Some of my friends said that nike shox mess your feet or ankles up or something, I was just wondering if there was any truth to this?

Yes, they make your feet soft and girlish.

dunno i wear boots like a man

The Nike Shox wikipedia page says: "The prototype looked more like a medieval torture device called The Boot and performed much the same way." I don't know about you but that doesn't sound good for your feet.

I always find that trusting schoolyard rumours over people who actually research and design shoes works out.

Do you do track or something? Otherwise I don't see the need for springy shoes.


You do know what a prototype is right?

I wear Shox, caught my feet hanging out with my girlfriend, it was time for some payback.

No idea, but if I'm right in assuming they're super-shock-absorbing(?) and you train in nothing else, your stabilisers/various muscles and whatnot in your lower legs might not develop as much as they would otherwise.

Personally, I don't like relying on impact absorption in footwear (it's probably necessary for long-distance runs, but I don't do those); I'd rather build up flexibility, endurance and strength in my lower legs. I mean, if the only thing preventing an injury is my shoes - I need to be doing something different or conditioning more first. So I train in Chinese Feiyue shoes (light, flexible and cheap) or bare feet.

If you're running, get some good running shoes that fit you well. If you're just walking around for short durations in everyday life, I doubt it matters much what's on your feet.

Disclaimer: I'm not a qualified professional and may or may not know what I'm talking about. If it's important, go to a professional who knows the science.

I know I was kidding. I'm just wondering how it went from looking and working like http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTY0cKwtydfuNQmR6Yb_PVr6AwjLBzde7ywBgNXMR7dHnkIvi_k9A&t=1 and that somehow became http://www.runningshoes2u.com/images/blogpicture/nike%20shox%20deliver%20black%20mens.jpg

That's what they are? Looks like a gimmick (an expensive one, I bet). Who jumps from their heels?

It's probably more for when your heels hit the ground when you step forward.

Ah, okay. Then my first post in this thread applies, I guess... :mellow:

[backs slowly away from the thread]

No, but they will make you look like a moron, and that could ruin your life.

I think I know what the OP is thinking of. There was some research (the real kind) about how humans run and the way the foot and its parts are positioned on impact/for thrust. How, barefooted, come down on the ball of the foot, not the heal, for the most efficient and comfortable strides.

The part where running shoes come in is that they encourage the opposite - an inefficient stride where you hit the ground with the heal, and this puts more shock (and wear) on the knee and other joints.

One of these days I'll figure out why my router won't let my desktop access the Science News website. I'm pretty sure the articles is in the archives there, I remember reading it in an issue a few years ago.

Yet Shoe designers year after year continue to design and sell footware that is bad for your ankles


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5235630.stm

When I first read the title I thought it was a play on word for socks. :blush:

Nike shox are designed for people with neutral or under-pronate running patterns. Your friends likely over pronate when they run, and don't know that one should really have a foot and stride anolysis done before choosing to invest in shoes for whatever sporting need. I had a pair and they were great, I am a neutral position runner.

There's also the (long term) risk of screwing up all sorts of joints and things -- even one's spine. And heels have no real benefits, its merely about looks. Its not like the only alternative is army boots or something .

Just say No! to high heels...

In long distance running, the more impact reducing the shoe, the better (well for training). Your knees are so very very precious.

For actual races, extremely light shoes that are practically your own feet.

That's what I got :thumbsup:

For running I got Pumas. They have lots of http://www.imagesofshoes.com/images27/womens_converse_steel_toe_work_shoes/PUMA_XR_Runner_Textile_II_Black_Steel_Gray_Mens_m.jpg.

I'm not looking to buy them for running or anything, I already have a pair of http://nicekicks.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp/files/2010/10/free.jpg for that. I was looking for something to wear more casually. Right now I'm walking around in my http://www.runningshoeswizard.com/images/asics-gt2140-review-21225712.jpg, and dont get me wrong I love them to death, but they're not really the best looking sport-casual shoe. The reason why I was looking at shox was because of the leather models they had, and I was concerned because I read something about how when walking the proper way was heel first then roll your foot forward and that modern shoes are messing up the natural way we should walk. That with the added input of some friends led me to posting this topic to discover whether or not the elevated heel position with Nike shox messes up the way you walk. And sorry for the very very short OP, I was on my phone in the middle of the mall trying to get a quick answer so I could decide whether or not to buy some new shoes.

I got plantar fasciitis while running with Shox... my fault though, they shoes were pretty well worn at that point and I shouldn't have been running with them.

Thing is, even if you aren't a runner, but you participate in sports, you should have a foot anolysis done to determine whether you are neutral, under, or over pronate so that you can purchase shoes that will compensate for your individual stride. The proper way you describe is referred to as "neutral". Someone who is "neutra"l moving around in a pair of shoes designed for either an under pronate or over pronate stride will have foot issues, likewise an over pronate individual shouldn't wear shoes designed for under pronate or a neutral person.

When you run, you're supposed to land on the middle of your foot, maybe a little closer to the toes than the heel. If your heel is coming in contact with the ground before the rest of your foot (Which is what this shoe seems to encourage), then your are over-striding and need to shorter your strides. Landing on your heel causes a lot of damage to your knees and joints, no matter what fancy new footwear you have.
If you are running track, wear flats. If you are running outside, get some good trainers with a hardened arch. Anything else is just a gimmick and is a waste of cash.
If you really get into running, go to an orthopedic doctor and ask to get some orthotics (sp?). I got them and i rarely get backpain or shin splints anymore. A bit pricey, but well worth it.

I used to wear Shox a lot. I though they looked cool. I ended up getting constant aches and cramps in my foot.

You may as well wear a bear trap on your foot. DO NOT buy shox.