The Basics of ASICS

When someone hears the brand name ASICS, and image of quality, performance, style, and reliable comes to mind, and with good reason. Since 1949, ASICS shoes have been one of the world’s most worn shoes for both the athlete and the casual wearer alike. Although they are ubiquitous with many professional and Olympic sports and individual athletes, their history is not so well known. Did you know the brand name is an acronym for the Latin phrase anima sana in corpore sano, which means, “Healthy Soul in a Healthy Body”? Here are some more facts about ASICS you might not know.

Originally named Panmure Co., Ltd., ASICS shoes were born simply as basketball shoes in the town of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Once Kihachiro Onitsuka, the founder, gained success, he widened his scope to include a variety of sports. These shoes, especially the Mexico 66 design, soon became wildly popular with athletes during the 50s and all the way through to the 70s. After Onitsuka merged with GTO and JELENK in 1977, the company officially changed its name to ASICS.

An interesting fact about ASICS is Nike, originally known as BRS, was initially founded to be the American seller of Onitsuka Tiger (a type of ASICS shoe) shoes. Phil Knight, founder of BRS, traveled to Japan in 1963. Impressed with the shoes’ high quality and low price, Knight brokered a deal to distribute the shoes in America.  Eventually, Knight had so much success selling Onitsuka Tiger shoes that he and partner Bill Bowerman were able to create their own brand, Nike.

If you’re interested in learning more about ASICS or would like to buy a pair for yourself, check out SneakerKing.com’s full line of ASICS shoes today!

Where Did Adidas Sneakers Come From?

Adidas is one of the most popular brands of sneakers in the world. With sponsorships in nearly every popular sport and a constant presence in popular movies and TV shows, Adidas sneakers are a major force in the sports and fashion world. While many people believe the brand name is an acronym for “All Day I Dream About Soccer,” this is actually not true. The name comes from the company’s founder’s name, Adolph “Adi” Dassler. Here are some more facts about the history of Adidas sneakers.

Adi Dassler began producing his own brand of sports shoes in his mother’s wash kitchen in Bavaria shortly after World War I. When he persuaded famed U.S. Olympic sprinter Jesse Owens to wear Adidas in the 1936 Summer Olympics, and after Owens took home four gold medals, the prosperous fate of Adidas was sealed.

Times weren’t always rosy for Adidas. When Dassler’s brother, Rudolph, founded Puma sneakers in 1948, their hometown of Herzogenaurach was divided between Adidas and Puma supporters. The rivalry soon grew so fierce that the brothers never put their differences aside. Even though they are buried in the same cemetery, the families made sure to keep their graves as far apart as possible from each other.

Adidas sneakers continue to be the shoe of choice for many sports stars throughout the world. Players from the games of soccer, track and field, tennis, and more all enjoy wearing Adidas sneakers on and off the field. Take a look at our full selection of Adidas sneakers today at SneakerKing.com!

Fall Fashions: Dr. Martens Boots

With fall finally here and the weather getting colder, it’s the perfect time to go shopping for boots. One of the oldest and most respected brands is Dr. Martens boots, which has a surprisingly interesting history. Klaus Märtens was a German doctor who, while skiing in the Bavarian Alps in 1945, injured his ankle. Needing a more supportive boot for his injured ankle, Dr. Märtens created a new kind of boot with softer leather and an air-cushioned sole made from tires. A little over ten years later, with business booming from a factory in Munich, Dr. Märtens’s company was purchased by a British shoe manufacturer and became the one of the most popular brands of boots in the world.
At SneakerKing.com, we have a full line of Dr. Martens boots. Here are just of few of the styles of the celebrated footwear we offer:

• For men, the classic 1460 8-Eye Boot is a stylish yet rugged boot made from high-quality, durable leather and feature the original air-cushioned sole. (img: http://sneakerking.com/images/products/detail/R11822003.jpg)
• For women, the 1460 8-Eye Boot has been given a trendy update with patent leather, multiple color options, and a special edition Victorian fabric floral print. (img: http://sneakerking.com/images/products/detail/R11821670.jpg)
• For petite women, the Pascal 8-Eye Boot is a great alternative to the 1460. With minimal styling and a trimmed sole unit, these stunning boots are a great addition to the Dr. Martens product line. (img: http://sneakerking.com/images/products/detail/R15672601.jpg)

