Nike Shox TL shoes

Shox TL trainers

The Nike Shox cushioning system was developed over a period of thirteen years between 1984 and 1997, with great creative minds like Bruce Kilgore and Sergio Lozano contributing to its design. In 2000, the first Shox sneakers were launched, but it wasn’t until the release of the Nike Shox TL in 2003 that this unique sole unit covered the entire length of the shoe.

The name TL stands for ‘total’, and refers to the fact that the silhouette provides full Shox support from heel to toe, giving it a responsive, energy-returning springiness. Specialised TPU plates maintain stability underfoot, and the rubber outsole offers high-quality traction via its circular grip pads.

On the upper, breathable mesh keeps the foot cool, while an overarching TPU cage encloses this soft underlayer, adding structural support and creating a dynamic look at the same time. Moulded Nike swooshes adorn the flanks for a classic stylistic touch, and the Nike Shox logo decorates the tongue, the heel and even the insole to complete the distinctive aesthetic of the Shox TL.

In 2019, the Nike Shox TL was revived in two memorable collaborations, one with high-class Japanese fashion label Comme des Garçons, the other with popular rapper Skepta. Each collaborator leaned into the bold look of the original, honouring its heritage whole also enhancing it with their own unique creative vision to create eye-catching new versions of the radical Shox TL.