REI 1980s vintage sneaker ads featuring Nike, adidas, Reebok and New Balance

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.

Jordache Limited Edition Running Shoes 1981 Vintage Sneaker ad

Here’s a very 80s style ad from Jordache for their limited edition running shoes.

Ad info is below:

Another Jordache Breakthrough!

Now you can have it all…

fit, function and style.

The Jordache Limited Edition running shoe is leaving the competition behind. Now, you don't have to sacrifice a great fashion look for comfort or endurance. The Jordache LTD lets you have it all. Make a break-through of your own with the Limited Edition Running Shoe from Jordache.

JORDACHE ATHLETIC WEAR LTD.

Look 'for the Jordache LTD Running Shoe in fine stores.

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 

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

Pro-Keds T/Racer 1979 vintage sneaker ad

Here's an old vintage sneaker ad from 1979 for the Pro-Keds T/Racer back when they made running shoes. We just posted these vintage Pro-Keds sneakers for sale over at RewindRunning.com. The original vintage advertisement is available here as well.

​Ad info is below:

DOES YOUR RUNNING SHOE STAND UP TO OUR NEW T/RACER?

Introducing the PRO-Keds T/Racer. The shock absorption and durability of a training shoe combined with the lightness and flexibility of a racing flat. A shoe so new, you won't be able to buy it until early 1979. It will be available in men's and women's sizes that were specially developed on separate lasts to scientifically conform to the foot structure of each sex. And to ensure a more accurate fit, were making it available in men's half sizes 5-12, 13 in slim, medium and wide; and women's half sizes 4-10 in slim and medium. 

Sturdy, thermo-formed heel counter around a cuboid-shaped heel area to reduce lateral "wobble." 

Soft cellocrepe heel wedge for superior shock absorption on heel strike, mile after mile. 

Fully contoured insole support system featuring extra-firm arch support. 

Foam-padded Royalon covered collar and tongue, with a high-rise back to cushion and protect your. Achilles tendon, the lifeline of the running foot. 

Longer-wearing steep-grade outsole featuring high-traction cleated bar design and built-in heavy wear points. 

Uppers of breathable nylon with suede at high-stress abrasion areas. For increased comfort and protection. 

Exclusive patented light-weight Ensolite' shock absorbent insole to cushion the entire length of the foot for the life of the shoe. 

Wider and higher toe box to reduce abrasion, blistering and toenail blackening. 

PRO-KEDS
FOR ALL THOSE MOMENTS YOU FEEL LIKE A PRO. 

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

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