The Converse-Chuck Taylor All-Star shoe very well may be the most iconic shoe ever created. You can buy them at stores or on the internet, but are they considered barefoot shoes?
Are Converse-Chuck Taylors considered barefoot shoes?
The short answer is no. Most shoe companies don’t consider Chuck Taylors to be “barefoot shoes.”
But on the Converse website, they state that they are constructed of our proprietary “Cortez Rubber” material, designed to simulate the feeling of barefoot running.
Of course, no shoe is genuinely barefoot. The heel grips the foot while also providing a bit of shock absorption. So while it’s true that Converse-Chuck Taylors are not proper barefoot shoes, they are very close.
Converse-Chuck Taylors as running shoes: Are there any drawbacks?
Yes and no. Any shoe with a sole that can’t support you isn’t a running shoe, but they serve a purpose at the beginning of your running career.
While they might seem like a “cute” choice to wear when you run, they’re not ideal for performance running. They work best in the beginning stages of your training because their balance and flexibility help you develop proper form and technique.
This enables you to run more efficiently and safely with less risk of injury. However, they aren’t ideal for long-term use.
The biggest drawback is
- that their flexible soles wear out after you’ve been running for a while.
- As they wear out, the shoes lose their spring
- and become too stiff to easily flex with your foot, which can put your joints at risk.
This is why it’s essential to buy quality pairs when starting which is why we recommend trying on a few pairs before purchasing any pair of shoes (or anything else). Then, if you like what you feel when you try on the ones you want, go with them!
- Fabric: Canvas
- Rubber sole
- Lace up closure
- canvas
- manmade-sole
- closed-toe
- Lace-up, low-top sneaker
- Lightweight, breathable canvas
Barefeet or Converse-Chuck Taylors for the gym?
The simple answer is it depends. Shoes are shoes, both in the gym and out, but what you wear may change how you train.
If you’re training barefoot or in flip flops, you’ll likely make minor adjustments to your training. On the other hand, if you’re wearing sneakers, you may want to consider using different shoes for your workouts.
- Either way, barefoot running is a hot trend in fitness. Getting used to working out on bare feet begins by simply making the transition between the two worlds. Here are a few tips for incorporating barefoot running into your routine.
If you’re doing high-intensity workouts like CrossFit or powerlifting, you may want to go without shoes so your feet can hit the ground with their full force.
What do podiatrists think about Converse-Chuck Taylors?
- The answer is a resounding “It depends.”
Some podiatrists believe that Chuck Taylors are not, in fact, barefoot shoes. They think that they should be classified as full-foot athletic shoes.
The argument against this classification is that the soles of the Converse shoes are far too thick to be considered a proper barefoot shoe.
What do others think? Well, most people agree that Chuck Taylors aren’t a pretty proper “barefoot” shoe.
But you often hear podiatrists recommend them as an alternative to running barefoot because they’re lightweight and provide enough cushion to protect your feet from injuries such as blisters and plantar fasciitis.
Can you wear barefoot shoes every day?
While the answer depends on the situation, it’s probably best not to wear barefoot shoes every day. It’s because their footbeds are made to keep them from ripping or scraping the ground while walking on them.
- If you need to wear them every day, make sure they’re comfortable and do not cause irritation. If your feet are irritated after wearing them for a couple of hours, you might want to try different shoes.
And if they make your feet sore after multiple hours of wear, you might want to consider buying another pair.
Do Converse-Chuck Taylors cause or support flat feet?
There’s a lot of debate about whether or not wearing Converse shoes can cause or support flat feet.
- The truth is, flat-footedness is a very individualistic problem, and it’s not something that can be predicted by wearing specific brands of shoes.
There have been some studies done, but none have been conclusive on the subject of flat feet and Chucks. However, you can do a few things to help prevent flat feet from becoming a problem.
One of those things is stretching your feet out regularly. There’s no way around it, but it’s essential to try your toes regularly to keep them flexible and feeling good.
And that means not only doing it when you put on your shoes but also before you do anything else throughout the day. If you don’t stretch out regularly, your foot muscles will become tight and start to hurt – which doesn’t help you recover from any strenuous activity!
