Back in 1980, Gore-Tex was not the household name it is today. When the Brooks Hugger GT was released 32 years ago, it was the first performance sneaker to feature a Gore-Tex fabric upper, forever changing the attitude of rainy day runners. Today, Gore-Tex technology can be found in a wide variety of brands, so it's easy for us to take the market of waterproof stompers for granted.
Weighing in at 9 oz, the revolutionary Brooks Hugger GT included all of the popular elements of the day, such as an inventive lacing system, unique midsole, and rugged outsole for maximum durability. The lacing system connected to the back the heel for a fit that stabilized and ensured a snug fit (thus the name "Hugger"). The insole was constructed to act as a memory foam to your stride, reflecting a decade of midsole-focused innovations soon to come. And as a fix-all for over-pronation, the Varus Wedge was installed to provide three degrees of slope from the outsole of the sneaker. Finally, the outsole was equipped with the Racing Stud Sole with triple reinforcement on the heel for extra wear as promoting heel-strike was all the rage in '80.
What we at Sneaker Report like most about this peek into the past is Brooks' no bullsh*t approach. At the end of the editorial advertisment, the brand states clearly "Our Price. Expensive, But Worth It" which is the same mantra Gore-Tex brand products are sold with today. If you are going for a GT jacket over the one featuring a proprietary waterproof technology, be prepared to throw in an extra Benjamin at least, but know that it's "Expensive, But Worth It", same as it was 32 years ago.
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