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Chuck 70 Vintage Canvas Low-Top Sneaker Review

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

Converse Chuck 70 Vintage Canvas

Pros

Cons

You’d be hard-pressed to find a shoe more universally appreciated than the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star, a.k.a. Chucks. They’re found on the feet of punks, skaters, streetwear nerds, ’90s revivalists, powerlifters, Doctor Who cosplayers, dressed-down goths, and your uncle who skated in his younger days but now mostly wears his heritage menswear to the farmer’s market.

But one thing at least your uncle probably knows about the Classic All Stars: The flat-soled shoes are not all that comfortable or supportive for all-day wear, and the canvas and/or soles tend to fall apart way sooner than you’d hope. That’s where the Chuck 70s offer a solution: Their throwback design features modern comforts like arch support and more durable materials for a slightly higher price of $80.

What Are the Chuck 70s?

The Chuck 70 features more stitching and a sturdier construction compared to the original Chuck Taylor All Star. It also has a slightly higher outsole and longer rubber toe cap.

The 70s are an upgraded version of the Classic Chuck Taylors, made with higher quality components and better internal comfort and support. Outwardly, the 70s look fairly similar to the Classics, with both made of canvas and rubber. It’s only when you get them next to each other that you’ll notice the small differences, like the 70s’ off-white toe cap and walls to the originals pristine white, as well as the 70s’ more robust stitching and taller sides. But the real difference is on the inside, where the Chuck 70s have a comfortable, supportive, and removable insole as opposed to the original’s near-complete lack thereof.

The Chuck 70s are available in unisex sizing, fitting a boy’s size 3 through men’s 16 or a women’s size 5 through 18. They come in a handful of standard colors with limited edition styles released every season. The low-top and high-top versions cost $80 and $85, respectively, compared to the Classics at $55 and $60.

What I like about Chuck 70s

They’re really comfortable

The Chuck 70s seem squarely aimed at an aging population that grew up wearing All Stars, but are now, well, older and their knees pop when they get off the couch. At least, that’s me—I’m that aging population. In my 20s, I could spend 12 hours walking across a pebbled European city in my Classic Chucks and be totally fine. If I try that now, my right hip starts to ache after an hour and I’ll soon be a hobbling, swearing mess. The Chuck 70s completely overhaul the comfort of the originals, to the point where I’d say they’re one of the most comfortable pairs of sneakers I own. The magic comes from a half-inch thick OrthoLite insole that’s tapered to give more support at the heel and more responsiveness at the toe. The 70s are absolutely all-day wearers, no matter where the day takes you.

They fit securely (when you get the right size)

The Chuck 70s also wrap much more securely around your foot, as the canvas is thicker and stiffer than the originals. It’s like putting on a freshly washed pair of jeans compared ones you’ve been wearing for a week straight—suddenly, everything feels more firmly held in place than before.

I’m a men’s size 13 in most sneakers—it’s where you’ll find me with Onitsuka Tigers, Nike Cortez, or Adidas NMDs. For both the Chuck Taylor 70s and the All Stars, I wear a men’s size 12. It’s know that Chucks in general run large—Converse recommends to size down by a half-size, but there don’t tend to be half-sizes when your feet are as large as mine, so 12 it is. Therefore, it’s not completely a surprise that my Chuck 70s fit snugger than most sneakers I wear, such as the aforementioned Tigers, Cortez, or NMDs, all of which I can slide on and off without unlacing like the uncultured monster I am. I definitely can’t do that in the Chuck 70s. The snugness is also magnified by the thickness of the insoles, as they push your foot up into the upper more closely. Still, the overall effect is one of greater security, which I appreciate.

They’re always in style

It’s impossible to talk about Chuck Taylors without mentioning the iconic style they embody—the Ramones rocked All Stars for a reason. The Chuck 70s immediately scream “Chuck Taylor” from the moment you see them, which I’d argue was a wise design choice. They come in both low-top and high-top, too. You can choose among a few colors, but I suggest grabbing a pair of them in black, and you’re good to go. They’re true classics, and look fantastic with almost any casual look.

