AAU LW-3103 ​vintage sneaker ad from 1981

Here’s a vintage 1981 ad for the AAU LW-3103 upside down swoosh running shoes featuring Frank Giannino. Frank held a 36 year long Guinness World Record for the fastest run across America, 3,067 miles in 46 days, 8 hours, and 36 minutes. The record was beaten in 2016 by Pete Kostelnick who completed the trek in 42 days, 6 hours, and 30 minutes. This original vintage AAU upside down swoosh sneaker print ad is available at our web store Rewind Running.

Ad info is below:

AAU SHOES 

BREAK THE COAST TO COAST RECORD. 

The coast to coast run. The ultimate test of performance for a man and his shoes. One man and one brand of shoes did it. Frank Giannino in AAU LW-3103 took on America's toughest terrain and beat it. Smashing the transcontinental running record. 3,103 miles. In 46 days, 8 hours, 36 minutes. And now that the new record is set, Giannino sets the record straight about his choice of AAU Shoes: "The shoe offers excellent rear foot impact, minimizing the shock on the back of the legs and the lower back. It represents super craftsman-ship in design and manufacturing. And it outlasts the average running shoe... and the price is right:' 

Surprisingly priced to retail under $25. At the best of stores everywhere. 

THE FOOTWEAR OF CHAMPIONS 

DISTRIBUTED BY INTERMARK SHOE COMPANY
A Division of International Seaway Trading Corp.
1382 W. 9th St. • Cleveland, Ohio 44113 • (216) 696-7800

PONY Targa Flex and Shadow vintage sneaker ad

Closing out track coach ad week with one more from PONY and Jim Bush of UCLA. This ad is a from a few years later, in 1981, for the PONY Targa Flex, Lady Targa Flex and Shadow.

​Ad info is below:

RUNNING COMMENTARY.

FIRST IN A SERIES.

A COACH'S GUIDE TO BASIC

TRAINING TIPS FROM JIM BUSH

JIM BUSH
Head Coach—UCLA
Winningest track coach in the US; Head Pan Am Coach in 1979; Twice voted Coach of the Year; Member of the Olympic Development and International Committees; Coach of many Olympic and National Champions and world record holders; Member of the Pony Advisory Board.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

RW5-STAR
Runner’s World Magazine

THE TARGA FLEX 👟

THE LADY'S TARGA FLEX 👟

THE SHADOW 👟

1. Warm up. Before you start any workout get your body loose and get your pulse up. Remember the key areas to stretch are your lower legs, the calf muscles and Achilles tendons. Warm down. Don't just stop after a long run. . . Jog, then walk until your heartbeat is back to normal. Warming down is important because it helps get rid of the lactic acid that can cause discomfort after heavy exercise.

2. Get on a 7 day program. Be consistent in your workout. Set up a 7 day program and stick to it. I recommend alternating hard days and easy days. On hard days run a shorter distance at a faster than race pace. On easy days run a longer distance at a slower than race pace. For variety add some interval training to your schedule. Keep a training log of your daily workout.

3. Set a realistic goal. Don't try to run too fast a pace too soon. Make sure you're in the proper physical shape to reach your objectives. And look for gradual improvements instead of dramatic breakthroughs. Remember, when you achieve your goal set another. . . but make sure it's within reach.

4. A race is won in training which is why I recommend training in Pony. Pony's new 5-star running shoes are designed to give you plenty of toe room, excellent arch support and excellent heel support. They absorb a tremendous amount of shock and generally can help keep you and your feet in peak condition. In my opinion, they're the best. Which is why I recommend Pony. And why I train in Pony.

PONY SPORTS & LEISURE, INC. 251 Park Avenue South, New York, N. Y.10010

Arthur Lydiard by EB Brütting vintage sneaker ad

Here's another old timey black and white track coach ad, once again featuring Arthur Lydiard in 1977 for EB Brütting. This ad was promoted by Footlocker and was for the Road Runner, Universal, The Sprint, Sao Paulo, Interval, Marathon and the Munich (which isn't shown in the ad.) Arthur Lydiard was a spokesman for Converse later on in the 80s, where he designed the Thunderbolt and Equinox running shoes.

Btw, you can still buy the Sao Paulo at Manufactum.

