Kristian Ferrell
The 1970s was a revolutionary time for basketball shoes. Converse, which had dominated the market for decades, released the Converse Pro Leather, replacing the canvas in the All Stars with leather. The two best players of the decade, Larry Bird and Julius Erving, wore these shoes. Converse also attempted to counter declining sales to professional players by adding more colour options and updating the rubber sole. Adidas, Ewing, Nike, Puma, and Reebok took advantage of new technologies to produce cutting-edge designs to reduce fatigue and improve performance. Adidas released the first low-top shoes, the Superstars, and the first player-endorsed shoe in 1971, featuring Kareem Abdul Jabbar's face on the tongue. Puma worked with Walt 'Clyde' Frazier to design and release the Puma Clyde in the same year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Decade | 1970s |
| Shoe Type | High-top sneakers |
| Purpose | Better ankle support |
| Original Nickname | Non-skids |
| Popular Brands | Adidas, Ewing, Nike, Puma, Reebok, Converse |
| Converse Shoe Model | Converse Pro Leather |
| Converse Wearers | Larry Bird, Julius Erving |
| Adidas Endorsement | Kareem Abdul Jabbar |
| Puma Model | Puma Clyde |
| Puma Endorsement | Walt 'Clyde' Frazier |
| Nike Models | Nike Bruins, Nike Blazers |
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Converse Pro Leather
Converse has been a popular shoe brand among basketball players since the 1917 release of the first shoe specifically aimed at basketball players, the "Non-Skid". In the 1970s, Converse's flagship Pro Leather model gained fame through its association with Julius Erving, also known as Dr. J, an NBA superstar known for his on-court prowess and off-court style.
The Converse Pro Leather was initially released in 1977 and featured a red and white colour scheme, inspired by Erving's team colours during his playing days with the 76ers. The shoe is being re-released with this original colour scheme, honouring the model's first iteration.
The Pro Leather is considered a "serious basketball shoe", with Dr. J noting his lifelong belief in the company and the product's credibility and sustainability. Converse has been a part of basketball at the highest level for many years, with other NBA stars such as Magic Johnson and Larry Bird also wearing Converse sneakers on the court.
In the 1970s, Converse attempted to revitalise sales to professional players by introducing more colour options and updating the rubber sole. This came in response to competition from footwear manufacturers such as Adidas, Ewing, Nike, Puma, and Reebok, who were utilising new technologies and innovations to produce cutting-edge designs for basketball players.
Converse has continued to innovate and adapt its designs, with the Pro Leather being remastered for the streets while retaining its iconic status in basketball culture.
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Adidas Forums
In the 1970s, basketball players wore a variety of shoes from brands such as Adidas, Ewing, Nike, Puma, and Reebok. During this decade, footwear manufacturers took advantage of new technologies and innovations to produce cutting-edge designs that specifically targeted basketball players' needs, such as reducing fatigue and improving performance.
Adidas, in particular, made significant strides in the basketball shoe market during the 1970s. They released the first player-endorsed shoe in 1971, which featured Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s face on the tongue. This shoe not only carried the endorsement of a basketball star but also embodied the innovative spirit of the time, incorporating features that reduced fatigue and enhanced performance on the court.
The Adidas Forum basketball shoes, with their old-school hoops flavour and modern wearability, are a testament to the brand's enduring legacy in basketball footwear. Even today, these shoes are sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of retro basketball fashion.
The Adidas Forum 84 Highs in the original bright blue colourway are a coveted model from this era. Their aesthetic appeal and functionality have stood the test of time, making them a desirable choice even by today's standards.
In addition to Adidas, other brands also made their mark in the 70s basketball shoe market. Converse, which had previously dominated the market in the 1960s, attempted to counter declining sales by introducing more colour options and updating their rubber soles. Puma, another prominent brand, collaborated with New York Knicks star player Walt 'Clyde' Frazier to design and release the 'Puma Clyde' in 1971. This shoe was crafted from suede leather, making it easier to dye and allowing for a new colourway for each game.
The 1970s were a pivotal time for basketball shoe design, with brands embracing new technologies and innovations to create shoes that not only improved performance but also reflected the evolving style of the decade.
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Nike Bruins
Basketball players in the 1970s wore a variety of shoes from brands like Adidas, Ewing, Nike, Puma, and Reebok. These brands used new technologies and innovations to produce cutting-edge designs to reduce player fatigue and improve performance.
One of the popular shoes during this era was the Nike Bruins, which were introduced in 1972. The Nike Bruins were made of suede or leather and came in different colourways. The "Bruin Suede 'Blue'" and the "Bruin Leather 'Larry Steele' PE" were both released in 1972. The "Bruin QS" was another variation, retailing at $529.
Over the years, Nike has released numerous iterations of the Bruins, including the "Bruin React SB 'Anthracite White'" in 2020, the "Bruin React SB 'White Lucky Green'" in 2021, and the "Wmns Bruin High SB 'Wolf Grey'" in 2023. The "Bruin React SB 'Summit White Signal Blue'" and the "Bruin React SB 'Varsity Red'" are also popular colourways, retailing at $147 and $145, respectively.
