AAU 1980 upside down swoosh vintage sneaker ad

Today we've got a 1980 vintage sneaker ad for AAU featuring their upside down swoosh and stripe logo. If you want to see an actual pair of these we posted a different pair of AAU sneakers that resemble the vintage Nike LD-1000 here.

AAU 1980 upside down Nike swoosh vintage sneaker ad @ The Deffest

Ad info is below:

AAU SHOES

The Runaway Bestseller!

AAU Shoes speak volumes for themselves. They were designed to give you the ultimate in fit, comfort, style and durability. Feature for feature, you won't find a better value for the price. Long after the race is won and the miles are behind you, AAU Shoes will still be in good shape to go again.

AAU
USA
The Footwear of Champions

A shoe whose time has come.

Medalist Brand 1978 vintage track suit ad

1978... the year you took psychedelic​ magic mushrooms and watched your granny run a marathon at midnight. 🍄🤣 This advertisement is for Medalist brand track suits and running shoes of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. One thing about mining through these old school magazines and catalogs is you see advertising trends that appear over and over again. Back in the late 70s and early 80s everyone was using this running "speed trails" photography effect to illustrate blazing fast quickness. Other than that apparently Elvis Presley wore Medalist brand.

Medalist Pride Run For Life 1978 vintage track suit ad @ The Deffest

Ad info is below:

RUN FOR LIFE

Medalist Pride's new line of running and warm-up outfits .. . keep you looking great!

Running . . . jogging . . .keeping fit. Its a good idea that's becoming a very healthy pastime. From the serious runner to the entire family, people are keeping fit mile after mile.. and they're enjoying it! Now, Pride introduces their Run for Life line of running and worm-up outfits. Attractive color combinations. Bold stripe patterns. Comfortable running outfits designed for people on the go. Whether you're training for a marathon ... or simply staying in shape, you'll look fit wearing Pride. And, Pride Run for Life outfits are invadable in adult and youth sizes and styles. The entire family can stay in shape! Plus, to keep your running on truck, Pride includes a FREE running chart with every Run for Life outfit sold. Check out Pride's Run for Life lineup at your Medalist Pride dealer today. For the mune of your nearest dealer, call TOLL FREE: 800-558-9776. Keeping fit. It never looked so good.

Medalist Industries, 1978

RUN FOR LIFE

Medalist Pride
19 East McWilliams Street
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin 54935
TOLL FREE: 800 558 9776

Autry 1980 leprechaun vintage sneaker ad

There's an Autry sneaker ad for all holidays. Happy St. Patrick's Day y'all! ☘️👟 For more brand history on Autry you can check out this post here.​

Ad info is below:

Everybody's Running Autry!

You don't need a leprechaun's magic to fly. Just ask your local dealer why Everybody's Running Autry. 

RW5-STAR ***** 

Runner's World Magazine 

AUTRY
THE ACTION PEOPLE 

Autry Industries. Inc.. P.O. Box 59149 Dallas. Texas 75229 (214) 241-7793

JETSTREAMERS
The Action Shoes of the 80's

Autry Leprechaun 1980 running shoes vintage sneakers @ The Deffest

Adidas SL72 and SL76 vintage sneaker ad

Here's a old vintage ad for the Adidas SL72 and SL76 engineered with 'traction dynamics’…

​Ad info is below:

SL 72 &76 reborn for the ultimate in cushioned traction 

More propulsion. Extended sole area gradually stores up touch-down energy. At lift-off, this energy is released producing 20% more propulsion per step. 

Thicker. softer-grooved wedge for substantially increased overall cushioning 

More stability & cushioning Wider, flared heel for greater stability. 

More Traction. Special profile ejects grit and mud. Profile layout allow, more flexing and therefore better traction. New heel profile for more cushioned heel strike

👟👟

Trust adidas to take these great (often imitated) training shoes, build in revolutionary cushioning and traction features, and end up with a saving in weight too. It's all part of a breakthrough in Traction Dynamics at adidas— real pioneer work that has created new standards in performance and comfort. 

SL 72 & 76 are creations of Adi Dassler, the man behind the adidas name. 

adidas 

The all-sports people

Braun Bilt vintage sneaker ad

Here's an old vintage sneaker ad for Braun Bilt’s running shoes. According to this ad "Braun Bilt stands up there among the giants." This original vintage Braun Bilt print ad is available at our web store RewindRunning.com.