Ad info is below:

EB BRUTTING EB
SPORT INTERNATIONAL GMBH 

EUGEN BRUTTING AND EB SPORT INTERNATIONAL PRESENT ARTHUR LYDIARD, THE MAN WHO PUT EUROPE ON THE TRACK. 

Arthur Lydiard, Olympic coach and running specialist, will visit Foot Locker stores throughout America this June and August to introduce his new line of shoes, the EB Lydiards. The shoes made for one purpose only. Running. Arthur Lydiard designs these shoes and Eugen Brutting, Germany's foremost leather craftsman, produces them in limited quantities for the top European athletes. Now they're available in the United States. See Arthur Lydiard at Foot Locker. Then step into a pair of EB Lydiards and lace them up. But be prepared. You won't want to take them off. 

EB Lydiards by Brütting. 

Lydiard .90AD RUNNER 1130 Trai,ng shoe $38 99

a UNIVERSAL 1154 Durable training shoe $39.99
b THE SPRINT 1553. Racing spike $33.99
c SAO PAULO 1919 Supertight racing fiat $41 99.
d MUNICH 1572. Superight racing spike $45.99 (not shown)
INTERVAL. 1575 Distance Cross country racing spike $37 99
MARATHON 1977 Road racing and training shoe $38 99 

Call your local Foot Locker to find out when you can meet Arthur Lydiard.

adidas 1982 Oregon Bill Dellinger vintage sneaker ad

Here's another track coach ad, this time Bill Dellinger of the University of Oregon in 1982. Bill Dellinger replaced Bill Bowerman after he retired as coach of the Ducks track team in the 70s. In this ad he is endorsing the adidas Oregon, Atlanta and Lady Oregon shoes.

Ad info is below:

adidas reports:
addas U.S.A. 1982 

Bill Dellinger has discovered a new use for Newton's Third Law of Motion. 

As most of you know, Bill Dellinger is the University of Oregon's running coach; and he will be doing the same honors for the United States Olympic Team in 1984. He has become world-renowned for getting the most out of some of the finest runners around. But now, he's about to become equally famous for getting extra performance from a gentleman who had his peak many years ago. Because he and adidas have developed a way to harness Sir Issac's fundamental law that will make a fundamental difference to runners. 

Distribution of impact shock. The Dellinger Web. For runners, its a loophole in the Third Law of Motion.

Newton's dictum states that for every action, there must be an equal and opposite reaction. Until now, for runners, this has meant that what goes down (in terms of initial heel shock), must go up (as an equal shock transmitted straight up the leg). But The Web disperses part of the heel shock throughout the entire sole of the shoe, where it is not felt by the leg. So in effect, what goes down goes sideways as well as up. The Web: What it is and how it works. The Web is a unique polyamide netting that covers the midsole from heel to toe. To a runner, this simply means a type of construction that can significantly reduce leg fatigue. When a runner's heel strikes the ground, it compresses the netting in the heel area. This compressed netting in turn pulls in on the rest of the netting throughout the entire sole of the shoe. The resistance of the netting and sole acts much like a torsion bar to absorb part of the impact shock.

Close - up of The Web.

Up to ten percent of the shock, in fact. Ten percent that the runner doesn't ever feel. Which means that the runner has ten percent more energy to devote to running instead of shock absorption. As if that weren't enough, there's even another advantage to The Web. The heel impact puts The Web in a state of tension, with some areas compressed and others stretched. As the runner rolls forward into the next stride, The Web springs back, giving a trampoline effect. And all of this is accomplished without sacrificing stability, and with no gain in thickness or bulk. Dellinger's Law: "You pay for the whole shoe, why not use it?" As we've explained, most running shoes only use part of the sole most of the time, an inefficiency your whole body pays for directly. But now with The Web, you can have a shoe that does part of the work you've been used to doing. The adidas-developed Web is currently available in the Atlanta, Oregon, and Lady Oregon. Only from adidas, the company that can bring the laws of physics to heel. 

Atlanta

Oregon 

Lady Oregon 

adidas

PONY Racer I VSD vintage sneaker ad

Here's another track and field coach ad, this time Jim Bush of UCLA fame in 1978, endorsing the PONY Racer I VSD.

Ad info is below:

NORTH AMERICA'S WINNINGEST TRACK AND FIELD COACH SAYS, "PONY MAKES THE BEST RUNNING SHOES FOR MY ATHLETES". 

