Converse Arizona 1980 vintage sneaker ad

Here's an old school 1980 vintage sneaker ad for the Converse Arizona. According to the ad they teamed up with a NASA engineer to help design it and this sneaker is loaded with tech for traction, shock absorption and stability.

Converse Arizona 1980 vintage sneaker ad @ The Deffest

Ad info is below:

HIGH TECH OR YOUR FEET THE CONVERSE ARIZONA 

The new Converse Arizona' was developed in consultation with a NASA contractor. The result is an Integrated Running System (patents pending) that offers runners new levels of stability, shock protection, and traction on every surface.

The Sportcell mid-sole, created from a new high-technology material, provides extra protection by actually dissipating shock. Converse took the question of sole configuration out of the hands of clothing designers, and put it into the hands of engineers. The result is a sole that grabs hold of virtually anything —even loose dirt — to provide solid footing on any surface. The Toe Propulsion Ridge maximizes traction on toeoff. Outsole Studs and Heel Wear Bar keep traction high even as the shoe wears. The Heel Lock System provides state-of-the-art stability. When the shoe is laced, this newly developed "passive seatbelt system" locks the heel into place. This means over-pronation, the leading cause of runners' injuries, is minimized.

Man's feet, his legs, his knees — all his body parts are limited. His mind is not. He can create high technology to compensate for his limitations —technology to help him run faster, safer, more comfortably. He can create the Converse Arizona. For a free poster of this ad, write Converse Customer Service, 55 Fordham Rd., Wilmington, MA 01887. CONVERSE 

Tred 2 vintage running shoe repair ad from 1978

Here’s an 1978 running shoe repair ad for Tred 2. I tried to search around for a company that does this today and unfortunately there aren't many out there. Seems like a sustainable "green" idea that might have been ahead of its time. Tred 2 eventually pivoted over from rebuilding other brands sneakers and later went on to create their own line of running shoes. If you want to see a couple of their sneaker ads they are here and here.

Tred 2 vintage running shoe repair ad from 1978 @ The Deffest

Ad info is below:

How to get a longer, safer run for your money. 

Take good care of your running shoes; they'll give you more mileage and better support. And for even longer life, Tred 2 will rebuild them—at about half the cost of a new pair. 

Clean by hand only; machine washing severely weakens stitching. When Tred 2 rebuilds your shoes, we reinforce broken stitching and repair cracks and tears.

Don't play tennis in running shoes; the toes aren't built to take it. They'll quickly wear right through the outer sole.'

Shoes wear down inside, too—reducing comfort, support and safety. Tred 2's rebuilding includes brand new insoles and arch supports. New shoelaces, too.

For proper heel elevation and injury-free running, never let your shoes wear down into the midsole. Run with a second pair while Tred 2 rebuilds your first, with a brand new outer sole that will outlast the original. 

Tred 2 rebuilds running shoes for $14.95. 

Enclosed are pairs for rebuilding at $14.95 each, plus $1.50 per pair for postage and handling. I've enclosed ❑ check, ❑ money order. Please charge my: ❑ BankAmericard, ❑ Mastercharge. 

Card No.  Expiration Date  Signature  Name  Street  City  State  

Zip

Tred 2, Inc., Dept. 178
2810 Channing Ave.
San Jose, CA 98131

Tred2

1978 Tred 2, Inc 

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

Shoe-Town 1978 vintage sneaker commercial

Here's a classic 1978 commercial ad for Shoe-Town featuring some old school Pro-Keds, Tretorn and Pro-Specs sneakers.

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