Here’s a vintage 1980s catalog for REI featuring some great 1980s sneakers. The shoes featured in this catalog are the Nike Pegasus Running Shoes, Nike New Internationalists, Nike Intrepid, REI Junior Winds, REI Equalizers, Adidas Oregon Trainers, Adidas Seattle, Adidas Tennis Champ, Reebok T.D., Reebok Victory G, Reebok Hurricane, New Balance 460 & W460, and Reebok Aerobic Energizers.
Here’s a 1980s vintage sneaker ad by Big 5 Sporting Goods for their in house ‘Fives’ sneaker brand. The sneakers featured in this ad are the ‘New Frontier,’ ‘Sundancer’ and ‘Cadet.’ This original vintage ad is for sale over at our vintage RewindRunning.com shop.
Ad info is below:
FIVES ...THE NAME OF THE GAME!
SHOES FOR RUNNING AND FITNESS…
Top quality shoes loaded with outstanding innovative features and unique high technology design!
men's 'NEW FRONTIER', ladies' 'SUNDANCER' (not shown) feature nylon mesh & suede leather uppers. Ultra-light-weight, long-wearing J-3 air blown wave pattern outsole - perfect for road or cross-country surfaces. Cushion 'Litelon' midsole & wedge for exceptional shock absorbency. Removable cushion bio-flex insole, double-stitched double reinforced heel counter provides optimal stability and minimizes excessive pronation. Leather saddle for greater stability and sway bar open toe construction for comfort and long wear. 19.99
youth's 'CADET', a full-featured performance running shoe or all-around knock-around shoe features two adjustable velcro fasteners, nylon taffeta and suede leather uppers, sturdy heel counter and tough long -wearing outersole. 15.99
AVAILABLE AT ALL
BIG 5 SPORTING GOODS
STORES THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA
Here’s a 1983 vintage Consumer Reports “Penny Power” magazine featuring articles on sneaker testing kids retro runners. This article compares Nike, adidas, Sears and Kinney NBA vintage sneakers.
Article info is below:
APRIL / MAY 1983 A Consumer Reports Publication for young People
PENNY POWER
TESTING SNEAKERS
Part Three: THE TESTS
In order to pick which brands to test, Penny Power used two kinds of "experts." First, an experienced runner looked at many pairs of running shoes sold in children's sizes, and told us which ones were sturdy and well made. Second, junior-high students weeded out the "dorky-looking" pairs from a group of good quality sneakers. They liked the four models you see in the "before" picture below. These ranged in price from $14 to $25.
Before
NIKE ($25)
KINNEY'S NBA ($20)
ADIDAS ($20)
SEARS ($14)
We decided to put these sneakers through the toughest test of all—a "kid" test. The 8-to-13-year-olds you see on these pages were each fitted with two different brands. All wore both pairs through an entire summer and into the fall. One pair was worn one day, the other pair the next day, so that each pair received the same amount of wear— at camp, on the beach and in the country. Running, jumping and skidding would show up differences among the sneakers, we thought. We were wrong! When we gathered in the 20 pairs of sneakers at the end of the test, a few were slightly shabbier or a bit more worn. But, as the "after" picture shows, most came through the test in about the same condition. One reason they were still in good shape was that the testers were switching between two different pairs. Changing your sneakers every day gives them a chance to dry out between wearings, and that's good for all shoes. It's also better for your feet. The testers were asked to choose the more comfortable of the two pairs they had worn. No one brand proved to be more comfortable than the others. Some testers liked one feature (such as the Sears's thinner sole or the NBA's cushioning), some another. We then washed a few pairs of each brand to see how well they would clean up. Again, all four brands washed pretty much the same. Only the light-colored sneakers were hard to get clean. The dark suede trim faded in the wash, however. (Turn to the back cover to see the results of our sneaker spruce-up.)
After
NIKE
ADIDAS
SEARS
KINNEY'S NBA
What did The Sneaker Project teach us? Since no brand stood out in durability or over-all comfort, you should look for a well-made model that fits your particular pair of feet. While you're looking, don't ignore some of the well-made but less-famous brands. Some of our testers were firm Nike or Adidas fans until they discovered the fit and comfort of a less-expensive brand. They were surprised. Maybe you will be too!
