Onitsuka Tiger ‘Mexico’ Sneakers | Size 12

This vintage pair of Onitsuka Tiger sneakers is finished in white leather with red and blue logos and remains in deadstock condition, accompanied by the original Onitsuka Tiger bag. Distinctive details include perforated insoles, outsoles stamped “Onitsuka Tiger” and “Japan,” and “Mexico” across the upper in reference to the 1968 Olympic Games. The tongues are labeled “Onitsuka Tiger Made in Japan,” while a manufacturer’s tag noting “20 years” of innovation dates the pair to 1969 or shortly after.

Founded in Japan in 1949, Onitsuka Tiger quickly established itself as a pioneering force in athletic footwear. The brand’s designs played a pivotal role in the early history of Nike, as Blue Ribbon Sports, cofounded in 1964 by Phil Knight, a University of Oregon runner, and his coach Bill Bowerman, began by importing and distributing Onitsuka Tiger sneakers in the United States. This partnership laid the foundation for Nike’s eventual formation, marking Onitsuka Tiger as an important chapter in the origin story of one of the world’s most influential sportswear companies.