What started as an informal agreement between Bill Bowerman and Philip Knight in 1964 would soon grow to a shoe company of mammoth size. Bowerman and Knight initially started importing running shoes that they would sell in the United States. A few years later, the pair decided to form their own company. In 1967 they opened their first retail location, and soon after, Nike tennis shoes were born.
The first employee and salesman for the company was Jeff Johnson. It was Johnson that gave Nike tennis shoes their name. As the story goes, Johnson had a dream about the Greek goddess Nike at night, and mentioned this to his employers. This name was combined with the Nike “Swoosh” symbol which was created by a college student, and soon the first shoe to feature this name and symbol was released.
Nike tennis shoes were not the first release. Instead, it was soccer cleats. It was not long before Bowerman was considering ways to expand the shoe line. His experiments yielded a product that featured a specialized sole that resembled a waffle. This product premiered at the 1972 Olympic trials, and soon become popular. The waffle bottom design remained popular for many years, and was the foundation for all of the special soles that would follow.
With athletes being the prime wearer of Nike tennis shoes at first, it was a natural fit to have these athletes promote the product line. Mark Covert was the first sponsored athlete to promote Nike tennis shoes. Since that time many famous athletes have been associated with the brand. Today, these advertisements can be seen on billboards, in magazines, and on television. They also are frequently seen at major sporting events.
One of the most famous was Michael Jordan. The company designed basketball shoes with his likeness. Air Jordan shoes were a huge hit. Styles for babies, children, teenagers, and adults sold at an incredible rate. This is still a popular choice today, and many different styles of these Nike tennis shoes have been introduced over the years. Styles that are associated with other popular athletes, such as Tiger Woods, have also been released over the years.
Nike went public in 1980, and by 1986 the company was boasting over one billion dollars in revenue. With the brand in the mainstream, the company soon started producing much more than just Nike tennis shoes. Cleats, sandals and more would soon dominate the market. Though the popularity of brands come and go, this is one brand that has remained highly visible throughout the years.
In addition to Nike tennis shoes, the company released clothing. The first item was a t-shirt that featured the “Swoosh” logo. This item sold very well, and many more products were to follow. Today, socks, shirts, headbands, and athletic wear are all available. Many college and professional sports teams wear uniforms that are created by this company.
Actual athletic equipment is also available from this brand. This is a logical step for the company, as the brand has always been so linked with sports. It seems that there is no limit as to what the company can successfully sell, and it is truly amazing that what was once Nike tennis shoes has now become so much more.
There are many styles of Nike tennis shoes for men that are now considered to be collector’s items. Some of these issues are quite valuable. This fact was likely the reason that fakes were introduced to the market. These are most frequently seen at flea markets, online auction sites, as well as some places online.
Those seeking to purchase a collector’s edition offering should proceed with caution in order to avoid purchasing fakes. Some of these look just like real Nike tennis shoes. Once of the best ways to spot a fake is to examine the workmanship. Real Nike tennis shoes are very well made, and will not have poorly made soles or incorrect stitching. Additionally, the price may be a telling factor. Though it is possible to find the real deal at a discount, a deal that is too good to be true most likely is.
With so many products available, purchasing Nike tennis shoes is quite easy. Many choose to own a pair for each type of activity that they do. This is because the company designs each product to provide support during different types of activity. Soccer, football, tennis court shoes, basketball, baseball, track and more each have their own set of designs. The one product that is used for more than one activity is running shoes. These provide such excellent support that many choose to wear these for everyday activities.
Nike tennis shoes for women, babies, tennis shoes for kids, and teens are also popular choices. School age children often make this brand their back to school shoe of choice. This is because the brand offers more than just great fit and support, they have also become a status symbol of sorts. Owning one or more pairs of Nike tennis shoes ensures that children are always in style whether at school, or hanging out with friends.
While there is no set guide for how to purchase the best tennis shoes, there are a few factors to take into account before making this purchase. Online shopping is the best way to find deals. However, it is important to order the correct size since they cannot be tried on in advance. It is also important to shop with a reputable company, as there are fakes in the market. When shopping for cleats, be sure that the model matches the sport that will be played.
Few products have the rich history that Nike tennis shoes have. The drive and determination of this company is unrivaled. New improvements are made on a consistent basis, and new model and designs are frequently released to the market. The beauty of Nike tennis shoes is that they offer mass appeal. Whether making a trip to the grocery store, or heading out to participate in a sporting event, many people choose this brand for the comfort, stability, and style that they provide.
