For both men and women, Converse shoes have a place in their shoe closet. Why is Converse so hot, they are simple canvas shoes with simple designs, why are Converse shoes so much more expensive than other brands? As a buyer, knowing the origin of Converse shoes will help your business! Let’s read on together!
A Brief History of Converse Shoes
In the beginning, Converse was founded by Marquis Mills Converse in 1908 in Massachusetts, USA, known as Converse Rubber Shoe Company, but at this time, Converse had not yet opened the canvas shoe production business, focusing on the production of rain boots.
In 1917, Converse expanded its business to include the production of sneakers, launching its first sneaker, the All Star, which was successfully promoted in 1921 in cooperation with former basketball player Chuck Taylor, and renamed the “Chuck Taylor All Star”, which is also known as the classic style of the brand. The brand’s classic style. In the 1930s, during World War II, the brand expanded its reputation by producing trainers for the military.
The good times didn’t last long, and in the 1970s, as Nike, Adidas and other brands surged in the athletic shoe field, Converse stepped in place is the same as retrogression, and gradually lost its dominant position in the field of professional basketball shoes, and in the next few decades sales continued to fall. It eventually declared bankruptcy in 2001.
But it was clear that Converse wasn’t finished here; Nike saw a chance for Converse to turn around, purchased Converse for $305 million in 2003, and pointed the way forward for the fledgling company, which gained a new niche, quickly launching replicas of classic styles and collaborating with trendy brands and artists. brands, and artists in co-branded collaborations that were very well received.
The next thing we know, Converse has been consistently releasing classic and co-branded models since the 2010s. The collision of retro and new trend has made Converse a unique presence within the shoe brand, and Converse Shoes have become one of the versatile fashion items for young people.
Where Are Converse Shoes Made?
Let’s find out what we’re going to focus on in this article next: where are Converse Shoes manufactured?
Oh, it couldn’t be more obvious, Converse couldn’t choose to mass produce in the United States because the cost of production in the United States would be too high and it would turn out to be a very uneconomical business.
So Converse chose to produce mainly in Asia, in countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and China. All of these countries have similar advantages, with low production costs being their most important advantage.
Controlling the production cost well to bring better prices to consumers is also beneficial to the brand to enhance the competitiveness in the market. Therefore you can also choose to produce your shoes in these countries.
Vietnam
Percentage of production: about 50%
Type of production: classic models (Chuck Taylor All-Star, Chuck 70), special colorways, and limited editions.
Reason: Vietnam factories have rich experience in the mass production of classic models, they have a large number of skilled workers and extremely cheap production prices, and many international brands will mass-produce classic models in Vietnam.
Converse chose to produce shoes in Vietnam with canvas material and rubber soles, such simple elements can better utilize the advantages of mass production in Vietnam, and it is also easier to control the quality.
Indonesia
Percentage of production: about 30%
Type of production: One Star, Jack Purcell, high-end material shoes, some sports models.
Reason: The biggest difference between production in Indonesia and Vietnam is that factories in Indonesia are known for making multi-materials and demanding upper stitching. As a result, Indonesia is mainly responsible for producing some of Converse’s more complex models, as well as some sporty styles of Converse shoes.
Just the opposite of the simple styles produced in Vietnam, producing these multi-material, complexly crafted shoes better utilizes the advantages of Indonesian production.
China
Percentage of production: about 20%
Type of production: basic models, baby series, and some co-branded models.
Reason: It is important to realize that in the early 2000s, Converse’s production was almost entirely concentrated in China. But in order to cope with changes in tariffs and international trade, diversify supply chain risks, and reduce costs, Converse chose to reduce the proportion of shoes produced in China year by year.
Now Converse mainly produces basic models, co-branded cooperation models, and trend models in China. Because China has a mature production process, it can quickly adapt to new designs and realize mass production, both simple and complex models can be perfectly digested.
But if you mainly export to the U.S., there is still hope for the future, but it’s really not a good idea to import in China in the near future. It does make more economic sense to choose to produce in Southeast Asian countries in order to avoid the high tariffs that the US imposes on Chinese products. But if you have questions about this, you can also contact us at Meeno and we will provide you with an optimal solution.
Why Is Converse Shoes Made in These Places?
- Low labor cost.
- Complete supply chain.
- Convenient logistics and transportation.
- Meet the global market demand for production.
- Supported by local government and favorable policies.
Converse Shoes Suppliers in China
China should be the most suitable place for you to produce shoes, with both flexible production capacity and low production cost. Below are a few famous Chinese shoe suppliers recommended for you, they all have long-term cooperation with many international big brand shoes, you can refer to them first.
1. Pou Chen Corporation
Headquarters: Taiwan
Production Bases: China, Vietnam, Indonesia, etc.
Main Types: sports shoes, casual shoes
Representative Brands: Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Asics, Puma
Features: The production line is extensive and produces high-performance sports shoes for the world’s major sports brands.
2. Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd.
Headquarters: Hong Kong
Production Base: Dongguan, Fujian, and other places
Main Types: Sneakers, outdoor shoes
Representative Brands: Nike、Adidas、Reebok、Puma
Features: Produces specialized and more functional sports shoes.
3. Huali Industrial Group
Headquarters: Guangdong
Production Base: Guangdong, Guangxi, and other places
Main Types: Sneakers, fashion casual shoes
Representative Brands: Nike、Skechers、Vans、Timberland
Features: The shoes produced are both sporty and fashionable.
4. Feng Tay Enterprises
Headquarters: Taiwan
Production Bases: China and Vietnam, etc.
Main Types: Basketball shoes, running shoes
Representative Brands: Nike（Especially the Air Jordan series）、Under Armour
Features: Produces professional and high-performance basketball shoes.