​Ad info is below:

👟

There's always pressure to give it your best, most of it from within. From you. Runners are a special breed of competitors. Great inner drive, and a mania for the best. Consider Braun Bilt. If you know anything about training flats, you know how the competition is among shoe manufacturers. We're a new name, but an old company, with a reputation for making the best. Braun Bilt stands up there among the giants. Our very first, and only, shoe in the line at the time got four stars from Runner's World. "Watch out for this company,' they said. We're our own toughest competition. We can't worry about what the other companies are doing. We've got some of the best wear, best flexibility, best shock absorption and weight. And we're always making it better. As a runner, you should understand that attitude. Even when you're running alone, you want to come in first. Braun Bilt, designed and built in America, by New England craftsmen. 

When your toughest competition is yourself.

🏃‍♂️

braun bilt
Brookfield Athletic Shoe Company E. Brookfield, MA 01515 

Braun Bilt shoes for men, women, and children. You'll find Braun Bilt shoes at the dealers listed. 

CA: los Angeles/UCLA Student Association; Unit. Merchandising/All Stores, CO: Oenyer/Daye Cook Sporting Goods Co.: CT: Bridgeport/T. Bike Shop: East Norwalk/Mole Bros.; Notwalk/Hanssoo Sports; IL: Chicago/Morrie Meves. Unto Sports Store, Sport Mart/all stores, Eyanston/Verters At.tic Skies; Forest Park/Trim* Post Ski and Sports; Springfield/Springfield Rime. Cooler; IN Indianapolis/Atbbte's Foot Soper Shoes; KY: louisville/Brendentenes, ME: Rumford/Mackie, Ski Shop; Bethesda/Attibte's Foot; MA: Boston/Mickey Firm, The Ski Medial; lechmere Sales/All stores: North Plymouth/Factory Shoe Outlet; Salem/Life Sporu; MN: Willetnie/The Spottaboet; NH: Manchester/Loam. Sales; NJ: Bound .00k/Efinmeis Sporting Goods: Paramus/Polly Bros., Ramey Outdoors; NY: Herkimer/Sports Corner; Hopewell Jct./Hopewell Sporting Goods; Rome/Herb Pllipsoo's Army.Nayy; Utica/Khsin's AMSports, Sports Vlach; OH: Cincinnati/Bre...es, Sporting Foot A Things; Columbus/Athlete's Foot; Clayton/Ettendarnones. Paxton Spacing Goods; LooBoyle Inc.; OK: Tulsa/LooBoyfe Inc.; PA: Erie/Erie Sports Ste.; Newcastle/City Sports Center; Philadelphia/HU Bros. fall stores, VA: Fairfax/Olympic Sporting Goods; USA: Montgomery Ward/All stores

Autry "Concorde" ​vintage sneaker ad from 1980

These are some old school Autry "Concorde" kicks from 1980.

Ad info is below:

Introducing the all-new "Concorde" 

Light. And lasting. 

The RW 5-Star shoe we dared to make even better. With bold new features like Natural Flex * for superior flexibility. Plus longer wearing soles, increased impact protection and improved rear foot control. All that and lighter than before! The new "Concorde" with silver accents and lean aerodynamic styling. All in all, it's the shoe designed to match you stride for stride.

All Autry's have it. Look for the mark of the three distinctive chevrons. And discover why everybody's running Autry.
*pat. pend. 

👟

AUTRY
THE ACTION PEOPLE
Autry Industries, Inc., P.O. Box 59149, Dallas, Texas 75229
214/241-7793

Autry Concord 1980 vintage sneaker ad @ The Deffest

Autry 1979 vintage sneaker ad featuring Santa Claus

In the spirit of the season here's a 1979 vintage sneaker ad featuring Santa Claus with some Autry's on foot. 🎅👟

Autry 1979 vintage sneaker ad featuring Santa Claus @ The Deffest

Adidas Boston 1981 vintage sneaker ad

Here's a 1981 Adidas vintage ad for their Boston model running shoes. I think this is one of the models that Kmart Trax spent a decade trying to knock off.

​Ad info is below:

Great for the road. Even better for your wallet. 

Durable rubber outersole with diamond profile for excellent traction. Extra-comfortable pre-formed inlay sole with soft terry lining. 

