Converse is a shoe brand from the United States. Marquis Mills Converse founded it in Malden, Massachusetts, in 1908 under the name Converse Rubber Shoe Company. At first the factory made rubber footwear for winter. Its name rose through the All-Star basketball shoe that appeared in 1917. The shoe later became known as the Chuck Taylor All Star, after basketball player Chuck Taylor's signature was put on the ankle patch in 1932. From the basketball court, this canvas shoe with a rubber sole gradually became everyday casual footwear. Since 2003 Converse has been under Nike. For secondhand buyers, this long history means there are many variants and production eras, so the details are worth checking carefully.
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Marquis Mills Converse was 47 years old and working as a manager at a footwear factory when he opened the Converse Rubber Shoe Company in February 1908 in Malden, Massachusetts. Its first products were rubber shoes for winter, galoshes, tennis shoes, and even car tires. The basketball line was formed in the summer of 1916, and the All-Star shoe arrived a year later. In 1922, basketball player Charles H. "Chuck" Taylor came in complaining of sore feet. Converse gave him a job as a salesman and ambassador, and he traveled around America promoting the shoe. His signature went onto the All-Star patch in 1932.
The company's path was not smooth. Converse went bankrupt in 1929 and was bought by the Stone family in 1939. During World War II, production was redirected to rubber footwear, outerwear, and protective clothing for the military. After the war, Converse went back to making athletic shoes, mainly black or white high-top models. The low-cut version appeared in 1957, and in 1966 the shoe became available in school colors. In the 1960s Converse held about 70 to 80 percent of the basketball shoe market. The star and chevron emblem still found on many of its shoes was created by an employee named Jim Labadini.
Since the 1970s, competitors such as Puma, Adidas, and Nike took over the basketball market. The canvas shoe rose again in the 1980s as casual footwear. But Converse relied too heavily on All Stars, and its parent company filed for bankruptcy protection in 1991. Converse went bankrupt again in January 2001, and its last factory in the United States closed in March that year. Production moved entirely overseas. Nike bought Converse in July 2003. In 2015 the Chuck Taylor II arrived, which looks similar to the original but uses Nike technology and newer insole material.
- Chuck Taylor All Star: a canvas shoe with a rubber sole that began with the 1917 All-Star and has carried Chuck Taylor's signature on the ankle patch since 1932.
- Chuck Taylor II: an updated version released on 28 July 2015. The outside looks almost the same, but the insole uses a new material.
- Jack Purcell: a line whose trademark rights stayed with Converse after the PF Flyers deal was unwound, and it is still produced.
- One Star: a basketball shoe launched in 1974, before the Pro Leather (1976) and the Starion (1984).
- The Weapon: a leather basketball shoe from 1986 that was first promoted by Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.
What we check before listing
We usually look at the condition of the rubber sole first: whether it is still attached tightly to the canvas, not badly yellowed, and not cracked. On classic models, we look at the ankle patch with the Chuck Taylor signature and the star and chevron emblem, to see whether the print is neat and aligned. We also check the diamond pattern on the outsole, to see whether it is still clear or already worn. We inspect the stitching, the eyelets, and the label inside to look for consistency and signs of wear. Because the last factory in America stopped production in 2001, we also note the shoe's era from its label and construction. This is something to weigh, not a guarantee of authenticity.
Caring for it
Clean the canvas with a soft brush, water, and mild soap, then dry it in the shade. Avoid the washing machine and direct sunlight, because they can weaken the glue and turn the rubber sole yellow. The sole and the white rubber parts only need a wipe with a damp cloth. For leather models such as The Weapon or the Pro Leather, clean with a damp cloth and apply a little leather conditioner.
FAQ
What is the difference between the Chuck Taylor All Star and the Chuck Taylor II?
The Chuck Taylor II was released in 2015 with Nike technology. The outside looks similar to the original model, but the insole material is newer. The classic model is usually thinner on the inside.
Who is Chuck Taylor?
Chuck Taylor was a basketball player who came to Converse in 1922 and later worked as a salesman and ambassador. His signature was added to the ankle patch of the All-Star shoe in 1932.
Are all Converse shoes made in the United States?
No. Converse's last factory in the United States closed in March 2001, and production has been done overseas since then. Shoes from before 2001 may have been made there, but they still need to be checked through the label and construction.
Does Converse only have high-top models?
No. The low-cut All-Star version appeared in 1957. Converse also has other lines such as the Jack Purcell, the One Star, and the leather The Weapon.
How do I choose a size when buying secondhand?
Measure the length of the insole and compare it with the length of your foot. The wear on the insole and the shape of the shoe can affect how it feels to wear, so ask for photos and the size in centimeters if needed.
References
Facts summarised and rewritten from the sources above (CC BY-SA licence).