Your Shoes Your Style

How To Dress For The Gym

2013-11-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

Tops

When it comes to learning about how to dress for the gym, functionality should be your top priority. Style should be a close second, because even if you’re not looking to hook up with hot girls wearing spandex, your appearance should always be considered when in public in order to maintain your reputation as a well-dressed man.
As a woman who has spent an inordinate amount of time in the gym over the past several months during an intense training regime, I have observed male gym-goers in a wide variety of outfits, not all of them flattering. I feel it is my duty to give men some female feedback on their gym wear, mostly because I’m sick of looking at their gym fashion faux pas. So let’s go over some dos and don’ts of dressing for the gym.

workout clothes

Your instinct may be to wear as few clothes as possible in the gym in order to stay cool, but covering up actually provides you with great benefits during training. Wearing a sweatshirt or hoodie during your workout will help keep your muscles, joints and ligaments warm, which will improve circulation and lessen the risk of strains, tears and other injuries. The extra sweating will also help to burn calories and reduce water weight. Look for something made of moisture-wicking material like Champion’s Double Dry Fleece Hoodie, which will keep you warm and dry and is simple enough to help you look good at the gym.If you can’t imagine including a sweater in your workout clothes, stick with basic T-shirts made of plain old cotton or a material that keeps moisture away from your skin. As far as fit goes, you don’t want your shirt to be so loose that it will get in the way when you’re lifting weights, but a skin-tight tee will make you look like a douche, even if you have a killer body.
Don't: When it comes to how to dress for the gym, unless you are a professional bodybuilder, avoid the barely-there, tiny-strapped muscle tank at all costs. If you must show off, go with a sleeveless T-shirt or a simple, tank top.

Bottoms

What you wear on your bottom half should be both efficient and stylish while working out. Whether you choose athletic pants or shorts, length is a key element to dressing for the gym. Shorts should be no longer than a few inches below the knee, while short shorts should be exclusively worn in 80s football tribute games and never in the gym. If you choose pants for the gym, make sure they reach your ankles. Too long, and you’re liable to trip on them on the treadmill. Too short, and you’re wearing capris, which is not a good look in the gym for anyone of the male sex.Both shorts and pants should be loose enough to allow a full range of movement but should never be baggy. Tight spandex shorts or pants are for runners and bicyclists and don’t belong at the gym. Elastic waistbands will make sure everything stays in place while you’re doing lunges or squats.
The Blitz Microshort by Under Armour and the Adidas Essential 3-Stripe Polyester Pant are great-looking additions to your workout wardrobe.
Don't: Avoid men's swimwear, cargo shorts, spandex, puffy cotton sweats, yoga pants, and capris, all of which I have seen on guys at the gym and heartily mocked inside my head and occasionally on Twitter.

Shoes and socks

If you must take a fashion risk at the gym, trainers are your best bet. With the sheer number of choices in athletic footwear, you’re bound to find a pair that allows you to express a bit of your personality without going over the top. Don’t be afraid of a little colour when learning how to dress for the gym. Shoes like the Nike Free 5.0 v4 iD will make a statement and might just catch the eye of an eligible female gym-goer.It doesn’t matter if a famous athlete has put his name on your shoes. They should be supportive, well cushioned and somewhat breathable.
Socks should be basic white, thick enough to hold up to punishment and short, like these ones from Everlast.
Don’t: Athletic shoes are your only option for the gym in terms of performance and appearance. Wearing sandals, loafers, dress shoes, etc. will make you stand out — but not in a good way.

Head

If you must wear headgear, a simple beanie or skullcap is your best bet; brimmed hats will get in the way and aren’t as easy to keep clean. You should be able to throw the hat you wear at the gym in the wash with the rest of your gym wear or it will end up smelling pretty funky before too long. Don't: Sweatbands should only be attempted by men with LeBron James-level gravitas.

Gloves

Some guys might question your toughness when they see you wearing protective gloves while weight lifting, but those guys have girlfriends who wish their hands were as soft and callous-free as yours. In addition to their functionality, weight-lifting gloves also look pretty great and give the impression that you are serious about your workout. Look for the right pair from reliable brands like Harbinger, Everlast or Nike.Don’t: Don’t bother spending £50 or more on your first pair of weight-lifting gloves. Start with a pair that’s more economical until you figure out what you want and need in a glove, and then you can upgrade to a more expensive option.

endless options

When figuring out how to dress for the gym, practicality is the most important consideration since you don’t want your clothes to hinder your workout. But you also want to look good, and with so many brands offering a variety of choices in workout clothes, your options are endless. But remember: Just because a store sells capri-length athletic pants doesn’t mean you have to buy them. Dress like a man. Work out like a man.

