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.

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 

Converse Odessa 1985 vintage sneaker ad

The year was 1985. Ronald Reagan was president. "New Coke" was an released by Coca Cola in a marketing blunder. Nintendo released the NES in North America. Michael Jordan is named as the NBA's "Rookie of the Year." and Converse design team brought us the side way lace system and futuristic outsole of the Odessa running shoes. According to the ad is "the most technically advanced shoe" of it's day.

Ad info is below:

NO, IT'S NOT A FACTORY SECOND. IT'S AN INDUSTRY FIRST. 

The heel counter stabilizer keeps your foot remarkably stable throughout your stride. 

The Dual Density removable insole gives you out-standing shock absorption.

The side lacing-system works to keep your foot stable.

The cushioned Dual Density Midsole provides cushioning, stability and flexibility where you need it most. 

At first glance, the lacing on this shoe might strike you as a manufacturing error, or a blatant attempt at gimmickry. But make no mistake. The new Converse Odessa is the most technologically advanced shoe a dedicated runner can wear.

Why the side lacing? Simple. Through biomechanical research, we proved it gives you more stability throughout the shoe. But the lacing is just one reason Odessa is an industry first. It's got three features that, together, give you an unprecedented combination of motion control and cushioning. In fact, the Odessa provides 15% more stability and 13% more cushioning than any other running shoe.

The extended heel counter keeps your foot remarkably stable through-out your stride. The dual density mid-sole and urethane wedge work to cushion your foot better than any shoe in its class.

And finally, our center-of-pressure outsole provides cushioning and stability, and centers your foot during your stride. But while it's heavy on features, this shoe is incredibly light on your feet.

So if you're a dedicated runner who thinks of Converse strictly as a great basketball shoe company, see the Odessa at your Converse dealer. You'll immediately think of us as a great running shoe company.

CONVERSE
Reach for the stars. 

The Dual Density Center-of-Pressure outsole is made of Vibram Infinity® for long-lasting durability. The outsole helps center your foot during your stride, without sacrificing cushioning.​

Converse "Energy Wave" vintage sneaker ad

RUN! We're going to fast forward up to 1988 and the Converse "Energy Wave" kicks. These shoes were supposed to have a longer lasting cushion and be cooler (temperature-wise) than their competition. I think in this scenario I might rather have a surf board 🏄‍♂️🤙 than a pair of sneakers, but that's just me. 🌊🏃

​Ad info is below:

THE ENERGY WAVE WILL TAKE YOU HIGHER

RUN!

Introducing the Converse Energy Wave And our new AB'" Series With 77% better energy return than Nike Air. Cushioning that lasts longer than EVA. And Wave shoes are cooler for maximum comfort. All so you can run farther, faster. Repeat, farther, faster.

Converse
Results are based on direct material tests of the Converse Energy Wave, Nike Air, and EVA. Look for the blue-on-blue Energy Wave.

Converse Thunderbolt & Equinox Arthur Lydiard vintage sneaker ad ​

Converse "The Art of Running" 1984 Arthur Lydiard Thunderbolt and Equinox vintage sneaker ad. Another popular theme of these old 80s running shoe ads is the “track coach sponsorship.” After the success of Nike and Bill Bowerman there was a long line of track coach endorsers that came out to promote different brands and lines of running shoes.

Arthur Lydiard was well known and prior to these runners with Converse he sponsored a pair of sneakers by the EB Brütting company in Germany called the Lydiard EB Brütting Road Runner. Lydiard also taught Bill Bowerman how to jog. After that he designed these Thunderbolt and Equinox shoes for Converse. Converse re-issued the Thunderbolt and these sneakers have a really cool, unique style to them.

Ad info is below:

THE ART OF RUNNING
Arthur Lydiard, the world's greatest distance coach and designer of the new Converse Lydiard Equinox and Lydiard Thunderbolt.
“As a distance coach, I don't base my running methods solely on strength. Running's a science. That's why I chose to work with Converse. Converse is dedicated to biomechanical research. And together we've developed innovative design features that provide major benefits to the serious runner. We built the new Equinox' and Thunderbolt- on my own last... a curved, contoured and balanced last...the first of its kind. Special features include the extremely lightweight, yet durable Indy 500 outsole. A removable conformal footbed. And a molded mid-sole that keeps its resilience mile after mile. We also designed the Equinox"' in widths.

The results? Shoes that fit your foot and at the same time are lightweight and flexible. Three musts for any shoe you're going a long distance on. I strongly recommend serious runners train in the new Converse Lydiard Equinox and race in the Lydiard Thunderbolt. Like I tell all my runners, being good isn't luck. It's a science. Resign yourself to that and you'll go far"

Lydiard Equinox Training

Men’s widths B, D, EE and Women’s AA, B, C.

Lydiard Thunderbolt Racing Flat

CONVERSE
Reach for the stars. Reach for Converse.
1984 Converse Inc
The Official Athletic Shoe of the 1984 Olympic Games.