The Nike Bruins have stood the test of time, with new releases joining the lineup even in recent years, showcasing the enduring popularity of this shoe model that first captured the hearts of basketball players in the 1970s.
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Puma Clyde
In the 1970s, basketball players wore shoes from a variety of brands, including Adidas, Ewing, Nike, Puma, and Reebok. These brands used new technologies and innovations to create cutting-edge designs that improved players' performance.
One iconic shoe that emerged during this decade was the Puma Clyde, released in 1973. The Puma Clyde was the result of a collaboration between Puma and Walt "Clyde" Frazier, a legendary New York Knicks player known for his extravagant sense of style. Frazier's fashion sense and flair both on and off the court made him a 1970s fashion icon, earning him features in Esquire Magazine's "Best Dressed Jock" list.
The Puma Clyde came about when Puma approached Frazier with the initial offer to wear their Puma Basket shoes. However, Frazier refused as he found them too clunky for his taste. He presented Puma with a counteroffer, agreeing to sign with them if they created a new shoe according to his specifications. Frazier's conditions included using suede instead of leather for the first flat basketball shoe, featuring his signature "Clyde," and introducing a new colour variation for each NBA game he played in.
Puma accepted Frazier's proposal and modified their existing Puma Suede shoe to create the Puma Clyde. The new design incorporated a narrower shape, a more pointed toe box, and a more durable sole. Unnecessary aesthetic features were removed to align with Frazier's preferences. The Puma Clyde was met with great success, and Frazier wore all 390 different colour variations of the shoe throughout his career.
The Puma Clyde has since been re-released multiple times, including in 2018 when Puma brought back the original design with a full leather upper. That same year, Puma also released a new basketball shoe called the Puma Clyde Court Disrupt, marking their re-entry into the basketball market after a 20-year hiatus. In 2020, Puma introduced the latest iteration of the modern Clyde line, the Puma Clyde All-Pro, which incorporates the company's own technology, including a Pebax drop in the heel and ProFoam+ in the midsole.
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Adidas Superstar
The Adidas Superstar is a shoe model by Adidas that was launched 50 years ago and had an instant impact on the basketball court. The shoe was a game-changer, sweeping aside the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star, the high-top canvas shoe that had dominated the sport for decades. Adidas Superstars were made of lightweight leather, which offered better protection to players. The shoe was built with the particular stresses of basketball in mind, with an oversized heel counter that stopped the foot from sliding around and reduced the risk of sprained ankles. The rubber shell toe added further protection and durability, and it was also a striking point of difference in terms of design.
The Adidas Superstar was first worn by the San Diego Rockets, a new franchise making its NBA debut in 1967. By 1973, it is thought that three-quarters of players in the NBA were wearing Adidas shoes. The brand would go on to sponsor the league's biggest star, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, in 1976. The shoe had arrived on the basketball court at exactly the right moment, as during the 1970s, the game itself was changing. Adidas's use of lightweight leather, pulled from its expertise in track and field footwear, offered players better protection than the traditional canvas shoes.
The Adidas Superstar has since transcended the sport itself and become a cultural artefact, joining the Chuck Taylor in the top tier of sneakers that are considered icons. The shoe was there in the early days of hip-hop, the signature shoe of the local New York musical and artistic movement that became a global phenomenon. Even as recently as 2017, the shoe held its place in the top five best-selling sneakers of the year, long after its final appearance in the NBA.
Adidas's initial success within the American basketball market was not a given. Adidas is a German company, and the Superstar was a low-top leather shoe. These factors were initially seen as potential marks against the shoe in the basketball context. However, Adidas was able to leverage its expertise in track and field footwear to create a shoe that offered better protection than its competitors. The timing of the shoe's release was also key to its success, as it coincided with a period of change in the NBA during the 1970s.
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Frequently asked questions
Converse dominated the basketball shoe market in the 1970s, with nine out of ten college and professional basketball players wearing the brand. Converse released the first shoe specifically aimed at basketball players in 1917, called the Non-Skid. In the 70s, Converse released the Converse Pro Leather, which was worn by the two best players of the decade: Larry Bird and Julius Erving.
However, in the 70s and 80s, brands like Adidas, Ewing, Nike, Puma, and Reebok started producing cutting-edge designs specifically for basketball players. Adidas released the first player-endorsed shoe in 1971, featuring Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s face on the tongue. Puma also released the Puma Clyde, designed by New York Knicks star player Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier.
The Adidas Superstars and Nike Bruins were the first low-top basketball shoes, while the Nike Blazers were the first high-top basketball shoes from Nike. The Puma Clyde, also known as the Puma Suede High, was the first signature shoe and the first real competition for Converse.
Reebok BB4600, Reebok Breakaway, Nike Vandal, Nike Air Force 3, Nike Air Force 4 (STS), Jordache No Exit, Avia 880, and Converse ERX-400.
Yes, the Chuck Taylor All Stars, also known as Chucks, were originally designed for basketball players in the 1920s. While they are no longer worn by professional basketball players, they have become popular casual footwear and are still worn today.
