War is always an opportunity for someone, many someones, to make money. A recently closed ebay auction sold a pair of Converse shoes manufactured and sold during World War II. If I understand the description right, the shoes were sold to overseas servicemen who wanted to “stomp” on the Nazis; alternatively, they were sold to Nazis (I think the former).
The shoes:
And, the kicker, the soles:
UPDATE! In the comments Joe C. linked to a website, aryanwear.com, where you can buy these:
Via BoingBoing. See also our post on the surprising history of the symbol.
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Lisa Wade is a professor of sociology at Occidental College. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
Comments 41
K — June 2, 2010
I can't see the first picture. Maybe it's something going on with just my computer, but I thought you might want to know.
Joe C — June 2, 2010
These boots are currently being made.
http://aryanwear.com/aryan-wear-panzer-boots-black-p-115.html?cPath=96_22
Luis — June 2, 2010
It is all about hate...which is still around today.
Otogizoshi — June 2, 2010
These make me shudder! Imagine seeing those prints in the snow, mud, or pavement next to a puddle.
I agree with Luis... its all about the hate
Richard Hudak — June 2, 2010
This is interesting in that the orientation of the swastika, and therefore the imprint left is different in each case. The Converse present a right-facing swastika, which would leave a left-facing imprint on the ground, and the combat boots seem intentionally to leave a right-facing imprint. While Nazi uniforms presented both forms, one on each side, the Nazi flag unambiguously had a right-facing swastika.
I'm hoping this lends some credence to the "stomping out Fascism" meaning of the Converse. Will we start to see such things on Antiques Roadshow?
maria — June 2, 2010
I can't get the ebay link to open- did they come with provenance stating they were from the 1940's, or was it just an assumption because the general public assumes swastika = WWII? cons were in production as early as 1925, and gained popularity in the early to mid 30's- they could have been made before the symbol became associated with hate. i love listening old radio shows, and swastika charms were often advertised and sold during commerical breaks as good luck charms!
Danielle — June 2, 2010
I'm sorry to see this site to miss an opportunity to talk about the perversion of the symbol
susie — June 2, 2010
minus that whole swastika thing, those chucks are totally HOTT!!! i'd wear them in an instant (and again, before you jump all down my throat, minus the swastikas.)
as a huge fan of chucks, i find these really interesting. i've never seen anything like them before, and i'm not surprised how much they sold for. shoe collection culture is intense and highly competitive.
Syd — June 2, 2010
The Chucks are interesting.
The boots, however? They have 'edgy teenager' written all over them. I can see the faces of my high school classmates who would snatch them up in a heartbeat. Disturbingly, not all of them are white, blonde haired German kids.....
Aryan — November 5, 2018
The Aryan Wear Panzer boots are GREAT, i love them!!! I still have a pair in brand new condition. SEIG HEIL!!! GOTT MIT UNS
Peter rihia — April 8, 2021
Looking for replacement soles for my aryan wear boots,love them
Joe — May 23, 2022
Some say these were taken from Azov Battalion POW, but that must be Russian Propaganda.
Anonymous — May 7, 2023
I am VERY OFFENDED what is wrong with you ayan
Anonymous — May 7, 2023
Excuse me?!!!! I AM VERY OFFENDED WHAT KIND OF PSYCHO, RETARTED PERSON ENJOYS TORTURING MILLIONS OF MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN??? WHAT THE ON EARTH IS WRONG WOTH YOU PEOPLE????!!! I'M SEETHING MAD!!! MY BLOOD IS BOILING!!!!!