[westiseast]

I did wonder, what other brands existed at the time? I have no idea.

Was coming to a track meet with branded, fashionable shoes in 1964 the equivalent of turning up in 1998 with an awesome animated Flash website?

[mikestew]

I did wonder, what other brands existed at the time?

The Japanese brand Tiger, for one (later becoming Asics). IIRC, though cannot quickly find a reference, it's the brand Phil Knight was selling out of the trunk of his car before starting Nike with Bowerman.