Boston is the name of the new training shoe from adidas, one of the most comfortable we've ever designed — and at a very comfortable price. The Boston has been created with a newly-developed terry-covered inlay sole, tricot lining at the heel, extensive padding and a supersoft and flexible heel wedge to ensure excellent shock-absorption and comfort. So save yourself some money but don't make your feet pay the price — with the adidas Boston. 

adidas 
We've got a feeling for winning.

Hoop Stars: Allsport vintage basketball sneaker ad

Today we're going to switch it up for a minute and post an old school 1983 vintage sneaker ad for Allsport basketball shoes. These sneakers apparently featured the " innovative Royalaire* vented construction." The other 2 shoes are the Allsport "Royal Edge" running shoes and their "Cool Cleats." Tom Heinsohn, who is also in the ad, coached the Boston Celtics to 2 championships in the 1970s and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame (twice) as a player and as a coach.

Ad info is below:

Allsport 360 is a basketball revolution. 

LIGHTER, COOLER, MORE SHOCK-ABSORBENT.

"The basketball shoe of the future is here today—the new Allsport 360;" with double-mesh and leather upper on a durable EVA/rubber compound sole. AIlsport's innovative Royalaire* vented construction allows air to circulate freely through the shoe, providing a greater cushion and a cooler, lighter feel. Take it from a pro: nothing goes to the hoop like the Allsportt 360

*Pat. pending.

Tom Heinsohn
"Two-time World Championship Coach

S5 REBATE. Buy a pair of 360s before June 30 and Allsport will send you a $5 rebate.

SPECIAL BONUS. Purchase a pair of 360s now, and receive a $2 coupon on any pair of Allsport Royal Edge running shoes or all-purpose Cool Cleats.

For purchasing information. call loll free: 1-800-932-4000 

ALLSPORT 
BUILT TO COMPETE
PRICED TO WIN

Allsport 1983 vintage sneaker ad @ The Deffest

Amfit 1982 bespoke vintage sneaker ad

Here's a 1982 vintage ad for a brand called Amfit from Silicon Valley. This ad maybe hard to read but it says they would take foot impressions of each of your feet and custom fit shoes for each customer. I like the overall idea of this but you can see how it would've been hard make a sustainable business model of this during the mail order days. Hersey Custom Shoe seems to be one of the few brands left custom fitting running shoes.

2021 UPDATE:
A reader of the blog shared this link to AmFit’s website. They are still in business and have become a leader in orthotic manufacturing.

Ad info is below:

Amfit

THE FIRST PERSONALIZED TRAINING SHOE TO PROVIDE AN INDIVIDUALIZED ENVIRONMENT, AND TO FIT YOUR SPECIFIC FOOT. THE AMFIT SHOE CONCEPT CONSISTS OF TAKING IMPRESSIONS OF EACH ONE OF YOUR FEET. AND AT TIME OF PURCHASE CUSTOM-MACHINE-MAKING A FOOT BED THAT WILL FIT INTO AN AMFIT DESIGNED SHOE. YOUR CUSTOMIZED FOOT BED WILL BALANCE YOUR FOOT IN ITS WEIGHT-BEARING POSITION AND THEREFORE HELP TO PREVENT YOU FROM OVER-PRONATING. TO SEE FOR YOURSELF. VISIT OUR AMFIT STORE AT 39 TOWN & COUNTRY VILLAGE, PALO ALTO. CA 94301 OR WRITE JAN ERIK FRIBERG, PRESIDENT, FOR A FREE BROCHURE OR CALL (415) 329-0560.

ADDITIONAL AMFIT LOCATIONS WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Amfit 1982 bespoke vintage sneaker ad @ The Deffest

Puma Super Long Distance vintage sneaker ad

Today we've got another old school ad from 1975, this time for the Puma "Super Long Distance Shoe."

Ad info is below:

PUMA 🐅

...made to go the distance.

When you run 100 miles or more a week in all kinds of tough terrain you need a top quality shoe that can really take it. The Super Long Distance Shoe by Puma. Thick foam wedge tapering from heel to toe cushions your foot, soaks up shocks. Ankle and achilles tendon pads. Uppers made of nylon, leather reinforced. Soles are tough rubber with special long wearing treads. Comes in blue, red and yellow with Puma stripe. Next time you run for distance, treat your feet to a pair of Puma Super Long Distance Shoes. At your nearest sporting goods dealer or write: Beconta, Inc., Sports Division, 50 Executive Blvd., Elmsford, N.Y. 10523 or 340 Oyster Point Blvd., So. San Francisco, California 94080.

