The Riddell “Right On” Soccer Shoe: USA’s Attempt at Soccer MADE IN THE USA 

In the late 1970s, Riddell — a name most people associate with helmets and American football Space helmet Rugby gear — briefly stepped into the mass-market athletic shoe business with a small line of sneakers and cleats promoted under the upbeat tagline “Right On.” The campaign (documented in a 1977 Riddell ad) positioned the brand as a mainstream, American alternative in running and team-sports footwear during that era. thedeffest.com

Design and construction , I’ve been told…was “ok” and Photographs of surviving pairs show the model’s “practical” side- 1970s U.S.-market construction: low-cut leather or faux-leather uppers with bold two-tone paneling, conventional lace closures, and molded rubber/urethane outsoles fitted with rounded/conical studs instead of metal or replaceable studs commonly used on higher-end European soccer boots. Those molded soles and the overall shape reflect the era’s focus on multi-sport, consumer-friendly cleats rather than sport-specific, pro-tier soccer boots. In other words- your kid could wear these boots when he gave up on soccer and opted for baseball.

Riddell marketed these boots well enough. Riddell’s 1977 promotion used sweepstakes-style advertising and giveaways to reach U.S. customers — a clear sign that these shoes were aimed at broad consumer appeal rather than the specialist soccer market. Contemporary scans and blog posts referencing the ad help place the “Right On” slogan in its marketing context. thedeffest.com+1

The “Right On” cleats are not a staple in mainstream sneaker histories, and they surface mainly via vintage marketplaces such as eBay, Poshmark, and specialty seller listings. Condition matters: New-old-stock pairs with original boxes and brochures command noticeably higher interest among collectors of vintage sports gear. Expect prices to vary widely based on size, condition and whether the original box and paperwork survive. But in reality, these boots were a cash-grab by a company who saw the popularity (albeit fleeting) of a new sport in the USA. Companies jumped on the soccer band wagon in the 1970’s at the height of its popularity and quickly cooled on it when it became less popular in the mid 80’s.