What were snap jacks shoes?

what were snap jacks shoes?

Snap Jack were made without laces.

Picture a pair of shoes with the laces removed. Looking at the shoes from the front the opening looks like a square bottomed U. Instead of holes for the laces there are two metal wires going up the sides of the U. At the base of the you is a leather flap that is attached at the base of the U. The flap is connected with a metal slide to the two wires going up the sides. As the flap is pulled up the wires are pulled together. The slide is adjustable to control how tight the shoes will be.

When the flap is pulled up it will go against the U. Just before it is against the you it will "snap" to the final tight position.

I wore these shoes in the late 50's. It made it very easy to put the shoes on and off.

Hope this helps.

Brian Nemec

Brian Nemeck is correct! I loved these shoes (I believe they were made by "Tom MsCann" shoe company). I have been looking for a picture of them but, so far, to no avail!!

Ted Crombie, Keene, NH

Here's the closest thing available to the orignal 1950s Snap Jacks, Ebay item number: 360040752463 http://cgi.ebay.com/THE-KING-VINTAGE-1950s-ROCKABILLY-TYPE-B-W-SNAP-SHOES-9_W0QQitemZ360040752463QQihZ023QQcategoryZ48862QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

Good description by Brian. What I remember is that you could pinch the top of your foot when you "snapped" the closure if you weren't careful.