Charlie's Sneaker FAQ and Glossary - R

This FAQ and Glossary defines a number of terms used in regards to athletic shoes, Charlie, or sneakers.

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Rap

The only type of "music" more annoying than punk rock.
See "Run from Run DMC" for an example of what to do if confronted with it.
Generally performed by large men: If I (Charlie) were a rapper, I'd rap: "Rappers, 'dem rappers... they're future CPAP'ers!"

Rbk

Rbk Iverson I3 shoe (2004) in black patent leather

A term used by Reebok for their cutting-edge styles; roughly equivalent to Alpha Project products from Nike.

REACT

A trade name for a proprietary athletic shoe performance improvement technology used by Converse.

Red Ball Jets

A canvas sneaker sometimes remembered fondly by Baby Boomers. Red Ball Jets sneakers were made from 1951 to 1971. Red Ball rubber boots and waders were on the market as of 1998, but they are no longer available as of 2005.

Reebok: A brand name for athletic shoes sold by Reebok International Limited. Named for the southern African antelope (Pelea capreolus). Known for displaying the flag of the United Kingdom on many of their sneaker models.

Reebok International Limited: Designer and marketer of athletic shoes and equipment sold under a number of brand names, including their flagship Reebok. Reebok International Limited started in the United Kingdom. They were later bought out by their United States importer, headed by Paul Fireman. Later on, they were acquired by adidas. Other Reebok International Limited brands include JOFA, KOHO, and Rockport. They also make CCM hockey equipment and Greg Norman apparel.

Reebox: An athletic shoe brand for jocks who get tired of wearing addidas.

Registered Identification Number: See "RN."

Reissue: A subsequent manufacturing run of a vintage sneaker. Compare to New Old Stock.

Resistor Color Code: A method used to encode electronic parts in television sets. Also used by organized software weenies to arrange their clothing and sneakers in order for quick access. I (Charlie) indeed use this method, much to the surprise of a co-worker. The resistor color code colors, in order, are "black, brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, grey, white." Also see "ROY G. BIV."

Resoling: For information about re-soling sneakers, see "Outsole, Replacing."

Retro: Sneakers worn by Baby Boomers as serious athletic shoes but worn by their teenagers for kicks. Frequently seen examples include Chucks, Keds, One Stars, and Superstars.

RhynoSkin: A trademark used by ASICS for abrasion-resistant synthetic leather. Typically, ASICS will use RhynoSkin in the toe area.

RN: On an apparel label, the "Registered Identification Number" (despite being three words... it's not a "RIN"). A code number assigned to a apparel importer or manufacturer by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). If one is trying to locate an importer or manufacturer's address, the FTC Web site provides a cross-reference from RN to name and address. Also see "WPL" for wool products.

Rodman, Dennis: Basketball player who once endorsed Nike and then Converse shoes. He played with Michael Jordan before Michael retired. Living example of the dangers of falling asleep in a tattoo studio. Sometimes nicknamed "D-Rod."

ROM: Adidas track training sneaker issued in honor of the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. Most software weenies and other geek types instinctively think "Read-Only Memory" when confronted with this name.

ROOS: Another name for KangaROOS sneakers.

Rubber: The typical sole material for sneakers. Provides the best mix of traction and durability. Tires use rubber for the same reasons.

ROY G. BIV: A mnemonic used to remember the colors of light in order by wavelength: "red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet." Some organized physics majors arrange their clothing and sneakers like software weenies do with the Resistor Color Code.

Rudy, Marion Frank: One-time aerospace engineer at what was then North American Rockwell; the aerospace businesses of what is now known as Rockwell Automation were sold to Boeing in 1996. (In 2005, Boeing turned around and sold the Rocketdyne Power and Propulsion business.) Issued US Patent 4219945 for inventing what is now known as Nike AIR. Reportedly, he first pitched the patent to adidas; they had no interest in what might have been "adidas air." He also received US Patent 4271606 and US Patent 4340626 for enhancements to the basic Nike AIR design.

Run: An activity performed by runners. Determining (either cross-country or on a track) how fast the sneakers allow their user to move.

Run DMC: Rap music group famed for singing about their three-stripe sneakers. Specifically, the song "My Adidas."

"Run Faster... Jump Higher": The reason Baby Boomers asked their Mom to buy them a pair of PF Flyer sneakers. Also, their slogan.

Run from Run DMC: What anyone with musical taste does with Their Adidas. (Also see "Run DMC." Please not in concert.)

Runners

A Canadian and Irish term for sneakers.
A term in most English-speaking places for hard-core athletic shoe users. They may be that way because they had a track meet in gym class and found it fun. Or just simple brain damage.

Running

A track meet where the only opponent is the clock.

Running Shoes

Athletic shoes designed for running. These generally come in these categories:

Ryka

An athletic shoe company, noted for making shoes exclusively for women. They developed an inert gas cushioning technology using nitrogen.

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Last Updated: 29 March 2008 22:59

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READERS PLEASE NOTE: Names of athletic shoe manufacturers, shoe styles, and technologies may be trademarked by the manufacturers. Charlie's Sneaker Pages uses these names solely to describe the shoes with the same familiar nomenclature used by the manufacturer and recognized by the reader.