"The hard facts are there. By every objective standard, PONY running shoes are the best I've worn, tested and approved for my athletes in 25 years." That' s Jim Bush, head track and field coach at UCLA talking about the most advanced running shoes on the market today. Anatomically and bio-mechanically developed, and scientifically tested, this new generation of PONY running shoes represents a quantum leap in safety and comfort for runners. The heart of these great new shoes is their sole. The PONY VSD sole (Patent Pending) insures optimal shock absorption, pronation and forward motion at the ball of the foot. This is achieved through specially designed nipples on heel for maximum shock absorption; special treads for increased traction and natural transfer of forward energy as runner pushes off; and specially contoured nipples designed to absorb initial shock and promote natural pronation of foot. In total, the PONY VSD sole has created a new efficiency for runners, and, unquestionably, is the standard by which other high performance shoes will be measured. 

THE PONY RACER I VSD (PATENT PENDING) Revolutionary variable sole design conceived through computerized biomechanical techniques. Ultra-cool and light weight. Excellent durability under dynamic conditions.

PONY
Canada’s Shoe

Keds Skaja Millenium, Renaissance and Breakthru 1983 vintage sneaker ads

Today we’ve got a couple of Joe Skaja 1983 vintage running shoe ads for "THE SHOE THAT WAS TOO GOOD TO MAKE." Joe Skaja, formerly of Nike, was given the green light by "a major shoe company" to make what they're saying is the most advanced running shoe possible.

There’s an older advertisement from 1981 when these shoes were released as Keds brand which I think is why the side profile logo is blocked out in the ad above.

If you want to learn more Sneaker Freaker has a great article called "Material Matters: Fables Of The Forgotten" which talks about these and other shoes from that era who were looking to innovate. This is direct from their article "Joe Skaja, a former Nike employee, came to the rescue with a wild idea: a system of interchangeable nubs arranged around the base of the shoe. When the nubs wore down you could simply pop some new ones in and get back to the track."

Ad info is below:

THE SHOE THAT WAS TOO GOOD TO MAKE. 

Replaceable wear plugs give extraordinary durability. These shoes went 2000 miles across country. Compare this with the 400-600 mile life of most running shoes

Joe Skaja, formerly of Nike and designer of their heralded Air-sole, was given the green light by a major shoe company to make the most advanced running shoe possible.
STATE-OF-THE-ART: RUNNING TIMES MAGAZINE.

Skaja gave them an advanced shoe. It was selected state-of-the-art by Running Times magazine in their shoe survey. Astonishingly, it had 4 to 5 times the durability of the big name running shoes. It also had an important heel counter design that helped prevent pronation knee injuries. Biomechanic experts and some of the most famous runners in the country considered Skaja's shoe to be ahead of its time. Despite all the acclaim the shoe never made it to market. No amount of enthusiasm could hide the fact that it was too expensive to make. The materials, particularly some space age compounds, were expensive. The production machinery would have to be made from scratch. 30,000 pairs of these shoes were made almost entirely by hand before the company realized it was living in a dream, and called a halt. 

$100 SHOES FOR $29.95. As part of an amicable parting agreement, Joe Skaja acquired the rights to the shoes in the warehouse. If these shoes were sold through normal channels they would cost close to $100 today. Because he's not going through a middleman, or promoting heavily, Skaja can sell his shoes for $29.95 (even less if you buy in quantities). You hear a lot about bargains these days. This is one you can believe in. Particularly if you're a runner who racks up serious mileage every week, you won't want to miss this opportunity. Get two pairs while you're at it, because it won't be happening again. Prices: Includes shipping, tax, & 10 free wear plugs. 1 pair, $29.95. 2-4 pairs, $27.95 each. 5-9 pairs, $26.95 each. 10 pairs and up, $26.95 each, plus one free pair.

CUSTOMIZING. Ask about this. If you need different sized shoes for your feet, or extra narrow, or extra wide, or modifications to accept orthotics, we can accommodate you. 

👟 MILLENIUM 👟 RENAISSANCE 👟 BREATHRU

Millenium (Men's) Men's mesh training flat with extemal counter. Available in gold with royal blue stripe and sand in navy stripe. Sizes: 6-13.

Renaissance (Men's) The lightest and most breathable of all our training shoes. Men’s open flo mesh. External counter. Old gold with a burgundy stripe. Sizes: 6-13.

