How well do you know your sneaker history? ADIDAS x PUMA x Int’l Peace Day

Do you rock Puma or Adidas kicks?  Some do rock both, but most pledge allegiance to one more than the other.

To you, it may simply be a choice of who’s fresher, who’s designs fit your swagger best, who’s got the better celebrity endorsement, or who’s advertising is more entertaining, etc.  But to a someone who lives in Herzogenaurach, Germany, a pair of Pumas or a pair of Adidas on your feet says which side of the war you are on.

The loyalties behind the Three Stripes and the Puma run deep.  The two sneaker brands were founded in the same Bavarian town by the same blood.  At first, there was actually only one company – the one that started and grew out of Mama Dassler’s laundry room in 1924.  After a fallout in 1948 though,  Rudolf “Ruda” Dassler started Puma, initially named Ruda, and Adolf “Adi” Dassler headed Adidas.  There’s a lot of history there, for sure, but the fact that the Dassler brothers are buried in opposite ends of the town graveyard tells a lot of the story.  Even more, the two brothers died not having spoken to one another in years.

BUT some peace was made yesterday. Employees from both companies, which reside on opposing side of the Aurach River, played on mixed teams to celebrate International Peace Day.  The game was the first joint activity between the two German companies since the brothers went their separate ways after World War II!

The war may be over but we still want to know which side of the Aurach you’re at – Puma or Adidas?