words // Nick Engvall
With the Converse Remix stirring up memories of Chuck Taylor Moments for me last week, when I started looking for inspiration for this week’s Eastbay Memory Lane post, Converse was fresh in my memory. Although the Chuck Taylor All-Star is one of the greatest shoes of all time, it’s been a challenge for Converse over the years, to make any changes to the classic silhouette. Most people that love Chucks, myself included, seem to be pretty stubborn when it comes to tweaks and variations to our beloved All-Stars.
There have been a couple of times that the revisited or remixed design of the Converse All-Star lineup, has really grabbed some of the dedicated Chuck Taylor followers. For me, it was back in 1997-1998, when Dennis Rodman signed with Converse. “The Worm” had his own signature model, the Converse All-Star Rodman. The design inspired by Rodman’s personality, and creative ways he found to express himself, was probably one of the most accurate sneaker representations of a player’s “personality,” ever.
Although I was always a fan of the crazy antics of Dennis Rodman and his unpredictable nature, it was another design from that era that wore the Chuck Taylor All-Star logo on the ankle, which really grabbed my attention. The Converse All-Star 2000 was made of a quality tumbled leather and neoprene/mesh sockliner that made it one of the more comfortable shoes to play in. There were a number of colorways released, but the White based version with Blue accents featured an Ice blue sole that made it all the more appealing. Perhaps it was because, at that time, Converse hadn’t really done many clear soled designs that made this colorway stand out, or more likely, it was because the price drops put them in my range.
Either way, it’s one of those often-overlooked designs, that stuck with me through the years. It epitomizes one of the things that is great about sneakers. That with all of the designs that are released, everyone has their own individual experiences, memories, and favorites that make us all uniquely similar.
Fantastic…a lot of great memories on this page. Like how my 7th grade social studies teacher sent me up to the 8th grade floor to show the basketball coach my All Star 2000′s, because those were the shoes they needed to get for the season. Or how I couldn’t convince my parents to buy me the Dennis Rodman All Star 91. And how I had the red/white/blue Converse Desire and my best friend had the Black/Red Patten version that I was jealous of haha. Good times indeed. Thanks!
Anything that had to do with Rodman I had, All Star Rodman, All Star 2000, and of course the All Star 91. After all those years I’m still in love with the All Star 91, it represented a very important stage of my life when I started playing basketball, wow…The iconic Bulls CW will forever be one of my top basketball shoes.
All Star 91, dope!
CIrca 1998.Converse All star Rodman.On his third season as a Chicago Bulls.wow time goes that past.This shoe coincides with the release of a all white long sleeve shirts that maps a Dennis Rodman`s tattoo over his chest and arms.Apparently,Rodman didnt approve the release of that merchandise and eventually sued the manufactured.Forgot what happened next.Good job @sactownxi..keep it up.Well written material.
What ever happen to the great Converse shoes, I think they were at their prime when Larry Johnson, Dennis Rodman and Kevin Johnson wore them. But it seems they took a turn for the worst when Dwayne Wade left Converse to join the Jordan Brand, what do you think?
d.wade got no love for the cons. but i still do!
bought me a pair of Sky Tech’s when i was 7 for $25 at Wal-Mart…. the good old days
I had a blue pair of the Converse All Star Original canvas and it was without fail the best & most comfortable pair of shoes I have ever owned. The All Star 2000 was awesome as well. I always wanted a pair of the Rodmans but never got my hands on them …. Or should I say feet in them!
I miss React Juice. nothing was cooler as a kid than that bright yellow substance. I wish cons still made good stuff like this ;-(
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