The Most Iconic Running Shoes of Every Generation: From Leather Soles to Super Shoes

Running shoes have come a long way. A really long way. We’re talking about a transformation from heavy leather spikes that looked like torture devices to foam-filled, carbon-plated rockets that make you feel like you could qualify for the Olympics (even though your actual finishing time says otherwise).

Every generation has had its must-have running shoe—the one that changed the game, broke records, or, at the very least, made runners feel faster. So, lace up your sneakers (or don’t, because let’s be honest, half of today’s shoes are laceless now) and take a jog through time as we look at the most iconic running shoes from every era.

1900s – When Running Shoes Were Just Fancy Leather Dress Shoes with Spikes

Ah, the early 1900s. A simpler time when people thought running long distances was bad for your health and proper hydration meant sipping brandy mid-race. Back then, running shoes were essentially leather dress shoes with nails sticking out the bottom. They were called spiked shoes, but they might as well have been called foot traps.

One of the first notable innovations came from Adolf Dassler, a young shoemaker in Germany who crafted some of the earliest custom-made track spikes in the 1920s. These weren’t exactly comfy, but they did help legendary sprinter Jesse Owens win four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics.

Verdict: If you ever complain about your running shoes, just remember: runners in this era had to deal with leather and metal stabbing their feet.

1940s – The Dassler Brothers Split, and So Does the Running Shoe World

The 1940s gave us two of the biggest names in running shoes: Adidas and Puma. The Dassler brothers, Adolf ("Adi") and Rudolf, had a falling out (rumor has it, over money, business, and possibly an argument about who had the better mustache). They split up, and Adidas and Puma were born.

Both brands competed to make lighter, faster track spikes, with Adidas leading the way. But long-distance runners? Still stuck with flat, unsupportive shoes that offered about as much comfort as running barefoot on hot pavement.

Verdict: Sibling rivalries can be annoying, but in this case, it led to some of the biggest shoe brands in the world. So, thanks for that, Dassler family drama.

1950s – The Japanese Join the Running Shoe Race

The 1950s saw the rise of Onitsuka Tiger (which later became ASICS). Inspired by traditional Japanese tabi socks, they created some of the first running shoes with rubber soles.

One of the most famous shoes of this era? The Onitsuka Tiger Marathon Tabi—which Ethiopian runner Abebe Bikila famously ignored when he won the 1960 Olympic Marathon BAREFOOT. This was either a power move or proof that early running shoes were still not that great.

Verdict: If a dude wins the Olympic marathon barefoot instead of wearing your shoes, you might need to rethink your design.

1970s – The Running Boom and the Birth of Nike

Running went mainstream in the 1970s, thanks to books like Jim Fixx’s "The Complete Book of Running" and a new obsession with fitness. Suddenly, every company wanted in on the running shoe gold rush.

Enter Nike.

Founded by former track coach Bill Bowerman and his waffle iron, Nike introduced the Nike Cortez (1972)—one of the first shoes with a real cushioned midsole. Before that, cushioning was basically just extra socks. The Cortez became a massive hit, even making a cameo in Forrest Gump, proving it could go the distance (literally).

Other major shoes of the decade included:

Adidas SL 72 – A favorite among marathoners and hippies alike.
New Balance 320 (1976) – The first running shoe to be named Runner’s World’s best shoe of the year.

Verdict: The ‘70s gave us the first real running shoes, Nike, and runners with mustaches that deserve their own Hall of Fame.

1980s – The Air Revolution and the Birth of the Stability Shoe

Nike took things up a notch with the Nike Air Tailwind (1979), introducing air-cushioned soles that literally had pockets of air inside. This was either groundbreaking innovation or Nike realizing they could charge extra for shoes filled with nothing.

Meanwhile, Brooks introduced the Chariot (1982)—one of the first motion control shoes, designed to prevent overpronation (which is a fancy way of saying "your feet roll in too much").

Other iconic shoes of the 1980s:

Nike Pegasus (1983) – A shoe that refused to die, still being made today.
Reebok Classic Leather (1983) – Not great for running, but perfect for flexing on people in the ‘80s.

Verdict: The ‘80s was when running shoes became super cushioned, super expensive, and sometimes, filled with air.

1990s – The Age of Stability and Weird Chunky Shoes

By the 1990s, running shoes were getting more specialized, with brands focusing on stability, motion control, and arch support. If you overpronated, supinated, or just existed, there was a shoe for you.

Key models included:

ASICS Gel-Kayano (1993) – The start of one of the most beloved stability shoe lines ever.
Nike Air Max Triax (1995) – Proof that running shoes could be both functional and obnoxiously stylish.

Verdict: The 90s gave us chunky stability shoes, neon colors, and more cushioning than ever before.

2000s – The Minimalist vs. Maximalist Wars Begin

The 2000s saw a split:

Some brands pushed for lightweight racing flats.
Others went for maximum cushioning (hello, Hoka).

Notable shoes:

Nike Zoom Streak (2003) – A favorite among elite marathoners.
Vibram FiveFingers (2006) – Made you look like a frog but had a cult following.

Verdict: If you weren’t running barefoot, you were either wearing a feather-light racing flat or a shoe with so much cushioning it looked like a moon boot.

2010s – The Super Shoe Era Begins

Nike changed running forever with the Nike Vaporfly 4% (2017). With a carbon-fiber plate and ZoomX foam, runners suddenly started smashing records. The shoe was literally banned (and then unbanned) by World Athletics because it was too good.

Other key models:

Hoka Clifton (2014) – Proved maximal cushioning was here to stay.
Adidas Adizero Adios Boost (2013) – The go-to marathon racing shoe before the Vaporfly era.

Verdict: The carbon plate takeover began, and suddenly, if you weren’t running in super shoes, you were running behind everyone else.

2020s – Running Shoes Become Rocket Ships

Super shoes are now the norm, and every brand is trying to outdo the other with lighter, bouncier, and faster shoes.

The biggest name?

Nike Alphafly Next% (2020) – The shoe that broke the 2-hour marathon with Eliud Kipchoge.

Other contenders:

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro – Featuring energy rods instead of a plate.
Saucony Endorphin Pro – More affordable but still super fast.

Verdict: Running shoes have officially become rocket-powered trampolines, and races will never be the same.

Final Thoughts: Running Shoes Keep Getting Crazier

From leather spikes to carbon-plated super shoes, running footwear has come a long way. The only question is—what’s next? Will we get jet-powered shoes? Shoes that run for us? Who knows. But one thing’s for sure: we’ll keep running in whatever comes next.