1974
Hi-Tec was founded by Frank van Wezel in the appropriately named village of Shoeburyness, England. Frank’s love for sport led him to build an innovative, lightweight and instantly comfortable Squash shoe. The Hi-Tec Squash was born, and celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, this iconic athletic sneaker remains a favourite among indoor squash court players.
1978
Hi-Tec was established in the USA with the introduction of the world’s first lightweight hiking boot, the Sierra Sneaker, a sports shoe for the mountains.
1981
The Hi-Tec Silver Shadow was launched in 1981 to conquer the running category; that year 23% of runners in the London Marathon wore it. The Silver Shadow quickly established itself as Britain’s top-selling running shoe as there was simply no better all-purpose training shoe on the market.
The original athletic shoes Hi-Tec Silver Shadow became
the established leading running sneaker in the UK and 50 years on remains an iconic favourite.
1989
The Hi-Tec BW Infinity became a best seller in 1989 due to its groundbreaking hybrid trail and road-running functionality. It was designed specifically for the 146-mile ultra-marathon races in Badwater, California, which took runners from the dust plains of Badwater to the top of Mount Whitney. By 1990, the BW Infinity achieved a major innovation milestone with the introduction of the AirBall Concept (‘ABC’) midsole.
1990
Nelson Mandela was released from prison in South Africa wearing a pair of Hi-Tec ACE (court) sneakers.
1995
Hi-Tec became the official shoe of
the Wimbledon Tennis Championships.
1996
Hi-Tec introduced the Adventure Racing Series in 1996, designed as hybrid trail running and light hiking shoes to perform in adventure and obstacle races.
1974
Hi-Tec was founded by Frank van Wezel in the appropriately named village of Shoeburyness, England. Frank’s love for sport led him to build an innovative, lightweight and instantly comfortable Squash shoe. The Hi-Tec Squash was born, and celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, this iconic athletic sneaker remains a favourite among indoor squash court players.
1978
Hi-Tec was established in the USA with the introduction of the world’s first lightweight hiking boot, the Sierra Sneaker, a sports shoe for the mountains.
1981
The Hi-Tec Silver Shadow was launched in 1981 to conquer the running category; that year 23% of runners in the London Marathon wore it. The Silver Shadow quickly established itself as Britain’s top-selling running shoe as there was simply no better all-purpose training shoe on the market.
The original athletic shoes Hi-Tec Silver Shadow became
the established leading running sneaker in the UK and 50 years on remains an iconic favourite.
1989
The Hi-Tec BW Infinity became a best seller in 1989 due to its groundbreaking hybrid trail and road-running functionality. It was designed specifically for the 146-mile ultra-marathon races in Badwater, California, which took runners from the dust plains of Badwater to the top of Mount Whitney. By 1990, the BW Infinity achieved a major innovation milestone with the introduction of the AirBall Concept (‘ABC’) midsole.
1990
Nelson Mandela was released from prison in South Africa wearing a pair of Hi-Tec ACE (court) sneakers.
1995
Hi-Tec became the official shoe of
the Wimbledon Tennis Championships.
1996
Hi-Tec introduced the Adventure Racing Series in 1996, designed as hybrid trail running and light hiking shoes to perform in adventure and obstacle races.
2007
The 2000s continued to mark a period of innovation for Hi-Tec. In 2007, the brand debuted its V-LITE technology, a design so light yet incredibly high performing.
2010
Hi-Tec launched the Liquid Mountaineering video, viewed over 15 million times and winner of the 2010 Cannes Lions award.
2016
Hi-Tec launched ‘Comfortable Anywhere’ and began cementing its position as the owners of the Outdoor Crossover category with the introduction of the Wild-Life Collection.
2017
Hi-Tec launched the premium HTS74 line, celebrating the brand’s legacy and mixing original silhouettes with modern technology.
Now
In 2024, Hi-Tec celebrates its 50th anniversary commemorating five decades of athletic and hiking footwear. The original Hi-Tec Squash and Silver Shadow sneakers remain an iconic favourite among sports lovers with an instantly recognisable aesthetic combined with straight-forward comfort. Today, Hi-Tec continues its mission of enabling the world to get outside and experience a new view.
2007
The 2000s continued to mark a period of innovation for Hi-Tec. In 2007, the brand debuted its V-LITE technology, a design so light yet incredibly high performing.
2010
Hi-Tec launched the Liquid Mountaineering video, viewed over 15 million times and winner of the 2010 Cannes Lions award.
2016
Hi-Tec launched ‘Comfortable Anywhere’ and began cementing its position as the owners of the Outdoor Crossover category with the introduction of the Wild-Life Collection.
2017
Hi-Tec launched the premium HTS74 line, celebrating the brand’s legacy and mixing original silhouettes with modern technology.
Now
In 2024, Hi-Tec celebrates its 50th anniversary commemorating five decades of athletic and hiking footwear. The original Hi-Tec Squash and Silver Shadow sneakers remain an iconic favourite among sports lovers with an instantly recognisable aesthetic combined with straight-forward comfort. Today, Hi-Tec continues its mission of enabling the world to get outside and experience a new view.