PF Flyers were first produced in 1937 by the BF Goodrich Company. It wasn’t until the early 1950s that the brand really began to make strides amongst consumers. The shoe brand’s popularity escalated and carried into the next decade (1960s) before losing steam in 1971. In 1972, the brand was purchased by Converse but later sold off due to antitrust issues. New Balance bought the rights to the brand in 2001 and ressurected the PF Flyers brand in 2003.
The PF in PF Flyers stands for “Posture Foundation.” This was a technology patented by BF Goodrich in 1933 and used in the PF Flyers shoes. The invention involved a wedge-like insert that distributes weight to the outside of the foot and reduces strain on the legs. It is a technology still imitated to this day by many other major sneaker manufacturers.
The brand today is being marketed and sold as a trendy icon. The brand's shoes are available exclusively through smaller boutiques and upscale department stores worldwide.
