Reebok International, the successful sneaker maker that also owns the Rockport Company shoe concern, said it had expanded into boots, taking over the John A. Frye Company.

Nike, the world's largest sneaker maker, has invested heavily in the PGA Tour, and it also represents individual players.

Quietly, its market share has climbed every year for the last decade, and it is poised to overtake Reebok soon and become the No. 2 sneaker maker in America.

Where sneaker makers have traditionally fawned all over teenagers, New Balance likes older folks.

Weslo bought the rights to the Proform name in 1987, after Nike, the sneaker maker, abandoned exercise equipment.

The potshots from British Knights are part of an increasingly aggressive battle being waged by sneaker makers.

L.A. Gear shares rose sharply on the news that an investment company that helped start Reebok and owns part of Adidas had bought 4 percent of the sneaker maker.

L. A. Gear gained 2 1/4 to end at 35 1/4 after the sneaker maker reported sharply higher sales and orders.

BUT when it comes to securing a profitable future, anything the retailers do may matter less than a fickle factor beyond their control: the marketing budgets of the big manufacturers, especially the sneaker makers.

Instead of stealing ideas from the underground, the big sneaker makers positioned themselves as supporting it.