Comments on: Lord Spencer’s Shoes: The First “Specialized” Running Shoes Ever Made (from 1865)

By: Diego

Diego — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 00:25:39 +0000

In reply to Pete Larson. I don't believe that dress shoes really gave rise to running shoes especially when you take a look at statistical quantity of people running the Boston marathon from the time around 1870 to now, you can see how with running only a handful (literally maybe ten people) ran actually and at that time they were most likely using the plimsoll athletic shoe which was producing shoes since 1830s and used a predominantly rubber base which made running or walking around silent hence the american name "sneakers". Bill is still most likely the one to attribute the trend of heel offset in running shoes. Also the shoe you have on photo was designed for the popular sport at the time known as Pedestrianism or long distance walking.

By: rugbyref

rugbyref — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Church's is the big shoe company in Northampton (I visited on a rugby referee exchange). This is nothing more than a dress shoe with spikes, obviously. All running at the time was cross-country racing style, and there was no asphalt. This would be no different than me putting golf spikes on my Florshiem's. Running shoes had to start somewhere!

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Cody R..

You'd like Chapter 3 of my book - lots of great old quotes about how "almighty fashion" screwed up our shoes :)
Sent from my iPad

By: Cody R.

Cody R. — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

although bowerman isn’t responsible for heeled running, i’d say more of cushioned crap, as for heels…it’s all fashions fault, i hate fashion, and nike…

By: Mark Eichenlaub

Mark Eichenlaub — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Very cool stuff Pete. Those actually look hilarious.

By: RH

RH — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

There's this lovely Britishness to them. Did they come with a running 3 piece suit?

By: Mfco

Mfco — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Did Lord Spencer play golf? These look much more like golf shoes than running shoes.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to rugbyref.

I think what I find most informative is that casual/dress shoes that gave rise to this "running shoe" had big heels, so it's been an awful long tie since flat shoes were the norm for all day wear among the more affluent society.
Sent from my iPad

By: Solamente Dave

Solamente Dave — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Those look like the shoes I wear to work. Well, minus the spikes, that is.