The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star is undoubtedly one of the most iconic sneakers of all time. The grandfather of all basketball sneakers, the Chuck Taylor has been on the courts and in the streets since 1917 when it debuted as the best new athletic shoe on the market. Of course, over the years it has been phased out as a performance shoe, but today it remains one of the most popular, stylish, and versatile sneaker designs ever, worn by literally millions of people from all walks of life.
If you don’t already have a pair of Chucks in your rotation, what are you waiting for? In this buyer’s guide to the legendary sneaker, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Chuck Taylor, including the difference between the Chuck Taylor All Star and the Chuck 70, sizing information to help you find a proper-fitting pair and more.
What’s the difference between the Chuck Taylor All Star and Chuck 70?
The first thing you need to know about the Converse Chuck Taylor before buying a pair is that the shoe comes in two main versions, the standard Chuck Taylor All Star and the Chuck 70. The standard Chuck Taylor All Star is the base model of the shoe, and the Chuck 70 is the premium version with heavier canvas and a thicker, more cushioned sole. At first glance they may both appear the same, but the easiest way to tell them apart is the thickness of the sole. The Chuck 70 has wider sidewalls, and the rubber also usually comes in a glossy finish.
The Chuck 70 is modeled after the construction of the shoe from the late 1960s and 1970s before it was “simplified” for mass production like the standard CTAS is today. The Chuck 70 is more durable and more comfortable, but the standard Chuck also gets the job done when it comes to that iconic style.
What kind of Chuck Taylor is most comfortable?
The Chuck 70 is significantly more comfortable than the standard Chuck, as it includes more padding on the insole to go along with the thick rubber outsole. The canvas upper is also thicker, and the shoe keeps its form better than the thin, flimsy canvas of the standard CTAS.
How Does The Chuck Taylor Fit?
Getting a perfect fit for the Converse Chuck Taylor may be a bit tricky. The shape of the shoe is longer and skinnier than most of the sneakers you’re probably used to wearing. Converse itself states the shoe runs about half a size big. This means you should go with a half-size smaller than your normal shoe size when purchasing a pair. Some wearers even find that a full-size down provides the best fit. However, the Chuck Taylor is quite narrow, so take note if you have wider feet. You may want to stick with your normal shoe size, in that case.
What is a Chuck Taylor Ox?
When looking to purchase a pair of Chuck Taylors, you may come across the term “Ox” in the product name. This stands for “Oxford,” and it’s simply Converse’s naming convention for low-top sneakers. For example, a low-top Chuck 70 is called the “Chuck 70 Ox” whereas the high-top is called the “Chuck 70 Hi.”
How do you clean Converse Chuck Taylors?
Caring for your Chucks is quite easy. If you have a traditional pair constructed in canvas and rubber, you can even throw them into the washing machine and run them on a normal cycle to get them squeaky clean. However, if your pair happens to have leather or other materials for the upper, don’t put them in the washing machine. For spot cleaning, use a brush or cloth with warm, soapy water (dish soap or any sneaker cleaner solution will do the trick) to rub out any dirt and smudges from the canvas upper or rubber sole.
