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Bill Bowerman is a name every sneaker consumer should know. While Phil Knight is the OG of Nike, the Swoosh wouldn’t be where it is today if it weren’t for Bill Bowerman. For those who don’t know, Bowerman spearheaded running shoe design for his track athletes as he was the coach for the University of Oregon (where Phil ran).
One of Bowerman’s most recognized and forward-thinking innovations was the waffle outsole, which he created using his wife’s waffle iron. The shoe would become the inception of the Nike blueprint for its running shoe department. The rest is history. While Bowerman is no longer with us, his legacy lives on forever thanks to his creation.
An original handmade pair of Bowerman’s waffle spike is now up for auction. The pair was designed for John Mays, who ran at the University of Oregon with Bill Bowerman. Mays was also the teammate of the late, great Steve Prefontaine. After his Oregon days, Mays would go on to become the sprinting coach at Oregon.
The shoe features hole-punched lace holes done by Bowerman. The spikes aren’t the same as the right pair features the waffle outsole as the left is formed in a typical fashion.
Take a look at the spikes below. Be sure to head over to Sotheby’s to place a bid.