Source : Askmen.com

Men's Sandals Dos & Don'ts

2013-11-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

Summer is the official start of barbecues, beaches and breathing time for your feet. However, when it comes to men’s footwear, no other type of shoe can present as many potential pitfalls as the sandal; sandals can be too feminine, too chunky, too hippy, or just downright ugly. The men's sandal walks a fine line when it comes to fashion dos and don’ts. Fortunately, following these men's sandals dos and don'ts will have you trotting to the shore or even a summer Friday at the office in sandalled style.

men's sandals don'ts

Don’t take a hike

When it comes to the worst offenders in the world of men’s sandals, ones designed for serious outdoor activity top the list. This variety looks more like a full-on shoe with oddball cutouts than a sleek summer sandal. No one would doubt its comfort or utility with a lug sole and all those synthetic water-absorbent materials. After all, something so hideous must have been created to serve a purpose. However, function should never — and doesn’t have to — completely trump style. If you’re going to take a hike, do it with a pair of real boots, not a stout sandal.

Don’t go granola

Birkenstocks and Tevas are better suited for a sit-in than a night out. You probably owned at least one pair of these hippy-esque shoes in your teens and wore them with a not-so subtly witty A&F T-shirt, cargo shorts and hemp necklace. It’s time to grow up. A real man’s sandal should channel casual sophistication, not a bonfire. The ironic thing about these granola shoes is that they are supposed to somehow be practical. The relatively hefty price tag and inability to withstand moisture say otherwise. One stroll on the lakeshore with these sandals, and you’ll be waiting days for them to dry out. In the meantime, you’re left smelling like a dirty changing room.

Don’t cover up

It’s difficult to say how exactly the sock and sandal combination came into existence. By contrast, it’s astoundingly easy to spot the offenders every summer. Just go to your local theme park, museum or retail park — basically anyplace where there are tourists en masse. You’ll be bound to find argyle sock-covered feet strangled in a sandal gasping for air. Some even wear it unabashedly as though an open-toed shoe were meant to be corrupted in the most heinous of ways. It’s a shocking reality for a continent that exports some of the best fashion to every corner of the earth, but this is one time you don’t want to go Euro.

Don’t buy in bulk

Some people might be surprised to find out that Dr. Martens still exist. The iconic, chunky black shoe/boot with yellow stitching certainly had its moment with teens in the '90s. What isn’t surprising is that if Dr. Martens were to make a sandal, it would be equally as cumbersome. The summer is supposed to be light and carefree, but wearing a shoe that looks like a block of wood on your foot doesn’t exactly radiate airiness. Thick foam and rubber-sole sandals with equally bulky uppers are just as offensive as the hiking type without any of the functionality.

Don’t slide around

Unless you’re a football player on the subs bench, leave the athletic slip-ons at home. It may be easy and comfortable to slip your foot into a lightweight foam and rubber sandal, but it’s not a statement you ever want to make outside of your home or maybe an astro turf field. This is one sandal that, despite sturdiness, has a limited ability to survive outside of its normal habitat. No matter how your wear the slide, it will always make you look like you just came from football practice. Even a benched Beckham wouldn’t be able to pull this one off.
Now you know the men's sandals don'ts, time to check out the dos...

Do make an X to mark the spot

It can be downright difficult to find a men’s sandal that is both simple and stylish if you want something other than flip-flops. The solution: a cross-strap sandal. There are no bells and whistles here — just two uncomplicated straps to hold your foot in place. It’s also the perfect sandal if you find a traditional flip-flop that slips on between your toes to be uncomfortable. Just be careful not to go with certain faux-leather types or you could risk looking like grandpa at the retirement home.

Do wear a Brazilian thong

A thong as a swimsuit is a definite no-no, but on your feet it's a different story. Havaiana flip-flops are essential sunshine wear: It’s hard to imagine a summer without the ease of this soft rubber sandal that doesn’t look like a cheap mess. The best thing about Havaianas is that they are inexpensive and come in over a dozen colours. This year, the flip-flop maker joined forces with GAP to expand their reach. If world domination in flip-flops is Havaiana’s plan, they are well on their way.

