27 November 2023 , 17:02
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Converse trainers have got to one of the most iconic pairs of shoes in the world. They're instantly recognisable and most people have owned a pair at least one point in their lives. However, the famous sneakers come with a facility that lots of us aren't even aware of.
If you don't know what we're talking about, there are two little holes just above the rubber sole of any pair of Converse All Star sneakers that appear just like the eyelets that your shoelaces go through. These small extras, however, are not for your laces. In truth, they have a genius practical purpose.
For those unaware of Converse's history, the All Stars were originally created as a basketball shoe, all the way back in 1917. The American team scored gold wearing them at the very first Olympic basketball championship in the 1936 Summer Games in Berlin, and their reputation was sealed. When the NBA was born in 1949, almost every player wore Converse.
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And it's due to its athletic heritage for the reason for the little round eyelets, which it turns out, are for ventilation. Yes, those tiny holes in your trainers are meant to keep your feet from sweating when you're stomping around town - or on the basketball court.
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The extra ventilation holes allowed players' feet to breathe, similar to how our gym trainers today are created from breathable material. While we like the fact that our feet won't become stinky and nasty while wearing our Converse, some folks aren't fans of the style.
If you've ever worn your Converse footwear in wet or stormy weather or on muddy terrain, you'll know how annoying those side holes can be. Some Converse owners have taken to Twitter to express their frustrations with the feature, after having their own unfortunate run-ins while wearing the iconic shoes.
"The weather takes full advantage of the two holes in the side of Converse," wrote one Twitter user.
"I accidentally stepped in a puddle and water went threw those tiny holes on the side of my Converse,"complained another.
A third warned: "Converse are the worst shoes to wear at the beach who decided it was a good idea to put holes in the side of shoes."
Despite the fact that it is not their primary function, several inventive Converse wearers have found methods to incorporate the side holes into their unique shoelace designs.
So, if you're looking for a cheap and entertaining way to freshen up your shoes, there are countless Converse shoelace videos on YouTube that will give your trainers a kick - but maybe we should wait until it's dry outdoors to show them off.
Did you know what the holes in the side of Converse All Stars were for? Let us know in the comments below.