PF Flyers

PF Flyers is an American heritage footwear brand associated with canvas sneakers, vulcanized rubber construction, and the Posture Foundation arch-support insole that gave the brand its name. The brand originated within B.F. Goodrich, a major American rubber and tire manufacturer that expanded into footwear. In 1933, inventor Hyman L. Witman and B.F. Goodrich patented the Posture Foundation insole, a support technology incorporated into the company’s shoes. By 1937, shoes using the technology were commonly identified as “P.F.”, and the PF Flyers brand emerged from that naming convention. The company’s early identity combined practical athletic performance with everyday wearability. Its product range included high-top and low-top canvas sneakers, court shoes, children’s footwear, oxfords, moccasins, and other casual styles. A major early design association was the Jack Purcell badminton shoe, created in 1935 for B.F. Goodrich by Canadian badminton player Jack Purcell. The shoe used a white canvas upper, rubber sole, and a distinctive blue curved mark across the toe. Although Converse later retained the rights to the Jack Purcell name and design after acquiring PF Flyers’ business, the model remains an important part of the brand’s early history. PF Flyers expanded rapidly during the 1940s and 1950s. It introduced a children’s collection in 1944 and marketed the shoes with the slogan “Run Faster, Jump Higher.” The brand also developed women’s footwear, introduced in 1948, and became associated with both athletic settings and mainstream American casual fashion. In 1950, some military organizations adopted PF footwear as standard issue. In 1958, Boston Celtics basketball star Bob Cousy became an early athlete endorser for a footwear brand in support of PF Flyers’ All American basketball model. During the 1960s, PF Flyers was among the most prominent canvas sneaker brands in the United States, competing particularly with Converse and Keds. The brand encountered structural and legal complications in the 1970s. After B.F. Goodrich exited the shoe business, Eltra Corporation acquired PF Flyers in 1972. Eltra was also the former parent of Converse, and antitrust concerns led to the separation of the two brands. PF Flyers subsequently passed through several owners and became largely dormant from 1975 until 2000. New Balance acquired the brand in 2001 and relaunched it in 2003, repositioning PF Flyers as a heritage and lifestyle sneaker label. Its New Balance-era portfolio included the Center, Grounder, All American, Windjammer, Made in USA footwear, and archival reissues such as the Rambler, Sumfum, and Glide. PF Flyers also became visible through popular culture. The Center Hi appeared in the 1993 film The Sandlot, and the brand later issued anniversary and limited-edition versions connected with the film. PF Flyers sponsored the animated television series Jonny Quest during its 1964–1965 run, using television advertising and promotional items to reach children and families. New Balance discontinued PF Flyers in January 2021. In July of that year, Kassia Davis, founder of the clothing brand KADA, acquired the brand through Kassia Designs, LLC. The acquisition shifted PF Flyers into an independent ownership structure. Later product activity included renewed versions of classic models, water-repellent Grounder construction, and the women-focused Allston model. The brand’s current identity is rooted in American sneaker history, archival design, casual lifestyle use, and the reinterpretation of its mid-century athletic heritage.

PF Flyers developed from B.F. Goodrich’s footwear operations and the Posture Foundation arch-support technology patented in 1933 by Hyman L. Witman and B.F. Goodrich. The technology was incorporated into B.F. Goodrich shoes, which became known as “P.F.” shoes by 1937. This naming convention formed the basis of the PF Flyers brand. One of the brand’s earliest notable products was the Jack Purcell badminton shoe, designed in 1935 by Canadian badminton player Jack Purcell. The low-cut canvas shoe used a rubber sole and a characteristic curved mark across the toe. The model became an important part of American sneaker history, although Converse retained the rights to the Jack Purcell line after the later separation of the two businesses. PF Flyers broadened its audience in the 1940s. The company introduced a children’s range in 1944 and promoted its shoes with the “Run Faster, Jump Higher” slogan. Its offerings expanded beyond sports settings to include casual and semi-dress footwear, while a women’s line appeared in 1948. Some military units used PF Flyers as standard footwear in 1950. During the postwar period, changing American fashion helped the brand move from gyms and ball fields into everyday life. In 1958, PF Flyers used Boston Celtics player Bob Cousy to promote the All American basketball shoe. This endorsement was an important early example of professional athlete marketing in the footwear industry. The brand also sponsored Jonny Quest during the animated series’ 1964–1965 run. By the 1960s, PF Flyers held a substantial share of the American canvas sneaker market and competed directly with Converse and Keds. The business entered a period of instability in the early 1970s. When B.F. Goodrich exited footwear, Eltra Corporation acquired PF Flyers in 1972. Because Eltra had also been associated with Converse, antitrust proceedings resulted in the brands being separated. PF Flyers changed hands several times, including ownership associated with P&F Industries, Brookfield Athletic Shoe Company, Hyde Athletic Industries, and LJO Inc. The brand was largely inactive from 1975 through 2000. New Balance bought PF Flyers in 2001 and relaunched it in 2003 as a heritage lifestyle brand. The relaunch emphasized recognizable archival silhouettes, including Center, Grounder, All American, Windjammer, Rambler, Sumfum, and Glide. New Balance also developed a Made in USA collection in 2015, with production in Boston and models such as Center and Windjammer. The collection ended after New Balance announced the closure of its Boston plant in 2020. PF Flyers maintained cultural visibility through film and television. The Center Hi appeared in The Sandlot, and the brand produced limited editions connected with the film’s anniversary and later reissue activity. In January 2021, New Balance announced that PF Flyers would be discontinued. In July 2021, Kassia Davis acquired the brand through Kassia Designs, LLC. Subsequent releases included a water-repellent version of the Grounder and the Allston, a women-focused model released in 2023. The brand’s modern direction remains connected to American sneaker heritage and reinterpretations of archival designs.

