Converse
Converse, a Nike-owned footwear and apparel brand founded in 1908, designs and sells the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker and related silhouettes through DTC e-commerce, retail flagships, and wholesale partners across 40+ countries, serving youth, families, and customization-seeking consumers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1908
- HeadquartersBoston, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Converse does
Converse, Inc. is a footwear and apparel company founded in 1908 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nike, Inc. since its 2003 acquisition for $305 million. The company designs, manufactures, and distributes canvas and leather sneakers anchored by the Chuck Taylor All Star silhouette (in continuous production since 1917), with adjacent lines including Chuck 70, One Star, Jack Purcell, Run Star Hike, platform variants, the SHAI 001 basketball signature shoe, and skate-specific products. Its technology platform, Converse By You, enables consumers to digitally configure customized sneakers across high-tops, low-tops, platforms, slip-ons, boots, and heels via an e-commerce interface.
Converse monetizes primarily through one-time unit sales of footwear and complementary apparel across three channels: direct-to-consumer e-commerce (converse.com plus 40+ country-specific sites), owned flagship retail stores, and wholesale partners including Foot Locker. Pricing ranges from approximately $45 for kids' footwear to $150 for premium collaborations such as the Tyler the Creator 1908 Bronco Boot, with Custom By You products priced $85-$135. Revenue is supplemented by licensing and royalty income from designer collaborations (Comme des Garçons, Collina Strada, Madhappy, Eric Emanuel, Vaquera, Minions) and brand partnerships. Primary customer segments are youth and young adults (15-35), kids and families, basketball and skate enthusiasts, and customization-seeking consumers across more than 40 markets in the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Africa.
Converse currently faces a severe operational contraction, with quarterly revenue declining 28-35% year-over-year through Q3 FY2026 ($264 million) and management indicating sales will reach a 15-year low. The company has responded with corporate layoffs, a 44% marketing expense reduction, manufacturing realignment closer to Nike's factory partners, and technology consolidation into Nike's Beaverton headquarters. Despite these headwinds, Converse continues offensive investment in geographic expansion (largest India flagship in Bengaluru, June 2026), cultural collaborations, and the customization platform, while Nike has publicly rejected divestiture speculation.
Converse firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Converse
- Legal name
- Converse, Inc.
- Website
- https://converse.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1908
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Converse, a Nike-owned footwear and apparel brand founded in 1908, designs and sells the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker and related silhouettes through DTC e-commerce, retail flagships, and wholesale partners across 40+ countries, serving youth, families, and customization-seeking consumers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Converse industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Footwear & Apparel
- NAICS
- Footwear Manufacturing (3162), Shoe Retailers (4582)
- SIC
- Footwear, (No Rubber) (3140), Retail-Shoe Stores (5661)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Casual & Lifestyle Footwear (CRAAACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Athletic Footwear & Sport Apparel Retail (CRAMABAC), Specialty Footwear Retail (Dance, Skate, Cleats, Bowling, etc.) (CRAAADAJ)
Keywords
Where Converse is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Converse business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Footwear Sales: Core revenue from canvas and leather sneakers including Chuck Taylor All Star, Chuck 70, platforms, and slip-ons sold through direct e-commerce, owned retail, and wholesale channels
- Apparel and Accessories: Secondary revenue stream from clothing, hoodies, t-shirts, socks, and laces complementing footwear purchases
- Licensing and Collaborations: Revenue from branded collaborations with fashion designers, artists, and entertainment properties including Tyler the Creator, Comme des Garçons, Vaquera, and Minions
- Brand Partnerships: Partnerships with music and lifestyle platforms like Deezer for brand exposure and co-marketing initiatives
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Chuck Taylor All Star Canvas - Core classic line |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Chuck 70 Premium Collection |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom By You (CBY) Personalization |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kids Footwear |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Apparel and Accessories |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Converse product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Converse designs, manufactures, and sells canvas and leather sneakers led by the Chuck Taylor All Star and Chuck 70 lines, alongside platform, slip-on, skate, and basketball performance footwear (including the SHAI 001 signature shoe), plus apparel and accessories. Products are sold globally through owned e-commerce (converse.com and country sites), flagship retail stores, and wholesale partners like Foot Locker, with the proprietary Converse By You platform enabling made-to-order personalized sneakers.
