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Last Updated on July 26, 2022
Iconic brands watch trends come and go and remain unchanged by current likes and dislikes.
They are above such petty things, with a personal style that has maintained consistency throughout the years and that is sought for its unchanging characteristics. The simple yet classic silhouette of the Converse shoe is one of these.
Converse All-Stars are arguably one of the strongest sneakers in terms of wear and tear, instantly recognizable, and above all a symbol attached with certain characteristics. It’s no wonder that they have sparked lookalikes and copycats all over!
Some brands are similar to Converse in style, others offer similar footwear at great budget prices, and others share in some of their most upstanding qualities as a footwear company. Let’s find out which of these top Converse alternatives that are similar to Chucks is your favorite! Also check out the Best 90s Converse You Can Slip On Today.
Contents
What makes a shoe a Converse shoe?
Main qualities of the product:
- The company’s logo
- Rubber sole
- Smooth rounded tow
- Wrap-around strip
- Cotton canvas or leather material
- Canvas lining
- Cushioning
- Arch support
- High rubber foxing
Brand expectations:
- Style consistency
- High quality
- Recognizable aesthetic
- Unchanging basic design
- Great durability
Iconic characteristics associated with the brand:
- “Shoes are boring, wear sneakers”
- Comfort
- Street style
- Rebelliousness
- A defined style sustained over time
Top 5 Converse Competitors
#1. Vans
Basic Information: Vans is an American brand, launched in 1966, best known for its skateboarding shoes and related apparel. They are most famous for sponsoring surf, snowboarding, BMX, and motocross teams and athletes. Fans usually relate to their alternative background, rebellious nature, and street style.
Price Range: $$$
Origin and General Concept: The culture behind skateboarding and other extreme sports has shaped the brand since its beginning. One of their main qualities is that they have collaborated with important athletes from the start. Not only listening to their various needs when it comes to their performance but also as culturally diverse people. By putting their most advanced technology to the service of their product creation, and expertly applying the feedback they get from users all over the world, they have managed to stay true to their roots and continue evolving.
My Recommended Product: Vans Women’s Low-Top Sneakers in black canvas with printed flowers. It is not one of their more budget options, but I absolutely love a good floral print!
Celebrities Who are Fans: Gigi Hadid, Justin Bieber, Kristen Stewart, Kourtney Kardashian, Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, Jessica Alba, Kanye West, Rihanna, Pharell Williams, and more.
Sponsored by the Brand: Dustin Dollin, Geoff Rowley, Chima Ferguson, Andrew Allen, and Anthony Van Engelen (among others).
Ethical Practices: So far, Vans is doing little when it comes to the environment. Right now they are not minimizing the impact of their textile waste, packaging, or gas emissions. They have stated a couple of promises to do better by 2030 but there is no evidence that they are on track to meet their target or numbers to back it up anywhere.
Shop the look:
Read: Battle of the Footwear: Vans vs Converse
#2. Keds
Basic Information: Keds is an American brand launched in 1916, best known for its mass-produced canvas top sneaker “the Champion”. They are most famous for their mid-80s to 90s collections for girls from elementary school age to adulthood, particularly after the movie Dirty Dancing came out with Jennifer Grey wearing Keds. They are particularly loved by women all over the world.
Price Range: $$
Origin and General Concept: Keds is considered a girly girl type of sneaker. Their slender silhouette and slim design enhance their delicate appearance. They became popular during the 90s as a budget shoe that was comfortable and silent. Yup, that was actually part of their marketing.
My Recommended Product: Keds Women’s Champion Canvas Sneaker in white. The downside of accumulating floral prints is that you also need a trusty sneaker that can function as your go-to basic and be easy to combine with anything in your wardrobe.
Celebrities Who are Fans: Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Sally Field, Susan Sarandon, Kate Middleton, Jennifer Aniston, Lana del Rey, and more.
Sponsored by the Brand/Collaborations: Taylor Swift, Mischa Barton, Demi Moore (among others).
