The new Ka-One Vulc, due out SP '13.

Converse has been going through some massive fucking changes. The recent resurgence of the brand is thanks to some re-organizing of ambassadors and priorities on the brand side of things. After all, there was a huge drop in popularity after a lack of marketing on behalf of select members of their illustrious team. They simply weren't getting enough coverage and as a result, it left most of us, if not all, disappointed = Translation: We needed more Fowler 360 flips footage. With the recent addition of Jason Jessee & Mike Anderson, the momentum that Converse once had should resurface, if not double, so long as those dudes put out some quality footage or a full length video somewhere down the line. As for now, Converse does seem stronger than ever especially after announcing to us that they are strictly a skateboarding brand. All of their endorsed athletes from their Basketball history have since found a home with Nike with the exception of Dr. J & now Converse is dedicating their program fully to skateboarders. In few words, that's just fucking awesome.

Week 3, Grip:

My third week of skating the CONS Trapasso, I decided to show more attention towards the bottom of the shoe. The CONS brand uses the "Maximum-Grip rubber outsole compound" for most of their catalog and is a favorite amongst most skaters. I honestly cannot tell whether there is a significant difference between the Cons brand bottom and the commercial Converse bottom, as sold by Target and most major store brands looking to sell cool moms and dads there "hip" converses. For now that question will go unanswered.

A question I can answer is that the bottoms may start to fade in under a month of skating but that doesn't sacrifice, by any means, the grip. The grip remains strong throughout the month and I can only imagine afterwards as well.

Weird enough is the sound made by the rubber sole when putting your foot back on after taking a couple of solid kicks. You know...the Schreech! sound you hear on most basketball court. Kinda reassuring.

I'm regular footed, so you'll be able to tell the beatings each shoe took from kicking and shimmying my front foot in the right position before any trick. (Photos Below)


Grip Grading: 8
Bottom Sole Durability: 7




Week 4, Durability:

You haven't seen any top photos from week 3 because the transition of the shoe from week 3 to week 4 are pretty much the same. The shoe went into that "survival mode" where it holds up against any abuse before taking its last beating. The following photos cover skating from weeks 3 to 4. (photos below)




As you can see through the photos, the shoe takes a gouge from kickflips (depending on how you do them, I have a aggro one, sorry) but the most honorable mention in this review goes to the durable suede. CONS uses the "High abrasion suede with internal reinforcement". Hearing something like "High Abrasion Suede" before buying any shoe just sounds like a bunch of bullshit so you'll take another step towards the register, but this suede is the real thing. Initially, I was expecting a blow-out but much to my suprise the small cross hatching stitched area helps the suede never showed a sign of weakness.


Suede Durability: 10

Sole/Toe Cap Durability: 8




Summary:

Simply by the comfort and durability testing, this shoe is worth it. I've been skating this shoe for approximately two months, trying to get a solid review together and I've found the CONS "Trapasso" provide great ankle protection with its mid top features and solid board feel. More recently, I've been preparing for the next shoe review & I haven't been enjoying it as much, so after coming back to the Trapasso, I realized how well this shoe skates compared to most shoes today. 

I always try to review shoes that I feel have great potential and don't get enough shine as others, but this shoe seems to be an exception. Whether my efforts in this review make you want to buy this shoe anymore than you did 5 mins ago, I don't think this shoe will have any problems getting itself off shelfs at your local skate shop. So, with that said, try to get a pair ASAP.