They’re size-inclusive

Chucks are offered in a seriously extensive size range. While the 70s don’t quite live up to the full gamut of the original All Stars, which have multiple widths as well as an astonishing variety of lengths, the 70s have unisex sizing that fit boy’s size 3 through men’s 16 or women’s sizes 5 through 18.

What I don’t like about Chuck 70s

The “vintage” styling may not be your bag

My complaints leveled against the Chuck 70s are few and mostly matters of taste. The walls and toe of the shoes follow the design of Classic Chuck Taylor’s, but the 70s’ rubber has a slightly shiny cream hue compared to the original’s matte bright white. The color is labeled “egret,” but most people would call it off-white—to me, it just looks off, especially if you’re rocking a pair in white canvas where the contrast is more striking and the rubber looks dingy. (Hence why I recommend opting for black, where the color contrast is clearly intentional.)

The standard color options are limited

The 70s typically come in a handful shades including black, white, and natural (an unbleached canvas), as well as a seasonal limited edition colors and patterns. Conversely, the Classic Chucks come in a full dozen colors all of the time, as well as a slew of limited editions, so you can always find a look you vibe with. Converse offers a $100 option to design your own Chuck 70 low-tops or $105 for high-tops from a color and pattern palette of about 20 options, so if you want a more custom pair, you can get it for a premium.

Finding your right fit could be an issue

As already discussed, Chucks’ sizing runs a half to a full size large. Having to size down in length, combined with the stiffer uppers on the 70s, can lead to the shoes feeling restrictive if you’re not used to them. This also causes them to be tricker to slide your feet into. Additionally, the limited edition 70s don’t come in the largest sizes, so anyone over a men’s size 13 or women’s 15 will have to go the pricier custom route to get anything other than the standard colors.

Are Chuck 70s worth it?

The Chuck 70 offers a structural upgrade to a timeless, versatile piece of footwear.

Yes, if you love Chucks but crave comfort

Chuck 70s are everything you love about the style and legacy of the original All Stars, but improved. They’re more comfortable, more supportive, and made of better quality materials. Although they’re limited in colors, they look great, and at $80, they’re reasonably priced for a casual kick that you’ll likely wear all the time. If you want to take your favorite old pair of shoes and get something that won’t do your knees and arches in, you won’t be disappointed with the Chuck 70s.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

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Converse Chuck 70 vs. Converse All Star: Everything You Need To Know

Don’t take my word for it – listen to the experts – in the words of Converse themselves, the revamped Chuck 70 is “The best ever, with tougher canvas and an extra layer of comfort.” I’m not one to disagree with a company’s stance on their own products – obviously, they know best – but that will not stop me from figuring out how and why they’re making this claim.

Starting with the history of the company, the original Non-Skid shoe, the now-infamous involvement of one Mr. Charles “Chuck” Taylor, and last but not least, the entire reason for this article and why you are still reading, the difference between the Chuck Taylor 70 and the All Star.

The Beginning

In order to fully appreciate the differences between the Chuck Taylor 70 and the All Star, a little history is needed. In 1908 in Malden, Massachusetts, Marquis Mills Converse founded The Converse Rubber Shoe Company, focused on making and manufacturing rubber galoshes and other waterproof wear 50 years earlier, Charles Goodyear had received his patent to vulcanize rubber.

This new technology, paired with the formations of professional sports teams all over the country, created both the resources and demand needed to manufacture a new kind of sports shoe. In 1917 Converse wanted to venture into the world of basketball and so they set out to create the company’s first performance athletic shoe.

Thus, the Non-Skids were born. Named for its grippy sole, this shoe featured a “two-piece quarter instead of the single-piece back, which permits shaping the back seam, thus obtaining a perfect fit around the ankles” and “exclusive foot-form last, which gives ample toe room, a snug fit over the instep, and proper support.” The shoe came in leather and canvas variants, mostly in shades of brown.

Four years later, American semi-professional basketball player Charles “Chuck” Taylor joined the company as a salesman. During his first year at the company, Taylor introduced improvements to the shoe’s design, enhancing both flexibility and ankle support.