Ethical Practices: Jumping on the wagon towards sustainability, Keds is trying to put into action two things: making styles from more ethical materials and making them so they last longer than the typical sneaker.
Shop the look:
Keds Women’s Champion Canvas Sneaker
Read:
Keds vs Converse: Who Will Come Out on Top?
Keds Dream Foam vs. Ortholite: What’s the Secret Behind Keds’ Most Comfortable Shoes?
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#3. Timberland
Basic Information: Timberland is an American manufacturer and retailer of outdoor wear (with a focus on footwear) that launched in 1952. They are most famous for their original yellow waterproof boots that withstood the elements in rugged fashion. They are most popular with outdoor enthusiasts and trade workers who require dependable gear.
Price Range: $$$
Origin and General Concept: Timberland’s heritage consists of hard work, innovation, and a deep love of nature. The brand is renowned for its high performance, style, and lifestyle associated with its products.
My Recommended Product: Timberland PRO Women’s 6″ Steel-Toe Water proof Insulated Work Shoe. A great boot for winter, even if you are not thinking of going for a hike. It looks great, it feels great, and I can vouch for its durability! With proper care, this boot will last you a lifetime! Totally worth the investment.
Celebrities Who are Fans: Kanye West, Drake, Pharrell Williams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Cara Delevigne, Khloe Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Josephine Skriver, Julianne Moore, Gwen Stefani, Dakota Johnson, and more.
Ethical Practices: They are deeply committed to being a positive force of change and making our world greener. They are actively working to make their products better and with less impact on the environment. A great example of this is their reduced packaging made of recycled sources.
Shop the look:
Timberland PRO Women’s 6″ Steel-Toe Water
Read: Timberland 6-inch Basic vs. Premium (Only One Can Win)
#4. Allen Edmonds
Basic Information: Allen Edmonds is an American upscale shoe manufacturer and retailer that was first established in 1922. They are most famous for providing shoes to the US Army during World War II. They are a very expensive brand that focuses on making shoes that last a long time and that users will repair rather than replace.
Price Range: $$$$
Origin and General Concept: Allen Edmonds is among a small minority of brands that produce their shoes (either completely or partly) domestically in the U.S. They value their craftsmanship above all else and have several hand-sewn models. Historically, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush all wore Allen’s to their Inauguration Day so they are usually present in movies and series that depict the United States presidents’.
My Recommended Product: Allen Edmonds Men’s Canal Court Sneaker. A 100% leather high-top shoe that will last you a lifetime. A bit pricey, but keep in mind that the brand offers services to repair and renew their shoes for a small fee, making it worth it in the long run.
Celebrities Who are Fans: Liev Schreiber, the Ocean’s 11 cast, LeBron James, and more.
Sponsored by the Brand/Collaborations: Armando Cabral, Club Monaco (among others).
Ethical Practices: Despite not publishing enough information, the company’s policy to support the renewal of old pairs of shoes instead of their replacement is a good start.
Shop the look:
Allen Edmonds Men’s Canal Court Sneaker
#5. Uggs
Basic Information: Formerly UGG Australia, is an American footwear company that sells footwear, accessories, and apparel since 1978. Their most famous model is their “classic” sheepskin boot designed in the style of Australian ugg boots. They are renowned as one of the most comfortable boots you can wear and are worn by many as off-duty footwear to stay indoors or do quick car trips to the mall.
Price Range: $$$
Origin and General Concept: Ugg-branded sheepskins boots are a staple in many American television shows and they are recurrently photographed on set as the go-to shoe of stars and celebrities during filming. They are modelled after the Australian ugg traditional boot, but they were developed in California. They gained their following as one of the most comfortable and popular boots thanks to their Hollywood clientele.
My Recommended Product: UGG Women’s Ansley Slipper. There is nothing as cute as these colored slippers from Ugg. They also feel divine due to the soft natural furry interior!
