does around 80 dollars sound right, if so, that means modern running shoes prices have not went up that much in 30 plus years. What say you?
does around 80 dollars sound right, if so, that means modern running shoes prices have not went up that much in 30 plus years. What say you?
RuKiddingMe!! wrote:
does around 80 dollars sound right, if so, that means modern running shoes prices have not went up that much in 30 plus years. What say you?
No, nothing close to $80. Try more like $35. I know I never paid more than $35 for any Nike shoe in the 70s. The prices started skyrocketing in the 80s as the shoes became more sophisticated with air cushion, etc.
I guess my memory is felling me, I though I remember my dad saying to by mother (way back when) that we can't affort those (shoes) which at time I thought to be in the 70 or 80 range? These were the Nike Elite racing flats, I notice Craig Virgin winning Peach Tree in them, but maybe I am wrong.
I recall near $50, but I remember so little from that time period ;)
Something in the $40-$50 range comes to mind. I know I never got them because they were too expensive.
They were too expensive for us to but was allowed to get one pair at the time, that is why I thought the price was higher. It was a very big deal at the time, but they wanted to support my running.
I remember the first running shoes I bought around 1980. New Balance, can't remember the model number. Uppers were a kind of suede and I loved them. I bought them at a small shop in Hyde Park, Chicago
I'm pretty sure they were $29.95. I plugged $30, 1980 into an inflation calculator and it gave $77.10 in 2010 dollars.
That surprised me--I figured they would have been much more in today's dollars.
I remember I had several pairs of the waffle trainers and they where around $35 dollars, but when the Elites came out they were considered at time this very special racing shoe and where the double money of most running shoes at the time?
I paid $28 or $32 for the Elites
Checked an old RW from 1977. Starting Line Sports sold the Elites for $32.95.
Early 1970 we were seeing 15-20 bucks by mid 70s we were seeing 30 for shoes like NB320s.
RuKiddingMe!! wrote:
I remember I had several pairs of the waffle trainers and they where around $35 dollars, but when the Elites came out they were considered at time this very special racing shoe and where the double money of most running shoes at the time?
We used to order all our running shoes from deep discount mail order companies that advertised in the running magazines (no online then fellows!), so I know we got the Elites for no more than $35 at that time. I'm sure they were considerably more in retail mall stores - maybe that's what you remember. I never priced or bought anything at at retail, so I'm not a good source as far as that is concerned.
thanks, remember my dad thinking I was crazy to be paying his hard earned money for runnng shoes
The first $50 shoe was the Tailwind in Jan. 1979. The few great Nikes prior to that, like the LDV and the Elite, were $35 to $40.
I wish I still had my old RW's mag's from the 70s, those were the days, probaby worth some money now?
In a 1978 Brooks legal action about logo infringment vrs Suave shoes Brooks stated their running shoes had pricepoint in "excess of $25"
funny you mention that, but Brooks was by favorite training shoes back then (I wish I could remember which one), but today I love Addisas. Today my favorite shoe is the Mama...sweet shoe.
knowsallthisandmore wrote:
The first $50 shoe was the Tailwind in Jan. 1979. The few great Nikes prior to that, like the LDV and the Elite, were $35 to $40.
I probably bought that shoe. I also remember running in the Pegasus when they first came out. I sometimes ordered from Dick Pond. One day I called a little before 5 pm and they were just getting ready to ship so they added my order. (Do they still have COD) I must have been the first stop for UPS because I got my shoes about 8:30 the next morning!! Pretty good for being a couple states away.
From Running Times Ad
1982-Not so long the Elite did rule. There was hardly a cross country title that didn't fall victim to this shoe. In either collegiate or high school competition. In fact, in its heyday, the Elite set the American record for the marathon.
Well, you can kiss those days goodbye.
Because not there's the Elite Classic. And, frankly, it puts the old Elite to shame.
In short, the shoe that made history is back for a rewrite. So if you have any interest in cross country or road racing, get your hands on the new Elite Classic. And run it out of town. (Around $37)
Bernie Ulman Sporting goods in Bel Air sold them for $33.00.