Chuck Taylor All-Star is an icon in the world of rubber shoes. Whether high-tops or low-cuts, anyone is bound to have had one in his lifetime. This all-time favorite was introduced in 1917, and not much has been changed in its design or features since then.
The Chucks, as it is fondly called, used to be worn in the basketball courts, but eventually found its way to closets everywhere, and worn as casual sneakers, reports Wired.
In 2003, the brand was bought by Nike for a cool $ 305 million. And finally, we are getting our Chucks reinvented with Nike technology.
The trademark look of the Chucks has always been its pronounced toe cap, the circular ankle patch. Its newer and better version has lighter canvass, slicker and softer finish, with the patch embroidered, and not heat-welded. You will find an embossed logo on the license plate, not screen-printed. Here is your lesson for today: the license plate is located at the back portion of your Chucks. It is the area you touch when you are trying to kick off your shoes. The new version also has the same waffle-pattern sole, but the color is a lighter shade of brown, more like honey. The eyelets also have miniscule Converse insignia on it. With all these details, now it would be easier to spot a fake one.
But the best innovation is not one easily seen by the eyes; but it is felt by your feet. The Chucks have been redesigned to give ample arch support. It has padding and support inside.
While the news may earn some rejoicing for those who walk in their Chucks, some purists prefer the unadulterated version. To pacify both, the original Converse Chuck Taylor is available. The high-top costs $ 75 and the low-cut at $ 70. The redesigned version, now called Converse Chuck II, is also available at $ 20 more than the price of the original.