Breakthru (Men's) Extremely light racing tat. Size 9 weighs just 5 ounces. Beige mesh with orange stripe. Sizes. 6-13. Not a wear plug sole.

Send order to: Joe Skaja, P.O. Box 923, Exeter, New Hampshire 03833. For information or to order by phone, call: (603) 772-4543. Allow 2-6 weeks for delivery. If we are out of model or size you request we will substitute a model of equal quality or design. Additional men's and women's models also available. 

Ad 2 info is below:

Skaja running shoe styles, and order specifications. 

Millenium (Men's) Men's mesh training flat with external counter. Available in gold with royal blue stripe and sand with navy stripe. Sizes: 6-13. (Order half size larger than normal.) Quantity Size(s) 

Open-Road (Men's) Training flat for men. Navy nylon oxford upper with almond stripe. Sizes: 6-13. Quantity Size(s) 

Breakthru (Men's) Extremely light racing flat. Size 9 weighs just 5 ounces. Beige mesh with orange stripe. Sizes: 6-13. Not a wear plug sole. Quantity Size(s) 

Renaissance (Men's) The lightest and most breathable of our training shoes stripe. Men’s open flo mesh. External counter. Old gold with a burgundy stripe. Sizes: 6-13. (Order half size larger than normal.) Quantity Size(s) 

Seabreeze (Wornen's) Mesh training flat with external counter. Seablue with vanilla trim. Sizes: 5-11 Quantity Steels) 

Profile (Wornen's) Women's training flat. Nary oxford nylon upper with beige stripe. Sizes: 5-11. Not a wear plug sole. Quantity Size(s) 

Breakaway (Women’s) Extremely light and breathable racing flat. Size 8 weighs just 5 ounces. Beige mesh with orange trim. Sizes: 5-11. Not a wear Quantity Size(s) 

THE SHOE THAT WAS TOO GOOD TO MAKE. 

Every so often a creative talent with a proven record is given the green light to make the best product he can, and hang the expense. Later when the dream product has been created it's discovered that the expense is hanging the company, and the dream dies never to be seen by the consumer public. It happens more often than supposed in every kind of of business. It happened recently in the running shoe business.

Joe Skaja, competitive runner for over 16 years, formerly of Nike and designer of their heralded Air-sole, was given the green light by a major shoe company. They wanted in the running shoe market, and knew the only way to overcome a late start and a sneaker image was to come out gunning with a genuinely advanced shoe. Skaja gave theme genuinely advanced shoe.

Several top athletes have asked for Skaja's shoes to train in. An 8:30 2-miler was recently quoted in a speech to his local running club, "Skaja's shoes are the best I've ever used." And he represents America's second leading shoe company! A similar reaction was received from an.athlete running for the world's #1 seller of athletic shoes. Here are some of the advances Skaja built into his running shoe:

1. He introduced the first counter made by an injection molding process. This made the counter accurate to a fraction of an inch. The normal method of fashioning the counter by hand causes it to vary greatly in stiffness and shape.) The counter is the most important stability ingredient in a shoe.

2. He introduced replaceable wear plugs to combat the built-in obsolescence found in today's running shoes.

3. He used open flow mesh for breathability. His mesh is twice as strong as anything else on the market

4. He Ad away with inside seams, thus increasing comfort and reducing the blister hazard in one stroke.

5. He introduced lightness to training shoes. A men's size 9 weighs only 9 ounces, for instance

THE BOTTOM LINE. Despite the fact that the new shoes were enthusiastically received by runners as well as biomechanics experts, they never made it to market. No amount of enthusiasm could hide the fact that the shoes cost too much to make. The materials Skaja needed, particularly some space age compounds, were expensive. The manufacturing process required production machinery that would have to be made from scratch. 30,000 pairs of these running shoes were made practically by hand before the major shoe company realized it was living in a dream, and called a halt. 

Wear Plug 

ONE TIME OFFER...UP TO 50% OFF. 

As part of an amicable parting agreement, Joe Skaja acquired the rights to the shoes in the warehouse. He's selling them now to raise money for his own running shoe venture. Because he is not going through a middleman he can sell the shoes for up to 50% off. Every pair comes with 10 free extra wear plugs. (Normally $1.00 for 2.) Skaja is directly involved in the making of each pair of shoes. He stands behind the product 100%. This is quite literally a once in a lifetime opportunity. Get a pair soon or you'll never see them again. 