Do splurge on quality

There is something to be said for the ease of the surf culture and the style that surrounds it. Fortunately, splurging on quality in this department doesn’t have to break the bank. A pair in slightly antiqued, worn leather will mold to your foot after just a few weeks and easily become your go-to shoe for the summer. They hold up just as well at the beach as they do on the highstreet, so you can wear them with board shorts or jeans and a polo shirt. Either way, the scorching heat of summer will be no match for your comfortably cool feet.

let those toes breathe the right way

As soon as that first heat wave hits, it’s time to show a little skin. There is no better way to do that than with the right pair of summer shoes. Just make sure to treat yourself to a little foot-freshening session — clipping, scrubbing or for those completely secure with their masculinity, a professional pedicure.

Reebok History

2013-11-18T03:46:00.002-08:00

Reebok is a United Kingdom based company founded by Joseph William Foster. The company started because Joseph added spikes to his running shoes, and this led him to start his own company, JW Foster and Sons in the late 1800's. The company wasn’t well known, but their shoes were seen in the Olympics in 1924. Later down the line Joseph’s grandsons came up with the company Reebok in 1958. Paul Fireman was able to get the rights to sell Reeboks in the United States in 1979.

Reebok USA jumped into the market with their running shoes that were the most expensive shoe at the time.

Reebok then changed the game and starting gearing their shoes towards the aerobic and fitness crowd. Near the end of the 80's Reebok gained huge success with Reebok Pump shoes along with the well known slogan "Pump it Up". Although, Reebok was doing excellent in sales during the 80's and early 90's business slowed up in the late 90's. They lost around 7 million dollars during this time period and had to lay off many workers. After many struggles Reebok was trying to get back in the market. In 2002-2003 Reebok came out with the Rbk line. The RBK line was mainly geared to the younger Hip Hop crowd.

This was a wise move for Reebok, because they were doing something very different. The RBK line proved to benefit the company with the G-Unit collection and the S. Carter collection which really helped put them back in the game. Everyone knows Reebok is definitely not the #1 company, and many people will say that Reebok is over doing it with the Hip Hop stars. Regardless to what we think, Reebok is still here doing what they do best and that’s selling shoes. Reebok has signed their first skater "Stevie Williams" and he has a skateboarding shoe available called the DGKs.

Owner

Reebok International Limited, a subsidiary of the German company Adidas since 2005, is a producer of athletic shoes, clothing, and accessories. The name comes from the Afrikaans spelling of rhebok, a type of African antelope or gazelle. In 1890 in Holcombe Brook, a small village six miles north east of Bolton, Greater Manchester, Joseph William Foster was making a living producing regular running shoes when he came up with the idea to create a novelty spiked running shoe. After his ideas progressed he joined with his sons, and founded a shoe company named J.W. Foster and Sons in 1895.

In 1958, two of the founder's grandsons Joe and Jeff Foster renamed the company Reebok in the United Kingdom, having found the name in a dictionary won in a race by Joe Foster as a boy; the dictionary was South African edition hence the spelling. The company lived up to the J.W. Foster legacy, manufacturing first-class footwear for customers throughout the UK. In 1979, Paul Fireman, an American sporting goods distributor, saw a pair of Reeboks at an international trade show and negotiated to sell them in the U.S.

The world headquarters is located in Canton, Massachusetts; with regional offices in Amsterdam (EMEA), Montreal (Canada), Hong Kong (Asia Pacific) and Mexico City (Latin America).

Logo

The original Reebok logo depicts the Union Jack, portraying the company’s humble beginnings in Bolton, England in 1895. In 1986, Reebok unveiled a second emblem, often termed as “the vector”. The emblem was introduced to symbolize a new era of “performance” product. Its design was inspired by the cues on the product, often called the “side stripe – cross check”.

In 1996, the Reebok logo underwent only a few minor changes. Reebok took a big step in 1998 and took away their logotype, while using only the “cross check” which appeared on their products very aesthetic. In 2000, the company once again took out the logo and used only logotype, which was further modified and made more modern in 2002.

In 2004, the logotype, too, was discarded, and the cross check was reissued. To attain a bigger link to the youth market, the company brought in a new tier of product called “Rbk” in 2001. The wide success of this rebranding made Reebok to look at its overall branding scheme and learn that the future of the brand would be more effectively depicted by this new logo. The “Rbk” logo was created by the Arnell Group.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the brand name in 2008, Reebok brought back its brand identity from Rbk to Reebok. While Rbk worked for their brand identity, the culture and the business, Reebok is timeless and manifests the company’s high values. The current Reebok logo design features a new font that is modern yet simple, complementing the brand identity and reflecting the brand values.

