Nike is a footwear and sportswear brand from the United States, founded in 1964. It was originally called Blue Ribbon Sports, founded by Phil Knight, a University of Oregon runner, together with his coach, Bill Bowerman. The name Nike comes from the goddess of victory in Greek mythology. The Swoosh logo and the slogan "Just Do It" are its most recognizable marks. Nike started with running shoes, then expanded into basketball, soccer, skateboarding, and shoes for everyday wear. For secondhand buyers, this long catalog means plenty of choice from many eras, from Air Max, Air Force 1, and Dunk to Air Jordan. Knowing the model and its generation will help you judge the condition and a fair price.
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Blue Ribbon Sports was founded on 25 January 1964 in Eugene, Oregon. At first the company was only a distributor of Onitsuka Tiger shoes from Japan. Knight sold the shoes directly at running events, often from his own car. The first store opened in 1966 in Santa Monica, California. The relationship with Onitsuka Tiger ended in 1972, and the company prepared its own line of shoes. The name Nike is linked to the runner Jeff Johnson, while the Swoosh was designed by Carolyn Davidson and first used on 18 June 1971. The company officially became Nike, Inc. on 30 May 1971.
The technical breakthrough came from Bowerman. In 1971 he tried pouring rubber into his wife's waffle iron to make a sole that gripped well but was light. The result was the Moon Shoe in 1972, then the Waffle Trainer in 1974. By 1980 Nike held about half of the US athletic shoe market. The Air Max line arrived in 1987 and the Air Huarache in 1992. The slogan "Just Do It" came out of an advertising campaign in 1988. According to one source, the Air Jordan shoes promoted by Michael Jordan helped Nike regain the lead in the market in 1990.
As for production, Nike shoes have always been made in Asia: first in Japan, then South Korea and Taiwan, then China and Southeast Asia. Nike has operated in Indonesia since 1988, with many factories around Tangerang and Serang. For that reason, a "Made in Indonesia" label is quite common on its secondhand shoes. The country of production does not by itself show whether a pair of shoes is authentic.
- Waffle Trainer: a running shoe from 1974, a refinement of the Moon Shoe (1972), whose sole was inspired by a waffle iron mold.
- Air Max: the first line of shoes with visible air cushioning, released in 1987.
- Air Huarache: a line that debuted in 1992.
- Air Jordan: a basketball shoe promoted by Michael Jordan, which now also stands as a separate brand under Nike.
- Air Zoom Vomero: a running shoe introduced in 2006, with an air-cushioned sole running the length of the foot.
What we check before listing
We usually start with the sole: a midsole that has turned yellow, brittle, or cracked often points to age and poor storage. On models with air cushioning, we press the unit and see whether it is still intact, not deflated or fogged with moisture. The label inside, meaning the size, product code, and country of production, is matched against the model and colorway being sold. For the Swoosh logo, we look at its shape, spacing, and the neatness of the stitching or the heat-applied finish. We also check the glue where the sole meets the upper, and wear on the outsole and heel.
Caring for it
Clean the shoes with a soft brush, warm water, and mild soap. Avoid the washing machine and dryer, because heat can weaken the glue and the sole foam. Dry them in a shaded spot with good air circulation, not in direct sun. Store the shoes with shoe trees or paper inside so they keep their shape.
FAQ
Where does the name Nike come from?
The name comes from Nike, the goddess of victory in Greek mythology. The company was first called Blue Ribbon Sports and officially took the name Nike, Inc. in 1971.
Are Nike shoes labeled Made in Indonesia always fake?
No. Nike has produced in Indonesia since 1988, so that label is common. Authenticity has to be judged on many things, such as stitching quality, materials, the inside label, and how well the shoe matches the original model.
How can I identify an older Nike shoe from a particular era?
Each model has its own release year, for example Air Max since 1987 and Air Huarache since 1992. The product code on the inside label and the shape of the silhouette can be compared with the archive of that model.
Is a yellowed sole still fit to wear?
Yellowing is usually just a cosmetic matter caused by age. What matters more is whether the sole is still flexible, not cracked, and not coming off the upper. We note this condition in the item description.
References
Facts summarised and rewritten from the sources above (CC BY-SA licence).