Sperry: Origin of the American Boat Shoes

Sperry boat shoes have the distinction of being the first modern boat shoe, invented in Connecticut by Paul Sperry in 1935. Paul, whose brother was author of the Newberry Medal-winning book Call It Courage Armstrong Sperry, was a former naval officer and an avid sailor. He had been trying to create a shoe design that would provide traction on a slippery boat deck without leaving marks, but to no avail.
Did you know that it was his dog that helped him solve the mystery? According to legend, while Paul was struggling to find the best way to create boat shoes with the most traction, he noticed his cocker spaniel maintaining traction while running across a frozen lake in Connecticut. After inspecting his dog’s paws, he realized the small grooves of the paws provided the dog’s traction. This simple concept gave Paul the idea for a leather upper-shoe with a herringbone pattern of grooves on the sole, much like the small cracks on a dog’s paws. To this day, Sperry boat shoes still feature this unassuming yet revolutionary feature. (img: http://sneakerking.com/images/products/detail/10281683.jpg)
If you’re looking for a pair of these canine-inspired shoes, visit SneakerKing.com today to see the selection of Sperry boat shoes we have to offer!

Hottest Back to School Kid’s Shoes

School season is right around the corner, and parents and children will eventually start flocking to the mall to find the hottest shoes of the season! Every kid wants to have the coolest shoes when they see their classmates and teachers again, and SneakerKing.com has the hottest trends and choices for this school season! From athletic shoes to adorable and stylish UGG boots, we have the kid’s shoes you need to make a statement and fill your friends with envy! Here are a few of our favorites!

• Osiris NYC83: Built to last, and extra stylish, these boy’s skate shoes are the perfect choice for both style and comfort. With 3 color options, these Osiris shoes are the perfect back-to-school kicks! (img: http://sneakerking.com/images/products/detail/31301109.jpg)
• These girl’s cardy boots may not be summer friendly, but with fall right around the corner, you can’t go wrong! Adorable, comfortable and extra stylish, there’s no way you can’t want these! (img: http://sneakerking.com/images/products/detail/5649_blk.jpg)
• Converse Chuck Taylors never go out of style! With high tops and low, you’re kids will love the coolness and simplicity of these style staple shoes! With Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars for both boys and girls, we make finding the coolest shoes easy as pie! (img: http://sneakerking.com/images/products/detail/7J231.jpg)
• The Minnetonka Cassie slipper is adorable with jeans, skirts and even dresses! Extra comfortable, and very cute, these Minnetonka slippers are sure to put a smile on any little fashionista’s face! (img: http://sneakerking.com/images/products/detail/4815.jpg)

How to Find the Perfect Running Shoes

Choosing running shoes can often be a stressful and daunting task. Sure, the shoe feels comfortable when you try them on in the store, but once you hit the asphalt, everything can change. The perfect running shoe has much more to it then only comfort, running shoes should correlate with the shape of your foot and running style, and not just the logo stitched to the side. Not all running shoes are created equal, and finding the perfect pair requires assessment of your unique foot shape! Here are a few helpful suggestions to follow when picking the best running shoes for you:

• Consider the size of your foot! This doesn’t seem like rocket science. Consider the width and length of your feet, and find a pair that fits perfectly.
• After taking a shower, look at your bathmat or the ground and see what your foot print looks like. By doing this, you will determine your arch shape. The arch of your foot affects the way your foot moves as you run. Some running shoes offer different support for particular arch shapes.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions when shopping for running shoes. The more you know about the shoe, the better off you’ll be with your purchase.
• Don’t settle for the first pair you see! Sure, everybody wants an attractive running shoe, but if it isn’t the perfect match for your foot, then you’re potentially setting yourself up for injury, and essentially wasting money.
• Try on running shoes toward the end of the day, this helps you avoid buying shoes that are too small, as your feet swell when being active.
• Consider if you want trail running shoes or road shoes. Trail running shoes have more traction on rough or loose surfaces, but can still be used while road running.

SneakerKing.com has a large selection of different style running shoes from today’s most popular and coveted brands. Let us help you find the perfect running shoe, so you can lace up and hit the pavement or trails!