The Rebirth of Nike's Bouncy Archival Sneaker Gets Better & Better
When Supreme dropped its Nike Shox Ride 2 sneaker collab in 2022, there was only question floating in my mind: is the Shox Ride back? Two years later, Nike answered the burning question by re-releasing the wildly charming albeit elusive running shoe in a couple of general release colorways.
Nike hasn't rolled out many Shox Ride 2s since its official comeback in 2024, but what the brand has dropped so far has been nothing short of stunning.
Just last year, Nike dropped a Nike Shox Ride 2 crafted with delicious premium leather, a version that was almost too stylish for running. The label has also kept the archival model looking just as good with its traditional mesh and leather constructions dressed in lowkey schemes like "Anthracite."
The latest? The Nike Shox Ride 2 emerges in a satisfying grey "Light Graphite" colorway. A greyscale theme takes over the classic runner, from its breezy upper to the sole of signature Shox tubes and Max Air.
As I write this, the Nike Shox Ride 2 "Light Graphite" has finally started to land at stores like Above the Clouds. Expect the chunky steppers to pop up at more global retailers throughout the season.
The Nike Shox Ride 2 may feature those unmistakable "bounce back" tubes in its bottoms, but it's certainly not the wildest of the Shox sneakers. The Nike Shox TL takes that title really, premiering in the early 2000s and again in 2023 with a crazy full-length Shox system.
And years later, the Nike Shox R4 still looks like it doesn't know whether it wants to be a dress shoe or a running shoe. Kendrick Lamar's favorite fashion designer, Martine Rose, basically gave the model the best of both worlds as a sporty, formal mule hybrid.
I'll never truly understand why Nike ever discontinued its Shox sneakers as one of the most unconventionally cool models in its catalog (whispers say the brand wanted to focus on its other innovative technologies...fair).
But who cares. All that matters is that Shoxs are back and better, baby.
