The name Blue Ribbon Sports won’t mean much to everyone, but for those with a feverish passion for all things trainer/sneaker related, the evolution of this somewhat obscure brand is one of the most important.

Back in 1964, BRS was a burgeoning company who operated as a distributor for Japanese sportswear firm Onitsuka Tiger in the US.  As they grew, so did their ideas and it wasn’t long before founders Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight started developing their own products.  In recognition of the change of direction, the Blue Ribbon moniker was dropped, and Nike was born.

For Spring/Summer 2012, Nike have released the ‘Blue Ribbon Sports’ Pack, celebrating two of their most revered runners; the Elite and the Air Vortex.  Both trainers highlight some of Nike’s key developments along the way. The Elite is regarded as Nike’s first true runner, combining a sleek, lightweight profile with the technical functionality of nylon uppers as well their newest development – the Waffle sole – heralding a coming of age for the Beaverton-based label when it was released in 1976.

Evolving from the simple nature of the Elite, the Vortex was part of Nike’s fabled ‘V-Series’, successfully showcasing the prowess of the new Air technology. First released in 1985, the Air Vortex placed its focus on the now infamous Air cushioning system. Teaming suede and mesh layers together with accents of 3M reflective panels, the Vortex has a true 80′s feel yet it stood the test of time due to the ground-breaking running technologies it showcased.

You can take a closer look of the Blue Ribbon Sports Pack at End Clothing.  Legs = models own.