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The evolution of running shoes

1852: Joseph William Foster who later forms Rebook makes the first plimpsole with spikes on the bottom to help with grip and traction.

1892: Running had always been considered a wealthy mans sport until a new industrial process for attaching a rubber outsole to a canvas upper. This made trainers much more affordable and uponed up the sport to the masses.

1920: Adolf Dassler invented the what will now be regognised as a modern shoe design , both for sprinting and long distance running with a new underfoot cushoning system.

1928: Adolf is regognised a one of the best shoe makering the world with one of his shoes going on to win an gold medal at the 1928 amsterdam olympics.

1948: The Dassler brothers found Addas which later splits into Adidas and Puma.

1949: Adolf adds the 3 strips to the side of his shoes to increase support.

1960: New Balance launch the Tracksters, the first trainer to be made in multipul widths to fit even more people. using a rippled outsole pattern to help with traction and  they absorbed more shock to reduce injury risk.

1972: Frank Shorter won gold in the Olympic marathon and kickstarted a running boom. Brooks move completly into the running market.

1974: Bill Bauerman who later went on to form Nike makes his famous waffle iron tread shoe. Vogue called it “The hottest symbol of status”. Brooks realese the Villanova with the help of middle distance runner Marty Liquori and stamp themselves in the running world.

1980: Saucony launch the Trainer 80, the first running shoe to use a sliplast and saw the upper stright to the midsole making is supper light. 

1981: Saucony release the Jazz, using a new EVA midsole and a triangler patterned outsole for a cushioned ride.

1982: Brooks start using  dual-density midsoles as a support device with a harder foam on the inside and softer on the outside as well as different density outsole rubber to help with support. Mizuno Launch the RunBird range of athletic footwear.

1984: Saucony Make the DXN trainer in collaboration with Rod Dixon after his nail biting 1983 marathon win.

1987: Brooks bring the market the Kinetic Wedge, a new cushioning system designed to help stabalize the forefoot.

1988: Saucony launch the Shadow, their first trainer with a VIP system (Vertical Ionic Pillars) making it more supportive throught the heel.

1989: Hydroflow is Brooks newest cushioning system, using pods filled with silicone fluid to spread the shock between them.

1991: Mizuno spikes set the 100m world record.

1999: Brooks bring the Adrenaline GTS to the market, this becomes one of their best selling shoes, now in its 20th edition.

2007: Brooks make BioMoGo a new EVA midsole blend that is more cushioned and resposive yet breaks down 50 times faster than standard EVA reducing the time spent in land fill. Brooks then do somthing unheard of and shared it with their competition.

2005: Vibram 5 finger launch and kickstart they minimalist barefoot movement.

2007:

2009: Saucony create a shoe in response to people asking for a more stripped back and bare trainer but without comprimsing on cushioning, the Kinavara is born. This is Sauconys first 4mm drop shoe, paving the way for more to follow.

2011: Brooks launch the Pureproject line, stricking a balance between barefoot minimalism and enough cushioning to comforable waer for longer runs.

 2017: Brooks bring DNA AMP to the market the most energy return midsole material ever.

2018: DNA Loft

Accelerate Lifestyle Limited

Accelerate UK: The area's largest Running Store for road, trails, mountain and fell. From parkrun's through to ultra marathons. A wide range of shoes and running items that is backed up by a knowledgeable and experienced running staff. At Accelerate we love our running, and we believe it shoe.

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