More importantly, Taylor understood the value of good marketing and branding, opting to incorporate an All Star logo on a circular patch above the ankle. In 1922, Taylor’s signature was added to the ankle patch, officially creating the Chuck Taylor All Stars, technically the first athlete-endorsed signature sneaker. They even became the official shoe of the Olympics from 1936 to 1968.

1. Converse All Star

They’re versatile, classic and entirely yours to wear any way you want, anywhere you want, anytime you want. Available in a range of colors and sizes, these kicks are the ultimate casual shoe.

By the 60s, Converse controlled a vast majority of the basketball footwear market, with almost 90% of professional and collegiate basketball players wearing All Stars, but unfortunately, in the 70s the company began to struggle financially, due to increased competition and outdated technology. Athletes switched to shoes with leather uppers and harder rubber soles for increased support with Adidas and Nike taking over the market. Converse fell out of favor with the sports set but became a symbol of anti-establishment within the music industry.

In the 90s the All Star was a favorite among artists and musicians. By the shoe’s 80th anniversary, Converse had sold more than 600 million pairs and in 2003, Nike purchased Converse for an estimated $305 million.

In the fashion space, the All Star flourished, earning consistent street-cred with multiple collaborations, including, but not limited to, JW Anderson, Maison Margiela, and with Rei Kawakubo’s Comme des Garcons PLAY line. Perhaps one of the more recent and popular colaborations with the most lucrative resale value is when Virgil Ablosh included the Chuck Taylor in “The Ten” sneaker collection with Nike (of which I own and love dearly. I can’t prove it, but I’m wearing them as I type this).

Differences Between the Chuck 70 and All Star

So, what are the differences between the All Star and the Chuck 70? To put it simply, the Chuck 70 has:

Thicker canvas
Real leather patch
Smaller toecap
Thicker laces
Higher foxing
Glossier, tinted sole
Extra stitching on midfoot

The Chuck 70 is a little heavier for several reasons, the first being that the canvas is thicker and more structured. During their days on the basketball court, the sport’s aggressive lateral action caused shoes to blow out, but the 12 oz weave seen on the Chuck 70 allowed these shoes to take more of a beating.

When Converse made the shift to a lifestyle sneaker, the All Star used a lighter canvas. To further strengthen the toe, the All Star has an extra layer of canvas stitched inside and an additional plastic heel cap built-in for stability. The thick canvas on the Chuck 70 means it has no need for additional structures, allowing for a more dynamic fit.

2. Converse Chuck 70

More cushioning, tougher canvas, same versatility. The Chuck 70 High Top is built off of the original 1970s design, with premium materials and an extraordinary attention to detail.

The next obvious difference comes courtesy of the Chuck 70’s midsole finish. A layer of varnish has been applied to the midsole and toe cap in order to give the rubber an off-white sheen that subtly screams quality. Not only is it shiny, but the siding of the Chuck 70 is a full 5 mm higher to provide extra stability (on and off the basketball court). The pinstripe around the foxing tape is a separate piece of piping seared onto the midsole, as opposed to an inset stripe. The term “foxing” refers to the way the sole extends up and onto the upper, providing more lateral stability.

On the Chuck 70, the leather heel patch is real and three-dimensional, unlike the screen-printed patch on the All Stars. Also, Converse has attached their OG license plate to the heel and the nickel-plated eyelets and thicker cotton laces keep the shoe looking modern while having a vintage feel. Contrast stitching around the tongue and a nylon-webbing heel strip provide the finishing touches on the Chuck 70.

These differences may or may not matter to you as you decide which new pair to add to your collection. If they don’t, then stick with the All Star. But if you need more support and comfort in your shoes, go with the re-imagined Chuck 70.

With these you’ll be able to skip down the street through puddles (as I know you like to do) as well as jump into your favorite neighborhood pick-up game (that’s ‘basketball’ in layman’s terms) or just be able to walk around the city all day in comfort with the extra cushy foam insole that features built-up arch support (which becomes increasingly more important as we continue to age, and well worth the $20-30 price difference in this writer’s humble opinion).

Чим відрізняється All Star від Chuck 70