| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Footwear |
| Founded | 1895[1] |
| Founder | Joseph William Foster |
| Defunct | 1976 |
| Fate | Taken over by Reebok in 1976[2] |
| Successor | Reebok |
| Headquarters | , |
| Products | Sneakers |
J W Foster & Sons (Athletic Shoes) Limited was an athletic shoe manufacturing company located in Bolton, England. Established by Joseph W. Foster in 1895, the company was a pioneer in the use of track spikes for runners and athletes, producing most of the highly-regarded running shoes in the 1920s. J.W. Foster & Sons was absorbed by Reebok (a company established by Foster's sons) in 1976.[2]