5. Hexing Group
Headquarters: Fujian
Production Base: Quanzhou, Fujian, Putian, and other places
Main Types: Casual shoes, outdoor shoes
Representative Brands: Skechers、Columbia、Timberland
Features: The shoes produced combine comfort and durability, favoring the everyday.
How Is Converse Shoes Made?
Material Selection
Before making Converse shoes, there are many preparations to be made. For example, the design of new Converse shoes, such as the choice of materials for Converse shoes …
Converse is very strict about the choice of shoe materials. The classic canvas shoes will use high quality canvas fabric for the upper, and the soles will use natural rubber material to make the shoes more durable. The more trendy styles such as limited edition Converse shoes and co-branded Converse shoes will choose leather, suede and other materials to match.
Upper Making
After the materials have been carefully selected, they are cut and sewn to make the upper. Cut into different shapes, they can be used to sew different parts of the shoe, such as the toe, the body and the tongue. Once sewn together, the basic outline of the upper has basically been formed.
However, soft fabrics can lead to a lack of support. Converse will add rubber reinforcement pieces to areas that are prone to wear and tear, such as the toe, or durable and supportive materials such as leather to strengthen the durability of the upper.
Sole Making
Anti-slip and durable is the platform of Converse shoes sole making. In the production of the soles, the factory masters will use the vulcanization process to make the natural rubber shaped and vulcanized under high temperature and high pressure, forming a strong, wear-resistant and flexible sole.
In addition, the soles are made using a proprietary diamond-textured mold, making the simple soles not only more designer but also more slip-resistant.
Overall Sewing
Once the upper and sole are made, it’s time to move on to the heart of Converse shoe making: the gluing of the upper and sole.
This step is the source of the classic design of Converse shoes “raw rubber edge”, but also uses the vulcanization process, through the high temperature of the upper and sole bonded together, rubber and canvas tightly combined, the shoes will be more durable.
Add Decoration
Converse has some classic decorations, such as white rubber trim, classic round front cover, brand logo on the shoes (such as “Converse All Star” logo and five-pointed star pattern), etc. All these decorations will be added to the shoes in this step.
Through this step of adding decorations, it highlights the individuality and specialness of different series of shoes, and brings consumers a constant stream of new experiences.
Quality Control
Converse shoes can maintain a good reputation for decades, and its quality control is also one of the main reasons. Immediately after the Converse shoes are made, they will be sent for strict quality checks. The firmness of the shoe soles, the flatness of the stitching and the neatness of the appearance are checked.
Product Packaging
The final step is to package it. This may sound like a small and insignificant step, but it is a sign of how much Converse values the environment. Not only has Converse released shoes made from recycled materials, but the product packaging is also made from eco-friendly materials, practicing sustainability.
Will the Manufacturing Center of Converse Shoes Be Moved in the Future?
The situation of world trade is changing every day, and although Converse has not officially announced plans to relocate its production center on a large scale, there is certainly a possibility that it will move its production center out of Asia to other regions in the future.
But according to the current state of affairs, decentralizing production to different parts of the world to respond to market changes in a more flexible way is the best strategy for footwear brands. So if you have a large industry, decentralizing production around the world is a good option.
Conclusion
Converse shoes are mainly produced in Asia, and these places can not only do a good job of quality control, but also control the cost of production. If you are also ready to produce shoes, these areas are really good choices, reducing you a lot of trial and error costs.
Of course, if there is any question about sourcing shoes in China, welcome to contact us. As a professional sourcing agent team, it’s our honor to help you save your time and effort in sourcing products.
FAQ
What Are Some Popular Women’s Converse Shoes and Men’s Converse Shoes?
The most popular styles of women’s Converse shoes are the following:
- Chuck Taylor All Star Classic
- Chuck 70
- Converse Run Star Hike
- Platform Chuck Taylor All Star
- Converse Lugged 2.0
The most popular styles of men’s Converse shoes are the following:
- Chuck Taylor All Star Classic
- Chuck 70 Vintage Canvas
- One Star
- Converse Pro Leather
- Run Star Motion
What Are Some Popular Converse Shoe Colors?
The red high-top Converse shoes are popular with countless people. Do you know which other colors of Converse shoes are also popular?
Among the classic colors are black, white, navy blue, and gray. In the fashion color range, red, pink, olive green, and yellow are also favorites. There are some unique colors as well, such as brown, gradient colors, metallic tones, and printed designs, all of which are widely loved by consumers.
Does Converse Make Children’s Shoes?
Yes, Converse produces children’s shoes. Converse not only produces children’s shoes, but also has many different lines of children’s shoe styles, such as Chuck Taylor All Star low top and high top children’s shoes, Chuck Taylor 70 mini and One Star and other skateboarding styles of children’s shoes. These children’s shoes are both stylish and comfortable and are very popular among parents and children.
How Do You Clean Converse Shoes?
Cleaning Converse shoes is not recommended to put them directly into the washing machine to clean, it will damage the material and structure of the shoes, it is recommended to use a gentle hand washing method.
Mix warm water with a small amount of laundry detergent, soak the canvas shoes in it and use a soft bristle brush to scrub them clean. If the Converse shoes are made of leather, replace the soft bristle brush with a soft cloth to scrub.
Where Are Converse Shoes Offline Stores?
There are Converse offline stores in almost every city. You can check the location of the store to go and try them on through the Converse website, map apps and other tools.
What Do Consumers Say about Converse Shoes?
Consumer reviews of Converse shoes are generally positive, with most people enjoying the fact that Converse shoes are classic and versatile. However, there are still some people who think that Converse shoes lack arch support and are not very friendly to people who stand for a long time.
