The Finals Of Classic PONY
Welcome to the last day of the PONY sneaker retrospective. Over the past week we have taken various trips down memory lane, taking a close look at the sneakers that have put PONY on the map over a 40 year time span. We have decided to select five key PONY sneakers from across a wide array of sport and activities.
M-100 – As consumers began to demand more visually complicated designs, Pony attempted to up the ante by releasing the tech-sounding M-100 model. With a busy upper complete with plastic breathe holes and a ‘linear motion’ logo, the M-100 certainly offered a more dynamic presence than its Pony predecessors. It also riffed a little off the cross-training aesthetic that was coming through at this time.
RUNNER – With a swag of runners in their lineup, PONY made a decent play for market share in the running explosion of the late 70s. The Montreal and Racer were honest attempts to win fans, though none
managed to quite nail down franchise status. Note the ghilly lacing system on the model known as the Joggy.
As the sneaker wars hotted up, PONY kept pace. Throwing pink and baby blue over the M-110 model was a late play for the Miami Vice aesthetic.
CITY WINGS – The City Wings was made famous in 1986 when Spud Webb routed Dominique Wilkins to win the NBA Slam Dunk Competition. Most people remember the hightops, but a low cut was also released, and it’s this version that was actually worn by Spud in the final.
RETTO HI – Aerobics was on heavy rotation in the 80s and Pony looked to capitalise on the ultimate female fad by releasing the Retto Hi. Named after Mary Lou Retton, the Olympic gold-medal-winning US gymnast. Retton was a household name in the 80s, so this endorsement was a pretty big deal at the time.
