Converse

Converse are essentially all about a single remarkable training shoe, which actually turns out to be the oldest training shoe design in the World.

In 1908, Converse started life as the Converse Rubber Corporation, and didn’t actually release their acclaimed All Star trainer basketball show until 1917. It was only availalble in one colour at that time, which was black. It had a really thick sole made from rubber and the upper of the shoe, which was made from canvas extended over the ankle. It wasn’t an immediate hit, but started to really take off and it was endorsed by Charles “Chuck” H. Taylor who played for the Akron Firestones.

Chuck Taylor recognised that the Converse All Star training shoe had great potential and in 1921 he became the voice of Converse within the World of basketball by joining the Converse sales team. He travelled the length and breadth of the United States promoting the virtues of the All Star shoe and the Converse brand. As a recognition of his efforts to make Converse a success, Chuck Taylor’s name was added to the ankle patch in 1923 and from that point on, the shoe was better known as the “Chuck Taylor” All Star basketball shoe.

The shoe remained available only in black or white right up until 1967 when the company bowed to market pressure and started manufacturing it in other colours. Before this, basketball teams had added some colour to their shoes by replacing the laces with coloured ones and had also dyed the white version in their own team colours themselves.

Concerse and the Chuck Taylor All Star came to dominate the trainer market by the time Chuck Taylor died in 1969. This is no longer the case but Converse still have a very loyal following and are still endorsed by various stars all over the planet. They have sold more than 500 million pairs of All Stars over the last 90 years and in all that time the design has changed very little, other than the use of colour. If you want a retro trainer, there is simply no other brand. You have to get yourself a pair of Converse shoes to add to your trainer collection.

The various versions of the Chuck Taylor All Star shoe is no longer the only shoe in the range. See below for the current range of Converse training shoes.

All Star Ox

Keeping the classic style but a plimsoll feeling instead of a high ankle has created this classic shoe. This colour of pink makes it a shoe to be seen anywhere in. The vibrant white laces make the shoes stand out and the subtle logo on the tongue allows the shoes to be part of any cool outfit.

Price:£29.99

All Star Ox

When he was done playing the game, he was its most devoted ambassador. And there’s never been another like him. Thats why the classic design hasn’t changed since Chuck wore them himself. Canvas upper bears the original Chuck Taylor® Patch logo. No matter what your size, these are big shoes to fill.

Price:£28.99

All Star Hi Youth

This classic style is available in smaller sizes ideal for your children. The thick sole means the shoes is hard wearing and the funky colour of pink means it ideal for wearing whatever the occasion. The trendy shoes display the converse logo on the tongue and ankle area. Perfect gift for the trendy children of today.

Price:£24.99

All Star Ox

Keeping the classic style but a plimsoll feeling instead of a high ankle has created this classic shoe. The classic colour of red makes it iconic to converse. This a definitely a shoe to be seen anywhere in. The vibrant white laces make the shoes stand out and the subtle logo on the tongue allows the shoes to be part of any fashionable outfit.

Price:£32.99

All Star Ox Flame Skull

A lowcut shoe with very distintinctive flaming skulls throughout

Price:£35.99

All Star Ox Canvas Red Project

A very attractive low shoe. White background with Red written in red lettering.

Price:£36.99

All Star Hi Red Project Rubber

This shoe looks rubbery! A Converse Hi boot made entirely of rubber! A new edition to the Red Project.

Price:£42.99

All Star Ox 3-Strap

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Converse this shoe is based on a 1930s style, brought up to date with the use of velcro

Price:£34.99

Red Project Hi Rainbow Stitch

A very distinctive shoe, supporting the Red Project. The Hi design is embroidered all over with a mix of different colours.

Price:£49.99