PRICES. (Includes shipping, tax, & 10 free wear plugs.) 1 pair for $27.95 each. 2-4 pairs for $25.95 each. 5-9 pairs for $24.95 each. 10 pairs and up for $24.95 each plus one free pair.

Spalding Ultra-Flex 1980 vintage sneaker ad

Here's one more vintage ad from 1980, this time for the Spalding Ultra-Flex running shoes.

​Ad info is below:

Introducing the Spalding Ultra-Flex

Nylon flex-point insert for easier toe-off. 
|
👟

Everybody has a new and improved running shoe. But the new Spalding Ultra-Flex is truly unique. It has a nylon fabric flex-point insert across the ball, which lets your foot bend where its supposed to and makes toe-off easier. It has a removable tri-layered anatomical footbed for added com-fort. It also helps keep your foot stable in the shoe and reduces unwanted heel movement. What's more, it has a larger, extended heel-counter and a thicker midsole in the forefoot area. The new Ultra-Flex from Spalding. It's the means to the bend.

Feet that feel good fly.

SPALDING

Beconta Inc., 50 Executive Blvd., Elmsford, NY 10523 (914) 592-4444 

Spalding—registered trademark of the Questor Corp. 

Asics Tiger TM-42 Tiger Arrow vintage sneaker ad

Here's a 1980 vintage ad for the Asics TM-42 Tiger Arrow running shoes which were worn by the winners of the 1979 Boston and NY marathons. Pure 🔥

This original vintage advertisement is available over at RewindRunning.com.

​Ad info is below:

Tough Through Thick‘n Thin!

TM-42 TIGER ARROW New extra-duty, all surface training shoe. Holes in the mid-heel for additional cushion. Nylon mesh upper with reinforced toe box. Excellent arch support. 

Asics Tiger Shoes—For the knowledgeable runner Top athletes of the world know how good Asics Tiger shoes are, so they wear them in training, in competition and in record-breaking attempts. They put their trust in Asics Tiger, because they have learned through experience that Asics Tiger is trustworthy. Whether for track and field, volleyball, soccer, jogging, or any other sport, Asics Tiger is the name you can trust. 

*Worn by winners of '79 Boston and New York marathons! 

asics TIGER® SPORTS SHOES 

ASICS Sports of America Inc. 

Head Office: 2052 Alton-Avenue. Irvine. California 92714. U.S.A.
Phone: (714) 751-0451. 0452 Telex: 233-685533

JcPenney 1980 USA Olympics vintage sneaker ad

Here's a 1980 vintage advertisement for the JCPenney USA Olympics running shoes. #Saw themed for Halloween. 👟⚙️😲 And look at that - we're back to adidas-ish 3 stripes again.

​Ad info is below:

Before you spend $30 on a jogging shoe, get the inside story. 

When JCPenney developed their U.S.A. Olympics jogging shoe, they made sure it was built with the quality and workmanship you'd find in shoes costing $30. With features like an inner sole built to absorb shock. A padded tongue. Stylish leather and nylon uppers. Things you'd find in $30 joggers.

And one thing you wouldn't expect. The price. U.S.A. Olympics cost only $21.99. And for every pair of U.S.A. Olympics

purchased, JCPenney contributes 50¢ to the U.S. Olympic Committee. U.S.A. Olympics pics. The Jogger. Only $21.99 and only at JCPenney. 

A great run for your money. Only at JCPenney. 

Prices higher in Alaska. Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Available at most JCPenney stores and through the catalog.

Converse World Class 1977 vintage sneaker ad

Here's a cool old school 1977 vintage ad for the Converse 'World Class' trainer running shoes. 

Ad info is below:

Converse World Class: Available in 4 color combinations. And now, in women's sizes. 

Converse World Class Trainers now come in four color combinations for men. And our original Blue and White style is now available in specially designed women's sizes. And these are not just scaled down men's shoes, but running shoes specifically designed for a woman's foot and running style. All offer you great Converse performance with the distinctive star and chevron look. Try on a pair for yourself. Discover how comfort and style combine to make a running shoe with class. Converse World ClassTM 

CONVERSE
THE SHOES OF THE STARS
an Eltra Company

Specs Marathons 1982 vintage sneaker ad

Here’s a cool old ad from 1982 for the Specs Marathons running shoes.

