Converse unveiled the new upcoming Defcon and Pro Leather 2K11 performance basketball sneakers at its exclusive launch party at Cedar Lake Studios in New York City this past Thursday, November 3rd. The event, emceed by legendary DJ and sneaker guru, Bobbito Garcia, brought out invited guests including Coltraine Curtis of Team Epiphany and young entrepreneur brother duo, Dee & Ricky. Along with a presentation from Converse’s Design Team, other special guests included Team Converse athletes Chris Anderson of the Denver Nuggets, Kyle Korver of the Chicago Bulls, and Lou Williams of the Philadelphia 76ers.

As previewed during the event, Converse Defcon fans can expect the new models to include improved lightweight technology, a One-Piece Vamp that offers less seams to help reduce the possibility of irritation, CBT (Converse Balls Technology) which translates into a thin and flexible outsole tread for maximum conformance on the court, and a full-length PU midsole for added cushioning and support. Likewise, the Converse Pro Leather 2k11, a shoe popularized by Dr. J (Julius Erving), will feature a diamond-like grid mesh upper for overall sneaker weight reduction.

Look out for the new Converse Defcon and Converse Pro Leather 2k11 models to release worldwide at participating Converse retailers soon. Stay tuned to SneakerFiles for more information on this release.

Bobbito was recently interviewed by MaZe on his new collaboration with PRO-Keds, the PRO-Keds x Bobbito Garcia Royal Flash Collection. Kool Bob lovingly uncovers the oxblood (burgundy) version, recalls his very first pair of PRO-Keds, and shows off his worn pair of Royal Flash Mids from ’79 that he picked up on the low in Spanish Harlem in 1990. To learn more, please visit BounceMag.com!

Bobbito Garcia and PRO-Keds are celebrating the release of Kool Bob Love’s Royal Flash Mid Collection. The shindig will take place on October 21 from 8-12 PM at the CSV Cultural Center on 107 Suffolk Street in New York and will feature DJ appearences from Rich Medina, Stretch Armstrong, and Bobbito himself! For more details, visit Bobbito’s personal blog at BounceMag.com.

Bounce Magazine’s editor-at-large Bobbito Garcia will be featured in an upcoming CNN documentary entitled “Latinos in America.” Boogie Bob speaks on blending Hip-Hop and Latin cultures, growing up as an “American” in NYC, and of course, displays his formidable ballhandling arsenal at the Goat Park in Harlem. If you look close, you’ll notice the gold suede PRO-Keds x Bobbito Royal Flash Collection on his feet. “Latinos in America” will debut on CNN on October 21 at 9PM EST. Via: Bounce.

Friend of Sneaker Files Bobbio Garcia paired up with PRO-Keds to produce a four limited versions for the 30th Anniversary of the Royal Flash Mid. The Spanish Tile Red/White colorway recently surfaced on the of none other than graff. legend Scotch 79 a.k.a. KEO. Look for the Bobbito “El Barrio” Collection to hit retailers in the near future.

Via KEO.

Sir Bobbito Garcia has been kind enough to autograph two copies of his acclaimed sneaker bible, titled “Where’d You Get Those…”
Two lucky winners will each receive a personalized, autographed book, courtesy of Bobbito and Sneaker Files.

Be sure to check out Bobbito’s Bounce Magazine for some fine reads!

The rules are simple:

1. Vote for your favorite Air Jordan and Nike Future Sole designs by clicking here

2. Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here

3. Follow @SneakerFiles on Twitter

Winners will be chosen based on the frequency and quality of their personal comments on our articles!

More giveaways will come tomorrow… Enjoy and good luck!

The generous folks at Under Armour cooked up this one-of-one exclusive Boricua BB Prototype for legendary connoisseur Bobbito Garcia. Draped in white patent leather, the shoe features a densely perforated middle and Puerto Rico’s national flag burned onto the heel. On the medial side, “Kool Bob Love” runs diagonally, left to right, along the Proto’s ankle collar in blue stitching. UA’s “Shield” logo is embossed on middle and the coqui, P.R.’s national animal, rides up front in gold. Again, these joints are one-of-one and exclusive to a brother who’s one heckuva ballplayer and proud of his Boricua heritage. They will not be hitting retail! Under Armour’s BB line is hitting retailers worldwide in ’10. Via Bounce.