Here’s a 1980s vintage sneaker ad for Kmart featuring the Puma Cyclone II, Converse and Trax runners and Pony high top shoes.
Ad info is below:
LOOK WHO JUST MARCHED IN
Puma, Converse, Trax and Pony are now sporting Kmart prices.
For the first time, these famous first quality athletic shoes have all assembled at Kmart. Each fine line of footwear offers a variety of styles and colors for men and women. Each is a proven competitor, Each performs with style. Each has made a proud name for itself. Now, whatever your game, Kmart has the name and the price.
KMART
We've got it good.
Here's a great old school 1970s sneaker ad for Puma Lite Riders vintage running shoes. This original vintage ad is from 1978 and is available over at our Rewind Running web shop.
Puma’s new Lite Riders.
It's a long, uphill pull beginning at the six-mile mark. You want to flow up the grade, flatten it out, drive hard at the finish. You've trained hard. You're fit. You've done everything you can do. Now give yourself the best of it. Go for a PR in PUMA's Lite Riders, a revolutionary new racing shoe.
Built to minimize stress and the shock of impact over all distances, Lite Rider is a product of the superior technology which produced the famous Easy Rider training shoe series. Light as a feather but steel-tough to with-stand the pressure of racing, Lite Rider stresses durability, comfort and a remarkable new sole featuring shock-absorbing rows of angled cones. Footstrike brings Lite Rider's angled cones against the pavement edge first and their angles allow them to move more efficiently than thick, straight cones. A one-piece upper holds the foot comfortably and securely. A thick, tough wedge supplies extra support.
Lite Rider is a moccasin-type shoe with no hard insole. The heel is built on a track last. And a heavily reinforced toe area consists of a tough rubber lip bonded to suede leather.
Those who have worn it say it's the finest, most comfortable racing shoe they have ever tried. We're not surprised. That's the way we built it.
You'll see what we mean when you run in it.
The Sole Secret.
PUMA designers, searching for a more efficient method of absorbing the shock of footstrike, have created a sole featuring angled rows of small rubber cones. Angling allows impact to be softened by the sharp edges of the cones. In addition, the angle creates extra shock-absorbing movement by the cones. The cushioning effect of more than 150 of the 1/4 inch cones under the power stress of racing provides a floating effect and unsurpassed traction. Because of more efficient shock-resisting qualities PUMA can make the Lite Rider with harder, longer-wearing rubber. The secret is in the sole.
Lite Rider from PUMA The Great Cat Family. Meowww.
PUMA
🐆
The Great Cat Family
Today we’ve got an old school 1980s vintage sneaker ad by New Balance. This ad is for their 700 model runners which featured a "Cellogram" midsole and a "locular dynamic" design. This vintage magazine print advertisement is from 1983 and an original copy is available over at our Rewind Running web store.
Ad info is below:
The difference between other training shoes and the 700 is staring you in the face.
The NewBalance 700 is a competitive training shoe.
Some of you will wonder what "competitive training" means exactly. If you have to ask; this ain't your shoe. On the other hand, if you're a serious, purposeful runner who trains specifically to run faster, the 700 is going to do something quite remarkable:
Make you a faster runner.
EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS SHOE IS DESIGNED FOR SPEED.
There have been precursors of the 700. Not the least of which was the New Balance 620. Like that shoe, the 700 is extremely light. More to the point, it’s light years ahead in performance.
Consider its Cellogram midsole/wedge. An exclusive New Balance compound, Cellogram represents a breakthrough in energy efficiency. Running in a lot of training shoes is like running on wet turf. Running in the 700 is like running on a tuned track. The difference is the microcellular construction of the Cellogram Its extremely "tight" cell structure dramatically resists compression set and returns to the runner more of the energy he expends during training. The net result, according to every member of the New BalanceTrack Team who tested the 700, is improved training time.
IT EVEN MAKES TRAINING SAFER.
The core temperature of the bones in a runner's feet are dramatically affected by the nature of a shoe's upper material-a fact confirmed by research we did at the gait lab of one of Boston's leading hospitals.
