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Best Converse Shoes For Men in 2021

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This product guide was written by GearHungry Staff
Published October 25, 2018
Support us! GearHungry may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn more

To say Converse athletic shoes are iconic pieces of American footwear would be an understatement. In the hundred years or so since they were introduced, they’ve become as much a part of the American clothing landscape as Levis and baseball caps. While there was a time when they were actually worn by professional athletes (Wilt Chamberlain had his still-record 100 point game wearing Converse All-Stars) in recent years they have become a straight-up fashion statement for guys and gals from all walks of life. Below are the best Converse shoes for men.

The Best Converse Shoe

1
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Core Ox

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The Chuck Taylor Ox or “oxford” version has been around for decades but only in recent years has it begun to get the attention it deserves. This is one of the most comfortable pieces of casual footwear you can buy and it also happens to be one of the most stylish and versatile. The Chuck Taylor Core Ox is perfect for a casual day at work, riding your bike, lifting weights, playing some pickup hoops, walking on the beach, going to the club, hanging with your buds, or working in the yard on the weekend. Try doing all that with your wingtips.

No matter how stressed and distressed your CT Ox footwear gets it will still lay down the style law no matter where you go. These are no here-today, gone-tomorrow delicate-as-a-rose-petal shoes either. Even with regular use in all kinds of conditions, they’ll stand the test of time and more than justify their extremely reasonable price point. When you want more than just casual footwear you’ll want the Chuck Taylor All Star Core Ox. Our Best Choice. Be sure to also check out our list of the best golf shoes for more great items like this.

Key Features:

Lightweight and breathable with cushioned insole

Great for taking a walk on the beach or joining a pickup game

Full canvas upper is both stylish and durable

Genuine rubber sole

Specification:
  • BrandConverse
  • ModelChuck Taylor Ox
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

2
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Canvas High Top Sneaker

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Converse high tops are the iconic American basketball sneaker so when in 2015 the company announced they were preparing to release a slightly updated version fans went understandably gaga. Within days of its release stores and online retailers were sold out with hundreds of thousands of back orders waiting to be filled. And it’s easy to see why. The new Chuck Taylor retains all the style cues of its predecessor but also incorporates a few new touches that can only be called icing on the cake.

A quick glance won’t betray any of the changes, and that’s the way it should be. If Converse had shifted away from the established style in any substantial way they wouldn’t be Chucks. Thankfully, modifications were subtle. They included an embroidered All Star patch on the inside heel, premium canvas used in the upper, thicker foxing on the rubber sidewall, a perforated microsuede lining to enhance moisture wicking and a bit more foam padding inside as well. Essentially they’ve ramped up all the material aspects of the shoe without sacrificing its much loved profile. Just what you want from an upgrade.

Key Features:

Ortholite insole provides generous cushioning

Dual stainless steel eyelets to vent heat and moisture

Genuine rubber sole is durable and comfortable

100% canvas upper

Specification:
  • BrandConverse
  • ModelM3310
  • Weight3 pounds
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

3
Converse Unisex Chuck Taylor All Star Sneaker

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When Nike purchased Converse a decade and a half ago many were concerned the new owners were going to ditch the timeless style of the Chuck Taylor in favor of something hopelessly trendy. Thankfully, they left well enough alone and stuck largely to the original design game plan, introducing only minor tweaks such as this Unisex All Star low-rise sneaker.

The difference between this and the standard low-rise Chuck Taylor is so subtle as to be indistinguishable to most people. Essentially, this shoe has an ever-so-slightly lower profile, a slightly enhanced insole and marginally less robust foxing. That’s about it. Otherwise they are the same stylish, durable, comfortable low-rise casual shoes you and everyone else has come to know and love. For more durable footwear, check out our list of the best skateboard shoes.

Key Features:

All canvas upper

Genuine rubber soul and toe cap

Lightweight and comfortable

Perfect three-season footwear

Specification:
  • BrandConverse
  • Weight2 pounds
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

4
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Leather Ox

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Okay, so this is technically marketed as a shoe for women but the fact is with Chucks it’s almost impossible to tell the difference and these have enough going for them that they’re worth picking up. Even if one out of every 8.35 million people you encounter will say “Hey, aren’t those chick shoes?” They’re worth the investment if for no other reason than the Leather Ox Converse upper provides an extremely cool look (cool in the style sense) that’s going to go perfectly with your jeans and leather jacket.

These will also look and feel great when you’re riding your motorcycle, balling in the park, taking in the Met on a Sunday afternoon with the kids or just hanging out. If you’re looking for ankle support you’re not going to find it here. But that isn’t why you buy a pair of shoes like this. You buy them because they look great, feel great and they’ll go with everything from shorts to Dockers and beachwear. With the right socks, you can even wear them in winter. Our handy guide to the best Adidas shoes features more great products like this.  

