While it seems like a simple enough piece of equipment, the modern running shoe has a rich history of research and evolution that dates back to more than 200 years!

Yup, you read that right. That piece of fine, engineered mesh and stylish rubber that you are holding holds more than two centuries worth of history, research, and experimentation under its laces. All of this had a single purpose – to make running as comfortable as possible for runners.

But that’s not the only thing. Running shoes today are designed to allow for greater speeds, energy return, rougher terrains, and a wide range of foot types and running styles.

The first-ever running shoes

The first sneakers ever made for running were made out of leather. However, leather tends to stretch when it gets wet, and also wears out rather quickly. Thus, the shoes were rather uncomfortable to wear while running.

Similarly, the shoes were not designed to absorb the shock of impact or provide support to an athlete’s joints. This means that the risk of injury was quite high for runners back then, and many of them suffered from a lot of pain.

Luckily, research on running shoes had started in the 19th century. Let’s take a look.

The 19th century

In 1832, Wait Webster invented and patented a process in which rubber soles could be attached beneath running shoes. This led to the creation of the world’s first-ever plimsolls.

Then, in 1852, Joseph William Foster – the founder of the Boulton Company (now known as Reebok), added spikes to the bottom of running shoes for improved grip. Such spiked running shoes are still on display today in several British museums.

Later in the 1890s, the brand created a novelty spiked running shoe that was designed to help runners reduce their running times.

Similarly, rubber-soled and spiked shoes were also created by companies such as Goodyear and Dunlop in the 19th century.

But despite this, running shoes weren’t that common back in the 1800s, especially since not many people had the time or luxury to be pursuing sports.

In 1892 however, everything changed. People began using rubber for industrial purposes, and the first-ever sneakers were created. With flat rubber bottoms, lightweight uppers made from canvas, and flexible, these shoes allowed for almost silent walking. That’s also where the name “sneakers” comes from, as it allowed people “to sneak” around silently.

The early 20th century – The Dasslers

In the early 1920s, Adolf “Adi” Dassler and his brother Rudolf, developed different shoe designs for long-distance runners and sprinters. In 1925, they created their first “athletics” sneakers, with patented spikes and cushioned underfoot.

Their shoes were an instant success and internationally recognized by numerous noted athletes. In 1928, the Dassler brothers’ shoes won their first gold medal, as Lina Radke recorded a time of 2:16:08 in her 800-meter race.

After the second world war, the Dassler brothers founded Addas, which later split into Addas (now known as Adidas) and Ruda (today called Puma).

The first side stripes in running shoes were added in 1949 by Addas.

The 1960s: New Balance produces the Tracksters

The problem with metal spiked shoes was simple, it allowed for too many injuries. This is why when Tracksters by New Balance came in, they gained instant popularity. The first-ever running shoe to be made in multiple widths, Tracksters could accommodate more runners than ever and allowed for a more comfortable fit.

Instead of spikes, the Trackster had a ripped outsole that allowed for greater traction, absorbed the shock, and prevented injuries.

The 1970s: Running becomes popular

In the 70s, running was perhaps the most fashionable type of leisure in all classes of society. It was also then that the history of Nike running shoes originally began.

Bill Bauerman, an athletics coach and founder of Nike, was obsessed with the idea of making running shoes as lightweight as possible. In 1974, using his wife’s waffle iron, Bauerman came up with the bright, lightweight, and extremely expensive Nike Waffle Trainer. It was called “the hottest symbol of status” by Vogue magazine.

Two years later, in collaboration with Frank Rudy (an aeronautical engineer at NASA), Nike designed the first air-cushioned running shoes. This technological breakthrough is still relevant today, nearly 50 years later.

By 1976, numerous companies had also started manufacturing women’s running shoes, which were cut on a lower last.

The 1980s: Midsole technologies era

Up until 1980, Nike, Reebok, and Adidas dominated the running shoe market, with a large number of celebrities endorsing their newer cushioned designs and technologies.

In 1981, Saucony entered the market with triangular tread blocks on its sole – a new way for shoes to absorb the impact running had on the midsole.

In 1984, Adidas upped their game and introduced the Adidas Micropacer, which had an electronic pedometer stitched into the tongue.

Two years later, in 1986, ASICS launched their first-ever trainer with a gel-based cushioning compound made out of silicone. Research found that silicone-based absorbers were able to displace 28% more impact than the traditional air-based technology. (A similar gel-cush system is still featured in all of ASICS cushioned shoes). The same year also saw the introduction of the extremely fashionable Nike Air Jordans in the market.

The next year, Nike brought about a revolution in the industry and created the Nike Air Max – the first-ever running shoes with visible air cushions as shock absorbers.

The 21st Century

Today, we live in a time of accelerated development of running shoe technologies.

In 2004, Nike launched their first version of Free minimalist shoes that were worn by runners and non-runners alike.

In 2005, Vibram created the Five Fingers shoe specially designed for kayaking. These became popular among runners as a barefoot, minimalist sneaker that allowed the foot to move naturally.

In 2006, Nike introduced the Nike Air Zoom Moire to the market, which allowed runners to sync their trainers to their iPods to record time, burned calories, and distance.

In 2013, companies like New Balance started manufacturing running shoes using 3D technologies, with the laser scanner determining the individual characteristics for your feet.

By 2015, super lightweight running shoe models had been introduced to the market, many of which weigh less than 3 ounces.

Today, we even have a range of specialized running shoes for flat footed runners and athletes with special needs!