Ayrton Oneill
Basketball shoes have evolved from being a necessity for better grip and ankle support on the court to becoming a multibillion-dollar industry and a fashion statement. Converse released the first basketball shoe in 1917, and since then, several brands have entered the market, including Adidas, Nike, Puma, and Reebok. The 1970s and 1980s saw the rise of signature shoes, with Walt Clyde Frazier debuting the Puma Clydes in 1973, and the release of the Nike Air Jordan 1 in 1985, which transformed basketball shoes into a fashion phenomenon. Over the years, basketball shoes have become increasingly fashionable, with brands signing deals with top players and integrating them into their marketing campaigns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of origin of basketball | 1891 |
| Year of origin of basketball shoes | 1917 |
| Company that released the first basketball shoe | Converse Rubber Shoe Company |
| Name of the first basketball shoe | Non-Skid |
| Year Converse's dominance was challenged | 1969 |
| Company that challenged Converse's dominance | Adidas |
| Name of Adidas' basketball shoe | Superstar |
| Year Puma Clyde was released | 1973 |
| Year Nike released the Blazer and Bruin | 1973 |
| Year Nike released the Air Jordan 1 | 1985 |
| Year Nike dethroned Converse | 1990s |
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What You'll Learn
- Converse' Non-Skids, released in 1917, were the first basketball shoes
- In the 1960s, Converse dominated the basketball shoe market
- Adidas' Superstar sneakers challenged Converse's dominance in 1969
- Puma Clyde, the first signature shoe, debuted in 1973
- Air Jordans turned basketball shoes into a fashion statement
Converse' Non-Skids, released in 1917, were the first basketball shoes
Basketball was invented in 1891 by James Naismith, a Canadian professor of physical education, in Springfield, Massachusetts. The first official game was played in January 1892, and it quickly became apparent that basketball players required non-slip shoes. In 1917, six years after the invention of basketball, the first basketball shoe was created. The Converse Non-Skids, as they were called, were designed with a canvas upper and a rubber sole, providing increased grip and traction for players on the court. This style of shoe, with its now-iconic diamond tread pattern, was also known for offering comfort and support, with a cushioned insole, arch support, and heel support.
The Converse Rubber Shoe Company, founded in 1908 in Malden, Massachusetts, was a pioneer in the footwear industry, experimenting with rubber to create a variety of products, including basketball shoes. The Converse Non-Skids were not only a functional shoe for basketball players, but they also set a trend for the fashion of basketball shoes. The company initially offered the Non-Skids in black and white, but later expanded their colour options to appeal to a wider range of consumers.
The popularity of Converse basketball shoes soared in the 1960s, with an estimated nine out of ten college and professional basketball players choosing the brand. However, in the 1970s, the company faced declining sales as competitors like Adidas, Nike, Puma, and Reebok entered the market with new designs and technologies. Converse adapted by introducing more colour options and updating their sole design.
The Converse Non-Skids not only laid the foundation for basketball footwear but also contributed to the evolution of sportswear technology. Over time, advancements in sportswear technology and the demand for leather basketball shoes led to a shift in the materials used, with companies like Nike incorporating leather, low leather, and suede into their designs. Despite this shift, Converse shoes maintained their popularity, particularly as a fashion choice, with their high-top sneakers remaining a staple in the fashion industry.
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In the 1960s, Converse dominated the basketball shoe market
Converse has a long history in basketball, dating back to the early 20th century. In 1917, the Converse Rubber Shoe Company, founded in 1908 in Malden, Massachusetts, released the first shoe specifically designed for basketball players, called the "Non-Skid". This high-top shoe featured a canvas upper, a rubber sole, and the now-iconic diamond tread pattern, which provided increased grip on indoor basketball courts.
By the 1920s, Converse had established itself as a dominant force in the basketball shoe market, a position it would maintain until the 1970s. However, it was in the 1960s that Converse truly solidified its dominance, capturing about 70 to 80 percent of the market. Their Chuck Taylor All Stars were worn by ninety percent of professional and college basketball players. The All Stars were an evolution of the "Non-Skids", with improved flexibility and ankle support. The addition of Charles "Chuck" Taylor's signature to the ankle patch in 1932 further solidified the shoe's popularity, and by the 1960s, Converse was the go-to brand for basketball players at all levels.
Converse's success in the 1960s can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the company had already built a strong reputation in the basketball community over the previous decades. Their shoes were known for their performance, durability, and comfort. Additionally, Converse invested in innovative marketing strategies, such as the Converse Basketball Yearbook, which promoted an American image that resonated with consumers. They also had a talented salesman in Chuck Taylor, who was a former basketball player himself and understood the needs of players. He travelled across the country, promoting the shoes and conducting basketball clinics in high schools, which helped to spread the popularity of both the sport and the Converse brand.
However, despite their success in the 1960s, Converse began to face challenges in the 1970s. The rise of new competitors, such as Adidas, Puma, and Nike, who utilised new technologies and scientific innovations to create "cutting-edge" designs, ate into Converse's market share. Additionally, poor business decisions and financial troubles plagued the company, leading to a decline in popularity among basketball players, who began switching to competing brands. Despite this, Converse has endured as a popular fashion choice, with the Chuck Taylor All Stars making a comeback in the 1980s as retro-style casual footwear, and the company continues to release new editions and colour variations to this day.
