Pro-Specs 1983 and 1984 vintage sneaker ads for the Axis-Plus runners

Today we’ve got a double feature from Pro-Specs with two different ads for the same model Axis-Plus running shoe from 1983 and 1984. These sneakers came with a 6-month/3,000 mile guarantee. The first ad below is from 1983 and is available over at RewindRunning.com.

Ad info is below:

Presenting the high performance shoe that doesn't run a lot. It's under $40.

If you run a lot, you'll appreciate the high-performance features of our Axis-Plus shoes. Things like a unique Pro-Specs motion control system that helps keep your feet from moving from side to side, an extra lacing system that increases stability, mesh uppers for optimal ventilation and a three-part insole that offers an unusual combination of flexibility and control. It's an amazing feat that such high performance is available for such an affordable price. And no matter how much your customers pay for a running shoe, they won't get a 6-month/3,000 mile guarantee from anyone else. The choice is yours. You can take your chances and spend a lot of money on a running shoe. Or you can get the high class, high tech shoe that's guaranteed. The Axis- Plus. You may run a lot . . . but your shoes don't have to.

Our EVA cushion is made of two different densities The Inferior EVA has greater density to prevent over pro-nation and to help propel the foot forward

Our insole a built in three parts to provide needed rear foot and fore-foot control while Mowing for flexibility at the point where the foot Neves naturally.

New Specs, Inc , Avon, MA 02322

PRO-SPECS

This second ad is from 1984. Ad info is below:
The kicker is the guarantee

With so many running shoes to choose from, how do you pick a winner? Pro Specs offers one way — a guarantee. The Pro-Specs Axis- Plus is guaranteed for 6 months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first. The Axis-Plus also propels the foot forward, prevents side-to-side motion and has an extra lacing system that increases stability. With all these features, plus a guarantee, you can't lose.

PRO-SPECS

New Specs Inc, Wales Avenue, Avon, MA 02322

Today Pro-Specs is still going strong in Korea where they are headquartered. Below are a pair of their Prospecs Original J 101 model runners.

Pro-Specs sneaker image courtesy of Hallyumart.

Various vintage running shoe and retro sneaker models from 1981

This old scan is from 1981 and has some well worn distress. It looks like it survived The Great Flood. Below we have retro sneaker models from:

PONY - Targa Flex?
Etonic - Eclipse
Reebok
Vans - Serio
Osaga - KT26
New Balance - 730(?)
Saucony - Jazz?
Brookfield

Pro Wings
Pro-Specs - Marathons
Brooks
Nike
Converse
Asics Tiger
Autry - Concorde
Puma - Fast Rider
adidas

Pro-Specs 1979 "Marathon Series" vintage sneaker ad

Here’s a 1979 retro sneaker ad for the Pro-Specs ‘Marathon Series’ sneakers featuring the Munich, Montreal, Innsbruck and Athens models:

Ad info is below:

Pro Specs Introduces the Marathon Series

With 3500 miles and 51/2 million footsteps of a grueling cross U.S.A. run as its testing ground, the new Specs Marathon Series has proven itself for durability, support and comfort. Engineered for long distance running, these shoes have conquered 130 degree desert heat, traversed the ominous Rockies and splashed through torrential rain and hailstorms intact.

The Specs Marathons: The running shoes that will conquer the distance, not let the distance conquer you ...

The Marathoners feature:
(1 ) The "Munich": Specs own "Track 80" outsole with its all terrain gripper design.
(2) The "Montreal": Custom engineered to fit all insteps in comfort.
(3) The "Athens": Light as a feather with mudguard outsole for maximum spring.
(4) The "Innsbruck": Unsurpassed flexibility and durability with unique poly outsole.

The Specs Marathoners are shoes designed by serious runners for people who take running seriously.

Pro Specs 1980 Innsbruck II and Munich II vintage sneaker ad

Here’s a 1980 vitage sneaker ad for the Pro-Specs Innsbruck II and Munich II fat bottom and shock bottom sneakers.