Key Features:

100% genuine cowhide leather upper

Genuine rubber sole

Slightly more subtle profile

Robust stitching throughout

Specification:
  • BrandConverse
  • Model107348
  • Weight2.25 pounds
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

5
Converse Men’s Street Canvas Mid Top Sneaker

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Sometimes when one company takes over another they gut the soul of the original product. And sometimes the new parent company finds new ways to get more out of an iconic brand without trouncing on its essence. When Nike announced they were acquiring Converse a lot of Chuck Taylor fans held their breath. Thankfully, Nike approached their new acquisition with requisite respect for both the brand and its countless fans.

The Converse Men’s Street Canvas Mid Top Sneaker is a slightly edgier rendition of the American classic that doesn’t change any of the essential lines. Instead, it explores the expressive possibilities within those lines and harnesses the power of material, texture, pattern and emphasis to create a 21st century version of the All Star that everyone from skateboarders to their dads are going to appreciate. Love these sneakers? Check out our review of the best Puma shoes for our top picks.

Key Features:

Exposed heel cup and grid patterning

100% canvas upper

Duo-tone ankle section with pull-on loop

EVA insole, padded tongue

Specification:
  • BrandConverse
  • Model162381F
  • Weight4 pounds
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

6
Converse Unisex Chuck Taylor All Star Slip On Sneaker

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What do you get when you reduce the iconic Chuck Taylor profile to its absolute minimum? You get the Converse Slip On Sneaker, that’s what. This is a true unisex design that’s a great addition to anyone’s summer outdoor gear. Perfect for walks on the beach or in the park, riding your bike or just lounging by the pool.

As long as you don’t ask too much of them the Unisex Chuck Taylor All Star Slip Ons will be just what the doctor ordered for lightweight warm weather footwear. They’re a great alternative to sandals that you can safely wear while driving. And if you’re really intent on using them to play pickup ball just slip in some aftermarket insoles you’re good to go. Make sure to check our Etnies shoes review for more great footwear.

Key Features:

Sleek canvas upper

Classic Chuck Taylor design cues

Easy on easy off

Unlined for airy summer comfort

Specification:
  • BrandConverse
  • ModelChuck Taylor Slip Se
  • Weight2.1 pounds
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

7
Chuck Taylor DC Comics Batman Cotton High Tops

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DC comics has the kind of gritty street cred Marvel can only dream about. As such it was a stroke of genius to bring together the DC universe and the world’s most iconic and authentic athletic footwear brand in one jaw-dropping hybrid of a sneaker. The Chuck Taylor DC Comics Batman Converse High Tops may not turn you into a Dark Knight but they’ll let you hit the court looking like a superhero.

With an all-canvas upper screen printed with a variety of DC’s most iconic heroes including Batman, Superman, the Flash and Wonder Woman the DC Comics Batman High Top says you know who the real superheroes are. All the design touches of the classic CT are here, including the signature rubber toe cap, striped foxing, over the ankle reach and lace closure. If you love DC you’ll likely then consider these the best Converse shoes for men. Our guide to the best Asics shoes features more great products like this.

Key Features:

Batman meets Chuck Taylor

Classic CT profile with screen printed upper

Foam padded insole

Rubber top cap and dual side vents

Specification:
  • BrandConverse
  • Model161305C
  • Weight2 pounds
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

8
Converse x Off-White Chuck 70 High Top Sneakers

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If they wear sneakers in heaven they probably look just like the semi-angelic X Off-White Chuck High Top Sneakers from Converse. Make no mistake, these are not for wearing during a game of pickup basketball. These white sneakers are a serious (maybe a little too serious) fashion statement to wear on that sailboat in the Caribbean or while dining on Front Street in Hamilton.

The designer here, Virgil Abloh, normally struts his stuff for Off White, a well-known brand of street-oriented footwear. Here, he hasn’t tried to reinvent the Chuck Taylor wheel, he simply dipped the whole thing in a vat of bleach. The result is strangely appealing with a hypnotic quality that will have everyone in the restaurant gazing your way. The only downside we see here is that, while these are touted as citywear, you really don’t want to wear them in the city unless you put clear plastic bags over them. Because even the tiniest bit a dirt or grime is going to stand out like a sore thumb.

Key Features:

Translucent rubber soles

Iconic Chuck Taylor styling

Durable Converse canvas shoes

Virgil Abloh’s take on an American original

Specification:
  • BrandConverse x Off-White
  • ModelChuck 70 hi-top sneakers
CHECK PRICE ON FARFETCH.COM

9
Converse Men’s Street Tonal Canvas High Top Sneaker

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Next up, we’ve got a different take on the classic Chuck Taylor All-Stars. Think of these shoes as a modern upgrade on the originals. The main differences are the extra layer of durable canvas around the back of the shoe and the comfortable padded tongue. These add-ons make the shoe feel more stable around the ankle and more comfortable inside. 

Other than that, Street Tonal Canvas High Top Sneakers are basically the same shoe underneath. They have the same lace-up design, EVA footbed, canvas upper, and durable rubber sole. Available in six unique designs, these Converse shoes will stand out from the pack. They are unmistakably Converse high-top sneakers but they look chunkier and maybe even more stylish. 

