The Converse Blog's Friday Flashback: Converse GSV Supreme

I just remembered that I love Tennis. Yesterday I was watching some of the French Open and it got me thinking about the last time I actually played Tennis. After a few minutes I realized that I couldn't remember and that it was time to do something about it. So, I called up a friend and I was like how about some Tennis. So I am in a Tennis state of mind and that has carried over to today's Flashback.

I don't know much about the GSV series, but I assume that Jimmy Connors wore them. I know in the Converse Fall Catalog it says, "Our Story Goes Everywhere. Everywhere Converse people go: to the gym, the courts, the water. So go- rediscover Basketball, Tennis, Boating...and enjoy the next Converse Century in shoes that tell a story."

However, I didn't see any Tennis shoes besides a few re-issued shoes, nothing performance wise. Hopefully that taste of re-issue and the mention in the catalog will lead to some Performance Tennis shoes in the near future.

Here is the information from the picture, it gives great detail on what the GSV's were all about.

That's it for this week, thanks for stopping in and don't forget to vote on the way out.

The Converse Blog: CONS ERX 300 Re-Issue

The other day a few pictures of a re-issued CONS ERX 300 leaked. They come from the French Sneaker Blog Guillotine. It says that there will be other colorways released this winter. We'll have to see about that, but I sure hope so. While these aren't true retro's of the ERX 300's that I've seen, you can see the influence. I am very excited about the use the CONS name and logo.

Honestly, the midsole and the thick looking tongue make them look like a skate edition. Which would explain some of the differences from the original. Especially with the recent use of classic Converse basketball shoes into skate edition shoes. Only time will tell.

Thanks for stopping in, I'll be back tomorrow with a Friday Flashback.

The Converse Blog's Weapon Wednesday, Strapped Weapon

It seems like forever since I've posted on here. It's been a crazy last week. Friday after I posted the Flashback my family and some of my friends loaded up 7 deep for a road trip. 13 hours latter we arrived in Alexandria, Louisiana. We traveled all of this way for the wedding and it was a crazy trip that by the time we got home Sunday night we had traveled 1,738 miles.

Then on Monday and Tuesday I helped to pack my Mother's classroom. She's moving to the new school and after over 20 years in one school you can imagine how much stuff she had. The best thing I found was a stack of old Sports Illustrated and a Webster book/tape. We ended up packing over 250 boxes of various sizes and using unknown amounts of tape. I will say that boxes without lids we securely strapped in with tape...hmm speaking of being strapped in how about today's Weapons. These are from a foreign Converse site, but I can't remember which one. They are a classic white/white colorway with a strap. Nothing too fancy, just something really different. Enjoy the pics below.

Well I am out for today, I am really pleased with the amount of votes on the poll so keep it up. I am going to try and post something tomorrow before the flashback on Friday. Thank you coming to THE Converse Blog.

The Converse Blog's Friday Flashback: American Youth Soccer Organization Cleats

I don't have to tell you this, but I love sports. Basketball is by far my favorite, followed by SEC football and then all other types of football. One sport that I never played or watched growing up was Soccer. In fact it wasn't until my junior year in high school that I went to a soccer match. Some of my closest friends played soccer and so I went to support them. I've been fascinated with the sport ever since.

I got extremely fired up a few years ago when a pair of Converse Soccer cleats showed up on a few Converse websites from around the world. The closest place to show the cleats was Converse Mexico.

I was thinking about the big match between Chelsea and Manchester United, and I thought I'd show off a pair of Converse cleats for today's Flashbacks. These aren't the ones from a few years ago though, these are a little more flashbacked than that.

I don't know how old these are, but given the outsoles I'd say there from the early 70's. I have a vintage pair of Converse Soccer Cleats of my own, I'll post them up someday. For now, enjoy these cleats that had the official approval from the American Youth Soccer Organization or the AYSO. Thanks for stopping in, please vote on the way out.

The Converse Blog: New Poll & Sole Candy

Hi all, just wanted to talk about the new poll for a second. The new poll is all about the incoming freshmen class of The First School. Obviously there a plenty of other talented rookies to include in the poll, however I capped it at 15 which is probably too many already. I didn't want it to take over the whole page. I used Real GM's Mock draft to pick the first 15 names to be included. I also set it up so that you can vote for any or all of the players listed. I also set the poll to end the night after the draft and we'll see if these are the first 15 names called.



Also I thought I'd give you all some Sole Candy today with these neon Converse straps. These pics are from the Bread & Butter trade show. This actually picture comes from Label Networks. Let me just say, these are insane and I hope we actually get to see them here.

