Amanda Knapp
Converse, the OG basketball sneaker brand, has been making basketball shoes since 1917. The brand has dominated the American court shoe market for over half a century. However, in the 1970s, Converse lost its dominant position as competitors presented their own styles. In 2018, Converse announced it was getting back into the basketball shoe market, with forward Kelly Oubre Jr. as the face of the brand's new basketball program. The brand has since released several basketball shoes, including the All Star Pro BB, the G4 OX, and the Shai 001.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Converse |
| Product | Basketball Shoes |
| Product Line | All Star Pro BB |
| Product History | Converse first released basketball shoes in 1917. |
| Product Popularity | Converse held 70-80% of the basketball shoe market in the 1960s. |
| Product Decline | Converse lost its dominant position in the 1970s due to competing brands. |
| Product Revival | Converse is reviving its basketball shoe line with the All Star Pro BB. |
| Brand Ambassador | Kelly Oubre Jr. of the Washington Wizards |
| Product Features | Customizable, built for speed, support, and all-day comfort. |
| Product Availability | Converse shoes are available in various colors, styles, prints, and fabrics. |
| Product Retail | As of 2019, Converse had 109 company-owned retail stores in the US and 63 internationally. |
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What You'll Learn
Converse is getting back into making basketball shoes
Converse, the original basketball sneaker brand, is getting back into the basketball shoe market. The brand has signed Washington Wizard guard Kelly Oubre Jr. as its ambassador to lead the charge.
Converse's basketball shoe program dates back to 1917 when the company designed the forerunner of the modern All-Star shoe, marketing it as "Non-Skids". By 1923, the Converse All-Star shoe was redesigned based on Chuck Taylor's input and suggestions. The shoe was developed with a distinctive five-pointed star logo displayed on the high-top shoe's ankle patch, along with Taylor's signature, resulting in the design that became known as the Chuck Taylor All-Star.
Although Chuck Taylor All-Stars are no longer used in professional basketball, they remain popular as casual footwear. Converse has released various editions of the shoes in multiple colours, patterns, styles, prints and fabrics, and has also collaborated on special edition product releases with other brands.
Converse's re-entry into the basketball shoe market comes at a time when the competition is heating up. Puma and New Balance have also recently announced their plans to launch basketball sneakers. Despite this, Converse remains optimistic about its return to the basketball court, viewing it as an opportunity to work with people in the world of basketball and bring back some of its classic models, such as the Pro Leather.
The brand's focus is currently on the Pro BB, a shoe that has sparked interest from players due to its resemblance to the modern-day Chuck. While Converse won't be introducing new court-ready shoes for Oubre to wear, the brand has hinted at some exciting plans for the future.
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The All Star Pro BB shoe marks the return of Converse's basketball program
Converse, the original basketball sneaker brand, is making a return to the NBA with the All Star Pro BB shoe. The shoe marks the return of Converse's basketball program, with the brand hoping to compete with the likes of Nike and Adidas.
The All Star Pro BB shoe is the result of a collaboration between Converse and Nike. It combines tradition and technology, with a design that pays homage to Converse's classic Pro Leather sneaker while incorporating Nike's newest innovations. The shoe features a future-forward Nike React core, a new cup sole, and a Nike-proprietary "Quadfit" mesh upper. This combination has been dubbed "future familiar" by Converse designers.
The All Star Pro BB shoe is more than just a refresh of the Chuck Taylor; it marks Converse's return to creating world-class performance basketball shoes. The silhouette of the shoe is instantly recognizable, sparking interest from players even before it was branded. Converse hopes that the shoe will continue its legacy for another 100 years, with the dream that it will become an iconic shoe both on and off the court, just like the Chuck Taylor.
The brand has taken its time to develop the All Star Pro BB, with NBA star and Converse athlete Kelly Oubre Jr. play-testing the shoe for four months before its release. Converse is also planning a wider range of products as part of its renewed push into basketball, including the rerelease of the Converse VLTG sneaker from the '90s, reengineered exclusively for women. With the All Star Pro BB, Converse is gearing up to make a splash in the world of basketball once again.
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Converse's Kelly Oubre Jr. partnership
Converse, the original basketball sneaker brand, is making a comeback in the basketball shoe market. In November 2018, the brand announced its partnership with Washington Wizards star Kelly Oubre Jr. through a multi-year footwear and apparel endorsement deal.
Oubre Jr.'s partnership with Converse is unique as he will be wearing sneakers from Nike, Converse's parent company, on the court. The brand's strategy is to focus on style and fashion rather than performance. Oubre Jr. will showcase Converse in his pre-game looks and star in lifestyle campaigns. He will also provide input and feedback on everything from photo-shoot styling to details on upcoming apparel and footwear.