Celebrities Who are Fans: Kate Upton, Blake Lively, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Jessica Parker, Alexa Chung, Leonardo de Caprio, Ronnie Wood, and more.
Ethical Practices: Since Ugg’s are made of organic materials, they take care to use ethically-sourced sheepskin, leathers, suede, wool, cotton, and hemp. They are committed to using these materials with care, monitoring animal welfare standards and their impact on the environment.
Shop the look:
Sports Brands that have similar shoes like Chucks
#6. Nike
Basic Information: Nike is an American multinational company responsible for footwear, apparel, sports equipment, and accessories. Their most famous products are undoubtedly sneakers, with several collectible lines, low tops, high tops, and performance-oriented shoes for varied sports. Nike is also famous for promoting its products through sponsorship agreements with athletes and professional teams.
My Recommended Product: Nike Women’s Shoes Air Force 1 ’07 Essential White. A low-top canvas lookalike with a retro aesthetic and all the high points of a Nike product. Loving the golden logo embroidery details!
Shop the look:
Nike Women’s Shoes Air Force 1 ’07 Essential White
You May Like: 5 Brands That are Surprisingly Similar to Nike
#7. Adidas
Basic Information: Nike is a German multinational corporation that designs and manufactures shoes. It is second only to Nike and it is globally famous for its spiked athletic footwear. Adidas is also widely recognized as a brand in football apparel and equipment, as well as being the one behind the FIFA’s balls for their World Cup tournaments.
My Recommended Product: Adidas Men’s Samba Classic Soccer Shoe. A low-top leather shoe that feels like a hybrid between a Converse and a football trainer. A great gift for any soccer fans in your life!
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#8. Reebok
Basic Information: Reebok is owned by the German giant Adidas. It focuses on running shoes and fitness apparel. It is famous for its sneakers, mainly the Reebok Freestyle during the 80s and its basketball shoes. The brand has partnered with CrossFit, Les Mills, UFC, and Victoria Beckham among others.
My Recommended Product: Reebok Men’s Bb4500 Hi 2 Sneaker. A high-top with a tall shaft and great ankle grip, perfect as an everyday shoe with a basketball-inspired look that is very easy to combine!
Shop the look:
Reebok Men’s Bb4500 Hi 2 Sneaker
Read: Reebok vs Nike: Which Should You Wear?
#9. Puma
Basic Information: The third-largest sportswear manufacturer in the world, founded in 1924 in Germany. Puma is most famous for its sponsorships of huge athletes like Diego Maradona, Neymar, Heinz Futterer, Usain Bolt, and more world record breakers. Puma has also endorsed models like Cara Delevigne, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Lima to appeal to women.
My Recommended Product: PUMA Women’s Cali Star Sneaker. These white and cobbler retro-looking sneakers look elegant and relaxed at the same time. Thanks to their color combination, you can pair them up to literally anything from joggers to linen slim-fit pants.
Get the look:
PUMA Women’s Cali Star Sneaker
Read: Adidas vs. Puma History
#10. Fila
Basic Information: Fila is a sportswear manufacturer of Italian origins that specializes in shoes and fashionable sportswear apparel. Fila is renowned the world over for its tennis and golf sneakers. Its particular style is famous for being elegant, minimalist, and in regards to footwear, on the chunky side.
My Recommended Product: Fila Youth Disruptor II Sneaker. If you are looking for an iconic design, this is the model for you! The Disruptor II is the reimagining of the classic with all of the perks of the ultimate technology in footwear. Aesthetically chunky and with retro lines, it is the perfect nostalgic addition to your wardrobe.
Get the look:
Fila Youth Disruptor II Sneaker
Read:
Brand Overview: FILA has Carved a Niche as a Real Cool Brand
15 of the Best FILA Sneakers for Women (You Won’t Ever Want To Slip Off)
Fila Outfit Ideas: What to Wear with Fila Sneakers
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