Product overview
Converse is a footwear and apparel brand owned by Nike since 2003, offering a unified portfolio anchored by the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star and its variants (Chuck 70, platform lifts, lugged styles). The core product line spans classic canvas sneakers, premium heritage reissues, and performance athletic footwear including the SHAI 001 basketball signature shoe. The Converse By You customization platform enables customer personalization across all major silhouettes. Additional offerings include skate-specific footwear, seasonal Pride collections, and limited-edition collaborations with designers like Tyler the Creator, Comme des Garçons, and Collina Strada. The brand operates flagship stores positioned as cultural spaces alongside e-commerce distribution.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Chuck Taylor All Star: The iconic flagship sneaker line that has been in production since 1917
- Chuck 70
- Converse By You
- First String
- 1908
Products and services
- Chuck Taylor All Star Flagship Converse sneaker and iconic canvas high-top shoe in production since 1917, available in multiple colorways, materials (canvas, leather, suede), and styles (high top, low top, platform) for men, women, and kids.
- Chuck 70 Premium reissue of the original 1970s Chuck Taylor All Star with higher-quality materials, vintage details, and elevated construction.
- Converse By You (CBY) Customization Platform Global digital customization platform allowing customers to design and personalize Converse shoes with colors, prints, charms, and materials across multiple Chuck Taylor and other silhouette styles.
- Chuck Taylor All Star Lift Platform Elevated platform version of the classic Chuck Taylor with thicker sole for added height, targeting fashion-forward consumers.
- SHAI 001 Signature Basketball Shoe Signature basketball sneaker designed by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as Converse Basketball Creative Director, featuring multiple colorways including Winter Red, Steel, and Camo, and marking the first player signature shoe since Elton Brand in 2010.
- Jack Purcell Classic sneaker originally designed for badminton champion Jack Purcell, featuring signature smile-form stripe and minimalist design, part of the First String heritage collection.
- Converse Basketball Converse's basketball category featuring performance footwear for on-court athletic use, including the SHAI 001 signature line and AS 1 Pro performance basketball shoe.
- Converse Skate Skateboarding-focused footwear category with durable construction and grip-focused outsoles designed for skateboarders.
- Pride Collection Annual Pride-inspired sneaker and footwear collection featuring rainbow-themed designs across Chuck Taylor, Chuck 70, and platform styles, including customizable By You options.
- 1908 Bronco Boot (Tyler the Creator Collaboration) Tyler the Creator's collaborative sub-brand with Converse featuring the 1908 Bronco Boot with textured suede, rubber toe overlays, lug soles, and interchangeable laces.
- Converse x Collina Strada Collection Designer Hillary Taymour collaboration reimagining four Converse silhouettes with colorful gummy beads, silver charms, plaid and floral lace details, and gem embellishments.
- Converse x Minions Collection Converse x Minions collaboration featuring Chuck 70 and Chuck Taylor All Star with Minions-themed designs in yellow/black/white colorways for adults and kids.
- Converse x Vaquera Collection Collaboration with fashion label Vaquera featuring exaggerated Chuck Taylor All Star reinterpretations emphasizing materiality and disruptive style.
- Converse x Madhappy Collection Streetwear brand Madhappy collaboration reworking Chuck 70 with washed canvas and raw edge details.
- SHAI 001 Camo Colorway Camouflage colorway variant of the SHAI 001 signature sneaker, the first print on SGA's signature shoe, launching at $130.
- Run Star Hike Chunky platform-style sneaker combining retro running aesthetics with contemporary streetwear trends, featuring aggressive outsoles and bold proportions.
- Converse Flagship Retail Stores Flagship retail locations positioned as cultural spaces blending skate, art, music, and youth expression, featuring customization services and artistic installations.
Companies that use Converse
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Converse technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Converse partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Minions/IlluminationminorConverse x Minions collaboration featuring Chuck 70 and Chuck Taylor All Star with Minions-themed designs in yellow/black/white colorways. Products range from $45-$95 for kids and adults.
- Bhaane GroupcoreIndian fashion group partnered with Converse to open the brand's largest flagship store in India at Phoenix Mall of Asia, Bengaluru. The store introduces Converse By You customization platform to India for the first time, featuring artistic installations including 'Play for Peace' skateboard installation by artist Ansh Kumar.
- Foot LockercoreFoot Locker's 'Hoops Lives Here' year-round basketball brand platform features Converse alongside Nike, Jordan Brand. Campaign spans broadcast, social, digital, out-of-home, in-store, and e-commerce channels featuring NBA and WNBA stars as ambassadors.
- DeezerminorDeezer partnership platform Deezer for Business includes Converse among brand partners. The music streaming platform offers AI detection technology for identifying AI-generated music and combating royalty fraud, extending existing relationships across music ecosystem.
- Tyler the Creatorcore1908 Bronco Boot collaboration with Tyler the Creator featuring four colors at $150 with textured suede, rubber toe overlays, lug soles, and interchangeable laces celebrating Converse's legacy.
- VaqueraminorFashion label Vaquera partnership with Nike and Converse featuring exaggerated Chuck Taylor All Star reinterpretations. Collection emphasizes materiality and construction integrating disruptive style with classic designs.