Ad info is below:

Guaranteed. 3,000 miles or 6 months 

If the soles wear out before 3,000 miles or 6 months, we'll replace the shoes free. 

Marathons. We think you'll wear out before they do. That's why they're the only shoes in the world sold with this great guarantee. But there's a lot more to them than great soles. The light-weight construction gives you superb comfort and flexibility. There's a removable, contoured insole, made of memory foam and covered with nylon for extra support. The outsole is designed for better flexibility on the ball of the foot and comfort on all surfaces. We've even built in a rigid heel counter for better stability, and a rubber sponge midsole and wedge to provide better shock absorption. The price won't shock you, either. The fact is, it's the most comfortable feature of our Marathons. 

*See the registration card enclosed with each pair of Marathons for details of New Specs. Inc. Limited Warranty.

Specs and Pro-Specs are registered trademarks of New Specs. Inc 

Marathons by SPECS®
spectacular shoes, Spectacularly priced. 

Altier's Upstate New York • Choi's Sneaker City Philadelphia • Connco Minneapolis Area Couch's Denver Area • I. Goldberg Delaware. New Jersey. Pennsylvania • Rogan's Racine. WI • Shippy's Stevens Point. WI Shoe Fair San Francisco Bay Area • Swallens Cincinnati • The Shoe Ranch Falmouth. MA • And fine stores everywhere 

Bata Power brand vintage sneaker ad ​from 1983

Here's another sub brand of Bata called Power brand. This vintage sneaker ad is from 1983. (Sorry for the fold line y’all but this was a centerfold)

​Ad info is below:

Get into Power and run the country. 

Announcing Power running shoes.

If the name Power means nothing to you yet, pull on a pair and run. Then you'll undertand.

In the meantime, feast your quadriceps on these features in our Turbo model. For starters, a super lightweight sole. W... famous EVA wedge for correct balance understand. Variable width lacing for close fit without constriction. Flex point. sole slots for grea...

...fy and shock absorption. Air-flow... that dry your feet as you run. inside, a moulded removable insole unparalleled support and comfort

There's much more, but why worry about the details?Just pull on a pair and let your feet do the marveling.

You'll be too busy running the country!

POWER

Super*Stars 1979 vintage sneaker ad ​

Here’s a 1979 vintage sneaker ad for the Super*Stars LDX II, LADY LDX and FALCON model kicks.

Ad info is below:

You'll believe a man can fly!

SUPER PERFORMANCE AND FIT AT DOWN-TO-EARTH PRICE. Take off in Super*Stars. Feel the sure fit of reinforced nylon leather construction. Lift off in lightweight contour-molded comfort that only track-tested craftsmanship can create. Touch down on a special rubber synthetic compound sole designed for lasting resiliency. You're on an advanced tread design for roadgripping agility and extra power that goes the distance from ice-slicked city street to gravel track.

Super'Stars are styled for speed and endurance. There's nothing better between you and the road. Take the track with confidence. You're able to go the extra mile. Super*Star. as close to flying as running can be. 

LDX II LADY LDX FALCON 

"There's Nothing Better Between You and The Road" 

Super*Stars Suite 634, 47 West 34th St., N.Y., N.Y., 10001.

King Size "Town and Country Jogger" ​ vintage sneaker ad

Here's an old 1978 vintage ad for King Size running shoes "Town and Country Jogger " model and the always popular adidas-esque four stripe profile logo...

Ad info is below:

TALL & BIG RUNNERS

A SHOE DESIGNED I EXCLUSIVELY FOR YOU 

The Famous KING-SIZE Co. Town and Country Jogger Exclusively Available in Sizes 12 to 16 

Designed for the man who wants comfort and support in his hard-to-find size. Padded white vinyl ankle collar. Cross-country design crepe sole with wrap toe and heel. Tricot lining. 7 hidden lace eyelets. Money-back Guarantee both Before and After Wearing. $19.95 Pr. 

Please Send _______ Pair(s) Style 20 Joggers with Blue Nylon Uppers, White Leather Stripes and Blue Suede Tip. (M Width Only)

Size 12 Size 13 Size 14 Size 15 Size 16

My most comfortable Shoe Size is ______

The King-Size Co.

