You’ve seen them everywhere. On the feet of a barista in Brooklyn, a tech CEO in Silicon Valley, and probably under your bed gathering dust next to a lone sock. The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star is arguably the most recognizable piece of footwear on the planet.
But here’s the thing. They are objectively terrible at what they were originally built for.
Try playing a full-court basketball game in a pair of standard Chucks today. Your podiatrist would probably have a heart attack. The "support" is basically a piece of canvas and some hope. Yet, despite being technologically obsolete since the Nixon administration, they sell by the millions.
The Weird Truth About Charles Taylor
Most people think Chuck Taylor was some NBA superstar who designed a shoe. He wasn’t.
Honestly, he was more of a traveling salesman with a very specific obsession. In 1921, Charles "Chuck" Taylor walked into a Converse sales office in Chicago complaining about sore feet. He didn’t just want a job; he wanted to fix the shoe.
He was a semi-pro player for the Akron Firestone Non-Skids, and he had ideas.
By 1922, the company listened. They redesigned the shoe for more flexibility and added that iconic circular ankle patch. But the signature? That didn’t show up until 1932. Converse basically pulled the first-ever "influencer" move before Instagram was even a fever dream.
Taylor spent the rest of his life driving around the U.S. in a white Cadillac, hosting basketball clinics and selling shoes out of the trunk. He never actually received a commission on the sneakers that bore his name. He just took a salary. Think about that for a second.
Why They’re Not Just "The Cheap Version" Anymore
If you go to a store right now, you’ll see two shoes that look identical until you look at the price tag. You’ve got the standard Converse Chuck Taylor All Star (the "CTAS") and the Chuck 70.
There is a massive debate about which one is better.
The standard All Star is the shoe we all know. It’s light. It’s floppy. The canvas is thin, and the sole is stark white. If you’re a weightlifter, this is actually the one you want. Why? Because that thin, flat rubber sole puts you as close to the ground as possible, which is great for squats and deadlifts.
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The Chuck 70 is the "premium" older brother. It’s based on the 1970s design when Converse was actually a performance shoe.
- The Canvas: It’s 12-ounce duck canvas. It’s thick enough to stand up on its own.
- The Foxing: That rubber siding is 5mm higher and has a yellow-ish, glossy tint.
- The Comfort: It has an OrthoLite insole. It actually has arch support.
If you’re walking more than three blocks, buy the 70s. Your knees will thank you. But if you want that "crushed and dirty" aesthetic that Kurt Cobain made famous, the standard All Stars are the way to go.
From the Olympics to the Mosh Pit
Did you know the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star was the official shoe of the Olympics for over 30 years? From 1936 to 1968, they were the gold standard.
The white high-top with red and blue trim was actually designed for the 1936 Berlin Games. It was a patriotic statement. Then World War II hit, and these things became the official athletic training shoe of the U.S. Armed Forces.
But by the late 70s, the NBA moved on. Leather shoes from Nike and Adidas offered actual cushioning. Tree Rollins was reportedly the last player to wear canvas Chucks in the NBA during the 1979-1980 season.
That should have been the end.
Instead, the shoe migrated. It went from the hardwood to the stage. The Ramones wore them. Then the 90s grunge scene adopted them as a badge of "I don't care." Because they were cheap, they were accessible. You could destroy them and just go buy another pair for twenty bucks.
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The 2026 Reality Check: Is the Hype Fading?
Let’s get real. The market is changing. Recent financial data for 2025 and early 2026 shows that Converse is facing a bit of a slump. Revenue dipped by about 28% in the first half of 2026 compared to last year.
People are moving toward "ugly-cool" functional shoes. Brands like Hoka and New Balance are winning because people want to feel like they’re walking on clouds, not plywood.
Converse is trying to pivot. They’ve experimented with the "Renew" line—using recycled plastic bottles and repurposed denim. It’s a cool idea, but it’s been hit or miss with the hardcore fans who just want the classic look.
Spotting the Fakes and Picking Your Pair
If you’re hunting for a pair, don’t get tricked by the "optical white" vs "parchment" confusion.
- Optical White is that bright, bleach-white color.
- Parchment is the off-white, cream color that looks "vintage."
Also, watch the sizing. Chucks run famously large. Most people need to go a half-size or even a full size down. If you’re a 10 in Nikes, you might be a 9 in Converse.
What to do next
If you're looking to buy your first pair in years, start by deciding your "mission." For the gym or just a cheap beat-around shoe, grab the standard Converse Chuck Taylor All Star in classic black. They're timeless for a reason.
If you plan on wearing them as your primary daily shoe, skip the base model and spend the extra $30 on the Chuck 70. The extra cushioning and the "stay-up" canvas make a world of difference for your feet. Check the heel patch—the 70s have a black label with 3D text, while the standard ones are just printed. That's the quickest way to tell if you're getting the quality you're paying for.