From their functional purposes, sport shoes have come a long way in their history to become known as a staple of fashionwear in our modern ages. In the following, we will try to learn about the history of the athletic shoe phenomena in full detail.
sport shoes history
Sport shoes, which were once the sign of athletics, have surpassed their main role to become commercial and trendy objects of desire. If you're British, you may refer to them as trainers. Sport shoes have established themselves as cultural commodities across a wide range of clothing, from athletic wear and street style to catwalk fashion. In 2022, the estimated value of the worldwide sneaker market was roughly US$79 billion (£56 billion), and it is anticipated that this industry would grow to US$120 billion (£85 billion) by 2026. It should not come as a surprise that they are regarded as a significant corporation given their enormous expansion. A new exhibition at London's Design Museum investigates how the shoe became an undeniable cultural emblem of our times. This is due to the significant gains that have been made in the sneaker business.
- The pursuit of comfort is royal.
The manner in which people wear sport shoes has undergone a significant revolution during the last ten years. In today's society, wearing a pair of shoes to work or to a more formal event is no longer looked down upon. Even the British etiquette experts at Debrett's have given their stamp of approval, determining that they are socially appropriate for events that call for smart casual attire. The search for comfort and the continuous domination of the athleisure trend have both had a major influence on the rise in the market share of shoes. This only increased further during the pandemic as lockdowns made people further prioritize comfort, which resulted in an increase in sales of loungewear, athleisure, and flat shoes, such as sport shoes. During the pandemic, lockdowns made people further prioritize comfort than before. As a result, sport shoes have graduated from the status of a niche market product to the desired one of a fashion item. Sport shoes have been a key contributor to the expansion of the footwear category in the online luxury market, which is currently the sector that is generating the most revenue. 
sports shoes
Luxury shoe companies that are leading the pack include Gucci and Balenciaga, both of which are high fashion names. The Triple S from Balenciaga became the top-selling pair of premium sport shoes in 2017, and their popularity does not seem to be slowing down any time soon. It is vital to trace the sneaker's history from its functional beginnings to its current status as a cultural symbol in order to get a full understanding of how it became the footwear phenomenon that it is today.
- From running shoes to tennis shoes
The Liverpool Rubber Company, which was established by John Boyd Dunlop in the 1830s, is credited with developing the first pair of athletic shoes. Dunlop was a pioneer in the footwear industry and devised a way to attach rubber soles to canvas uppers. During their trips to the beach, Victorians would wear these footwear styles, which were known as sandshoes. According to historian Thomas Turner, the final decades of the 19th century were characterized by a rising excitement for sports pastimes, particularly lawn tennis. This enthusiasm occurred concurrently with the advancement of industry and the social transformation that accompanied it. As a consequence of this, there was a need for a more specialized category of footwear, which Dunlop's rubber sole was able to provide. In 1929, Dunlop released its now-iconic Green Flash model, which was first popularized by tennis great Fred Perry's use of the shoe at Wimbledon. Other noteworthy athletic footwear from the 20th century includes the Converse All Star, which was primarily intended for the sport of basketball. However, Adidas and Nike are the companies that are mostly responsible for the transformation of the sneaker from a sports shoe to a fashion accessory. The firm was formerly known as "Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik" when it was established in Germany in 1924 by Adi Dassler. In 1949, the name was changed to Adidas. Jessie Owens competed in the 1936 track and field events at the Olympic Games in Berlin while wearing the first track shoe designed by the firm. The shoe had a full leather sole and hand-forged spikes. Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight established Nike in 1964 under the name Blue Ribbon Sports. The company changed its name to Nike Inc. in 1971. This occurred at the same time as the running craze that swept the United States. The Cortez, a cushioned shoe for running, was Nike's first design to be sold commercially. Nike's place in popular culture was cemented when Tom Hanks wore a pair of Cortez shoes in the film Forrest Gump.
- The marketization of hipness and style
sports shoes details
According to the findings of sociologist Yuniya Kawamura's research on shoes, the phenomena may be broken down into three distinct waves. The first wave occurred in the 1970s and was characterized by the advent of hip-hop as well as an underground sneaker culture. As an important illustration, the Adidas Samba design became an important component of Terrace Fashion among the football fan subculture. Run-DMC were able to get a sponsorship arrangement with the company after the publication of their song "My Adidas" in 1986. Because of this, the sneaker now has a well-established position in popular culture. The year 1984 saw the beginning of the second wave of the craze, which was ushered in with the release of Nike Air Jordans. This resulted in the commercialization of shoes and increased demand for them as desirable status symbols, which was fueled by sponsorships from celebrities. According to Kawamura, the internet era and the subsequent expansion in sneaker marketing and resale culture are the defining characteristics of the third wave. The continued upkeep of cult status may be attributed to the increasing number of people known as "sneakerheads" who collect and trade sports shoes. Both Nike and Adidas often issue limited edition shoes linked with a celebrity, hip-hop star, or athlete. These shoes are often sold out immediately after they are released. Sport shoes are ubiquitous throughout all sectors of the consumer industry, from athletics to fashion. However, despite the fact that they are now worn by the majority of people, sport shoes still maintain their status as stylish cultural symbols. 