948 King-Size Bldg., Brockton, MA 02402

Gola 'Boston' 1979 vintage sneaker ad

Today we’ve got an old ad for Gola's 'Boston' running shoes from 1979.

​Ad info is below:

"Boston," ... a fantastic men's running shoe. A completely new design from Gola—ideal for the everyday runner. All the features of more expensive models, but priced for today's budget-minded consumer. Lightweight nylon upper with suede protection in the crucial stress areas. Soft foamed sponge mid-sole with foamed sponge wedge designed to absorb maximum shock. Natural crepe sole with dual tread designed for stabilization, while at the same time allowing extra traction. Available in three popular colors. 

Gola
a SPORTCRAFT exclusive 

GENERAL SPORTCRAFT CO., LTD. BERGENFIELD N.J. 07621 

Speed shoes 1975 vintage running shoes ad

We're going way back today. Here's on old add for "Speed" brand shoes from 1975. The company was owned by a runner named Ted Bick and had two models - "The Racer" and "The Trainer" and they were designed by Bill Squires who was the coach of Boston State College. Sadly Speed shoes weren't with us for long. I couldn't find any other record of them after 1976.

Ad info is below:

NEW FROM BOSTON: 

SPEED SHOES 

Coach Bill Squires, coach of Boston State College and the Greater Boston Track Club, has put 25 years of personal run-ning experience into the design of shoes which will meet the needs of every run-ner: comfort, protection and—above all--speed. They are called the SPEED SHOES. 

THE RACER 

Super-light, super-fast; with a high trac-tion, ultra-durable sole. Raised heel wedge and Spenco insole. Semi-rigid shank and arch support for mid-foot. Fits like a glove with soft, seamless inter-ior. Wrap-around nylon uppers. For sheer speed, this shoe is unsurpassed. Se-ven ounces per shoe. Price: $19.95. Re-heeled for $2.50. 

THE TRAINER 

Designed for heavy mileages, with extra cushioning from heel to toe. Raised heel wedge, Spenco insole, arch-support, semi-rigid shank, heel reinforcement. Same soft, glove-like fit; seamless interiors and nylon uppers. A long distance runner's shoe with excellent speed qualities. With 800 steps per mile, why carry more than nine ounces per shoe? Price: $21.95. Re-heeled for $2.50, re-soled for $7.50. 

In sizes 5 to 13, A-EEE. Both shoes un-conditionally guaranteed, if returned un-damaged. Add $1.50 to the price of each shoe ordered to cover postage and handling. 

Send order to: SPEED SHOES Box 202 Medford, Mass. 02155

Vintage 1980 Soma brand tennis shoes ad

Today we’re going to mix it up and post a pair of old school tennies. This ad is from 1980 from a brand called Soma. Soma was a sub brand of Mitsui & Co. based out of Japan and lasted from around 1976 to 1981. They were all about the Duolite sole. Btw, nice use of the Mercedes-Benz hood ornament to show how "classy" these sneakers were.

​Ad info is below:

STEP UP 

Introducing SOMA. The no-compromise tennis shoe for the no-compromise tennis player.

Your tennis shoes are a compromise between what your feet need, and what a shoe designer can give them. A tennis shoe must be flexible, yet offer firm support. It should also fit comfortably, absorb shock well, and be durable. 

In an effort to give you all that, conventional tennis shoes are built as a complicated structure of many little parts—each trying to do one job. Unfortunately, they can't do them all equally well. So your feet suffer. And so does your game.

Duolite. The no-compromise sole.

A SOMA tennis shoe is different. Simple, not complicated. Outside, it has the classy look you'd expect in a quality tennis shoe. But below, we've replaced all those little parts with our exclusive Duolite- sole—two layers of polyurethane permanently bonded together.

The layer closest to your foot is soft for comfortable shock absorption, and orthopedically molded for real support and fit The bottom layer is firmer, for superior durability and traction on any court surface. Together they're the first really new tennis shoe idea in decades. Tomorrow the world will be playing in SOMA. Today you can be the first player at your club to wear them. For more information, contact: SOMA Sports, Inc., 200 Park Ave., N.Y., N.Y. 10017. 

SOMA's exclusive Duolite" sole eliminates compromise—does the whole job with just two parts instead of many. 

SOMA It's as simple as that. 