Can you wear Converse-Chuck Taylors without socks?
- The answer is yes, you can.
When you buy a pair of Chucks, you’re paying for quality and comfort. But when you wear them without socks, the quality and comfort go away pretty quickly.
When you wear Converse – Chuck Taylors without socks, your feet will get wet because the water will go into them.
Also, if you wear your Converse – Chuck Taylors without socks at night, your feet will get cold because the cold will go in them.
Are Converse-Chuck Taylors the first original minimalist shoes?
There are several “firsts” in the history of modern shoe design. Still, Converse-Chuck Taylors are so iconic that they may have the distinction of being the first original minimalist shoe.
The Chuck Taylor All-Star was released in 1917. It included a textured rubber sole with eyelets for ventilation and was meant to be played in, not styled up.
The contemporary look of the shoe can be traced back to 1930 when Converse repositioned the ankle strap and replaced the toes with perforated leather.
The Problem With Cushioning in the Converse-Chuck Taylor Redesign
Converse created the original Chuck Taylor in 1917, and it’s been a go-to sneaker for the casual, sporty person ever since. The shoe features a rubber sole and a canvas upper, and it’s become both a fashion staple and a symbol of American culture.
When we think about sneakers, we tend to think of them as functional and practical. But the original Chuck Taylor was designed to be more than just a sneaker.
- The shoe was intended to provide comfort and support to its wearer’s feet to make running that much easier. The shoe also became an inspiration for similar designs throughout history, including Nike’s Air Jordan line (which Michael Jordan endorsed).
The Chuck Taylor has been synonymous with comfort for generations, but something changed in 2015: The shoe underwent a significant redesign. The new version is not meant to be comfortable at all.
On the contrary, it feels pretty stiff when putting it on for the first time. The shoes have replaced their canvas upper with a synthetic leather material called “tongue,” which gives much support or cushioning. On top of that, they have become thinner and more tapered from heel to toe.
It’s easy to see why people are upset with this change: The original Chuck Taylor has been around for more than 90 years this is not something that should happen overnight without consulting the fans first. Converse announced the change less than two months after releasing the new version of the shoe which means they didn’t do any market research before going ahead with their plan.
They did get some backlash from consumers over this decision quickly, but did they listen? According to some fans who were upset about the change from day one, not really.
- In short: This redesign has been poorly received from day one, but Converse still hasn’t listened to their fans.
Natural barefoot shoe alternatives to Converse-Chuck Taylors
There are a ton of options out there, but this design might be the most popular:
Vibram Five Finger Barefoot Shoes
Shoes like the Vibram Five Fingers Barefoot shoes help you run and walk barefoot without causing your feet to get sore. In addition, since they’re made from natural materials rather than synthetic rubber, they’re more comfortable and durable than traditional rubber-soled shoes.
Vibram Five Finger shoes provide a lot of cushioning for your feet because they use a midsole made from an uncured natural material. They’re also designed to accommodate your foot flexes so that you can feel each step at all times.
- Optimal balance of traction and durability
- Responsive on unpredictable terrain
- Engineered for stability and comfort
- Lightly padded tongue & speed lacing system
- Serrated blade lug design
- Xs trek outsole
- Megagrip Outsole w drainage perforations for added performance
- Machine Wash Cold / Air Dry, Megagrip Outsole w drainage perforations for added performance
- Machine Wash Cold / Air Dry, Suela Megagrip con perforaciones de drenaje para un mayor rendimiento
They do not look like traditional running or walking shoes (and the soles are flat), so they allow you to take advantage of your body weight to propel forward rather than put an unnatural amount of pressure on your feet with every step.
Vibram Five Finger shoes are fantastic for day hikes, running around town, or just about anything else you might do barefoot.
Takeaway
If you’re looking for something cheaper than Vibram Five Finger shoes or may help you gradually transition into them, check out these sweet Chucks!
What relationship have you built with Chucks? Do you love them or hate them? Let me know in the comments below.
Feel Grounded
Dirk