With this in mind, we made the 700's upper of a special polyweave mesh. Permeable and breathable, it helps to significantly reduce heat buildup-a major contributor to stress fractures.
Other key components in the 700 include a double density counter and a firm mid-sole heel pad for exceptional stability. A cutaway arch and Flextendea Saddle for a unique sock-like feel. And flexible combination last construction for men and women in a variety of widths-because a serious shoe must fit.
Finally, the 700 features a high carbon rubber outersole in a "locular dynamic" design. Translation: exceptional durability, superb traction on any running surface.
The New Balance 700. A shoe designed to improve the one thing serious trainers care about most: Their time.
*Compared to other training shoes, the 700 returns more of a runner's energy to his stride.
NB
new balance
700
New Balance INC., Boston, MA 02134
Here’s another cool 1980s print ad for the Saucony Jazz vintage running shoes. These vintage runners featured a Deceleration Plug and "Indy 500" rubber. This original vintage sneaker ad is available over at the Rewind Running web store.
Ad info is below:
ENCORE PERFORMANCE: JAZZ PLUS.
Saucony continues the quality, craftsmanship and innovation of the Jazz with the Jazz Plus.
Another Saucony first: the biomechanically designed Deceleration Plug. An asymetrical wedge that works during the deceleration phase of a step; enhancing natural pronation and stabilizing rear and mid-foot stride.
Jazz Plus upper utilizes 400 denier nylon mesh for evaporation and new split tip pattern for flexibility. Jazz Plus also features the revolu-tionary Magic outersole of "Indy 500" rubber and diamond shaped stud design. The diamond pattern provides cushioning and shock absorption; center plug in each diamond stabilizes impact.
Jazz Plus from Saucony . . . and Lady Jazz Plus. Listen to your feet. Try on a pair. At better running shops and sporting goods dealers everywhere.
Saucony
The Mark of Innovation.
Div. of Hyde Athletic Industries, Inc., 432 Columbia Street, Cambridge, MA 02141
Here’s an old school 1980s print ad for the Saucony Magic vintage running shoes. This MAGIC runner incorporates the "Indy 500" rubber sole and the Saucony "Dutchman" design that distributed the force of impact over the entire heel area in order to reduce the tendency to pronate. This original vintage sneaker ad is available over at the Rewind Running web store.
Ad info is below:
At Saucony, the innovations keep on coming ...like Magic.
A shoe specifically engineered for increased stability and superior cushioning on heel strike. Our revolutionary new Magic outersole composed of durable "Indy 500" rubber features a unique diamond shaped stud design. It provides cushioning to absorb shock, while the center plug in each diamond adds stability on impact. Contact is smoother and quicker; stability and traction are increased. The heel and the inner plug of each diamond are ribbed to inhibit wear, thus increasing the life of the sole.
Saucony Magic: new from the ground up. From outersole to midsole to new, removable sock insert, Magic means innovation. Fitted into every Magic sock insert is our new Wingfoor XL heel strike cushion. A virtually "bounceless" high technology rubber compound, it is 30% lighter and 15% more shock absorbent than conventional compounds. Extra protection from compression injuries without added weight. What's more, "transition bars" on each cushion distribute force evenly, so you're protected regardless of where your heel strikes.
The new Magic upper has serious running miles built in by design: a new 420 denier nylon mesh is trimmed in durable pigskin, the new multi-flex lacing pattern and eyestay afford snug tying and freedom of flex in the forefoot area. The ScotchliteTM heel tab provides visibility at night. The "Magic Cush-ion" EVA material used in the mid-sole and heel wedge is superior to earlier formula-tions: it has less compression set, improved rebound qualities and higher tear strength.
Magic also incorporates the Saucony "Dutchman" to distribute the force of impact over the entire heel area, and reducing the tendency to pronate.
Think of it as another innovation in running shoes from Saucony, but ask for it by name: Magic or Lady Magic.
See Saucony shoes and Saucony Magic running clothes at better running shops and sporting goods dealers.
Saucony MAGIC
Div. of Hyde Athletic Industries, Inc.
