Hoopnitup

You know them—the flat, rubber-soled, straight-laced basketball shoes that even after nearly 100 years we’ve all grown so close to as a fashion statement. Not only you and I, but Dwyane Wade, Kirk Hinrich, Jameer Nelson, Andre Miller, Kyle Korver, Alando Tucker, Acie Law IV, Udonis Haslem, Maurice Evans, Orien Greene and Mike Sweetney all know of them, too. Every one of those players come on the hardwood every night with their version of the Converse basketball shoe. While in the year 2008, Converse are still some of the most highly sought-after kicks, let’s throw it back 50 years or so, to the roots of Converse: Chuck Taylors, or Converse All-Stars.

Commonly most known in nearly every urban area as simply “Chucks,” these sneakers took off with the same hit popularity as they still hold today. Complimented by that signature Converse star on the side, this particular shoe has hit everyone, from day-to-day basketball superstars to high school retro fashion fanatics. Chucks were first offered in low-top, or “Oxford”, high-top, and later knee-high versions were produced. Materials such as leather, suede, vinyl, denim, and hemp were all incorporated into the design. There’s more to Chucks than just that retro look and popular demand, though, and none of it would have been possible if in 1921, Charles H. “Chuck” Taylor hadn’t walked into Converse complaining of sore feet. Taylor was hired as a salesman and ambassador and dedicated his life to promoting his All-Star sneaker until his death in 1969. Taylor made a strong push to press Converse out into the world of basketball, and the New York Rens, America’s first ever African American basketball team labeled Converse their signature sneaker.

Today, the Marquette Golden Eagles and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers still call Converse “their” shoe, even in a market dominated by Nike, Reebok, and Adidas.
Over the years, Converse has reached up much further than in influence in only basketball. As mentioned before, Chucks are wore by people everywhere as a sense of throwback fashion statement. In the 90’s, Converse All-Stars really hit the musical scene in the age of punk rock and grunge, pulling far away from their dominantly African American roots. Many musicians wore All-Stars on stage when performing for both comfort and fashion. By the turn of the 21st century, more than 750,000,000 pairs of Converse have been sold worldwide, and Converse has since expanded into more styles of their shoe, such as “The Weapon,” which sports a new age, on-court feel and look. In shoe stores worldwide, the shoe that came about in the 1920’s is still being manufactured and purchased heavily in the year of 2008. Converse, and most specifically the All-Star, “Chuck” style, has become a worldwide phenomenom.

Established when he was a “magical” star down in Orlando, Tracy McGrady’s signature shoe (designed by Adidas) has done in sales what McGrady hasn’t been able to do with the Rockets in the playoffs—exceed expectations. Already with 6 installments of this shoe (not included the “halves,” made popular by Jordan brand sneakers), the Adidas T-Mac has come a long way.

McGrady’s first three shoes, The T-Mac, T-Mac 2, and T-Mac 3, all encompassed the same basic design. All three of the shoes were (originally) mid-top with nearly the exact same sole, heel, and toe. The major differences are the side panels. The T-Mac became Adidas’ first ever #1 selling shoe, solidifying a lifetime union in contract between McGrady and Adidas. The shoe features two different cushioning systems in the forefoot and heel, making it a choice show for players who, like McGrady, wanted a quick first step. McGrady’s shoes in 2003, the T-Mac 2, showed little differences besides in cosmetics, coming in solid colors. The T-Mac 2 came in a low-top version, as well as a solid blue “All-Star” edition, and a red and blue, striped “Olympic” edition. Most consider the T-Mac 2 the most aesthetically pleasing sneaker McGrady has put out. The T-Mac 3 took those stripes that were on the toe of the T-Mac 2 and put them on the side panels. McGrady’s All-Star versions of these shoes came in plain-colored patent, in which McGrady, for the All-Star game, wore one blue shoe on one foot, and one red shoe on another.

Around the time McGrady was traded to the Houston Rockets was when the T-Mac 4.5 dropped. These shoes looked much different than the first three, incorporating sealed and hidden lacing and a strap. The shoes first came in blue and then in red, to accommodate McGrady’s old fans in Orlando and new fans in Houston. Like other T-Mac’s, he released a red/white/blue All-Star form, but in addition, with the All-Star game being held in Denver that year, he released a baby blue and yellow shoe that matched the Nugget’s team colors.

