Larry Legend

Review: Converse MVP Mid

Today we take a look at the star chevron brand's latest entry to its basketball line: The Converse MVP Mid. This is the first time Converse will benefit the flywire technology from it's sister brand. The MVP  mid, along with the all star legend mid are the star chevron brand's releases for this basketball season.

As of present, we have seen several sneaker companies share their technologies from other brands, be it their sister companies or not. We have seen Reebok's Zigtech soles develop a twin with Adidas CC series. Numerous training brands such as New Balance and Merell adapt it's soles from Vibrams.Then Converse's new trainer, the Auckland Racer remix also had it's collaboratory treatment from it's mother company with a Nike Free esque midsole.

PR: Just Add Color with Converse

It’s the season where leaves start to turn in the country halfway across the world, and it’s also the season to crank out your own personal style and show the world how you feel with your own colors! Be it passionate red, sunny yellow, harmonious green or even loyal blue, there’s surely a Converse Chuck Taylor Colors collection to showcase your rebellious side, just like the rebels of yester years!

Celebrate your life with a color and cut that represents you for P 2,390 at selected Converse stores nationwide!

Performance Review: Converse Auckland Racer Remix

Today, we take a look at Converse's newest entry into the training/ running line with the Auckland Racer Remix

Part I: The Aesthetics

The Look

Over the past years, Converse had been trying to update and modernize its previous lines and styles to make it not only wearable in the fashion world,  but have a clear and functional use  in sports, training and fitness applications. Such attempts were mildly successful with the release of the Weapon Evo (2009), Star Player Evo (2010) and Pro Leather 2k11(2011). Over the more recent releases, it has enjoyed collaborating with the R&D of its more famous sister company, Nike. While the technology transfer in the previous years may not be as prevalent as the other competitor's sister companies (Adidas Climaride/ Reebok Zigtech technologies), it is nice to see that Nike and Converse are finally working hand and hand.

Being an update of the Auckland Racer, a popular training/ ruining shoe made by Converse a few decades back, the designers at the star chevron brand figured out some ways to update the shoe, particularly with the help from its sister company.

And what an update it has been. Gone are is the heavy canvas/ leather combination as it was replaced by a suede/ mesh upper skin.This results in reduction of weight and addition. Take note that there are 3 colorways for the Auckland Racer Remix. Each colorway features a different lightweight material. Although among the 3, the Navy/ Orange variant looks the most modernized.

 

The Sole on the other hand, had the major upgrade as it has been infused with a sole that is quite similar to Nike free. The pre cut soles and the soft midsole provides a near minimalist feel when running.

The heel area provides a rubber strap support similar to the weapon evo basketball shoe models.

The breathable mesh and rubber star chevron logo.

Part II: The Test Run

I did a test run after acquiring the said shoe, but the real test begins when I started using it for an actual run. Last May, I joined Medicard's Medirun event in the 10 kilometer category. The route was a simple run around for 1-2 kilometers in BGC, followed by a trek to buendia flyover and take a U turn and run back to the starting line.

The Start

The Nike free technology invested in the sole made the shoe light and spongy. It did have some initial pain running around the first few kilometers around BGC.

Running up the Buendia flyover

This is where the shoe impressed me.  I have tried a lot of shoes through my 1 1/2 years of running and some of them quite fail when handling the stress of a steep uphill, particularly the Buendia flyover. The Auckland Racer Remix's Nike free  influenced cushioning system was effective in coping up with the stress of the incline as we did cross the dreaded flyover twice in the race. After the end of the race there were no blisters present.

Overall, while the Auckland Racer Remix isn't one of the most advanced trainers around, it is still an all around training/ running shoe. The problem for most runners or those who travel and work out is that they have to pack a training shoe as well as a casual shoe hence minimizing space in luggage and compartment. This running shoe does both of that.


The shoe retails for 3,990 also comes in 2 other colorways

Converse Asia Crown

 

Images from Converse Asia crown last March 30, 2012 

Review: Converse EB2

As the Sixers take atop the Atlantic division, we take a look back at their forward's signature kicks from the past season, the EB2. The shoe was released 2 years ago as the 2nd part of the EB line trilogy.

The material used is a combination of suede and leather. White stitching and red highlights add certain color contrasts with it.

Converse Asia Crown

Converse Asia Crown all set to Conquer Manila

 A Skateboarder's crowning glory, Converse Philippines is set to bring the county Asia's biggest skateboarding event dubbed as the Asia Crown on March 31 at the TriNoMa open parking, which is the event's official venue partner.


Catering to the best skateboarders around the Metro, the Asia Crown aims to give Filipino skateboarders the chance to show off their dope moves on the board and compete with the best of the best skateboarders across the country.

More than bragging rights, the local Asia Crown skateboarding champion will be hailed as the first official skateboarding ambassador of Converse Philippines—That means a year of Converse skateboarding goodies, P50,000 cold hard cash, and plane tickets to official Converse skateboarding events worldwide.

Skateboarders are in for more treats as Converse Philippines is also set to fly in an internationally-renowned Converse Skateboarding Ambassador to show them how it’s done.

Open to all, free of charge, the Asia Crown will be a day-long celebration of physical recreation, while fusing music and the arts, while reinforcing Converse Philippines’ position as a key proponent of the global sport that is skateboarding,

To catch more news and updates, check Converse Philippines Facebook page and drop by www.converse.com.ph. Registration forms are available for download at the Converse Philippines’ Converse Asia Crown event page and in stores nationwide.

