'S Weapon Wednesday: Weapon 86 Knicks Colorway

Crazy day here in Kentucky.  A strong line of thunderstorms just swept across the state like a firm pimp slap.  I watched it rain in 3 different directions.  Then we lost power, then the power came on and then the TV went out.  Oh, and I couldn't find our battery radio or our War of the Worlds crank radio, thank you Tom Cruise.  Needless to say it was pretty crazy.  Speaking of crazy, these new Converse Weapon 86's are just that.  You can them in a very nice Blue/Orange Knicks inspired colorway.

Sorry for the late post today, I had to keep up with some crazy 5th graders.  Besides the F'bomb and sneaky cell phone use, it was a rather pleasant day all around.  Thanks for checking out the blog, enjoy the weather where ever you are!

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.

The Converse Blog's Friday Flashback: Incoming

Have you ever had a cross roads moment? Sure you have, you're alive aren't you? Well, today I am going to share with you a cross roads moment from my past. I am going all the way back to 7th grade. I remember going to JC Penny one day to purchase a pair of shoes. At the time they still had all of the hot stuff. Anyway, I had recently seen the new Converse ad for the All Star 2000. "The Shoe that started it all is back in ball," was the tagline. That ad caught me, hook, line, and sinker.

However, when I got there something different caught my eye. It was the Converse All Star Incoming. Three things jumped out at me. First was the design, I couldn't explain it but it was like nothing I had ever seen before. I think it was just that feeling you get when you see a new shoe for the first time, in person. Man those were the days.

Second, it did not feature the chevron in star logo or the Chuck Taylor patch. Nope, the logo was a simple star. I was really excited because I had never seen a basketball shoe with just the star. Thirdly, the tag had Larry Johnson on it. I was still in complete denial and shock that Grandmama had been traded from my Charlotte Hornets, to the Knicks. At the time I thought nothing good happened in New York.

It was right there that I had to make a decision. Do I stick to my guns and go with the All Star 2000, or do switch and go with the Incoming....... I went with the All Star 2000.

I wore them on the first day of 7th grade. I still remember my social studies teacher and one of the coaches at the high school, telling me to go upstairs to show my shoes to the 8th grade coach. He told me to tell him that my shoes were the shoes that the high school was wearing and that the middle school should to. I'd never been so proud of my footwear. And it was that moment that truly propelled me to my love of Converse.

Recently a pair of the Incoming made it to eBay. And even though they were 1 1/2 sizes too big, I almost bought them. I've always wondered what would have happened had I bought them instead. Well after that book, I guess I should finally show you the shoes.

I apologize for the lack of pics, but this is all I've seen online. I don't know much about them




Here is an action shot I found of LJ rocking the Incoming's as a Knick.