Source : Wikipedia | theshoegame.com | famouslogos.us

10 Tips for Choosing Athletic Shoes

2013-11-18T03:19:00.002-08:00

Running and walking are among the purest, most natural forms of exercise around. With newfangled innovations like Freon-filled midsoles and pump-it-up tongues, it's knowing which shoes to buy that seems to require an advanced degree.

Choose the wrong athletic shoes and you could end up lying on the couch nursing shin splints or aching heels instead of enjoying a brisk walk or run.

While most specialty sport-shoe stores have knowledgeable staff to guide you, you'll be a few steps ahead of the game armed with some basic knowledge about your feet and their specific needs. Here is some expert advice to heed before buying new footwear:

Don't make shoes multitask. Walking shoes are stiffer; running shoes are more flexible, with extra cushioning to handle greater impact. If you do both activities, get a pair for each one.

Know your foot. Sure, we've all got 10 toes and two heels, but beyond that, feet come in a variety of shapes -- and knowing your foot's particular quirks is key to selecting the right pair of shoes. Most major brands now offer a model to suit every foot type.

One way to determine your foot's shape is to do a "wet test"--- wet your foot, step on a piece of brown paper and trace your footprint. Or just look at where your last pair of shoes shows the most wear.

If your footprint shows the entire sole of your foot with little to no curve on the inside -- or if your shoes show the most wear on the inside edge -- it means you've got low arches or flat feet and tend toward overpronation -- meaning your feet roll inward. Overpronation can create extra wear on the outside heel and inside forefoot. You'll want a shoe with a motion-control feature and maximum support.

If the footprint shows only a portion of your forefoot and heel with a narrow connection between the two -- or if your shoes wear out mostly on the outside edge -- you have high arches and tend to underpronate (also called supinate), meaning your feet roll outward. Underpronation causes wear on the outer edge of the heel and the little toe. Look for a cushioned shoe with a soft midsole.

You have a neutral arch if your footprint has a distinct curve along the inside and your shoes wear out uniformly. Look for a "stability" shoe, which has the right mix of cushioning and support.

Feet Change

Measure your foot frequently. "It's a myth that foot size doesn't change in adults," says Steven Raiken, MD. "It does change as we get older, so have your feet measured twice a year. Sizes also vary between brands, so go by what fits, not by what size the shoe is." Raiken is director of the foot and ankle service at the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Shop toward the end of the day. Feet swell over the course of the day; they also expand while you run or walk, so shoes should fit your feet when they're at their largest.

Bring your own socks -- the ones you wear while running or walking. If you wear orthotics, bring those, too. Shoes need to fit with the orthotic inside.

Don't believe in breaking in. Running and walking shoes should feel comfortable right away, Raiken tells WebMD. Walk or run around the store a bit to make sure they feel good in action.

Use the rule of thumb. There should be about 3/8-1/2 inch between the front of your big toe and the end of the shoe -- about a thumb's width. The heel should fit relatively tightly; your heel should not slip out when you walk. The upper part of the shoe -- which goes over the top of your foot -- should be snug and secure, and not too tight anywhere. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons writes that when fitting in to an athletic shoe you should be able to freely wiggly all of your toes when the shoe is on.

Understand the bells and whistles. Some models of running shoes look better suited to a space mission than a run in the park, but some of those groovy-looking features actually serve a purpose. Clear inserts, filled with gel, Freon, or air, provide extra shock absorption, as do those springy-looking things. These features are especially good for people who tend to get heel pain, says Raiken, and not so good for people whose ankles twist easily, as shoes with extra cushioning tend to provide less traction.

Some shoes allow you to pump up the tongue, which lets people with difficult-to-fit feet achieve a more customized fit.

Don't over- or underpay. Good-quality running and walking shoes are fairly pricey -- and usually worth it. "A $15-shoe will not be as good as an $80-shoe," says Raiken. But you'll pay a premium for super-fashionable styles or those associated with a celebrity -- and they won't be any better for your feet.

Know when to replace them. The average pair of running shoes should be replaced after about 350-400 miles of use, says Clifford Jeng, MD, a foot and ankle surgeon at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Md. Better yet, go by how your shoes look and feel. Once the back of the sole is worn out or the shoe feels uncomfortable or less supportive, it's time to take those tootsies shopping again.

By Christina Frank | WebMD Feature | Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Source : webmd.com

Nike, From Greek Myth to Sports and Fitness Powerhouse

2011-09-23T00:31:00.000-07:00

Ever heard of Nike? Who hasn't?

