The Converse Blog's Friday Flashback: Converse All Star II

Rejoice, we've made it through another week, well at least I have I am not sure about you. Lots of a great games last night Bulls vs Pistons was a great start, then you've got U of L vs West Virginia which turned out to be a better game that I thought. Then to cap things off the Mavs and Warriors faced off, which I have to admit I just couldn't stay up for.

Oh before I get to the Flashback today I want to give a shout out to the Apples & Pears Blog. Tanya rocked out a feature on Sneaker Collectors and gave me a little love, so please click through and check it out.

The Converse All Star II comes from late 70's, I am pretty sure 1979 actually. As you can see from the box it was a shoe released during the Eltra Era.

While there a certainly difference between the Chuck Taylor All Star and the All Star II, the outsole remains the same. There is just something about this pattern that works. As you will see in the pics below the Chuck Taylor patch is gone and replaced by the Chevron and Star. Also new is the heel tab featuring the Star in a Square logo. Also gone is the Heel plate the reads "All Star". In a lot of ways, to me this is just a Canvas version of the Pro Leather, you know without the leather.

According to WWW.Sneakers.Pair.com, where these White/Red pics came from, they only came in these two colors

Well I can't speak much more on these since I don't have a pair myself, but I will say that these were probably the last Canvas shoes worn in the NBA. Does anyone know who that player was? I'll give you a hint it was in the 1980 season, not much of a hint thought. Anyway thanks for checking out the site, hits have been going up over the last week, which is awesome, please keep coming back and telling your friends.

The Converse Blog's Friday Flashback: Get you Jog On

Did I really just type that for a title, wow, sorry about that. Well I've got a bag of Converse goodies last night, nothing like loving Parents stopping by the Converse stores in Las Vegas and Primm, Nevada. I might get to them next week, say like Wednesday. However, they weren't going to find anything that would help me out with today's post. So since I am back home right now and close to my supply, I thought I'd dig into my own collection for a change.

Right off the bat let me tell you that my camera skills have certainly waned from all of those film classes I took. I did also rush, but I am not about making excuses...yet. So I am not sure how this will look on screen, well that's a lie because I will see them before this gets posted. Anyway let's get to the goods.

The Converse Blog's Friday Flashback

Converse Jogger

Here is a side shot of the Jogger. When I bought these on eBay a few years ago they were advertised as being from the 70's, in fact I think he said from 1977. As you will see from the box shot below that they were produced during the Eltra period.

The heel tap is simple and just proclaims Converse. Sometimes this works really well and I think this is one of those times. However, I can't help but wonder want this would look like with the Star in a Square logo. Also you notice the rest of the heel area is in suede. In the another picture that you will see a close up shot of the toe cap. The outline of the toe cap is also in suede.

The rest of the shoe is almost like a nylon and satin mix. Of course I could be completely wrong about that. However, I do know that the Chevron and Star's are screened on. I am still a little surprised by this and can't think of another Converse shoe I've seen with screened logos.

Well the outsole was pleasantly unexpected and pretty unique. It's all molded with ovals in alternating directions. One thing that stood out to me was the lack of branding on the outsole, a rare feature for any athletic shoe.

This is probably the best shot of the whole bunch. It shows a great profile view of the shoe. The nylon, stitching, suede, and gum outsole really come together in this picture.

Finally, here are some pictures of Eltra era box.

Well that will be it for today. I haven't worn these yet but I am thinking it might be time. Anyway I know the colorway is a little off, but it's vintage so I am not going to complain. Thanks for stopping by, don't forget to click a link on your way out. Enjoy the weekend.