432 Columbia Street, Cambridge, MA 02141
Here’s a 1980 vintage Nike ad for their running line of shoes. This original vintage Nike sneaker print ad is available at our web store Rewind Running.
Ad info is below:
MOST OF THESE SHOES HAVE NO BUSINESS BEING ON YOUR FEET.
But among them are the shoes you were born for. Because they have been engineered for your foot type, gait pattern, body weight, even your age, sex and training schedule. You're not like every other runner. And you shouldn't have to pretend you are. That's why we spent years working with orthopedists, podiatrists, world class athletes and everyday runners. We wanted a line of shoes that had nothing to do with the so-called "average" runner. We wanted shoes that could help real people. With real and diverse characteristics. Now we've got them. For pronators, heel strikers. Big runners and small. For people who churn out 125 miles a week, and those who run a good ten. Shoes for the road, the trails and models for both. For feet that are flat or arched, rigid or flexible. The new Nike Running Line. Never again will you have to put in the other person's shoes.
NIKE
Beaverton, Oregon
Here’s another magazine article cover featuring a bunch of old school 1980’s running shoes including the Nike Daybreak, Brooks Super Villanova, adidas Marathon 80, Converse Arizona and more.
Info is below:
Firm footing:
Take your pick
Back row, left to right: Sport International 1818 Boston (men's training), Adidas Marathon 80 7093 (women's racing), Converse Arizona Trainer 17854 (men's training), Tiger Montreal (men's training), New Balance 620 (men's training), Etonic Street Fighter 705 (women's racing). Front row, left to right: Brooks Super Villanova (men's training), Nike Daybreak 2309 (men's training), AMBI Trailblazer (men's training), Saucony Ms. Hornet 8851 (women's training), Puma Angel II 90930H (women's training), Pony Lady Express VSD (women's training), Spalding Top Flite XL/31601 (women's training).
Today we’ve got a vintage sneaker ad from the pride of Jonesboro, AR - AMBI brand. This ad is from 1980 featuring the 'Warrior' model vintage running shoes. If you’re interested in buyhing this vintage advertisement it is available over at RewindRunning.com.
Ad info is below:
A STEP AHEAD IN SAFETY
* That was the Ambi ambition when its first shoe was made — safety and protection of the runner.
* That's what Ambi has quietly accomplished (according to the recent tests sponsored by Runner's World magazine)
AMBI THE AMERICAN SPIRIT
COMPARE THE 1980 TEST RESULTS FOR YOURSELF
Rearfoot Impact
Forefoot Impact
Traction
Rearfoot Control
TOTALS
(The lower the number, the better the test results)
AMBI, PO BOX 249, JONESBORO, AR 72401
This vintage print advertisement is available at the Rewind Running web store.
Here’s an old vintage ad for the Puma Fast Rider from 1980.
Ad info is below:
PUMA. OUR STORY IS ON THE BOX.
Its a strong statement - Puma is quality. And because we mean it, because we believe in it, because we can back it up. we put that claim on every box. Lift the lid and you step out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary world of action shoes for action athletes marathon, cross-country, training, sprinting and jogging, we make them all. Go to your favorite running store today and look for our claim on the box. Puma is quality. We stand on it.
PUMA'
Today we’ve got a vintage 1982 Saucony ad for the Raider and Dixon model vintage running shoes.
Ad info is below:
RAIDER
Special vamp design of perforated nylon with mesh overlay. D-ring lacing system, cement-lasted in the traditional way for stronger construction, triangular design rubber outersole with reinforced heel strike area. Raider. Built strong to last long. At better running shops and sporting goods dealers.
Div. of Hyde Athletic Industries, Inc. 432 Columbia Street Cambridge, MA 02141
Saucony Continuous innovation in running shoes
DIXON
The shoe with the -Dutchman": a special rearfoot insert that helps dissipate heel strike shock while it controls pronation. New RD-1000 tread design with lateral bars for improved traction and front-to-back flexibility. Squared-off reinforced heel strike area. Butterfly-bal lacing system with D-rings and custom racing eyelet. At better running shops and sporting goods dealers.
