One of the brands that has grown the most in recent seasons seemed to come out of nowhere. However, Autry has an intriguing history that not everyone knows about.
A running boom origin
The running explosion of the 1970s generated high demand for sports shoes for both daily use and lifestyle. Autry emerged as a technical response, developing performance models that stood out for their functional innovations.
Roots in a family business
Although Autry was officially founded in 1982, its roots lie in the Autry Rubber Company, a family business dedicated to rubber production.
An older history than it seems
Despite its official founding date, Autry shoes can be traced back to the late 1970s. Models like Concord and Jet received the highest five-star rating in tests by Runner’s World Magazine, a true mark of quality.
Jim Autry, the visionary behind the brand
Jim Autry, son of the founder of Autry Rubber Company, transformed the family business into a brand focused specifically on sports. Among his first decisions was adding the U.S. flag to their products, a statement of principles during a time when brands were outsourcing production to Asia, and a response to Reebok’s use of the Union Jack.
Success on the tennis courts
Autry’s first major success came in tennis with models like CLC, Princess, and Prince, which featured an energy-return system called ActionSorb. Tennis Magazine described these sneakers as “magnificently designed.”
Names with history
The current Autry CLC pays tribute to a 1986 tennis model, which featured Counter Lock Card technology to improve foot support. Meanwhile, the Autry Dallas takes its name from the city where the brand was born.
A collaboration with the Statue of Liberty
In 1986, long before collaborations became trendy, Autry launched an official collection with the Statue of Liberty. This unique collaboration was revived in 2022 with a special edition.
Bob Lutz: Stan Smith’s doubles partner
Also in 2022, Autry introduced another intriguing collaboration, this time with Bob Lutz, a tennis player who won four US Open doubles titles between 1968 and 1981, often overshadowed by his partner, Stan Smith. Autry designed a shoe in his honor, despite Lutz having retired in 1981.
The pause and comeback of Autry
In 1991, Jim Autry’s health issues caused a sharp halt in the brand’s development, leading to its disappearance. In 2010, European entrepreneurs revived Autry’s legacy, relaunching the brand with a fresh vision.
Autry proves that behind its current success lies a rich history full of innovation, sports milestones, and cultural connections.