Have you ever wondered if there are any Converse alternatives available so you could switch up your everyday outfits a bit?
I know I have. Especially in high school. I used to religiously wear my trusty Chuck Taylors, but as I grew older, I honestly got fed up with them. Wow, I can’t believe I finally confessed to this!
Don’t get me wrong. All Stars are great. They are stylish, timeless, lightweight, and comfortable to walk in – a true whole package among trendy footwear!
However, it’s not a crime to want to try something different yet equally good. So, if you’re scouting for some of the most famous Converse alternatives today, here are our top 10 options. Hope you end up loving them as much as I do!
10 amazing Converse alternatives
1. Comme des Garçons PLAY
If you feel like our first one among Converse alternatives is irresistibly reminiscent of the Chuck Taylor we all know and love, well… that’s because it kind of is the Chuck Taylor we all know and love. Whoops!
It is actually a collaboration between two very famous brands: the already-mentioned Converse All-Star and Comme des Garçons, the Japanese luxury fashion label based in Paris.
These shoes come with the standard Converse features: the lightweight and breathable canvas upper, vulcanized and durable rubber soles for outstanding traction, classic lace-up design for a snug fit, and not-so-heavily padded footbeds for outmatched comfort.
These premium Converse characteristics are paired with a playful and eye-catching graphic design of a heart with eyes peeking right above the soles on the sides of the shoes. What can we say – a true fashionista always wears their heart on their feet!
These shoes come in various colors, but my personal favorite is the classic black. They also come in both high and low-top designs, with a price tag of roughly $340.
2. Dior B23 High Top Logo Oblique
For many people, the first association with Converse sneakers is a carefree, street, and skating lifestyle, a plain old plaid shirt, and baggy pants. However, there’s no reason we can’t change the narrative by sprinkling a bit of luxury on top.
And what better way to do it than by inviting Dior to the party?
These Dior B23 High Top sneakers feature black and white Dior oblique canvas alongside transparent paneling, white and beige rubber soles with the brand’s logo on the side, a rounded toe cap, a lace-up design, and a back pull tab.
They also come with a microfiber lining, a dust bag, and a welded side-sewn construction.
These sneakers are widely popular among celebs and fashion influencers who cannot risk being seen in something so plain as a standard pair of Chuck Taylors. So, if you do wish to stand out, we do suggest you go with these ones.
However, bear in mind that you will need to break the bank in order to purchase these since they average $1,200 a pair.
3. ZGR Canvas
The third place on our list of Converse alternatives was taken by a brand whose popularity has only been growing in the last few years. Yep, we’re talking about ZGR.
This brand assures many admirable features, such as comfort, lightweight, quality, breathability, and durability. But the most significant one among them is definitely affordability. ZGR Canvas shoes cost anywhere from $20 to $40, which is wild when compared to the pricing of Dior’s above.
These shoes are timeless and very easy to style. They fit true to size and come in many different colors and fun patterns, so there is something for everyone’s taste.
4. Veja Wata II
This sustainable French brand is another great option if you’re looking for trendy Converse alternatives. Especially this Wata II model. It comes in both high and low-top versions and can be found in a range of fun colors.
The upper is made from 100% organic and regenerative cotton. Their insoles are made out of 11% Amazonian rubber, 42% sugar cane, 11% recycled EVA foam, and 12% organic cotton. And their outsoles are a combination of Amazonian and recycled rubber.
Thanks to this brand’s love for the environment, these sneakers have rightfully gained worldwide popularity. And it doesn’t hurt that they’re extremely comfortable, durable, and lightweight. All that for around $150. Not bad, eh?
5. Etiko High Top
There’s a reason this relatively new and B-corp-certified Australian brand has been included on our list. It creates stylish and comfortable yet sustainable shoes for both men and women. But most importantly, their shoes resemble our favorite Chucks in many ways.
When observed from afar, Etiko and Converse look practically the same. They both have a similar logo on the sides of their sneakers and generally look a lot alike.
The upper is made out of Fairtrade (FLO) and GOTS-certified organic cotton canvas, and their soles of FSC-certified natural rubber latex. They also come with a built-in arch support which makes these shoes great for people with flat feet.
This brand uses non-animal-based glue and packages its shoes in recycled post-consumer waste cardboard.
These kicks come in many color options and cost $94. They are also available in the low-top version.
6. Ethletic Fair Trainer White Cap
Another great and sustainable Converse alternative on the menu! Ethletic is a brand that perfectly combines style with environmental awareness.
Their Fair Trainer model is made out of canvas twill organic cotton, which is grown by Fairtrade producers and certified and traded by Fairtrade standards. And the soles of these shoes are of natural FSC-certified rubber.
Ethletic has a completely traceable supply chain, which ensures the production is, above all, ethical and the sourcing of its fabrics responsible.
Fair Trainers come in various colors and can be found in Hi Cut (approximately $100) and Lo Cut (approximately $89) versions.
7. Cariuma OCA High Tops
Another worthy contender among Converse alternatives belongs to OCA High Tops by Cariuma. They are comfy, durable, and light – pretty much all you can ask for in sneakers.
The upper and lining are made out of cotton canvas and the outsoles of 100% slip-resistant rubber. Their insoles are bio-based (using mamona oil), come with cork inserts, and feature the brand logo.
Even the laces are comprised of recycled plastics and organic cotton, and they come with debossed metal aglets.
What I love about this brand is its policy of planting 2 trees for every pair of shoes sold. So yes, this is another sustainable and environment-loving brand.
These OCA High Tops come in 4 neutral colors and cost $98 a pair.
8. Nike Blazer Mid ’77 Vintage
We all know that Nike can basically do no wrong. So no wonder their Blazer Mid ’77 Vintage model made it on our list.
Unlike all the sneakers above, these are made out of leather and a synthetic upper. This feature preserves the classic Nike look while enhancing the comfort, support, and durability of these shoes. Their outsoles are made out of solid rubber and provide amazing traction on various surfaces.
The outsoles and midsoles are fused together by an autoclave construction, which gives them that streamlined ’70s look.
These kicks come in black and white, but white models can be found with the Nike swoosh in different colors, like black, safety orange, wolf gray, and others. They’re pretty reasonable at around $90.
9. Golden Goose Women’s Super-Star
There’s something about these sneakers that makes me love them and hate them at the same time. Is it the fact that they look dirty and worn? Or the fact that they look like a decent pair of white sneakers? Or maybe it has to do with their price tag (more on that later)? Who knows?
All that I know is that they take ninth place on our Converse alternatives list. These shoes are handmade in Italy and feature an iconic vintage finish.
The upper is made out of 100% cow leather and features a black leather heel tab, suede GGDB star, and metal lettering. Their lining is 60% cow leather and 40% cotton, and their soles are 100% rubber.
These shoes are very comfortable, breathable, and durable. But, they also cost a pretty penny. You can buy a pair for a whopping $595.
10. Nothing New High Top
And lastly, we have Classic High Tops by Nothing New. This is yet another sustainable brand, which is something that makes me extremely happy.
The upper is crafted out of 100% sustainable materials such as recycled plastic bottles and fishing nets, and their outsoles of durable natural rubber and cork. These shoes come with OrthoLite EcoStep insoles to ensure maximum comfort and support.
These shoes are extremely lightweight on the feet and very breathable, too. They come in 6 solid colors, and 4 contrast colors, and cost around $108 a pair.
