I’ve been told by a couple of people that in the Dic and archie version that it was sonics’ shoes that gave him his speed. I seem to remember in one of the earlier comics somone mentioning that his shoes were the only pair that could survive his speed and protect his feet. Which is correct, I gave away my early comics (terrible mistake on my part) so I can’t verify this.
Sonic’s speed is his own – his shoes are just designed to handle the stress and friction when he runs.
~ Crazy C Lea