We usually post old school runners on the blog but thought I'd mix it up for today’s post. Here’s a vintage 1988 advertisement for Ektelon racquetball sneakers. According to Wikipedia This brand was founded in 1964 in San Diego after the invention of racquetball and was named Ektelon based on a combination of two Greek words: "ektein", meaning to stretch out, and "telon", representing the concept of perfection. They are now based out of New Jersey and since 1988 have been owned by Prince Sports. 🎾
1988 Vintage sneaker ad for the Turntec Road Warrior
Jumping to the late 80s for a minute here’s a 1988 vintage sneaker ad for the Turntec Road Warrior runners with Z0 2 technology.. Jerry Turner developed most of the classic Brooks brand running shoes.
Ad info is below:
"Stop taking abuse. ” Jerry Turner
Slam, bang, bang. It's positively abusive— the punishment your feet take when you run. So, when an advanced cushioning material comes along, you'd want it right against your foot where it will do the most good. That's why I've put my new ZO2 in the sock liner of my next generation running shoe, the Road Warrior.
Unlike gel or air, ZO2 is not buried in the midsole. In fact, it lines my famous Anatomical Cradle. It's my new ZO2 insert—right against your heel where it can absorb the most shock.
And then there's the Cradle itself. It's scooped out of the heel area of the midsole —so your foot rests in the midsole, not on it.
The results? More stability because the Cradle keeps your foot from moving inside the shoe. Better cushioning because it concentrates your heel's natural padding where it can work best.
I've even added my newly developed Poly-Lite midsole. The lightest polyurethane midsole material available to date! It is as light as E.V.A. but vastly superior in shock attenuation and durability. So check out my new Road Warrior where you buy athletic shoes. And forget about the abuse of running. In the Road Warrior, you won't have to take it anymore.
My Anatomical Cradle" is scooped out of the midsole so your foot rests in it, not on it, for more stability. And it improves cushioning by concentrating your heel's natural padding where it works best.
Z02 insert, effective cushioning where it does the most good: right against your heel.
Introducing Road Warrior #571.
Converse Odessa 1985 vintage sneaker ad
The year was 1985. Ronald Reagan was president. "New Coke" was an released by Coca Cola in a marketing blunder. Nintendo released the NES in North America. Michael Jordan is named as the NBA's "Rookie of the Year." and Converse design team brought us the side way lace system and futuristic outsole of the Odessa running shoes. According to the ad is "the most technically advanced shoe" of it's day.
Ad info is below:
NO, IT'S NOT A FACTORY SECOND. IT'S AN INDUSTRY FIRST.
The heel counter stabilizer keeps your foot remarkably stable throughout your stride.
The Dual Density removable insole gives you out-standing shock absorption.
The side lacing-system works to keep your foot stable.
The cushioned Dual Density Midsole provides cushioning, stability and flexibility where you need it most.
At first glance, the lacing on this shoe might strike you as a manufacturing error, or a blatant attempt at gimmickry. But make no mistake. The new Converse Odessa is the most technologically advanced shoe a dedicated runner can wear.
Why the side lacing? Simple. Through biomechanical research, we proved it gives you more stability throughout the shoe. But the lacing is just one reason Odessa is an industry first. It's got three features that, together, give you an unprecedented combination of motion control and cushioning. In fact, the Odessa provides 15% more stability and 13% more cushioning than any other running shoe.
The extended heel counter keeps your foot remarkably stable through-out your stride. The dual density mid-sole and urethane wedge work to cushion your foot better than any shoe in its class.
And finally, our center-of-pressure outsole provides cushioning and stability, and centers your foot during your stride. But while it's heavy on features, this shoe is incredibly light on your feet.
So if you're a dedicated runner who thinks of Converse strictly as a great basketball shoe company, see the Odessa at your Converse dealer. You'll immediately think of us as a great running shoe company.
CONVERSE
Reach for the stars.
The Dual Density Center-of-Pressure outsole is made of Vibram Infinity® for long-lasting durability. The outsole helps center your foot during your stride, without sacrificing cushioning.
Converse "Energy Wave" vintage sneaker ad
RUN! We're going to fast forward up to 1988 and the Converse "Energy Wave" kicks. These shoes were supposed to have a longer lasting cushion and be cooler (temperature-wise) than their competition. I think in this scenario I might rather have a surf board 🏄♂️🤙 than a pair of sneakers, but that's just me. 🌊🏃
Ad info is below:
THE ENERGY WAVE WILL TAKE YOU HIGHER
RUN!
Introducing the Converse Energy Wave And our new AB'" Series With 77% better energy return than Nike Air. Cushioning that lasts longer than EVA. And Wave shoes are cooler for maximum comfort. All so you can run farther, faster. Repeat, farther, faster.
Converse
Results are based on direct material tests of the Converse Energy Wave, Nike Air, and EVA. Look for the blue-on-blue Energy Wave.