Div. of Hyde Athletic Industries, Inc. 432 Columbia Street Cambridge, MA 02141
Saucony Continuous innovation in running shoes
Here’s another vintage ad for the KangaROOS Comet runners from 1982. This original vintage KangaROOS sneaker print ad is available at the Rewind Running web store.
Ad info is below:
BLISTER COMPETITION, NOT YOURSELF!
MILLER WINS TAC NATIONAL 50 MILE CHAMPIONSHIP WITHOUT A BLISTER. Scott Miller and his ROOS High Tech "Comet racers took first place in the most recent Houston National only three weeks after the shoes were introduced! Asked if there was anything about the shoes that he would change: he replied, Not a thing. I didn't even get a blister:
SO LIGHT, IT'S ALMOST LIKE RUNNING BAREFOOT. KangaROOS 'Comet weighs only 186.5 grams, and offers these outstanding features: Shock absorbing and lightweight sole. Rubber outsole with high impact heel base! Light. flexible and resilient EVA midsole with stability ledge. Supporting and removable cup insole. Light-weight genuine grain leather and supple 210 denier nylon uppers.
UNIQUE PADDING CRADLES THE FOOT. Built in foam padding behind the pocket protects the foot when items are placed
into the pocket. There's additional padding in the inside of the shoe to give a perfectly balanced feeling. With a specially
padded tongue and cushioned removable sock, the foot is completely cradled in comfort.
ENGINEERED FOR TOP PERFORMANCE. The Comet utilizes fully slip-lasted construction for lightness and flexibility. A notched heel to protect the Achilles tendon has been combined with an extended medial heel counter to protect against pronation.
Actual Race Photo:
Scott Miller
KangaROOS and Athletes Working to Win in 1984.
Distributed Worldwide
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,296,559 • D261,695 • D261,823 Foreign patents granted, other patent applications pending. KangaROOS
World's Only Shoes With Pockets
Here’s an ad for the Aero Shoe Corporation from 1983. With these shoes you could inflate and adjust the air cushioned sole for comfort.
Ad info is below:
THE ONLY TRULY AIR-CUSHIONED RUNNING SHOE
Adjust air pressure to your individual weight, then experience a new, unbelievable running comfort and sensation. It's so unique that, a patent has been granted to our designer. For your nearest dealer, please write to: AERO SHOE CORPORATION Suite 600, 33 Rector Street, NY, NY 10006
Dealer Inquiries INVITED
Today we’ve got a 1983 Etonic Athlete's Foot vintage ad for the Alpha 1, Fred Perry and Trans Am model sneakers. This original vintage Etonic print ad is available at our web store Rewind Running.
Ad info is below:
"I got fit to a Tshirt at The Athlete's Food"
"And I mean in great Etonic Shoes and a FREE Etonic t, with my purchase during Etonic Week! Hey I got more than the doctor ordered at The Athlete's Foot!" The doctor is Dr. Rob Roy McGregor, designer of the fabulous built-in "foot cradle" you'll find in all Etonic shoes. It's the one-piece support created for shock-absorbing comfort; helps prevent swollen
heels and injuries that stop runners before the finish line. And Etonic's rear-foot lacing controls lateral roll and helps prevent knee injuries. Let us fill your shoe prescription exactly at The Athlete's Foot. Well fit runners and joggers right with Etonic's excellent new Alpha I or the outstanding '11-ans Am; and for you tennis players, the famous Fred Perry, Etonic's popular court favorite. Come in and try on Etonic shoes at The Athlete's Foot store* nearest you during Etonic Week, May 1-7. Make a fitting choice for comfort and performance, and walk out in style—in Etonic shoes and your free Etonic T-shirt! ryas part id pat ing stores only)
Nobody knows the athletes foot and Etonic! like The Athlete's Foot:
Fred Perry
Alpha I
Trans Am
Etonic Sports Footwear & Apparel
More than 400 stores nationwide
Here’s a strange ad for the Jox 500 sneakers collab with Coronet paper products. Save $3 when you buy four rolls of toilet paper. 🤣 What a deal.
