Memories - PRO-Keds Sneakers


Early PRO-Keds Sneakers:

Early PRO-Keds white high-top canvas sneakersThis picture shows a pair of PRO-Keds sneakers of unknown (but early) vintage.



Comparison - PRO-Keds vs. the Converse "Chuck Taylor" All Star:

PRO-Keds are a canvas basketball sneaker that competes for market share with the Converse "Chuck Taylor" All Star shoe. At least in the Midwest, Chucks were much more prevalent when I was a kid.

PRO-Keds black canvas high-top basketball shoe


Converse "Chuck Taylor" All Star black canvas high-top basketball shoe


There are a large number of detail styling differences between PRO-Keds and Chucks:

FEATURE CHUCKS PRO-KEDS
Upper design at heel Peg-topped (upward fabric projection) Flat across
Rubber wrap trim Contrast strip across the middle of the rubber wrap Red and blue diagonal rubber decoration (close to little toe area)
Toe cap trim None Across back of toe cap
Heel stitching Matches predominant color White
Toe area reinforcement NO YES
Sourced from (2003) China; Vietnam China

PRO-Keds, like Chucks, had many and varied uses for Baby Boom Boy athletes.


Which is the REAL PRO-Keds Logo?

PRO-Keds Logo #1Does the real PRO-Keds logo look like choice #1?


PRO-Keds Logo #2Or, does the real PRO-Keds logo look like choice #2?


PRO-Keds Logo #3Or, does the real PRO-Keds logo look like choice #3?


PRO-Keds Logo #4Or, does the real PRO-Keds logo look like choice #4?


Hey! This isn't a fair question!

That's because EVERY ONE of these logos have been used on PRO-Keds over the years!


PRO-Keds in 2002/2003...

PRO-Keds "Royal Canvas" low-top basketball shoePRO-Keds returned to the market in 2002. Distribution was very limited at first. This picture shows one of their 2002 models: a white low-top version of their "Royal Canvas" basketball shoe.


PRO-Keds "Royal Canvas" low-top in blueThe "Royal Canvas" low-top was also made in various colors not shown here, including black and red.


PRO-Keds "Royal Canvas" high-top basketball shoe in whiteThe 2002/2003 models also included high-tops in multiple colors.


PRO-Keds Royal Canvas high-top basketball shoe in red


PRO-Keds Royal Canvas high-top basketball shoe in yellow


PRO-Keds Royal Canvas high-top basketball shoe in blue



PRO-Keds in 2004...

PRO-Keds "Royal Canvas" high-top basketball shoe in chocolate and khakiNew colors introduced for 2004 but not shown include pink and Carolina blue.

PRO-Keds "Royal Canvas" high-top basketball shoe in Bottle Green


PRO-Keds "Royal Storm" (water-resistant high top) in blue: outside viewPRO-Keds also introduced the Royal Storm, a water-resistant style featuring rubberized construction, no Buick Ventiports, and a tongue gusset. Other men's colors include green/yellow and black/white. Other women's colors included all black, pink/maroon, orange/white, and red/white.


PRO-Keds "Royal Storm" (water-resistant high top) in blue: inside viewThis is a view of the outer inside, showing some of the construction details.


PRO-Keds "Royal Lightning" (water-resistant pull-on high-top) in blackThis is the similar pull-on Royal Lightning style.



PRO-Keds in designs and patterns...

PRO-Keds "Royal Canvas" high-top shoe: Derrick Hodgson patternThis is the limited-edition PRO-Keds high-top that features the art of Derrick Hodgson.


Other artist designs include:


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Last Updated: 29 May 2017


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