I thought the shox on the heel were suppose to be feel springy, but I was completely wrong..LOL
I think everyone thinks that lol. It's more or less just a cosmetic thing. the actual functionality is just from what I recall a few millimeters of actual compression under those little bands around them. It's probably the fact that it's basically a rubber midsole/ cushioning like the Jordan 1 and also the heavy feel that makes your knees feel bad. Ankle weights are hard on knees so heavier shoes probably don't help either. I think some of the newer running shox compressed a lot more than any of the bball ones. I remember seeing kids in school with the running ones and they actually did look pretty springy as they walked. 
 
the shox column weren't exactly midsole rubber like the jordan 1s, but more like what they use on the outsole for runners etc in column form; slightly softer. they were designed  to compress and spring back (with the middle section expand when forces are applied), but due to the rubber material used they were just too stiff. 

they didn't bother my knee tho. i bought the VC 3 after i gave away the 1. played in them a few time, for some reason i took the insole out to wash them and misplaced them. they've sat on my shelf without insoles in the garage till 2012 i gave them to goodwill. 
 
Last edited:
I think everyone thinks that lol. It's more or less just a cosmetic thing. the actual functionality is just from what I recall a few millimeters of actual compression under those little bands around them. It's probably the fact that it's basically a rubber midsole/ cushioning like the Jordan 1 and also the heavy feel that makes your knees feel bad. Ankle weights are hard on knees so heavier shoes probably don't help either. I think some of the newer running shox compressed a lot more than any of the bball ones. I remember seeing kids in school with the running ones and they actually did look pretty springy as they walked. 
So, the Shox R4 actually felt springy on the shox columns?
 
I can't speak on tech specifics but the VC 4 to this day remain the most comfortable basketball shoe I've ever worn casually or played ball in.
 
I rocked the shoe it was hell snug like a glove. Bit heavy than I usually go for, but I was surprised I liked the shoe as much as I did. 
 
VC3 remains one of my favorite silhouettes of all time. Hated ballin' in them though.

I still have a pair somewhere. Gonna dig through the closets to see if they come up for tomorrow's wear.

I'd take a retro of the 2 & 3 for sure.
 
I've never personally worn them so I can't say how they felt but they definitely looked springy when watching people walk in them at school.

The runners werent springy at all. Theyre about the same as the bball shoes. I had a few of the runners, and the baseball ones didnt have any spring either (had a cpl of those thru my school)
 
I can say this much about Shox, they took forever to break in, but once they did, they were some of the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned. At least the first BB4's were that way. I've owned several pairs of the runners with just the heel columns, and they have been great (never had any of the Totals). It's all about powering through that break-in period.

Peace,
J
 
I love shoes with zippers, but the VC's never did it for me. Had the white/red lows though. I'd love to see those return.

P1120280.jpg




I think everyone thinks that lol. It's more or less just a cosmetic thing. the actual functionality is just from what I recall a few millimeters of actual compression under those little bands around them. It's probably the fact that it's basically a rubber midsole/ cushioning like the Jordan 1 and also the heavy feel that makes your knees feel bad. Ankle weights are hard on knees so heavier shoes probably don't help either. I think some of the newer running shox compressed a lot more than any of the bball ones. I remember seeing kids in school with the running ones and they actually did look pretty springy as they walked. 
So, the Shox R4 actually felt springy on the shox columns?

The columns on the runners were much softer than those used on the basketball shoes. Had some R4s and still have a pair of Anthracite TL2's and they're incredibly comfortable. The forefoot shox on the TL2's are much softer and more responsive than the heel Shox. I'm not sure of the difference in material for sure, but the forefoot almost feels like a soft polyurethane eg old AJ retro's.
 
BB4 remains the best the basketball shoe I ever wore. Another one of my favorite pairs was the XT Trainer. Used that for weight and track for four years.

Drew Gooden wore an early test prototype / sample of the VC2's in the Final Four against Maryland. He absolutely hated them, lol.
 
Back
Top Bottom