You might be surprised to know that one of the world's dominant shoe, sports equipment and clothing brands was aptly named after the Greek goddess of victory -- and that the inspiration for the name struck during a dream.

It began in 1964 with a casual agreement and a handshake between University of Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight, a middle-distance runner. The pair formed Blue Ribbon Sports and began importing Japanese brand Onitsuka Tiger running shoes, known today as ASICs, for sale in the U.S.

In 1967, Knight and Bowerman made the handshake deal formal and incorporated as BRS Inc. Jeff Johnson signed on in 1965 as the company's first full-time salesperson and opened Blue Ribbon Sports' first retail outlet the following year. In 1971, Johnson made an incalculable contribution to the company: One night, he dreamed of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, and suggested the name to his bosses. The company used the moniker for its first footwear product to feature the "Swoosh" mark -- a soccer cleat called the Nike, whose name beat out Knight's suggestion that they call it the Dimension 6.

The Swoosh trademark was created by a graphic-design student from Portland State University named Carolyn Davidson. She got $35 for her creation.

Expanding the Nike Brand

Looking to expand the line, Bowerman began experimenting with the concept of athletic shoes with rubber spikes. By pouring a liquid rubber compound into his wife's waffle iron, Bowerman created an innovative running-shoe sole. The company unveiled Nike "Moon Shoes" featuring the Waffle sole for athletes competing at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., in 1972. A succession of shoes, many based on the waffle outsole, followed. Some of the most famous are the Waffle Racer, Air Force One and Air Max 97.

When tees featuring a lower-case "nike" script logo designed by Davidson hit stores that year, folks unfamiliar with the name asked, "Who's Mike?" when they spotted the shirts.

Elite Sponsors: Athletes in Nike Shoes

A growing number of elite athletes competed in Nike footwear. Runner Mark Covert was the first athlete to wear Nike shoes across a finish line. Nike shoes got their first endorsement by a professional athlete when Romanian tennis personality Ilie Nastase signed on to wear Nikes on the court.

In 1977, former aerospace engineer Frank Rudy teamed with Nike to create the first Air-Sole units -- durable bags filled with pressurized gas that compressed under impact, then sprang back. The result was Nike Air cushioning, which hit stores in 1979.

In 1980, Nike went public.

The year 1984 saw the signing of basketball megastar Michael Jordan to an endorsement contract, followed by the 1985 release of his signature shoe, the Air Jordan. Originally, the NBA banned this new shoe because it didn't match the league's dress code, but the ban simply served to give the design a higher profile and extensive publicity.

Nike revenues topped $1 billion for the first time in 1986. The rest, as they say, is history.

Superstar Follow-Up

Nike followed up on its footwear fame by dressing athletes from head to toe, introducing apparel collections for tennis and basketball, which were popularized respectively by superstars John McEnroe and Michael Jordan. In 1988, Nike's "Just Do It" slogan was introduced, and it remains one of the most recognizable and successful commercial taglines. In 1990, the first NikeTown store opened in Portland, Ore. The company signed golfing phenom Tiger Woods in 1996.

In 1999, Bill Bowerman, Nike's co-founder, died at age 88. The company bought bankrupt rival Converse for $305 million in 2003. In 2004, Phil Knight stepped down as CEO and president of Nike, but he continues as chairman. Headquartered in Beaverton, Ore., Nike remains one of the largest and most successful companies operating today.
Source: About.com

Converse Shoes and More Converse Shoes!

2011-07-20T05:13:00.000-07:00

Source: Youtube.com

Converse Shoes History

2011-07-20T05:02:00.000-07:00

1908–1941: Early days

In his late 30s, Marquis Mills Converse, who was previously a respected manager at a footwear manufacturing firm, opened the Converse Rubber Shoe Company (completely unrelated to the Boston Rubber Shoe Company founded by fourth cousin Elisha Converse) in Malden, Massachusetts in February 1908. The company was a rubber shoe manufacturer, providing winterized rubber soled footwear for men, women, and children.
By 1910, Converse was producing 4,000 shoes daily, but it was not until 1915 that the company began manufacturing athletic shoes for tennis. The company's main turning point came in 1917 when the Converse All-Star basketball shoe was introduced. Then in 1921, a basketball player named Charles H. "Chuck" Taylor walked into Converse complaining of sore feet. Converse gave him a job. He worked as a salesman and ambassador, promoting the shoes around the United States, and in 1923 his signature was added to the All Star patch. He tirelessly continued this work until shortly before his death in 1969. Converse also customized shoes for the New York Renaissance (the "Rens"), the first all-African American professional basketball team.

