Rudy Freno
What Sneakers Were Popular In The 70s – When people think of the most popular sneakers of all time, they probably think of how they became known in the 80s and 90s. In fact, many of the classic shoe styles we wear today can trace their roots back to the 70s. Here are the best shoes from the 70s, and you’ll be surprised how familiar some of the designs are. So sit back and enjoy!
The Nike Cortez deserves its place in history as the first Nike shoe ever made. Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman, a successful running coach, designed the shoe and helped popularize the idea of running as a hobby.
What Sneakers Were Popular In The 70s
At first, Nike began distributing shoes from other companies, but eventually began producing them on its own, and the Cortez was born. It worked and so did the company.
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The design is also classic as people have fallen in love with the famous Nike Swoosh. The sneaker showed its potential in running performance and this was the beginning of Nike’s journey to become one of the world’s megabrands.
In the late 60s and 70s, basketball underwent a power revolution, the game became faster, shots became harder and dunks more dramatic. Along with the change in pace, there should also be a change in the quality of shoes.
Adidas is the leader and has released more than 70 shoes of the decade. In 1979, they listed the top 10 players in the league in assists and included all of their design techniques in the top ten.
Its use by various professional basketball players has seen tremendous success, but most importantly, it works well on the court. At the time, it was the best basketball shoe ever made.
The Rochambeau Club Sneaker
Putting air bubbles in a pair of shoes? Many claim that the Air Max 1 was the first to showcase this new technology and cushioning system. It’s actually the Air Max 1 that shows the bubbles on the outside of the shoe. It all started with the Nike Tailwind.
Placing an air pocket in the heel was Frank Rudy’s idea, and Nike loved the idea. This new level of cushioning has received rave reviews for comfort and shock absorption.
Runners love using the shoe, and other manufacturers are inspired by it. Nike ventured into such a unique concept and the 80s saw many shoe manufacturers attempting their own revolution in shoe performance and design.
The history of Onitsuka Tiger and Nike is interesting. As we mentioned, Nike co-founders Bowerman and Phil Knight initially started distributing shoes and did it under the name Blue Ribbon Sports.
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They had exclusive US distribution rights to Onitsuka Tiger and helped pay the Japanese company in America, but soon realized they could sell themselves.
Onitsuka Tiger eventually merged with the ASICS brand in 1977, but kept their original name for the 1978 California shoe. Nike would soon surpass them in popularity, but California helped spark a new running craze across the country.
The waffle design was another invention from the mind of Bill Bowerman. He first got the idea from another iconic shoe of the 70s, the Nike Oregon Waffle. Bowerman actually used his own waffle iron to test this idea.
Before the waffle design, almost all running shoes were low and flat. It is suitable for some situations but not for others. The waffle effect on the sole is great on uneven ground and helps the shoe to grip more. There’s also bounce, which means the outsole absorbs more shock along with the midsole.
Adidas Run 70s Lifestyle Running Shoes Run 70s
The Oregon Waffle debuted in 1973, and four years later, Nike refined the innovative design and created the Waffle Racer, which was lighter and more stable.
Vans era shoes are very popular today and you would be forgiven for thinking they are a modern design. The iconic style, however, carried over from 1975 with the shoe’s original name, the Vans #95.
They were designed by legendary skateboarders Stacey Peralta and Tony Alva and have all the features skateboarders are looking for with an insole and non-slip outsole. When you add it to different color combinations, it’s no wonder it’s so popular.
In the early 70s, basketball players found that many high tops were restrictive and restricted their movement on the court. The Converse One Star is the answer to this problem, as the low-cut design allows for greater ankle flexibility.
Mr P. ’70s Regenerated Suede By Evolo® Sneakers For Men
The shoe only had a short production run, but quickly gained cult status among antique collectors from Japan. They were called All Star at the time, but after relaunching in 1993, the name changed to what we know today.
They were a huge hit and their popularity only grew as stars like Kurt Cobain frequently put them at his feet.
The Blazer is another great shoe that Nike released in the early 70’s and was their 3rd shoe. Originally designed for basketball, George “Iceman” Kerwin wore them on the court, helping to popularize them. This is the first time the NBA has worn a Nike shoe on the court, and it won’t be the last.
They’ve got the innovative design you’ve come to expect from Nike with a leather upper, nylon tongue and rubber midsole. It provided support and traction that we take for granted today, but was revolutionary at the time.
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The 70s shoe quickly became a fashion icon, often seen on street corners and nightclubs alongside the courts.
In 1958, the Puma brand introduced its signature stripe, an iconic colored strip that runs from the forefoot to the rear heel. The design was created not only because it helps to give stability to the shoes, but also because it is their defining character.
Fast forward to 1973 and stripes have never been more prominent and proud than on the Puma Clyde. They were developed in collaboration with Walt “Clyde” Frazier, and their cool and stylish design quickly gained them attention.
Adidas doesn’t get more iconic than their SL Trainer. It is not made as a pure performance shoe as it is a casual cross trainer. Made just in time for the 1972 Olympics, it was given to athletes to wear between events.
Adidas Run 70s Shoe
This led to many stage appearances and became popular as a casual wear option. It’s a classic design and is usually featured on a classic Starsky and comes out at Starsky’s feet. This is another timeless classic.
One of Adidas’ most iconic silhouettes was released in 1971 and was first popularized as a basketball shoe. Then in 1980 they were released again under the name “Kejohanan”.
NBA players wore them on the hardwood floor, but they soon became a common sight on the streets. It was mainly inspired by Run-DMC and the Beastie Boys who promoted this shoe along with many other adidas shoes.
New Balance has a long history of making great running shoes and has been doing so since the 1960s. The 320 helps New Balance compete with mainstream brands as their shoes offer unprecedented comfort.
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Its popularity quickly grew with Runner’s World magazine naming it the #1 shoe of the year. The use of new materials helps bring the shoe down to under 10 ounces and shows what it’s capable of in terms of lightweight while maintaining high quality.
Participating in various affiliate marketing programs, such as receiving paid commissions for purchases made through our links on retailer websites. Seventies trends show fewer signs (how’s your chest?) and focus on the decade’s sexier, edgier, Starsky & Hatchier vibes. That means pants that are tight at the top and loose at the bottom, jeans with a dusty hood, and heeled boots can make a baby feel long-legged.
About cowboys and body hair. There are also trainers. In fact, many of the cornerstones of the modern coaching code were first laid in the seventies. Adidas presents Stan Smith
Superstar and Nike’s Cortez quickly followed in the early part of the decade. Puma’s Clyde, a modern terrace staple, arrived in 1973. And if Vans hadn’t created the #95 in 1976, where would men’s feet be? It won’t last
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Fortunately, the seventies revival extends to the athletic end of the shoe scale. The Adidas superstar recently received a massive relaunch campaign featuring Pharrell, Jonah Hill and Paul Pogba among others.