Vintage running shoes, 1980s, Nike

[bucolic_frolic]

I continue to lament the sorry state of running shoes today. I crave a pair of 1982 Nike's or even a 1993 Asics. They were durable, with glued-in arch support, there was genuine leather and thick vinyl or nylon-padded uppers, suede, stiff soles compared to today.

Nike's came in Monterrey for women at one point, cobalt blue with silver swoosh, and men's were Oceania, blue and white swoosh. Bottoms were parallel arrow or zigzags. They wore well, could run in them for years. The men's were $19.99 on sale. If I'd bought 50 boxes I could take a vacation today with the proceeds.

My Asics were good too, mostly thick vinyl-backed poly, they had thick soles that stood up well.

Where did the good times go? Today the vinyl is paper thin. It's not enough they made shaved leather, now it's shaved vinyl. They don't hold up to moisture, they're ready for replacement at 9 months. The uppers are mesh fabric that allow all the dirt and moisture in, and they tear easily. You're getting nothing but obsolescence for your money.

circa 1982:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/305298799069

https://www.rewindrunning.com/products/nike-oceania-vintage-1982-running-shoes-80s-sneakers

Apologies if this isn't exactly a correct forum for this topic. I searched for a clothing forum. Maybe I should try nostalgia.

[Historic NY]

1. They have that lived in smell

[hlthe2b]

2. Yeah.. In the past two years, my very expensive walking/trail "running" shoes have had the soles lift up

(literally become 'unglued' within weeks of buying them). Irritating as hell, but if it happens to you, I've got the glue ("superglue" and all the other typical fast bonding-waterproof glues failed).

This one is designed for shoes and has been superior in semi-wet and very cold (20s) conditions:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B095CS87RR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[bucolic_frolic]

3. That is part of the problem: water-based contact cements

I get the real old-time lacquer-based contact cement, when I can find it.

Thanks for the link, one to make note of for the next shoe disintegration.

Water base cements were kind of forced upon us by regulations for the good of workers and low-voc climate rules. Maybe they just try to make all the shoe components last as long as the weakest part - the glue?

[moniss]

4. I'm so old I remember when the

only shoes available were all called "tennis shoes" and they were made from canvas. You could have white or black. When the very first iteration of leather Keds came out I had a pair. After awhile the side of one was weak form "sweat rot" and gave way when I planted my foot to make a cut in a basketball game. My foot went ripping right on out of the outside edge. Almost ripped some ligaments.

[bluedigger]

5. Had a pair of Brooks running shoes in the 70's.

You could only get them mail order. They were heavy, but a great training shoe for cross country.