More than just a pair of shoes

When I was 22, I bought a pair of Converse shoes. It wasn’t my first pair and certainly not my last — but it was a special pair. Why so special? They have always been my favourite pair of shoes and as a result, they’ve been on some pretty special adventures.

When I did a ski season, they took me up and down the mountain each day as I hitchhiked up to my job with my mates. Then they went on the road trip afterwards — an endless summer of beaches, beers and music with the best friends in the world. I’m sure they still have the sand and campsite dirt on them from those days.

When I hopped on a plane and moved to the other side of the world, they carried me along my merry way. They’ve paced airplane aisles, and spent endless hours waiting at airports. Europe and North America wouldn’t have been the same without those babies. Pubs, clubs and fancy cafes; a bobsled ride, the Arctic circle, and reindeer sightings. Meeting some of the best people I’ve ever known, and some I’d rather forget. They’ve left footprints in nearly every European capital and taken memories from the cities in between. And they may or may not have gotten lost getting to the Grand Canyon.

They’ve made it through 6 or 7 Big Day Out’s, 4 Falls Festivals, Coachella, Glastonbury, 2 V Festivals, a Secret Garden Party, a Gatecrasher, a Global Gathering and an undisclosed number of…