SEE READER SERVICE PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Turntec 1984 vintage sneaker ad

Here's a vintage 1984 ad for the Turntec Anatomical Quantum Plus running shoes. The shoes featured in this ad were designed by Jerry Turner who was the former owner of the Brooks Shoe Manufacturing Co., Inc. While heading Brooks he developed the Villanova., the Vantage® and the Hugger.

​Ad info is below:

"I shaped my new shoes around a one million yeard old design . Your foot." Jerry Turner

It's an idea whose time has come. Up until now, running shoes were built on a flat form that didn't contour to the bottom of your foot. But my new Turntec anatomical designis built on a last that duplicates the shape of yyour foot. So when you run, a Turntec rally 'cradles' your foot, holding it right where my -

My Turntec Design with anatomical contour cradles foot firmly to help reduce sliding. 

Restraint without constraint

cushioning and your own natural padding will absorb the most impact. Your foot won't move around in the shoe. So shock is held to a minimum.

Ordinary Shoes 

Heel (calcaneus) under no pressure

Heel bone under pressure 

My Turntec Design 

Heel bone under no pressure 

Heel bone under pressure 

And since there are some areas of your foot that absorb more shock than others, I've developed my special 'Variable Impact Pressure Sole' (VIPS). It features a dual-hardness design that is firm at control points and softer in the shock areas. Which only adds to the protection.

Anti-pronation device reduces movement. 

Anatomical Cradle 

I designed these stabilizer bars to ensure forefoot control.

Flex bars double as heat and ‘moisture \ vents

There is one thing that will shock you though. How little Turntecs cost. See your local Turntec dealer. Or contact me at Turntec, American Sporting Goods Corporation, One World Trade Center, Suite 8827, New York, NY 10048. (301) 356-2300. Try on a pair of my new Turntec shoes. They don't conform to all the old shoe ideas. Just to your foot. 

My Turntec Anatomical Quantum Plus. 

Jerry Turner is the former owner of the Brooks Shoe Manufacturing Co., Inc. While heading that company he developed some of the most famous running shoes in history, the Villanova., the Vantage® and the Hugger.. The recipient of numerous awards and patents for the originality of his shoe designs, Jerry Turner is acknow-ledged as one of the most dy-namic and innovative people in the cursing shoe industry. Villanova, Vantage and Hugger are registered trademarks of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. 

1979 Athlete's Foot Saucony vintage sneaker ad ​

Here's a 1979 Athlete's Foot ad for the Saucony Hornet, Trainer 1980, Gripper, Ms. Gripper, Dove II and Racer 1980 kicks.

​Ad info is below:

His and Hers

8850 Hornet 👟

8866 Trainer 1980 👟

8852 Gripper👟

8862 Ms. Gripper

8863 Dove II 👟

8867 Racer 1980 👟

SAUCONY SHOES FOR ALL KINDS OF RUNNING at the Athlete's Foot Stores 

Jogging. Training. Marathon. Racing. Saucony offers the right tread and the right shoe construction for all running. Let the experienced specialists at THE ATHLETE'S FOOT the athlete's foot stores make sure you get just the right Saucony shoe for The Foot. your kind of running. For men and women, in colors you like. Count on the specialists! Available only at participating stores. 

No one knows the ahlete's foot like The Athlete's Foot

235 stores...nationwide

Point 4 vintage sneaker ad ​from 1975

Here's another short lived sneaker brand from the 70s called Point4. From what I can tell this company only stayed in the footwear game from 1974 to 1975. This ad is from '75, right arounf the time DJ Kool Herc was DJing at the Hevalo Club.

Ad info is below:

slip a pair on-
celebrate-
run
for
fun 

And we'll wrap you in total comfort! 

Write for free Point Four poster. 

point 4our ltd. 

4050 Talmadge Road
Toledo, Ohio 43623
(419) 472-6982 

University Spt. Gds. Mobile, Ala. 

Bill Lapes Spt. Gds. Tucson, Az. 

Sports World Lexington, Ky. & Erie, Pa. 

Rough Rider Bismarck, N.D. 

Wolf's Rookville, N.Y. 

Sauk Valley Brooklyn, Mi. 

T & G Sports Binghamton, N.Y. 

Woody's Spt. Gds. Hacienda Heights, Ca. 

Athlete's Foot Bethesda,Md. & Merrillsville, Ind.