Well that's it for today, I can't wait to see how the poll turns out. Thanks for stopping in and voting, see you tomorrow.

The Converse Blog's Weapon Wednesday.

Good Wednesday, I hope everyone enjoyed all of the NBA action last night. The game was nice, but the draft lottery was trash. It's bad enough that Miami didn't get he first pick but for it to go the Bulls, that sucked. It's bad enough that Miami might miss out on Derrick Rose, but if the Bulls take him then Kirk Hinrich will be on his way out. At least he should be on his way out, he is a starting point guard in the league. Anything could happen, but I am hoping that the Bulls take Beasley.

Anyway, we're here for Weapon Wednesday. Today I've got something really special, big thanks to youtube user elithecat for their posting of this great commercial.




I love this commercial, but it always troubled me that Magic was in his Lakers gear and Larry was just rocking a t-shirt. Don't get me wrong, it would be completely weird and out of place for Larry to be playing in French Lick wearing his Celtics jerseys.

So why was Magic in his Lakers jersey, perhaps it was for the pull away pants. I am not sure they were popular enough to offer them to the public at the time. However, if that is the only reason it's a pretty weak reason. Either way, it is a great commercial and I'd love to see it played again in the NBA finals, assuming we get the "dream" match-up. Thanks for checking out the blog, should have a new poll up later today, so be sure to vote if it is up.

The Converse Blog: Black Fives "Original" Cage Burn Leather All Star

I am really excited to bring you pictures of one of the new Black Fives shoes, these are up at Converse.com and over at the Black Fives website. The details on these are amazing, hopefully these photos will do them justice. They are designed to represent the days of caged basketball. As you can see on the sides a cage pattern, also on the insoles you can see diagram of a caged court. You'll see the Converse Century logo, Black Fives logo on the tongue, and an early Converse logo on the outsole. Just a lot of fantastic stuff going on here. Enjoy.

Well that's it for today. I hope you enjoy these pics, but the pictures never come close to the real thing. These are for sale now at the links above. Thanks for stopping in to the Converse Blog. The poll closed over the weekend, with React coming in first place followed by Helium with strong showing for second. I'll have a new poll up after the NBA draft lottery.

The Converse Blog's Friday Flashback Converse Loaded Weapon

Welcome to the Converse Blog's Friday flashback. Today's flashback will focus on the Converse ICON Loaded Weapon. I had wanted to do the flashback on an ICON shoe you might not be so familiar with. However, I couldn't find much info on ICON that was not tied to the Loaded Weapon. So I bit the bullet, get it...loaded weapon...okay I apologize for that.

Anyway, if you do remember there were quite a number of articles that came out when this shoe released. Most of them bashed Converse for going with the name Loaded Weapon. They took the tone of, why oh why would Converse want to put the image of a loaded weapon into a child's mind. Which I think is a pretty ridiculous position to take; especially considering there have been toy guns made for children for many many years. I think it's safe to say the uproar was much ado about nothing.

There are two reasons why these shoes will always stick out in my mind. First, it was the first shoe to feature technology since the last Helium shoe was produced three years prior. Secondly, they announced the shoes around the same time they announced the signing of Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Kirk Hinrich, Mike Sweetney, and Troy Bell. So not only did the Loaded Weapons bring about a new technology, they also signified a serious return to the NBA.

So I didn't mean to type this much, but its Friday and I am excited. So let's get to it.

I found what I believe to be the patent for ICON technology. You can view the patent here.

Below are some pictures from that patent report. There is also a picture in the patent report that has the Helium logo, which I think is pretty interesting.

Here is a diagram of the Load Weapon, below the picture is the description from a Converse press release.


The ICON Performance System represents an integrated system “under, around and next to” the foot that emulates and complements the foot’s natural abilities. Under the foot, Converse’s patented ICON™ Tunable Ride™ provides graduated cushioning to maximize ride and handling on the court. The Converse FITLOK™ System around the foot provides athletes with improved control, fit, support and stability. Next to the foot, the Converse ICON Micro-Climate Management system increases moister wicking and heat dissipation.



Above are two of three general release colorways. There was also a black/blue colorway, also there were regional colorways of Lakers white/purple/gold and a colorway in red/white/blue. Below are three different Player Exclusive colorways, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Mike Sweetney when he was a Knick.

That's it for today, I really enjoyed bringing a more extensive Friday Flashback today. Now I've shown you all of the Converse Cushioning technologies and it's time to vote. React seems well ahead in first place, but anything could happen. Thanks for showing up and reading the blog.