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When I was a kid the one pair of gym shoes I got each year were under $7. I had a choice of black or white. They were unbranded high top canvas and came from Miracle Mart or Arlen's.

Never had any of those fancy name brands such as "Red Ball Jets," "Paul Parrot," or "Buster Browns." My parents would never spend the ten bucks those cost. There were no malls yet, with their expense stores selling only high priced "name brand" labels with millionaire sponsors.

I remember in 9th grade when I had just moved to another school, my younger sister washed my white canvas gym shoes along with her new red sweatshirt. I did gym class the rest of that year wearing PINK gym shoes. We couldn't replace them, as they still fit and cost money.

Back then we had gym class not PE. Our shoes were gym shoes, not athletic shoes, cross trainers, jogging shoes, basketball shoes, running shoes, track shoes, or any other advertisers gimmick name. They were GYM SHOES, and were only worn for gym class. No one wore gym shoes as everyday wear.

I shudder to think how many push ups would be required if you didn't have them tied properly. I think only former USMC or Army Sargent's were allowed to be gym teachers for the guys.