Ad info is below:
Now you can take advantage of one of the greatest shoe offers ever run. Because to get a $3 discount on any pair of Jox' sport shoes, all you have to do is collect four Quality Seals from any Coronet' quality paper products. From Coronet paper towels, bath tissue, nap-kins or facial tissue. Once you've collected the Seals, just mail them to the address shown below. In return, we'll send you a $3 certificate
which you can redeem at any Thom McAn shoe store. (Limit: one certi-ficate per each purchase of Jox.) You can send away for as many certificates as you wish, but each request must be mailed in a separate envelope. So if you're looking for a bargain on shoes, don't walk all over town. Just walk over to your supermarket. Georgia Pacific
Coronet shows you how to walk away with a $3 discount on Jox at Thom Mcan.
Gentlemen: Herewith are my 4 Coronet Quality Seals, which I am sending you to obtain a certificate for $3.00 toward the purchase of a pair of Jon at Thom McAn.
Here’s another Jox ad from 1983 featuring vibram soles.
This one is for the ladies. Here’s a vintage ad from 1980 for the Bob Wolf ‘Super Pro Ultras’ vintage running shoes. This original Bob Wolf vintage sneaker print ad is available at the Rewind Running web store.
Ad info is below:
MAKE YOUR ESCAPE A REALITY IN BOB WOLF SHOES
Break out of the indoors, do something wonderful for yourself. Run. That's right, kick up your heels and run off the days tensions. Running refreshes your mind while rewarding your body. Bob Wolf shoes are the first step toward a more graceful, sensuous and relaxed you.
MADE FOR A WOMAN
Bob Wolf's Super Pro Ultras are specially designed for the feminine foot with lots of support for your ankles and knees. We've strength-ened our heels with genuine leather, and added a high padded ankle collar to support you firmly yet, comfortably.
THE JOY OF RUNNING
With Bob Wolf shoes, you can look forward to your days run. Super Pro Ultras give you solid arch sup-port and blisterproof cushioning. For even more comfort, we've added pillow tongues and lightweight tetralon uppers for a feeling that's cool and cushiony. We've done most of the legwork, now it's up to you. Ask to see the Super Pro Ultras at your favorite sporting goods store, quality shoe store, or contact your local Bob Wolf Distributor. After all, since when were you afraid of a little adventure?
For additional stores contact Bob Wolf Associates, Inc., PO. Box 1490, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
When you see this mark, you will know that it is the mark of Bob Wolf Associates, Inc.
Here’s a 1980 vintage sneaker ad for the Puma Elite Rider. This original vintage Puma Elite Rider print ad is available at our web store RewindRunning.com.
Ad info is below:
PUMA. OUR STORY IS ON THE BOX.
Puma is quality. We print that fact on every box because we design our running shoes by rigid standards, even when it means going against the trend. Case in point: our new Elite Rider training shoe. Elite Rider will never score high marks for lightness because we added weight to make it more stable. We built in an extended orthotic footbed* that we believe will make this shoe the finest trainer in the world for runners of all weights. That's why Puma is quality . We stand on it. *A semi-rigid insert cups the heel and sides of the foot, running almost to the ball of the foot to reduce G forces and provide added rearfoot stability.
PUMA
Today we’ve got an old ad from the short lived brand All-Sport. This ad is from 1981 and features their Marathon, Delta and Tradewind model vintage sneakers.
Ad info is below:
If you think performance athletic shoes are overpriced you used to be right.
Introducing Allsport: Built to compete. Priced to win.
Here's proof that quality athletic shoes don't have to sport over-engineered price tags. Allsport athletic shoes. Compare the designs. Compare the features. Compare the crafts-manship. Then compare the price. You'll find that Allsport offers you performance and fit comparable to shoes costing much more.
If it feels like you're running on air, it's because you are.
Allsport introduces Royalaire construction. A real technological advance in running shoes. We put air vents right into the heel of our new Trade-wind running shoe. These vents take in air and force it up and through the insole as you run. Your feet keep cooler and drier and get an extra shock absorbing cushion in the heel, where you need it most. Look into Allsport the next time you're looking for per formance shoes. Because we make a whole line of athletic shoes that's built to compete and priced to win.
Patent Pending
ALLSPORT® Built to compete. Priced to win.