- MadhappyminorStreetwear brand Madhappy collaboration reworking Chuck 70 with washed canvas and raw edge details. First collaboration between the brands featuring new design elements.
- Tyler the Creator (GOLF le FLEUR*)coreOngoing collaboration with rapper Tyler the Creator featuring the 1908 Bronco boot collection launched November 2025. Four colorways at $150 featuring textured suede, rubber toe overlays, lug soles, and interchangeable laces.
- Comme des Garçons (PLAY)coreLong-standing collaboration featuring PLAY Comme des Garçons heart logo sneakers. Featured in Launch section of converse.com indicating ongoing partnership and limited edition releases.
- Collina StradaminorDesigner Hillary Taymour collaboration reimagining four Converse silhouettes with colorful gummy beads, silver charms, plaid and floral lace details, gem embellishments. Collection debuting June 15, 2026.
- Eric EmanuelminorCollaboration applying denim and leather materials to Chuck 70 and Weapon Ox silhouettes.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Converse competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Vans: VF Corporation-owned Vans is a heritage casual/skate sneaker brand targeting the same youth, skate, and streetwear consumer as Converse, with overlapping silhouettes, cultural collaborations, and wholesale distribution through Foot Locker and similar channels.
- New Balance: New Balance competes directly with Converse in the lifestyle/casual sneaker category (e.g., 550, 997) while extending into performance running. It shares Converse's positioning around heritage, broad demographic reach, and growing relevance with younger consumers.
- Puma: Puma competes with Converse in casual/lifestyle sneakers (Suede, RS, etc.) and is similarly reliant on celebrity and cultural collaborations (e.g., Rihanna's Fenty era) to drive cultural relevance with youth consumers.
- Skechers: Skechers directly competes with Converse in affordable casual and lifestyle footwear, with similar wholesale distribution, value-tier pricing, and family/youth appeal across core sneaker styles.
- Steve Madden: Steve Madden competes with Converse in casual lifestyle and platform sneakers, particularly in women's and youth fashion segments, with comparable price points and a similar reliance on trend-driven design.
- Dr. Martens: Dr. Martens is a heritage casual footwear brand with strong cultural relevance and youth appeal, similar to Converse. Both monetize iconic silhouettes, music/subculture associations, and collaborations (e.g., CDG, Tyler the Creator) at premium price points.
- Crocs: Crocs competes with Converse in casual, comfort-oriented footwear with broad demographic appeal and strong wholesale distribution. Like Converse, Crocs has leveraged collaborations and customization/Jibbitz to drive cultural relevance and pricing power.
Broad incumbents
- Adidas: Adidas is a broad athletic and lifestyle incumbent whose Originals line (Samba, Gazelle, Stan Smith) directly competes with Converse in heritage casual sneakers, and whose Yeezy/franchise model mirrors Converse's collaboration strategy.
- Nike: Nike is Converse's parent company and a broad incumbent across athletic and casual footwear. Nike's Dunk, Air Force 1, and Cortez directly compete with the Chuck Taylor franchise, and Nike's wholesale/DTC scale dwarfs Converse's.
- Reebok: Reebok (owned by Authentic Brands Group) competes with Converse in lifestyle/classic sneakers (Club C, Classic Leather) and targets a similar value-tier casual consumer, making it a structural substitute brand.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Converse social profiles
Digital presenceConverse financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Converse leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Converse funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Converse M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Converse
What does Converse do?
Converse designs, manufactures, and sells canvas and leather sneakers led by the Chuck Taylor All Star and Chuck 70 lines, alongside platform, slip-on, skate, and basketball performance footwear (including the SHAI 001 signature shoe), plus apparel and accessories. Products are sold globally through owned e-commerce (converse.com and country sites), flagship retail stores, and wholesale partners like Foot Locker, with the proprietary Converse By You platform enabling made-to-order personalized sneakers.
Is Converse a public or private company?
Converse is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Converse founded?
Converse was founded in 1908. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Converse based?
Converse is headquartered in Boston, United States, in the North America region.
How does Converse make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Footwear Sales are the primary driver. The others are apparel and Accessories, licensing and Collaborations and brand Partnerships.
Who are Converse's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Vans, New Balance, Puma, Skechers, Steve Madden, Dr. Martens and Crocs. Broad incumbents are Adidas, Nike and Reebok.
Does Converse have an API?
No public API is recorded for Converse.
What industry is Converse in?
Converse's product category is Footwear & Apparel. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAAACAB, Casual & Lifestyle Footwear, with a secondary code of CRAMABAC, Athletic Footwear & Sport Apparel Retail. Its NAICS code is 3162 and its SIC code is 3140.