Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts, catching the latest movies, and trying new food.
Email: nick@soleretriever.com
Let's take it back to the year 2000. While this author was only one at the time (sorry), it’s quite clear how important the Y2K era is to the sneaker game. Many refer to the stretch from the mid-90s to the mid-2000s as the “golden age” of Nike Basketball, and they’re right to think so. Dozens of classic sneakers that still hold weight to this day first dropped during this timeframe, though some, like the Shox BB4, have somewhat been lost to time. Luckily, fans of the Shox-laden performance basketball model will be happy to hear that the OG Black Silver Lapis colorway will be returning in Fall 2026.
A quick history lesson for those unfamiliar with the model. The Shox BB4 was first released in 2000 and was designed by the legendary Eric Avar, who also worked on plenty of other sneakers you probably have in your closet. He’s responsible for much of the Nike Kobe line and other Y2K-era models like the Air Penny 1, Foamposite, Hyperflight, Total Air Foamposite Max, Flightposite, Zoom Huarache 2K4, and many, many more. Avar took inspiration from space suits and rocket ships for the upper, and incorporated four Shox pillars in the heel counter. It went down in history as the sneaker worn by Vince Carter, who has forever been associated with the model after dunking on Frédéric Weis in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Nike Shox BB4 OG
Last released in 2019 and marking only the second retro of the colorway, the Shox BB4 OG features a split black and metallic silver upper. Black leather appears on the toe, tongue, and eyelets, while the rest of the sneaker is done in metallic silver. Dotted emblems land on the toe and near the midfoot, which clearly leans into the space aesthetic Avar was trying to achieve. Down below sits a black and blue midsole, the rear featuring four Shox pillars in blue.
The Nike Shox BB4 OG will be released Fall 2026 through Nike and select retailers online and in-store. Available in men’s sizing, the retail price is set at $190. Check below for images of the 2019 retro, and download the Sole Retriever mobile app for updates on the latest happenings in the sneaker world.
