Nike and Converse Reveal 2020 BETRUE and Pride Collections

Ahead of Pride Month 2020, Nike and Converse have revealed their BETRUE and Pride collections. Although this year’s Pride celebrations may be slightly more subdued than years past due to the continued effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the shoes are decidedly not: the Air Force 1, Air Max 2090, ACG Air Deschutz, Chuck 70 Hi, Chuck 70 Ox and Chuck Taylor are all centered around the 10-tone “More Color, More Pride” flag, designed by activist Amber Hikes in 2017.

Air Force 1s appear in Nike’s BETRUE offerings for the first time ever, and serve up a luxe white tumbled leather upper with toothed seams. Iridescent Swooshes are inspired by NYC’s ballroom culture in the mid ’80s, and all ten colors of the MCMP flag are stacked on the heel, tongue and midsole alike. The Air Max 2090 is much more overt, using asymmetrical detailing to stuff the flag’s complete color spectrum onto its semi-translucent synthetic upper. Lastly, Nike ACG‘s Deschutz keeps things mostly black — but weaves each of the ten colors into its upper straps and adds a minature, Pride-centric “fanny pack” to the heel.

Meanwhile, Converse dresses multiple iterations of its iconic Chuck Taylors in rainbows, sequins and much more. Standouts include — but are not limited to — a sumptuously-striped low top with seams connecting each piece, two high-top makeups set in glittering, glistening sequins and more high-tops with printed stripe detailing plus special heel embellishments. With nine pieces in total, Converse’s offerings also include apparel and accessories.

It’s more than just themed product too, as a significant charitable aspect is at play. Nike will support more than 20 organizations that champion the LGBTQIA+ community, with select grants administered by the Charities Aid Foundation of America. In its fifth year, Converse’s Pride initiative has given over $1 million USD to various causes, with this year’s profits benefiting the It Gets Better Project [IGBP], Ali Forney Center, BAGLY and OUT MetroWest.

Nike’s BETRUE collection will release through Greater China at Nike Hong Kong and more on June 5. It’ll then hit the Nike US webstore and global stockists a little over two weeks later on June 22. Converse’s Pride collection arrives on the Converse webstore globally May 29.

Elsewhere, Nike Sportswear‘s Air Max 95 “Era” utilizes ’90s-style detailing in a vivid fashion.