The Legacy & History of the Converse Weapon

Born out of a fierce rivalry and the need for a supportive on-court sneaker, the Converse Weapon is a shoe style steeped in a rich history of nostalgia. While its initial run only lasted two years, it left a mark on the basketball world that would influence future styles for years to come. In this article, we’re sharing the iconic history of the Converse Weapon, how it started as a pro-basketball sneaker and how it exists today as an enduring, iconic streetwear style.

Before we dive into the rich heritage of the Weapon, we are excited to announce an authentic “stitch for stitch” take on the shoe as it was in 1986 is launching August 15th on Converse Australia. Find out more details of this drop as you read on.

Converse originally launched the Weapon in 1986, and it was the preeminent sneaker of choice for stars of the late ’80s and early ’90s. It quickly forged a connection to teams, games and individuals who love basketball culture. Debuting in 1986, the Weapon represented the continuation of Converse’s biomechanically designed basketball shoes of the mid-1980s and was marketed at the forefront of Converse’s sneaker technology with its Y-Bar ankle support system. The Weapon was launched during the NBA All-Star weekend in 1986, first worn during the first-ever Three-Point Contest and then during the All Star game itself.

That same year, the “Choose Your Weapon” campaign launched and celebrated the NBA rivalry between the Celtics and the Lakers. Converse would eventually leverage the full weight of its star athlete roster to market the shoe to consumers. 

With the shoe only being available for 2 years before being discontinued, it quickly rose in popularity on and off the basketball court. 

Converse has long been rooted in communities across basketball, sport, music and art. Through the Weapon, Converse serves those communities again, allowing the next generation of creatives to discover the silhouette for themselves.

The Weapon underwent several design iterations, reflecting the evolving trends in both basketball and sneaker culture. Initially, the shoe featured a high-top silhouette with a distinct chevron pattern on the sides, providing the necessary ankle support for aggressive play on the court. As time passed, Converse introduced low-top versions to accommodate players who preferred a more unrestricted range of motion.

In 1987, Converse released another popular sneaker known as the ERX 260. This shoe saw its biggest uptake during the 1987-88 NBA season. This sneaker was the first to steer away from the traditional Converse branding and was commonly known as ‘CONS’ because of the CONS lettering on the shoe.

One of the defining features of the Converse Weapon was its extensive range of colours. The sneaker was available in an array of vibrant and bold hues, allowing players to express their individuality on the court. From classic black and white to eye-catching combinations of red, blue, and gold, the Weapon became a canvas for self-expression, influencing sneaker culture at large. Through this evolution, the shoe was then reintroduced offering a fresh take.

In 2021, Converse brought the style out of the archives with a refreshed take on the nostalgic style. A modern take on its namesake, the Converse Weapon CX features the original Y-bar for stability, an up-sized tongue and new CX foam – a cushy, comfortable insole within a newly engineered outsole to support your stride.

Converse collaborated with Rick Owens DRKSHDW to rework the weapon’s original design. This partnership between the renowned designer and Converse followed suit from Converse’s past TURBODRK Chuck 70 collaboration. For Rick Owen’s take on the Weapon, dubbed the TURBOWPN, he distorted the ’80s silhouette. Owens brought new bold features to the forefront and added his own stylistic touches to this iconic shoe. He added exaggerated proportions, including an elongated tongue and a double-sized outsole, which has been a signature design detail of his.

In May of 2023, Converse looked again to the Weapon for inspiration and introduced the most authentic modern take on the style in partnership with Hiroshi Fujiwara and FRGMT design. The resulting execution stayed authentic to both the Fragment’s signature aesthetic and the Weapon’s original form. In true Fragment style, the limited-edition capsule delivered a minimalistic approach that emphasised its classic, sport royal blue and black colour-blocking scheme.

To bridge the shoe’s origins to today, Converse is introducing the Shai Weapon—a colourway combining Gilgeous-Alexander's passion for vintage style with contemporary application.

In crafting the Shai Weapon, Converse set out to deliver a style with the appearance of a pair that might be unearthed at a local thrift shop or garage sale—the outsole is worn and aged, the leather cracked from years of wear and tear. The result is a high-top featuring a Vintage White, premium leather upper with synthetic leather crackle print underlays in Winsome Orchid hues on the Star Chevron and collar. The Shai Weapon will be available beginning August 15 in a limited global release at Converse.com.au and select retail partners.