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Adidas' Superstar sneakers challenged Converse's dominance in 1969
Basketball was invented in 1891, and the first basketball shoes were created in 1917 by the Converse Rubber Shoe Company, which released the 'Non-Skid' shoe specifically aimed at basketball players. Converse dominated the basketball shoe market for several years without any competition. In 1969, Adidas Superstar sneakers challenged Converse's dominance in the basketball shoe market.
The Adidas Superstar was designed as a basketball shoe, but it quickly became popular outside the basketball court, entering urban hip-hop culture and then becoming a huge hit in mainstream culture. The shoe was designed with a leather upper, which provided better protection and a much better grip on the surface than the Converse canvas shoe. The new shoe also featured a new, robust front and the three famous Adidas stripes on the side. The Adidas Superstar sneaker as we know it today owes much of its popularity to the Adidas Supergrip, which was created in 1965, four years before the Adidas Superstar was launched. The Supergrip model reportedly represented Adidas's first steps in their efforts to achieve success in the basketball world.
The Adidas Superstar sneaker was an instant success on the basketball court, sweeping aside the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star, the high-top canvas shoe that had dominated the sport for decades. The shoe was first noticed when key players in the Boston Celtics’ 1969 NBA Finals team were seen sporting Adidas shoes – the high-top Pro Model and the Superstar’s immediate precursor, the Supergrip. Just two years later, in 1971, the Boston Celtics competed in Superstars and won the NBA, which marked the beginning of the shoe’s dominance in the market for several years to come.
In 1976, Adidas signed a contract with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was the league’s biggest star at the time. He became the first basketball player to sign a professional contract with Adidas. In just a short period of time, Converse went from hero to zero, all because of the introduction of Superstar. The Adidas Superstar has since transcended sport, becoming a cultural artefact, joining the Chuck in that rarefied top tier of sneakers we endow with the title of “icon”.
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Puma Clyde, the first signature shoe, debuted in 1973
The Puma Clyde, the first signature shoe in basketball, debuted in 1973. The shoe was created by Puma for Walt "Clyde" Frazier, a player known for his extravagant fashion sense off the court.
The Puma Clyde was the first basketball shoe to be made of suede, a key demand of Frazier's, who wanted the first flat basketball kick to be made with suede instead of leather. The shoe also featured Clyde's signature and came in a variety of colours, with a new colour variation for every NBA game in which Frazier played. The Puma Clydes of today are made of leather, while the suede shoe has its own identity as the Puma Suede.
The Puma Clyde was the most popular basketball shoe of the 1970s, with a better design than its competitor, the Chuck. The shoe had a wider sole and a suede upper, which provided a better stance. The Puma Clyde was not only a huge success as a basketball sneaker but also became an important part of culture, embraced by the worlds of dance, hip hop and skateboarding, among others.
The Puma Clyde was the first signature shoe, but basketball shoes were created as far back as 1917. The first shoe specifically aimed at basketball players was the Non-Skid, released by the Converse Rubber Shoe Company. In the 1970s and 1980s, manufacturers such as Adidas, Nike, Puma and Reebok used new technologies to produce cutting-edge designs to improve players' performance.
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Air Jordans turned basketball shoes into a fashion statement
Basketball shoes have been around since 1917, but it wasn't until the 1970s and 80s that footwear manufacturers began to use new technologies and scientific innovations to produce basketball shoes with cutting-edge designs. This was also when basketball shoes started to become fashionable. Converse, Puma, Adidas, Ewing, Nike, Reebok, and other brands began to compete in the basketball shoe market.
In the 1980s, Nike recruited rookie basketball player Michael Jordan, creating the Air Jordan 1 shoe. This partnership transformed Nike into the world's largest athletic apparel company and turned Jordan into a global superstar. Jordan was involved in the design of his shoes, which helped increase sales, as consumers felt extra assurance that the shoes were good, knowing that one of the biggest sports superstars had signed off on them. Jordan's influence paved the way for other sponsored athletes, who have gained even more power due to social media reach.
Jordan's success on the basketball court and the Air Jordan brand's cultural appeal turned the basketball player into a global superstar. Rappers, actors, and celebrities embraced the sneakers, making them a fashion statement. Spike Lee's character, Mars Blackmon, with his "It's gotta be the shoes" catchphrase, became a cultural touchstone. The Air Jordans would also appear in music videos: Jay-Z and fellow rapper Kanye West wore Air Jordans in the video for their single "Otis" in 2011.
The Air Jordan brand has set a precedent for athlete endorsements, sneaker culture, and brand building that continues to shape the industry. The story of the Air Jordan is not just about a basketball player's shoes; it's a journey of innovation, cultural resonance, and enduring success.
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Frequently asked questions
The Air Jordan, released in 1985, was the first shoe design to turn basketball shoes into a fashion statement.
In 1917, Converse released the first shoe specifically aimed at basketball players, under the name 'Non-Skid'.
The Nike Kobe 6 Grinch, released in 2010, is considered one of the most iconic basketball shoes. The shoe is sought after by collectors, with an original pair selling for $1,400.
