Converse to Use Flywire in Upcoming Releases

In case you didn't know Converse is a Nike subsidiary...so don't think that they were trying to jack the technology. HA. Converse is trying to bring back their performance lineup this year with somewhat of a twist. They have reached out to the better half and will soon release a select lineup of basketball shoes with the flywire technology embedded on them. Hard to tell at this point what the actual shoes will look like or even if the performance will match what's currently out on the market now. If Nike has their hand in it there is a possibility. Stick with us as more details develop around what all this will intel. For now we here at SSD are reserving our judgement until we can get more information out on these!

Nike, Converse, Jordan Brand Black History Month Collection

Below is all you need to know...and the official 20+pair of BHM shoes that Nike has created...

In celebration of the 35th year-anniversary of Black History Month, Nike, Converse and Jordan Brand will come together on the hardwood to unveil special designed shoes that various top NBA athletes will wear on court on Monday, January 17, 2011.
NIKE, JORDAN BRAND AND CONVERSE UNITE ON COURT IN CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH’S 35TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY
SPECIAL DESIGNED FOOTWEAR TO BE UNVEILED BY TOP NBA PLAYERS ON JANUARY 17, 2011

In addition, NIKE, Inc. is announcing a new limited-edition Black History Month 2011 Collection featuring Nike Basketball, Nike Sportswear, Converse and Jordan Brand products inspired by its most iconic and pioneering athletes – Kobe Bryant, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, and Michael Jordan. In keeping with a tradition of honoring this holiday by giving back to organizations that work to inspire youth towards greatness, NIKE, Inc. will make a significant financial contribution to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters at http://www.bbbs.org.

THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH ON COURT CELEBRATION
On January 17, 2011, Nike, Inc. basketball athletes from 26 teams playing 13 games will wear key Nike, Converse, and Jordan Brand basketball performance shoes fashioned in black and gold on the court in honor of the holiday.
THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2011 COLLECTION
This collection of footwear and apparel celebrates pioneering athletes Kobe Bryant, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, and Michael Jordan who each made major impacts on their sport both on and off the court. It is inspired by their amazing careers and the iconic moments that altered the course of sports history. For Kobe, besides his championships, it was in ’06 when he scored 81 points in a single game. For Erving, that moment was unifying the ABA and NBA ushering in a new era of offense with his foul line dunk during the ‘76 ABA All-Star Dunk Contest, and his “Rock the Baby” dunk during the ’83 NBA championships. For Jordan, in addition to winning six championships, it was winning the ’87 Slam Dunk title with flair that inspired kids everywhere. To symbolize their legacies, the collection highlights:
* Modern Gold to represent all three pioneers’ championship call to greatness.
* Historic Black to recall the black Converse Chuck Taylor All Star sneakers commonly worn by basketball pioneers in the 1960s; bestowing black sneakers with a magical aura.
* Black African-American Handcraft to celebrate classic African-American art.
Other highlights include four limited-edition iconic footwear models: the Nike Zoom Kobe VI, Air Force 1, Air Jordan III, and Converse Star Player, along with the NSW Destroyer jacket and NSW Dri-FIT tee.
The collection will not be available on Nike.com, but rather with Nike retailers nationwide. If you have posted this fact, removing that piece would be greatly appreciated.
Just to clarify, retail availability details are as follows:
The Converse Star Player will be available at Converse specialty stores, select retailers nationwide, and Converse.com; whereas the Air Force 1, NSW Destroyer jacket and NSW Dri-FIT tee will be available at Nike Sportswear at 21 Mercer and select Nike Sportswear retailers nationwide starting February 12, 2011.
The Nike Zoom Kobe VI and the Air Jordan III will be available in NikeTown stores, select retailers nationwide starting February 26, 2011.

Converse Chuck Taylor Low Duck Boot

Look who is stepping into the "Duck Boot" look. Even though Converse decided to go with a low top version the inspiration behind these are taking from hunting duck boots. 2 piece suede upper and thick ridged outsole on these make for a pretty interesting looking shoe. These have already dropped this past week at you select Converse accounts. Thought?

Converse Jack Purcell Zipper High 75th Anniversary

In celebration of the the 75th anniversary of the venerable Jack Purcell, Converse has reinterpreted the classic silhouette to create the Converse Jack Purcell Zipper High. The Converse Jack Purcell Zipper High. The Converse Jack Purcell Zipper High takes the Jack Low and adds a handful of inches to the top and a zipper up the tongue. The Jack Zipper High also features a laceup option and the classic Jack rubber toe.

The Converse Jack Purcell Zipper High 75th Anniversary is available now at Converse First String accounts.

Converse Japan – November 2010 Releases

I swear overseas gets all the fresh exclusives first! Check out the Japan winter line up with their unique wool and boot like feel on the chuck hi. Dope looking low tops with the plaid finish and classic vulcanized sole. These will be hitting Japanese retailers within the next week or so.

CONS Pappalardo Grey/White

Converse is dropping a few heat rocks on the low key tip while nobody is looking. Just keeping things real simple on this Pappalardo. Grey suede upper, light grey laces with a vulcanized white mid/outsole. Nice causal kicks when you are not rocking your J's! LOL.

Converse Free Agent – Brown + Black | Available

Chuck Taylor's were normally always known for basketball but now taking a different approach to things bringing a casual kicker to the game! These lifestyle free agents come in both a chocolate brown and black colorway. Grab em if you like...retail on them are $64.99 and can be found at local footaction, footlocker, eastbay, etc.

Michael Jordan Breakfast Club Recap

Jordan Brand pushed their annual "breakfast club" at Rucker Park this year in NY to go along with the World Basketball Festival. Local kids from the community got a chance to play with Carmelo, Chris Paul, and D.Wade for a few rounds. Later they got to listen to them tell personal stories about the game and growing up with a passion to play ball. Michael Jordan later showed up to donate $23,000 to the charities that were involved with the event.

The kids in attendance got to go home with Jordan shoes, t-shirts, and even some pretty cool hoop shorts. Michael Jordan kills us rocking this full out jump suit in 90 degree + weather! Lol. Take a look below from some pretty cool shots that were taken at the event.

Converse Chuck Taylor Nylon

Talk about a deal....$50 can get you a pair of nylon chucks instead of the classic canvas we are normally use to seeing from Converse. They resemble the undefeated "poor man" weapons just without the "undefeated" branded logos. These are now available to grab at select Converse retailers and online.

Cons Trapasso Pro Mid – Summer/Fall 2010 Collection

Never was a huge fan of mid top sneakers but I must say that the Trapasso Pro Mid don't look too bad. A few colors have already been released at local retailers, so if you are diggin any then get with them for details.

Converse Black Flag Collection

Looks like everybody is getting into that "boat shoe" look for summer. Converse is calling it their "Black Flag" collection. These are the June releases that have started to pop up at select accounts. What are your thoughts on these Converse compared to what we normally see out of them?

Converse Fall 2010 Footwear Collection

Quick little Fall 2010 Footwear lineup from Converse. See anything you might be able to get down with?