Oubre Jr. expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating that he has always loved Converse and it is a dream come true to be partnering with them throughout his career. He also highlighted the creative freedom that the designers at Converse allow him, which has resulted in on-court and lifestyle footwear collaborations that reflect his life stories and design language.
The partnership between Converse and Oubre Jr. is significant as it marks Converse's re-emergence in basketball culture and its focus on style and fashion. It also showcases the growing attention paid to the league's arena-entry fashion, with Oubre Jr. leading the way with his fashion-forward pre-game looks.
Through this partnership, Converse aims to dimensionalize its brand and bring a different point of view to its consumers around basketball. By partnering with Oubre Jr., Converse is not only tapping into his athletic prowess but also his fashion sensibility, which has earned him accolades in the NBA.
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Converse basketball shoes are customisable
Converse, the OG basketball sneaker brand, is getting back into the NBA. The brand is getting back into making basketball shoes, signing Washington Wizard guard Kelly Oubre Jr. to lead the charge. Converse has a long history with basketball, dating back to 1917 when it designed the first shoe made for basketball, the Chuck Taylor All Star. The shoe has since become a cultural icon, with its distinctive five-pointed star logo and ankle patch.
Converse basketball shoes are customizable, allowing players to scribble, doodle, and customize their shoes. The brand encourages self-expression and creativity, with its signature white space on the shoe serving as a blank canvas for athletes to make their own. This feature is a nod to the brand's history, as the Chuck Taylor All Star was originally a blank canvas shoe that became popular for customization.
The new Converse basketball shoe, the All Star Pro BB, is a modern take on the classic. It combines the recognizable silhouette of the original with new features designed for performance and comfort. The shoe is built for speed, support, and all-day comfort, both on and off the court. Converse understands that style and basketball are intertwined and aims to offer sneakers that deliver in both areas.
The brand also offers a range of customizable options for its basketball shoes, allowing athletes to choose from various colors, styles, prints, and fabrics. Converse's focus on customization extends beyond the visual appeal of the shoes. The brand also offers different shoe models to cater to diverse playing styles and performance needs.
Converse basketball shoes are designed to be versatile, durable, and adaptable, reflecting the evolving nature of the game and the players' unique personalities. The customizable nature of Converse basketball shoes empowers athletes to make a statement and leave their mark on and off the court. With their rich history, performance features, and customizability, Converse basketball shoes offer a unique blend of tradition and innovation in the world of basketball footwear.
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Converse's history of basketball shoes
Converse has a long history of making basketball shoes, dating back to the early 20th century. The brand's first shoe designed for basketball, the Chuck Taylor All Star, was introduced in 1917. These white high-top canvas sneakers featured the distinctive circular emblem of Converse on the side. The shoe was initially designed for the newly invented sport of basketball and became a global icon, embraced by various subcultures.
In 1921, Charles Hollis "Chuck" Taylor joined Converse as a salesman and played a pivotal role in the development of the shoe. Taylor, a charismatic young basketball player, wore and promoted the brand's sneakers, pioneering sports marketing for Converse. As a result of his contributions, the shoe was renamed the Chuck Taylor All Star in 1934, with Taylor's signature added to the high-top sneaker's patch.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the Chuck Taylor All Stars dominated the basketball shoe market, capturing about 70 to 80 percent of the market share. The shoe was worn by ninety percent of professional and college basketball players and was even the official shoe of the Olympics from 1936 to 1968.
However, in the 1970s, Converse's dominance in basketball began to wane due to increasing competition from brands like Reebok, Adidas, and Nike. Despite this, Converse continued to innovate, releasing the All-Star Pro Leather in 1976 and the Fastbreak, one of the lightest basketball shoes at the time, in 1983.
In 2019, Converse announced its return to basketball with the All Star Pro BB, aiming to continue the legacy of the Chuck Taylor. The brand has also signed Washington Wizard guard Kelly Oubre Jr. to lead this new era of Converse basketball shoes. With a focus on style and the cultural influence of the NBA, Converse aims to compete with other sneaker brands in the basketball space.
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Frequently asked questions
Converse does make basketball shoes. In fact, the brand is often referred to as the OG basketball sneaker brand. Converse All Stars, also known as Chuck Taylors, were initially developed as basketball shoes in the early 20th century, with the first shoe made for basketball, the Converse All Star, debuting in 1917.
Converse basketball shoes are built for speed, support, and all-day comfort. They are designed to perform both on and off the court. The shoes are customizable, with white space for wearers to scribble, doodle, and customize.
Converse All Star BB Trilliant CX, Converse All Star BB Shift, and Converse All Star BB Jet are some of the most played basketball shoes.