PUMA from BECONTA

Avia 1982 vintage sneaker ad

Here's a 1982 vintage ad for Avia featuring their president at the time Jerry Stubblefield. The side profile logo on these ✈️ remind me a little of the current W6YZ shoes. If you want to see another old ad with the same running shoes there is one here.

​Ad info is below:

Think of him as the Leonardo of running. 

Perhaps it's unfair to compare our own Jerry Stubblefield with the world's most prolific and innovative designer. Because, while Mr. da Vinci had designs on most everything he saw, he apparently wasn't interested in running shoes. Jerry Stubblefield is. Passionately so. The fact is, Jerry Stubblefield was a champion athlete, Olympic Trials finalist. and university track and cross country coach. He's a designer and journeyman mold and pattern maker. He holds no less than eight patents pending for athletic shoe designs. He's also our company president. When he has an idea for improving our Avia line of running shoes, it doesn't wait for approval from Upstairs. He is Upstairs. He's downstairs, too. No one in the place works harder or longer than Jerry. And that's good news for serious runners. Because there may be no other designer in America with his knowledge of biomechanics and his experience in high performance athletic competition. The result is a line of running shoes unlike any other on the market. Take our (or Jerry's) patented, cantilevered outsole, the most striking feature of the Avia line. The wing-like design dissipates shock, deflecting it outward — not back up the leg. The kinetic ribs spread out upon impact, absorbing shock and increasing stability at the same moment. This same unique feature also minimizes ankle pronation and eases foot and leg strain. So the runner achieves greater performance with less fatigue or stress. That's the rationale behind Avia. But, because you are a runner, you must feel Avia. Feel something totally new A fluidity of motion. It's this indescribable feeling that is converting more and more serious runners from waffles and wiggles — to the wings of Avia. Ask the next runner you see wearing the distinctive lightning bolt of Avia. See for yourself. The fit, the feel, the quality of the materials. They're all there in one superbly crafted shoe. Then, run for yourself. And reach new levels of performance. Perhaps a new PR. You will, you know. Thanks to a very hard working and brilliant fellow. Our Renaissance man, Jerry Stubblefield. Ask for Avia at the best sport shops in your area. For information on Avia footwear for basketball, racquetball, running and roadracing, write to: Jerry Stubblefield, President Avia 7080 S.W. Fir Loop Tigard, OR 97223 Innovative By Design 

Cross section of heel — noncompressed 

Cross section of heel —fully compressed 

AVIA

Innovative By Design

Avia 1982 vintage sneaker ad @ The Deffest

Brooks RT-1 vintage sneaker ad featuring John Walker

Here's a old vintage Brooks ad for the John Walker RT-1 running shoes from 1980.

Ad info is below:

"IF YOU TRAIN MORE THAN 50 MILES A WEEK, YOU REALLY OUGHT TO IN MY SHOES:"

"The folks at Brooks asked me to design a new shoe—a shoe that could be used for training and racing. Naturally, I jumped at the chance, because it just makes sense biomechanically to train and race in the same shoe. "Right up front, though, I made sure everyone understood one thing. I had to test this new shoe personally: To run in it under all kinds of conditions. Or my name simply wouldn't go on it. "Well, my name is on the Brooks RT-1. And I'm here to tell you that the RT-1 is the perfect marriage of a featherweight racing shoe with a firm, durable training flat. "The RT-I is light (about 7 ounces in size 9). And it's cool, because it's made of Brooks Special Open Mesh Nylon. " Plenty of cushioning in all the right places, too. With a wide, flared heel and Varus Wedge."' So you can train day after day without worrying about injuries. "And the RT-I is built on a racing last. Narrow at the heel and arch for closer fit and more speed. With extra 'toe spring' for a better kick and stronger finish. "Try the RT-1 for yourself. I can't promise you better racing times. But I can tell you I enjoy running in the RT-1. And I think you will, too. It's the most comfortable shoe for racing and training I've ever worn. In a word... Sensational."

RW5-STAR

*****

Runner's World Magazine

John Walker, World Record Holder

2000 meters (4:51.4), former World Record Holder in the mile (3:49.4). 1976 Olympic Gold Medal Winner 1500 meters.

The John Walker RT-1. Another sensational running shoe from...

BROOKS
Brooks Shoe Mfg. Co, Inc., Hanover, PA 17331

Brooks RT-1 John Walker 1980 vintage sneaker ad @ The Deffest