Three Takeaways from the New Converse Chuck Taylor
Chuck Taylors are an iconic piece of footwear that has a lineage that dates back to classic basketball courts of the early 1920s. The smell of vulcanised rubber and the cotton canvas has since remained the same, but there are stark differences between what the Chuck Taylors of that era had and what the modern Chucks have. In addition to the significant improvement in terms of build quality, stitches, and different types of cotton used on the canvas, there are also strength enhancements carried across the sensitive regions of Converse Chuck Taylor, like around the rubber toe guard region and near the ankles. These are improvements made with one thing in mind – comfort. But is it just the quality that’s improved from the original Converse shoes? How far has Converse come when they brought the improvised chucks?
The New Converse Chuck Taylor
One of the main drawbacks with Chucks was the lack of longevity they had when exposed to rough terrains and heavy daily use. With regular use, Converse Chuck Taylor quickly started showing signs of wear and tear, and this only got worse with further use. The region around the heel and in and around the toe are two of the most sensitive regions of the shoe and showed the first signs of shredding. The lack of soft cushioning also made them uncomfortable shoes for daily use. Converse was quick to identify these issues and made it a point to offer a massive upgrade through the newer iterations.
The Classic Chuck 70, an alternative to classic Chuck Taylors made with inspiration from the All-Star Chuck Taylors of 1970, featured a sturdier toe guard, bigger tongue, higher foxing, and dual eyelets that were placed much higher than the original Chuck Taylors. Even when you accidentally stepped on a puddle, it made sure that your feet stayed dry! The pricing also did not go off the roof, with more features being added, which again made the upgrade a worthy one by all means necessary.
Key Takeaways from the New Chuck Taylors
Converse has made it a point to continuously push the boundaries of its shoe design without compromising on its original design and key elements. This has made it possible to build a Converse shoe design that’s original, unique, and at the same time – efficient. But as with any other upgrade, what makes the new Converse different from the Chuck Taylors? Let’s take a look at some of the significant takeaways of the new Chucks.
1) Massive Upgrade of Features
There are a host of new features on all the available models of Converse India online. These include but are not limited to softer cushioning with the introduction of Ortholite technology on the insole, deeper grooves along the under sole that provides enhanced traction, and grip, return of the original 12-ounce canvas to further enhance the durability, and extra stitching along the ankle, and tongue to reduce wear and tear. You can also wear your favourite Converse black sneakers with two different sole colours – traditional white on Classic Chuck Taylor All Stars and egret (off-white) across all of the Chuck 70 lineup. Before the new iterations, you only got Converse with white outsoles, which has got a facelift with the latest update.
2) Lightweight But Extra Durable
Another winning combination that Converse managed to unlock with their latest launches is the perfect mix of weight reduction and increase in durability. Converse enhanced their canvas with better resistance to wear and tear, but at the same time, making sure not to add more weight to the overall build. The result is a better Converse, by all means, that has extra protection, especially in and around the toe and ankle region. The average weight of Converse Shoes Chuck Taylors comes at around 0.8 kg per pair, making it an easy shoe to move and carry around. The laces are also much more durable than they used to be and are 100% made of cotton. The glossy rubber sidewall, again, makes it an easy-to-wear shoe for all occasions.
3) More Options and Availability
When it comes to the newer models of Converse shoes, you have unlimited options today – in terms of colour, canvas material, print, design, and shape of the shoe. Most of the Converse stores host a huge collection of different Converse shoes like the Chuck 70 AT-CX and the much-demanded Run Star Motion with its groovy and vibrant outsole. Converse is also known to drop trending limited editions that feature iconic designs like the limited edition Converse Chuck Taylor Black and Gold edition or the Valentine’s special that featured a red heart on the undersole and a golden chain on the anklet.
What Makes the New Chuck Taylors Better?
The philosophy Converse followed before they introduced the new Chucks was simple – don’t fix if it ain’t broken, and it seemed to do wonders in terms of sales. The design and layout of the original classic Chuck Taylor are so iconic that any previous attempt that interfered with the design did not help improve the overall sales and aesthetics of the shoe. That’s why Converse made it a point to keep the original design and colour layout. However, they did give significant emphasis on the construction and flaws of the existing design. The easy wear and tear over prolonged use were overcome by adding a sturdier under the sole. The traction was further enhanced with more defined, sharper, and detailed groves without changing the iconic under the sole. The canvas was strengthened with thicker variants making it durable and improving its longevity.
If customers wanted even more protection, they also made it possible by introducing an entirely different but similar-looking model – the Classic Chuck 70, which features a bigger toe cap, egret (off-white) undersole and midsole, and beefier construction. The ankle section has visible stitching to improve arch support, and the eyelets are placed higher for more resistance against water entering the shoes. The foxing is also higher, giving the shoe much more resistance against wear and tear and damage from accidentally hitting your toe. Ortholite cushioning as a standard makes it a soft heel that lets you wear these shoes for longer durations without feeling fatigued or pain on your heel. If the old Converse ripped to shreds in around a year, the new Converse can last a good 2-3 years before you change them
Conclusion
The classic Chuck Taylor is a legend that needs no introduction. That’s why Converse has always made it the same, with little to no physical and visual changes in terms of design and build quality. However, it had a lot of flaws, and Converse has answered all these flaws by offering a much-needed upgrade of modern technology without touching any nerve of the original Converse shoe. The end result is an all-time legend, strengthened like never before, and guaranteed to offer you a premium feel, original looks, and unmatched quality.