Osaga

The History of Osaga: An Oregon Original

Osaga running shoe brand was founded in Eugene, Oregon just months after the launch of Blue Ribbon Sports, now known as Nike. The brand was the vision of Bill Combs, a local shoe retailer whose store, Burch’s Fine Shoes, remains in operation today. While Osaga didn’t reach the global scale of its nearby rival, it earned widespread respect throughout the 1970s and ’80s for its innovation, quality, and performance-driven design, becoming a standout name in the competitive world of athletic footwear. Deeply connected to Oregon’s thriving running culture, Osaga was a visible presence at major track and cross-country events, earning respect as a competitive regional brand.

The company gained early recognition for its forward-thinking shoe designs, including the KT-26, which featured a cantilever sole and was once ranked the #2 running shoe in the world by Runner’s World. Named after the Osage Native American tribe, Osaga embraced the tagline “For the Human Race,” a reflection of its mission to create world-class shoes for everyday athletes. Today, vintage Osaga gear endures as a rare and meaningful piece of running and sneaker history, both a symbol of Oregon’s golden age of athletics and a modern-day revival of a once-overlooked pioneer.