The T-Mac 5 was a big turn in direction for the shoe, releasing more colorways and incorporating more materials into the design. An all-black shoe was released and a brown and beige colorway also hit the shelves. This shoe was suede rather than leather, and interestingly had an actual piece of hardwood in the heal. Rather than the traditional tongue-strap that most basketball sneakers had at the time, the T-Mac 5 had a long, wide strap that protruded from the heal to wrap all the way across the shoe.

The T-Mac 6 was released and immediately sampled by Undr Crown and was given multiple All-Star colorways. This shoe had no strap and took on a feel closer to that of Kevin Garnett’s signature Adidas shoe. On the soles of the T-Mac 6 are “pods” similar to that on Nike Shox that cushion the foot better than previous installments of the shoe.

Now, in the year 2008, McGrady has to take his step away from the usual numerical shoe updates. The T-Mac TS Light would have been considered the T-Mac 7, but Adidas decided to try a different route. Starting next year, Adidas will no longer make individual sneakers for their players. Instead, main models will be made and have their own color ways and style to represent the player and the uniform. Not yet released, the T-Mac 7’s, or Light Speeds, are being awaited nervously by T-Mac fans. Will the shoe disappoint with it’s generality, or has Adidas’ new approach paid off? We’ll have to see during this upcoming NBA season!

It was in 1908 in Maldon, Massacchussets when Marquis M. Converse opened the Converse Rubber Shoe Company. Also known as the Boston Rubber Shoe Company, it has been making shoes since the early 20th century, providing winterized rubber soled footwear for men, women and children. 2 years later, Converse, being a rubber shoe manufacturer, produced 4,000 shoes daily and in 1915 started manufacturing tennis shoes.

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In 1917, Converse All-star basketball shoes were introduced, a real innovation considering that the sport was only 25 years old. The big break came in when it was endorsed by basketball player Charles H. “Chuck” Taylor as his preferred shoe of choice.

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Hi Original Skate Pack Punk Prints

In 1921 he went in complaining of sore feet. Converse came to his rescue by not only alleviating the pain but by giving him a job.Being impressed with the company’s shoe designs, he worked as a salesman and ambassador promoting the shoes all over the United States thereby becoming the company’s leading salesman. Then, after a few changes to the shoe have been made upon his proposal, Converse shoes got it’s current name and Chuck Taylor’s signature on it’s ankle patch.Chuck Taylor All Star basketball shoes have also been referred to as “Cons”, “Connies”, “Chucks”, “Converse”, “Chuckie T’s” and “Chucker Boots” for the higher styles.

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Hi Original Skate Pack Punk Prints

Colored and patterned shoelaces became so popular to complement Converse’s two colored black and white trademark before 1966 in order to match each basketball team’s specific colors. This was brought about by the consumers demand for more varieties on the shoe and pressure from the different basketball teams.Eventually, it wasn’t only about the colors but more styles came out. Low-top or “Oxford”, high-top and later, knee-high versions were produced. Construction materials for these styles include leather, suede, vinyl, denim and hemp. There were even some versions that were offered without laces and are held up by elastic. All of these new designs were co-designed by Chuck Taylor himself who tirelessly continued his work until his death in 1969.

Converse All Star Hi

Afterwards, the design has had a few alterations after Converse was bought by Nike and operations were moved from the United States to overseas. From the usual 2-ply cotton canvas, the fabric became 1-ply “textile” and different patterns of wear have been noticed by many wearers.Currently, Converse has also been producing a wide range of occupational safety shoes for men and women that resemble their regular athletic shoes. Some of which are the women’s metaflex athletic Met Guard work shoe, men’s athletic Met Guard slip-resistant hiker and the men’s non-metallic safety-toe athletic shoe. Not only were these shoes built to last but are made up of genuine leather offering minimal electric resistance, shock-resistant heels, foam insoles and a special moisture resistant lining to keep your feet dry all day. What’s more is that they’re metal free so it’s really perfect for those on high-risk jobs, everything that a work shoe has to have to protect you from occupational hazards.Converse, a name that holds a century of innovation and footwear history in itself. What else can you ask for? Name it, they have it. Be it Converse classic shoes, Converse lifestyle shoes or Converse performance shoes, Converse gives you the freedom to express yourself by choosing whichever fits your mood, style and wardrobe.

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Canvas Hi [http://www.shoedeals4u.com ]Shoedeals4u.com has a superb selection of [http://www.shoedeals4u.com/1-converse.htm ]Converse shoes that is true to the brand. It is individuality personified in it’s array of distinctive colors, styles and designs. And the good thing about it is that you don’t have to leave your house just to get a pair of your own.