Key Features:

Inner elastic tongue 

Padded collar 

Lace-up design 

EVA footbed 

Durable rubber sole 

Available in six designs 

Specification:
  • BrandConverse
  • ModelTonal
  • Weight2.4 pounds
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

Converse: About the Brand

The Converse brand was the brainchild of Marquis Mills Converse who opened the Converse Rubber Shoe company in Malden, Massachusetts in 1908. Marquis had been a manager at a local footwear manufacturer previous to striking out on his own and had a good working knowledge of the business. At first, his company focused on producing cold weather rubber-soled footwear. But in 1915 Converse made the leap into athletic shoes. It was a risky gambit as athletics were not the national obsession they are today. But Converse persevered and slowly expanded both their visibility and customer base.

In 1923 a little known basketball player name Charles Taylor joined the Converse team as a salesman and product ambassador and in 1932 Taylor’s name was added to the company’s bestselling high-top sneakers. In the post-war years as interest in professional sports increased exponentially Converse was ideally suited to take advantage and by the late 1960s their basketball shoes were far and away the most popular in America. Subsequent advances in shoe technology during the 80s left Converse All Stars behind but they soon found a second life as a must-have piece of fashion wear.

Today, the brand is owned by Nike who have done an admirable job of retaining brand integrity and customer loyalty by not messing with the essential product.

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Converse Shoes FAQs

Q: How do Converse Shoes Fit?

A: According to the official Converse website their shoes typically run about a half-size larger than regular dress shoes or work boots. That means if you typically take a men’s 10 1/2 you’d take a size 10 Converse shoe. This is likely due to the fact that the interior of the classic converse athletic shoe has no padding or insulation in the upper. It’s essentially just a canvas shell.

Q: In What Way are All Star, Chuck Taylor, and Ox Converse Different?

A: The name “All Star” refers to both the high and low top versions of the shoe, with Chuck Taylors being the high top version of the All Star. Chuck Taylors typically feature a circular ankle patch with a star at the center and the words “Converse All Star Chuck Taylor”. These shoes feature a rubber toe cap, striped foxing and the upper may be made of either canvas or leather. For many decades the classic Chuck Taylor All Star was available in only black or white. Today, however, there are dozens of different color options to choose from along with a plethora of printed designs.

The low top Converse All Star, known as the “Ox” (for “Oxford”) terminates below the ankle bone and does not carry the Chuck Taylor designation anywhere. Most Ox style shoes mimic the wide, striped foxing, canvas upper and rubber soles of their high top cousins. They also exude the same minimalist profile and lack of ornamentation and forego interior padding.

Q: Does Converse Offer Customization for its Silhouettes?

A: At the moment customization of All Stars occurs within the parameters of the existing silhouette. That’s a fancy way of saying “no”. You can customize just about everything else though, using the app on their official website.

Q: Is it Ideal to Wear a Pair of Converse Casual Sneakers Without Socks?

A: Ideal is in the eye of the beholder. Or in this case the wearer. There are a lot of people who own several pairs of Converse sneakers and have never put a sock into any of them. You have to remember that these days Converse are worn almost entirely as a casual shoe/fashion statement (with the exception that some weight lifters will wear them because of their nice flat bottom). So if the beach or the outfit you’re wearing dictates no socks then no socks it is.

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Q: How to Wash Converse Sneakers?

A: When it comes to washing your Converse All Stars you have two choices. You can do what your dad did when he was a kid and toss them in the washing machine or you can take a more considered approach and wash them by hand. We prefer the hand wash just because the machine can be tough on the shoes and age them prematurely. To wash your All Stars by hand follow these steps:

  • Remove the shoelaces - Wash them separately in a small bucket with warm water and detergent.
  • Pre-rinse in cold water - Drop your All Stars into a bucket of cold water. This will help ensure any color doesn’t run.
  • Mix powdered detergent with water - Make a paste of these two ingredients that you will spread on the shoe. Not too thick, not too thin. Make sure the detergent doesn’t contain bleach.
  • Scrub with soft toothbrush - Dip a soft toothbrush in the paste and scrub your All Stars from end to end. Rubber foxing too.
  • Rinse - Rinse your shoes by running them under or submerging them in a bucket of cold water. Make sure you remove all the paste.
  • OPTIONAL - Some people will take their All Stars and double up on the cleaning by tossing them in the washing machine. But if you’ve done a good job with the toothbrush this isn’t necessary.
  • Air dry - Let your All Stars air dry. Don’t put them in the dryer or the stove or in direct sunlight as excessive heat may cause them to warp.

Q: How Long do Converse Shoes Typically Last?

A: It depends almost entirely on 2 things: how often you wear them and what conditions you wear them in. Some folks have their All Stars for 2, 3 even 4 or 5 years. If you wear them every day in all kinds of weather though you’re going to reduce the life expectancy of even the best Converse shoes for men by a significant degree.

Q: Is Wearing Converse A Good Choice For People With Flat Feet?

A: In a very real sense Converse All Stars are little more than fancy, rubber-soled canvas socks. They provide precious little support and little to no shock absorption. If you have flat feet but are intent on wearing All Stars you should seriously consider purchasing custom insoles that will pick up the support slack.

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