1. 2021Kassia Designs acquires PF Flyers

   Kassia Davis acquired PF Flyers from New Balance through Kassia Designs, LLC.

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2. 2015Made in USA collection launches

   PF Flyers introduced a Boston-made collection featuring heritage models including Center and Windjammer.

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3. 2001New Balance acquires the brand

   New Balance purchased PF Flyers and later relaunched it in 2003.

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4. 1972Eltra Corporation acquires PF Flyers

   Eltra purchased the brand from B.F. Goodrich after the latter left the shoe business; subsequent antitrust issues led to separation from Converse.

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5. 1958Bob Cousy endorses the All American model

   Boston Celtics star Bob Cousy became an early professional athlete endorser for a footwear brand, promoting PF Flyers’ All American basketball shoe.

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6. 1948Women’s line is introduced

   The brand expanded its customer base with a dedicated women’s footwear line.

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7. 1944Children’s collection launches

   PF Flyers introduced its first children’s collection and used the “Run Faster, Jump Higher” slogan.

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8. 1937PF Flyers brand identity emerges

   B.F. Goodrich shoes using Posture Foundation technology became identified as P.F. footwear, establishing the PF Flyers brand.

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9. 1935Jack Purcell designs a B.F. Goodrich badminton shoe

   Canadian badminton player Jack Purcell designed a low-cut canvas and rubber court shoe for B.F. Goodrich.

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10. 1933Posture Foundation technology is patented

    Hyman L. Witman and B.F. Goodrich patented the Posture Foundation arch-support insole that later supplied the “P.F.” identity.

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American heritage and lifestyle footwear positioned around archival sneaker design, retro athletic styling, canvas construction, and the brand’s historical connection to Posture Foundation technology.

• CenterLifestyle sneaker

  The Center is one of PF Flyers’ best-known archival silhouettes. The Center Hi became particularly recognizable after appearing in the 1993 film The Sandlot. The model represents the brand’s classic canvas high-top and low-top aesthetic and has been repeatedly reissued.

• GrounderHeritage lifestyle sneaker1940

  Introduced in the 1940s as a consumer interpretation of a U.S. military boot, the Grounder resembles the Center but uses a more durable outsole and deeper tread. Later versions included Foundation Collection derivatives and a water-repellent upper introduced in 2023.

• All AmericanBasketball sneaker1958

  The All American was introduced in 1958 and promoted by Boston Celtics player Bob Cousy. Its design reflects the classic American basketball shoe, with later reissues including the Bob Cousy Lo, a New Balance-era version using Fresh Foam, and a limited Bob Cousy Hi Top edition.

• WindjammerCanvas lifestyle sneaker1968

  The Windjammer debuted in 1968 as a CVO-style sneaker carrying PF Flyers’ characteristic design language. It was later reissued as part of the Made in USA collection.

• RamblerArchival lifestyle sneaker1943

  Released in 1943, the Rambler used distinctive foxing, two-tone stitching, a striated toe cap, inner webbing, and a pronounced diamond toe bumper. Both high and low versions were available, and the model received an archival reissue in 2010.

• SumfumArchival lifestyle sneaker1947

  The Sumfum originated in 1947 and featured an espadrille-inspired upper with refined foxing details. It was reissued from the archive in 2010.

• GlideBasketball sneaker1979

  The Glide was a basketball high-top introduced in 1979. Its period-specific markings, padded tongue, and heel ribs were retained in an archival reissue released in 2009.

• AllstonWomen’s lifestyle sneaker2023

  Released in 2023, the Allston was named after the Boston neighborhood associated with PF Flyers’ headquarters at the time. Inspired by the All American, it uses a thicker sole and gold hardware and was developed as a women-focused design.

• Foundation CollectionLifestyle footwear collection2013

  The 2013 Foundation Collection adapted Grounder-inspired design cues into more refined footwear, including the Van Buren brogue, Beeson chukka, and Brewster moc-toe models.