Ad info is below:

THE BOTTOM LINE:
THE INNSBRUCK II
FAT BOTTOM
FAT BOTTOM’s bottom line is pure performance. Pure performance made possible by Specs exclusive polyflex polyurethane outsole. It's fat. Durable. Flexible. And super shock- absorbing. And although the new INNSBRUCK II is fat in design, . it's real skinny in price... $30.00 or less.

THE MUNICH II
SHOCK BOTTOM
SHOCK BOTTOM’s bottom line is shock a shack-absorbing technology. Specs technology created special angular grooves in the outsole to follow the foot's natural metatarsal flex. Specs scientific technology created holes in the rnidsole to reduce weight and add tremendous shock absorbency. In fact, the only shock you'll probably ever get from the all terrain MUNICH II is its price ...under $30.

SPECS New INSIDE SECRET
FOOT BOTTOM
Here's just one major inside secret of Specs bottom line performance. It's Specs removable FOOT BOTTOM insole found exclusively in the INNSBRUCK II and MUNICH II. It's made.of) a Dow #6 polyethylene base bonded to a sueded Poron' top. The base molds perfectly to each individual foot. The Poron top has amazing bounce-back memory after every step. What results is an almost custom-made insole.

INNSBRUCK II and MUNICH II are available in men's, women's and boys' sizes.

New Specs,.Inc., Avon, MA 02322
PRO-SPECS
“The Bottom Line ls Perforcmance”

Pro-Specs 1983 vintage sneaker ad

Back in 1983 when Pro-Specs could hold their own with high end things like a diamond ring and and an old school Porsche 928.

​Ad info is below:

Why not shoes?
GUARANTEE Pro-Specs is the first sport shoe brand to offer a written guarantee on its performance shoes . . . right in the box. You wouldn't consider buying other high technology products without a written guarantee. Now you don't have to buy high-tech sport shoes without a written guarantee . . . direct from the manufacturer. Guaranteed durability, guaranteed quality, guaranteed value, guaranteed performance. In the competitive world of athletic footwear, we back our performance in writing .. . . . . why not Pro-Specs shoes?

PRO-SPECS

Consumer Relations Department Wales Avenue, Avon, Massachusetts 02322
Wats: 800-225-0475, Telex: SPECS AVNO 924313

Specs Innsbruck 1980 FAT BOTTOM vintage sneaker ad

Here's an 1980 vintage ad by PRO-SPECS for their Innsbruck Fat Bottom sneaker. This original Pro-Specs vintage advertisement is available at our RewindRunning.com web store.

​Ad info is below:

FAT BOTTOM 

THE 5-STAR SPECS INNSBRUCK: 

The sole is fat to make it soak up shock. It's foam to make it flexible and light. 

One look at Fat Bottom and you can see that the Specs Innsbruck is a. running shoe with a real difference. 

The Fat Bottom. 

The Innsbruck sits on the exclusive Specs Polyflex outsole: a fat, flexible, lightweight shock absorber of Mobay Bayflex®Polyurethane. Add the bounce-back cushioning of our perforated Poron® insole and you've got a shoe that is remarkably comfortable, extremely supportive, and delight-fully flexible and light. 

1st in Flexibility.

1st in Durability.

For sheer performance, Fat Bottom is state-of-the-art. Among all men's training flats tested in the rigorous 1980 Runner's World Shoe Survey, it ranked Number One in both Flexibility and Sole Wear. And rated 5 Stars overall. Hefty praise for the new Fat Bottom. 

You might expect to pay more for a shoe that out-performs and outwears such tough, talented competition. But thanks to its revolutionary simplicity of design- and the Specs commitment to real quality at a realistic cost- this just isn't so. 

The Skinny Price.

The Innsbruck is priced $5 to $30 below all other men's 5-star shoes. You can own a pair of Fat Bottoms for a skinny $25 or less. Isn't that a nice, fat surprise?

RW5•STAR  

FLEX YOUR SPECS

SPECS INTERNATIONAL INC., AVON, MA 02322