The Converse Cons Blue is a Throwback to the 1996 Kentucky Denim Basketball Uniforms

College basketball in the 1990s was a different game. Not only did players take their paychecks under the table, but the sportswear brands behind the uniforms and sneaker combos took the kind of chances we seldom see in today’s sport. In the middle of the University of Kentucky’s 1996 “Untouchables” run, Converse had something special for the Wildcat squad, and after 30 years, the denim-clad shoe is finally coming back.

The Converse Cons Blue was made to match the Wildcats’ unlikely denim jerseys, also made by Converse. Sole Retriever first reported on the silhouette's return months back, but we now have an official look at the 2026 retro. The shoe is a classic ‘90s basketball sneaker, chunky all over with a thick sole and a bulky upper. The Kentucky denim colorway features white leather on the toe and side panels, textured leather on the large side panel star, and blue denim covering the rest of the upper.

Staying true to the original version, the tongue and lateral heel feature a script “Cons Blue” logo with a star. Tan stitching throughout makes the colorway feel even more like a pair of worn-in jeans, and a two-tone blue and white outsole completes the look under a white midsole.

Kentucky alum Devin Booker paid homage to the team’s ‘96 season and denim unis with his Nike Book 1 Blue Blood, but as mentioned above, this retro marks the sneakers' return for the first time in 30 years. Technically, the model never had a wide retail release, and it’s been in the archives ever since the net-cutting ‘96 season.

The Converse Cons Blue will be released March 13, 2026 through Converse and select retailers in-store and online. Available in men's sizing, the retail price is set at $130. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated in real-time on the latest happenings in the sneaker world.