Six of the Most Crazy, Random and Cool Vintage Sneakers for Niche Sports
Well-versed sneaker collectors will be familiar with the slew of models designed for typical sports like running, basketball, football, tennis, and so on, and they'll know who specialises in what: are going to make running shoes and are going to make skateboarding shoes – that’s a given. However, while major players usually stick to what they know best, they do sometimes branch out into unknown territories to try their luck at making performance footwear for less conventional activities, for instance when Nike made a horse riding boot and came out with a surfing shoe. The result is a range of crazy, cool and downright interesting vintage sneakers for niche sports. After checking out these kooky kicks, you’ll be glad your favourite sneaker brands went out of their comfort zones, and you might even be doing some eBay searches…
Nike Ippeas Equestrian Boot
In 2008, Nike apparently wanted to be present in as many events as possible at the Beijing Olympics because they even got their foot into the stirrups at equestrian events with the Ippeas Boot. Named after the Greek word for ‘rider’, the Ippeas was an equestrian boot built through the lens of athletic footwear. The design featured the usual tall silhouette of an equestrian boot; however, it was built with signature Nike technology, including full-length Zoom Air cushioning, and a screw-in system for spurs in the heel that was inspired by interchangeable track spikes. The Ippeas also included high-abrasion synthetic rubber on the medial side of the boot for improved grip on the horse and saddle, as well as rubber pads on the outsole to improve traction on the stirrups.
Nike did not continue producing equestrian boots after 2008, and overall, sneaker-ised equestrian footwear didn’t really catch on, as other top brands in the equestrian footwear industry had already been utilising athletic shoe tech in their riding boots for years. Ariat did so even before Nike with sneaker-like rubber soles and their Shock Shield cushioning technology.
PUMA K1 Kayaking Shoe
Who knew a shoe that looked like Swiss cheese could be so cool? In 2006, PUMA released the K1, an avant-garde take on a kayaking shoe. The design featured a stretchy sock-like upper, similar to an aqua sock, that is bolstered with a hard rubber wraparound heel piece that includes various drainage holes to disperse water from the wearer’s foot. The K1 isn’t much different than most kayaking shoes on the market today, as many feature a combination of quick-dry neoprene/spandex uppers with drainage holes in the sole. The stylish watersports shoe is highly sought-after today by fashionable vintage sneaker collectors who are fans of its Y2K aesthetic. Another interesting note about the K1 is that it was designed by Michael Schaeffer, the former PUMA designer who is now one of the co-founders of NOBULL sneakers.
Nike Night Trak Disco Shoe
Nike have designed sneakers for all kinds of sports, but most of us would have never guessed they once dropped a design for, yes, disco dancing. The Night Trak was released in 1978 at the height of disco’s popularity and it was intended specifically for dancing the night away at your local discotheque. The flashy dancing sneaker was the brainchild of a Nike sales rep who frequented Studio 54 in New York City, and it was actually produced specifically for patrons and employees of the famous nightclub. It was very limited at the time – think of it as an early ‘friends and family’ sneaker release – but some pairs were also sold at retail. Also in existence is a prototype of the ! The Night Trak is similar in design to most of Nike’s running shoes of the era but with a traction-less rubber sole intended to slide well on the dance floor. As for the colourway, it reflected the glitz and glam of the disco years with a metallic silver leather upper and sparkly red accents, including the glittery rubber outsole. One of Nike’s most ‘cult classic’ sneakers, the Night Trak did receive a retro release in 2012, and the silver and red glitter colourway has appeared on other sneakers including the .
PUMA Fullhouse Bowling Shoe
Released in 1971, the PUMA Fullhouse was the German sportswear brand’s take on classic bowling footwear. It’s pretty much like most of the bowling shoes you’ve ever seen, except not ugly. You know what we’re talking about, those musty old leather shoes you rent from the bowling alley that have a split half-and-half colour block down the middle (they’re actually ugly for a reason: so you won’t steal them!). The Fullhouse is more like what we all wish most bowling shoes today actually looked like. The design of the Fullhouse keeps things simple and classy, not unlike what most PUMA sneakers from the 70s look like, with a leather upper and Formstrip in suede on the sides, all sitting atop a standard bowling shoe sole with a small heel and smooth outsole.
Vans Breakers for Breakdancing
Long before Nike dropped their breakdancing sneaker for the , were cross-stepping and kick-spinning in the Breakers, two models of wild-looking breakdancing sneakers from 1984. The shoes kind of look more like something you’d see on an elf’s feet than a b-boy’s, and we can see why the wild designs failed when most dancers were wearing , and the like back in the day; however, the models were actually quite functional, with a high top silhouettes for ankle support, a combination of suede and nylon uppers for a mix of durability and lightweight breathability, and thin soles to provide the wearer with a close feel to the ground. We’re not really sure why Vans went with a wingtip-like design, but hey, it was the 80s, anything went back then.
PUMA Riva Surfing Shoe
Another niche sports shoe in the PUMA archives is the Riva, which was released in 1983 for surfing. While it's common to envision surfers barefoot, in fact, many surfers do indeed wear shoes or booties that help them grip the surfboard better and keep their feet warm in cold waters. They also protect against reefs, rocks, and other objects lurking about in the water and on the shore. There are plenty of surf-specific shoes on the market today, but none of them are as cool looking as the vintage Riva, which features a stylish mid-top design with three straps across the neoprene-based upper and a classic PUMA Formstrip in its usual place on the sides. The upper sits atop a thin rubber sole with a dotted tread pattern to provide excellent grip on the surfboard. An interesting piece of PUMA trivia: the Riva was one of the main . Overall, the Riva looks like it could be re-released today as a casual shoe or maybe even a skate shoe without anybody batting an eyelash. And that’s the mark of a truly great design, no matter what sport it was created for, it’s one that stands the test of time.