1941–present: War, bankruptcy, and new management

When the USA entered World War II in 1941, Converse shifted production to manufacturing rubberized footwear, outerwear, and protective suits for the military. Widely popular during the 1950s and 1960s, Converse promoted a distinctly American image with its Converse Yearbook. Artist Charles Kerins created cover art that celebrated Converse's role in the lives of high school and college athletes. Through its shoes, Converse developed into an iconic brand, and came to be seen as the essential sports shoe. In the 1970s, Converse purchased the trademark rights to Jack Purcell sneakers from B.F. Goodrich.^[2]

Converse Jack Purcells.

Red Chuck Taylor All Star basketball shoe.

Converse lost much of its apparent near-monopoly from the 1970s onward, with the surge of new competitors, including Puma and Adidas, then Nike, then a decade later Reebok, who introduced radical new designs to the market. Converse found themselves no longer the official shoe of the National Basketball Association, a title they had relished for many years. While being employed at Converse, one of its employees (Jim Labadini {1968-78}), created the chevron and star insignia / logo that still remains on most of the footwear items.

The loss of market share, combined with poor business decisions, forced Converse to file for bankruptcy on January 22, 2001. In April 2001, Footwear Acquisitions, led by Mardsen Cason and Bill Simon, purchased the brand from bankruptcy and added industry partners Jack Boys, Jim Stroesser, Lisa Kempa, and David Maddocks to lead the turnaround of America's Original Sports Company. The new team drove Converse from the 16th largest footwear company to number 7 in less than 2 1/2 years, leading to a buyout by rival Nike on 9 July 2003 for $305 million, qualifying as the merger and acquisition of the year in 2003.^[3]

Current NBA players wearing Converse include Kirk Hinrich, Kyle Korver, Maurice Evans, Acie Law, Udonis Haslem, Elton Brand, Louis Williams, Larry Sanders, Luke Harangody, Chris Andersen, and JJ Barea.

Converse fashion in Paris

Joshua Mueller, Guinness Book of World Records holder for largest collection of "Chucks"

Chuck Taylor All Star basketball shoe

For more details on this topic, see Chuck Taylor All Star.

The Chuck Taylor All Star shoe has developed a number of nicknames over the years, such as: "Cons", "Connies", "Convics", "Convos", "Verses", "Chuckers", "Chucks", "Converse", "Chuckalos", "Chuckies", "Chuckie Ts", or "Chucker Boots" or "Chuck Taylors" for the higher styles.^{[citation needed]} For decades the Chuck Taylor All Star basketball shoe only came in black, with a white variant released in 1947. Under pressure from basketball teams Converse decided in 1966 to manufacture other colors. Different materials also began to be used, starting in the 1970s, including leather, suede and vinyl, and even hemp, rather than just canvas. Besides high-tops, low-cuts and later knee-high versions were produced. After Converse was bought by Nike, operations were moved from the United States to overseas. The fabric is no longer 2-ply cotton canvas but 1-ply "textile" and many wearers have noticed different patterns of wear.^{[citation needed]}

The Weapon

The Weapon, manufactured in many different color schemes

In 1986, Converse released "The Weapon" basketball shoe. Manufactured in many color schemes to match the kit colors of basketball teams, it has been available in both high-top and low cut varieties. The unique aspect of this shoe is the leather construction throughout, including the inside heel which is also heavily padded for comfort. Converse re-released "The Weapon" classic (which Kobe Bryant wore at least three times in 2002) several times from 2001-2003, "The Loaded Weapon" in 2003, "The Weapon 86" in 2008, and "The Weapon EVO" in 2009.

The first endorsers of "The Weapon" were Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, who were prominently featured in a Converse commercial set in Bird's hometown of French Lick, Indiana in 1986. They were also worn by Axl Rose in the Guns N' Roses music video "Estranged".

Special editions

Several special editions of Converse shoes have been made, including DC Comics, The Ramones, AC/DC the Sailor Jerry, Metallica, The Clash, Grateful Dead, Ozzy Osbourne, Jimi Hendrix, Drew Brophy and Nirvana, the Control, green, brown or camouflage edition, and the Danny Potthoff. Three new designs were created for high tops, inspired by The Who. There is also a special collection released called 1Hund (red), where 15% of the profits are used to support HIV/AIDS relief. One hundred artists from around the world were chosen to create designs for the collection.

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Source: Wikipedia.org