Runner's World Top-Rated Running Shoes for 1980

This is the Runner’s World magazine buyer’s guide featuring their top rated runners in 1980. It’s interesting that only two Nike shoes are featured and that Jox Roadhandlers made the cut but Asics / Onitsuka Tiger, Converse and Etonic didn’t.

Page info is below:

5-STAR SHOES AT A GLANCE
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Runner's World Top-Rated Running Shoes for 1980

ADIDAS LADY MARATHON 80 WOMEN'S RACING FLAT

ADIDAS LADY MARATHON TRAINER WOMEN'S TRAINING FLAT

ADIDAS LADY TRX TRAINER WOMEN'S TRAINING FLAT

ADIDAS MARATHON 80 MEN'S RACING FLAT

ADIDAS MARATHON TRAINER MEN'S TRAINING FLAT

ADIDAS TRX TRAINER MEN'S TRAINING FLAT

AUTRY CONCORDE MEN'S TRAINING FLAT

BROOKS HUGGER GT MEN'S TRAINING FLAT

BROOKS LADY SUPER VILLANOVA WOMEN'S TRAINING FLAT

BROOKS LADY VANTAGE WOMEN'S TRAINING FLAT

BROOKS RT-1 MEN'S RACING FLAT

BROOKS SUPER VILLANOVA MEN'S TRAINING FLAT

BROOKS VANTAGE MEN'S TRAINING FLAT

BROOKS VANTAGE SUPREME MEN'S TRAINING FLAT

NIKE DAYBREAK MEN'S TRAINING FLAT

NIKE WOMEN'S LIBERATOR WOMEN'S TRAINING FLAT

NEW BALANCE 620 MEN'S TRAINING

OSAGA KT-26 FLAT MEN'S TRAINING FLAT

PUMA FAST RIDER MEN'S TRAINING FLAT

PUMA LITE RIDER MEN'S TRAINING FLAT

PUMA TRACK RIDER MEN'S RACING FLAT

REEBOK AZTEC MEN'S TRAINING FLAT

REEBOK AZTEC PRINCESS WOMEN'S TRAINING FLAT

REEBOK 10K MEN'S RACING FLAT

SAUCONY MS SILVER STREAK WOMEN'S RACING

SAUCONY MS TRAINER 1980 FLAT WOMEN'S TRAINING FLAT

SAUCONY SILVER STREAK MEN'S RACING FLAT

SAUCONY TRAINER 1980 MEN'S TRAINING FLAT

SPECS INNSBRUCK MEN'S TRAINING FLAT

THOM McAN WOMEN'S ROADHANDLER WOMEN'S TRAINING FLAT

Autry Concorde vintage sneaker ad from 1979

Here’s a 1979 vintage sneaker advertisement by Autry for their ‘Concorde’ model runners. If you want to learn more about Autry we have posted a bunch of vintage ads of theirs here, here, here and here.

Ad info is below:

INTRODUCING
A PERFECT FIT
IN AN ULTRA-LIGHT PERFORMANCE TRAINING FLAT
FROM “A” “EE”

THE ADJUSTABLE LACE-TO-TOE BLUCHER ON THE "CONCORDE" PROVIDES A CUSTOM FIT FOR ANY FOOT. FROM YOUR INSTEP THRU THE BALL OF YOUR FOOT, YOU'LL HAVE THE EXACT SNUGNESS YOU PREFER. "CONCORDE"

THE LIGHTEST, HIGH PERFORMANCE, CUSTOM FITTING TRAINING FLAT'
AUTRY THE ACTION PEOPLE
AUTRY INDUSTRIES, DALLAS, TX.

Ambi "Warrior" vintage sneaker ad ​from 1979

Today we've got this old school late 70s vintage sneaker ad for the Ambi "Warrior." AMBI was a brand out of Arkansas and made some pretty cool looking kicks back in the day. Apparently these running shoes 'outranked' every other shoe of their time.

Ad info is below:

SAFETY FIRST

Safety and protection of the runner has always been Ambi's first priority, providing the runner the best possible shoe without sacrificing any injury-protection features…..So, the Runner's World test results (right) of Ambi out-ranking all the top-rated shoes for safety and protection did not surprise the folks at Ambi…..Removable, washable sockliner (by Powers) adds extra cushioned protection and comfort.

AMBI

THE AMERICAN SPIRIT

★ That's the premise on which Ambi was founded.

★ That's what recent tests sponsored by Runner's World magazine reveal.

COMPARE THE 1980 TEST RESULTS FOR YOURSELF

The AMBI "Warrior" outranked all these top-rated shoes (and others) in the listed safety and protection features:

REARFOOT IMPACT—Adidas Marathon, New Balance 620, Nike Daybreak, Autry Mach II, Converse Arizona, Pony Targa VSD, Saucony Hornet.

FOREFOOT IMPACT—Brooks Supreme Villanova, Osaga KT-26, Adidas Marathon, Etonic Stabilizer, Saucony Hornet, Brooks Silver Streak, Etonic Streetfighter.

REARFOOT CONTROL—Brooks Vantage, Autry Concorde, Nike Daybreak, Puma Fast Rider, Brooks Vantage Supreme, New Balance 620, Etonic Stabilizer.

TRACTION—Adidas Marathon, Autry Concorde, Brooks Vantage, Puma Fast Rider, Nike Daybreak, Brooks Vantage Supreme, Etonic Streetfighter, Brooks Supreme Villanova, Osaga KT-26, Brooks Silver Streak, Wilson Force 5.

AMBI, PO BOX 249, JONESBORO, AR 72401 — Phone Toll Free 800-643-0099