Chuck Taylors and the Ladies

 

Slimmer silhouettes make for a more lady-like fashion and Converse understands your need for shoes that keeps you comfy and fashionable for your on-the-go lifestyle!

 

Beloved throughout the ages, Converse extracted the DNA of the classic Chuck Taylor All Star and transformed it specifically with the ladies in mind! Lighter in weight, slimmer in look, and available in various colors, all complemented together with the signature Converse Chuck Taylor All Star comfort.

 

Fashion plus comfort and timeless style, the Converse All Star Light has it all. Check out these awesome kicks at the selected Converse stores nationwide and make these a closet staple! Visit Converse Philippines on Facebook to get updates on the latest Converse releases!

Converse Sale!

Review: Converse Defcon

The Converse Defcon is the main line for Cons' 2011-12 basketball campaign. Last year's campaign which consisted of the Sicks Mid and Star Player EVO, launched at the 2010 world basketball festival was mildly successful at best. Mainly through the efforts of JJ Barea's finals run. This year, the brand would try to make another bid at the shoe game with the Pro Leather 2k11 and their flagship model for this year, the Defcon.

Review: Converse Pro Leather 2k11 Dr.J

The Converse Pro Leather 2k11 is one of two entries of the brand for the upcoming 2011-12 NBA Season, the other being the Converse Def Con. The 2k11 is highly inspired from one of Converse's pioneer endorsers, Dr. J Julius Erving. This is a good move for the brand to compensate for the lack of big names. Lately, Mavericks guard JJ Barea was spotted sporting one during his stint at the Pan Am games with the Puerto Rican national team. 

The Shoe was launched last November 3 at the Cedar lake studios, NYC. The event was attended by  the Design team and some of the players of Team Converse.

Classic with a Modern Twist

A beloved classic will always stay relevant, but with the way the world is moving forward, even classics need a makeover now and again. Converse is definitely not sitting on its laurels as it presents a new look for an old favorite!



Think flight when you lay your eyes on the newest style to come from the creative minds of the Converse shoe laboratory as they are possibly the lightest shoes in the world at 7.2 oz!



Breathable and lightweight, the all new Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Modern features an aero-dynamic look complete with a streamlined all mesh upper, color-coordinated toe caps, two toned outsoles and the undeniable Chuck Taylor detailing that generations spanning more than a hundred years had, and still, love. Clean and crisp, released in vibrant hues of runner yellow, victoria blue, classic green and high risk for the more adventurous, the eye-popping combination of black/purple, charcoal/pink and white/high risk for the fashion rebels, and the classic black/white for the diehard fan all for P 3,150.



There’s more to love as the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Modern also comes in nylon and suede combination uppers featuring more laidback colorways for the executive who wants to rock their Chucks at the office. Choose from the combination of black/egret, candied ginger/dress blues, dress blues/egret, and dusky olive/egret for P 3,150.



Dress creatively, mix fashion and function and let the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Modern be the next staple in your wardrobe. Find these and more hip styles only at Converse and don’t forget to look us up on Facebook (Converse Philippines) or visit our website at www.converse.com.ph.

Olympic, Sale

While meeting and greeting with the black supes today at pioneer, you might want to grab some stuff

Review: Converse Force 5

Retro Shoes.... a keepsake from the past? a vintage fashion statement? a forgotten weapon from the battles of the past? Whatever way you think of it, Retro shoes have slowly faded away to the performance area into the lifestyle section. Either People are a lot tougher back then or retro shoes don't carry the same support they did before. While there are also some athletes who don retro kicks once in a while, reactions have been certainly mixed. In the late 90's before his first retirement, His Airness wore a retro AJ1 and caused him blisters. On the other hand, the black mamba laced up a pair of cons weapon 86 early in the 2000s as a part of "Endorser Shopping" after his contract with the 3 stripes brand expired, he then would play well on those retro kicks. Heck, even a college intramurals teammate of mine wore chucks during our basketball games..



And now, We give our take on one of those retro athletic shoes. The Converse Force 5.



Look:
Being a "Retro Running" shoe, the force 5 has that simplistic, 2 tone scheme of black and faded lime with accents of gray and white. The color scheme is still pretty much present in modern released runners. It's like a vintage car with a new paintjob. It's classic and modern at the same time.



Ventilation:

One thing that has it coming for the Force 5 is its breathability. It has a soft mesh  that keeps the feet cool and dry.



Performance

The rubber outsole is constructed flat but  has some ribbing in the upper part of the sole for flexibility.On the heel area of the sole, there is some kind of small polygonal wings called the stabilizer bars. They are responsible on keeping you land properly and spreading the weight on the whole feet..

An interesting thing with the outsole is that a part of the heel area has been hollow, this might have to do with weight reduction of the shoe.



Overall, the Converse Force 5 is a decent running shoe enough to protect and give you a long and stable support. While it may not be at par with the top of the line running footwear today, it is still better than the budget friendly "Entry Level" shoes of other top brands, And without a shadow of a doubt, better than Class A imitations of high end running shoes. So, If you guys are looking for a running shoe that is Affordable but has the ability to hold onto its own while doubling as a casual shoe, then the Converse Force 5 is for you.

Recommended for: Neutral Pronation