12 Obsolete Sports Equipment Brands That Are Extinct
These brands once helped shape the games we played but are now mostly forgotten by younger generations.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Sports equipment evolves with technology and trends, and the brands we once trusted often fall behind when they fail to innovate or adapt. These extinct names tell the story of shifting priorities in manufacturing, performance, and marketing. What was once cutting-edge can quickly become yesterday’s gear in a world always chasing the next breakthrough.
1. MacGregor
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MacGregor was once a household name in baseball, providing gloves, balls, and bats for youth leagues and pros alike. For decades, kids grew up with MacGregor gear stuffed in their duffel bags. But as bigger companies like Rawlings and Wilson dominated the market, MacGregor quietly faded into the background.
2. Tuffy
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Tuffy was a low-cost brand of sporting goods found mostly in discount stores during the ’70s and ’80s. While not known for high performance, the brand gave many kids their first bat or glove. It eventually disappeared as consumer expectations for quality rose and competition increased.
3. Koho
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Once a prominent name in hockey equipment, Koho helmets, sticks, and pads were staples in the NHL throughout the ’90s. Legends like Jaromír Jágr used Koho sticks during their prime. The brand was absorbed by Reebok and later phased out when CCM took over the market.
4. Featherlite
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Featherlite made a brief splash in the world of cycling, especially with frames that focused on lightweight aluminum and early carbon fiber blends. Enthusiasts in the 1980s and 1990s swore by its smooth ride and sleek design. However, as technology advanced and competitors evolved rapidly, Featherlite couldn’t keep up with the performance demands.
5. ProKennex
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In the late ’80s and early ’90s, ProKennex tennis rackets were everywhere, used by junior players and aspiring pros. Their graphite composites were praised for control and feel. Eventually, the brand slipped out of major tournaments and off the shelves as giants like Wilson, Head, and Babolat took over.
6. Ektelon
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Ektelon was the go-to brand for racquetball gear back when the sport peaked in the 1980s. Their rackets had a signature teardrop shape and could be spotted in YMCA gyms across America. As racquetball declined in popularity, so too did Ektelon, until it quietly vanished from the scene.
7. Spalding (as a tennis brand)
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While Spalding is still around in basketball, its once-popular tennis racket division has long been extinct. During the 1960s and ’70s, Spalding rackets were used in many club-level matches. The brand couldn’t compete with the rise of specialized tennis manufacturers and stopped producing rackets altogether.
8. Pacific
Hoi Pham from Unsplash
Pacific was once a reliable name in tennis stringing and accessories. Some pros even used their natural gut strings in competition. But with the rise of brands like Luxilon and Solinco, Pacific lost its market share and is now barely a footnote in the sport’s retail landscape.
9. Lange (in ski boots)
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Lange made waves with their colorful ski boots in the ’70s and ’80s, known for both their function and fashion. Many racers wore Lange boots on the slopes, trusting the tight fit and durability. Today, the brand survives only in nostalgia and vintage ski gear forums, having been overshadowed by newer tech-heavy designs.
10. Voit (as a football equipment supplier)
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Voit footballs were once a standard in schools and backyard games throughout the mid-20th century. Known more for accessibility than elite quality, Voit supplied gear to countless kids and schools. As the NFL-aligned Wilson brand surged ahead, Voit was pushed aside and is now remembered more for its nostalgia than for its function.
11. Bancroft
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Before Wilson and Babolat ruled the courts, Bancroft rackets were a mainstay in American tennis circles. Even John McEnroe started out swinging a Bancroft. Once wood rackets fell out of style and tech took over, Bancroft failed to innovate and eventually vanished.
12. Rawlings (in golf)
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Known best for baseball, Rawlings once tried their hand at golf equipment during the ’70s and ’80s. They produced clubs and balls but never gained traction in the crowded market. The brand’s short-lived stint in golf ended quietly, leaving only scattered vintage sets behind.