• 2013Foundation Collection

  United States

  New Balance-era PF Flyers introduced a collection of refined shoes inspired by the Grounder, including brogue, chukka, and moc-toe styles.

  Outcome. The collection extended PF Flyers’ heritage vocabulary beyond conventional canvas sneakers.

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• 2013The Sandlot anniversary editions

  United States

  PF Flyers issued a limited edition connected with the twentieth anniversary of The Sandlot, a film prominently featuring the Center Hi.

  Outcome. The release reinforced the Center Hi’s association with film nostalgia and American youth culture.

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• 1964Jonny Quest sponsorship

  United States

  PF Flyers sponsored the animated television series Jonny Quest during its 1964–1965 run. Commercials promoted the shoes and included a PF Magic Ring with decoder dials, a magnifying glass, and a secret compartment.

  Outcome. The sponsorship connected PF Flyers with children’s television and collectible promotional merchandise.

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• 1958Bob Cousy and the All American

  United States

  PF Flyers used Boston Celtics basketball star Bob Cousy to market the All American basketball model.

  Outcome. The endorsement helped establish PF Flyers as an early participant in professional athlete footwear marketing.

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• 1947Everything You Do Is More Fun with P.F.

  United States

  A magazine advertisement positioned PF Flyers as footwear suitable for a broad range of enjoyable everyday activities rather than only formal athletic use.

  Outcome. The campaign reflected the brand’s expansion from sports footwear into casual American lifestyle wear.

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• 1944Run Faster, Jump Higher

  United States

  PF Flyers used the “Run Faster, Jump Higher” slogan while promoting its first children’s collection, linking the brand to youthful athletic activity.

  Outcome. The slogan became one of the brand’s recognizable historical marketing messages.

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• 2021New Balance discontinues PF FlyersStrategy

  New Balance confirmed that it would discontinue the PF Flyers brand.

  What changed. The brand was withdrawn from New Balance’s portfolio.

  Aftermath. Kassia Davis acquired PF Flyers later in 2021 through Kassia Designs, LLC.

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• 2021Kassia Designs acquires PF FlyersM&A

  Following New Balance’s discontinuation decision, Kassia Davis pursued ownership of the heritage footwear brand.

  What changed. Kassia Designs, LLC acquired PF Flyers from New Balance.

  Aftermath. PF Flyers moved into independent ownership and continued developing heritage-inspired footwear.

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• 2015Launch of the Made in USA collectionStrategy

  PF Flyers sought to emphasize its twentieth-century American manufacturing heritage under New Balance ownership.

  What changed. The brand introduced Boston-made Center and Windjammer footwear as part of a Made in USA collection.

  Aftermath. New Balance’s announced closure of its Boston plant led to the collection’s discontinuation.

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• 2001New Balance acquires PF FlyersM&A

  After years of inactivity and multiple ownership changes, PF Flyers was acquired by New Balance.

  What changed. New Balance relaunched PF Flyers in 2003 as a heritage-oriented lifestyle footwear brand.

  Aftermath. The portfolio was rebuilt around classic models, archival reissues, and later Made in USA products.

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• 1972Eltra acquires PF FlyersM&A

  B.F. Goodrich was leaving the shoe business and sold PF Flyers to Eltra Corporation, which had also been associated with Converse.

  What changed. Eltra acquired the brand, but antitrust concerns subsequently led to PF Flyers and Converse being separated.

  Aftermath. PF Flyers changed ownership several times and entered a long dormant period.

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• 2023PF Flyers introduces the Allston model

  PF Flyers released the Allston, a women-focused design inspired by the All American basketball model and featuring a thicker sole and gold hardware.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2021New Balance announces discontinuation of PF Flyers

  New Balance confirmed that the PF Flyers brand would be discontinued under its ownership.

  Leadership changeOther
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• 2021Kassia Designs acquires PF Flyers

  Kassia Davis acquired PF Flyers from New Balance and announced that the brand would operate under Kassia Designs, LLC.

  M&ALeadership change
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• 2016International Trade Commission rules in favor of New Balance in footwear trade-dress dispute

  The United States International Trade Commission ruled that New Balance could continue producing PF Flyers footwear using the disputed toe-cap, toe-bumper, and striped-midsole elements.

  LawsuitRegulation
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• 2014New Balance challenges Converse trademark registration

  New Balance filed a lawsuit against Nike-owned Converse concerning Converse’s federal trademark registration related to toe bumpers, toe caps, and striped midsoles used on athletic footwear.

  Lawsuit
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• 2001New Balance acquires PF Flyers and plans a relaunch

  New Balance purchased the PF Flyers brand, later returning it to the market with a relaunch in 2003.

  M&AProduct launch
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1. PF Flyers