Kickers were created in 1970 by French businessman Daniel Raufast and designer Jacques Chevallereau as a boot to be worn with jeans. Immediately successful in France, then Germany, by 1974, Kickers were selling in over 70 countries.
In 1975, Kickers opened up shop in the fashionable Kings Road district of London and launched the Kick Hi. Thanks to the endorsement of famous musicians like Roger Daltrey, Elton John, and David Bowie, the Kick Hi skyrocketed to become a sought after style staple.
During the 1980s, Kickers became very successful in Britain where a variety of Kickers shoes – primarily the Lo and Hi-top styles – have proven to be popular amongst secondary school kids as school shoes.
Kickers also proved very popular in the late 80s as Acid House swept the UK and ravers took to the fields in their Kick Hi boots.
When rave culture and indie-rock collided to create the Madchester scene, the Kick Hi remained the footwear of choice. The Stone Roses can be seen wearing them in their Fools Gold video.