This is for anyone interested in some proper old school 1970s and 80s low profile lifestyle runners here is the latest Deffest retro sneaker buying guide. If you like retro basketball high tops we just posted the Top 10 Retro Basketball sneakers and Top 10 Luxury High Tops as well. Please note the sneakers below contain product affiliate links. You can read our affiliate policy in the footer of this blog post.
NIKE WAFFLE TRAINER 2
Nike has come out strong with some great 1970s and 80s throwbacks recently including the Challenger OG, Internationalist, Air Tailwind 79 and the Air Pegasus 83 (also at SSENSE.) Our pick for this list are the Nike Waffle Trainer 2 runners. The original waffle runners were introduced by Nike in the 1970s and this classic retro running silhouette has the old school Nike waffle iron sole.
Nike Waffle Trainer 2. Image credit to Nike.com.
ADIDAS RACING 1 RETRO RUNNING SHOES
We’re always a fan of seeing OG sneakers make a comeback and adidas takes us back to the old school with these low profile retro inspired running shoes. These throwback sneakers have an authentic '70s style and vibe.
VEJA RIO BRANCO
Veja was founded in 2004 in France and has been making noise over the past few years for eco-conscious footwear. We dig the old school stylings of the retro Rio Branco runners and these are available over at SSENSE.
Veja Rio Branco retro sneakers
NEW BALANCE 327 SNEAKERS
These retro sneakers are not a reissue but are a brand new model that were inspired by some of the older New Balance designs from the 1970s. I posted about the history of these sneakers and the models that they are based upon here. These sneakers are available in a bunch of different colors over at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
New Balance 327 vintage inspired sneakers
PUMA EASY RIDER
Harkening back to the 1970s this classic retro running silhouette has an old school vibe. If you want to check out an some history on the Puma Easy Rider runners we have posted some vintage Puma ads for them here and here. These sneakers have mostly sold out but you can still scoop up a pair of the Easy Rider II’s over at End. Another similar retro style option is the revived Puma Rocket at Puma.com.
Puma Easy Rider retro sneakers
SAUCONY SHADOW ORIGINAL
Way back in 1985 the Shadow was introduced as a performance running shoe. Today it’s kept the same retro-inspired low-top styling but with the added comfort to enable it to be a lifestyle trainer. These low profile sneakers are available over at saucony.com.
Saucony Shadow Original Retro Sneakers
WALSH VOYAGER
Norman Walsh was a Bolton-based cobbler who joined J.W Foster & Sons in 1945 and was notable for a lot of innovations that he made with the brand. J.W Foster & Sons later became Reebok and in 1961 Walsh left to begin his own brand. Norman Walsh’s namesake brand may not be well known in the United States but the brand has been putting out high quality runners made in the UK dating back to 1961. You can check out the Voyager and a bunch of other great retro sneakers over at Wolf & Badger.
Walsh Voyager retro sneakers
KARHU CHAMPIONAIR / MESTARI
Here’s another awesome retro sneaker set from Karhu. This model was part of Karhu’s lineup of models from 1977 through 1984 before bringing it back over the past few years. These are available over at TheDrop.com.
Karhu vintage inspired sneakers at TheDrop.com.
REEBOK AZ II
Here’s another great pair of retro runners that are throwbacks to the Reebok Aztec. These old school sneakers are mostly sold out but there are still a few pairs available over at amazon.com.
Reebok AZ II shoes
ONITSUKA TIGER MOAL 76
Here’s a great pair of throwback runners by always reliably retro Onitsuka Tiger. If you want to by these they’re are a few left available in black over at eBay and also in yellow and black.
Onitsuka Tiger MOAL 76 old school sneakers
