Chuck Taylor All-Star vs. Chuck 70: Decoding the Differences

Chuck Taylor All-Star and the Chuck 70 range of shoes are the best in the lot that the brand has ever offered. But, as per Converse, the Chuck 70 is presented as an upgrade to the popular Chuck Taylor All-Star. Not just that, but it’s also stated that All-Star comes with tougher canvas and added layers of comfort.

But, some still have an unconditional attachment to the Chuck Taylor All-Star shoes, not just because of the style or design but also the long-known history of its journey from basketball courts to being embraced in street fashion. More than 100 million pairs of All-Stars sell every year, which indicates it is one of the most popular sneakers that the brand has ever listed.

So, why was it so important for the brand to give it an upgrade with Chuck 70? Well, it is probably an attempt to scale the brand value and give the audience a better option to count on. In the quest, the All-Stars aren’t being revoked, as that’s what helped the brand win its position in the footwear market in the first place.

But, with the ideology of giving more options to the audience, Converse has now overwhelmed them with this upgrade. People are now debating on whether to go with the Converse Chuck 70 or stick to the tried & tested Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star shoes. To help ease this confusion a bit, let’s try and understand the differences between the two, for you to better decide on what’s ideal for your style preference.

The ‘Aesthetic’ Differences!

When compared in terms of aesthetics, you can conclude that Chuck 70 comes with a thicker canvas, which offers more structure to the shoe. Apart from that, you also get a real leather patch, thicker laces, higher foxing, a smaller toecap, and additional stitching over the midfoot. All of these make the Chuck 70 a modern canvas of the era but still keep up the retro and vintage vibe of the All-Stars.

You can expect to attain better stability with the Chuck 70, as the sole in it extends up. You get a tinted and glossy toecap and sole for adding that vintage vibe. To ensure this upgrade by the brand doesn’t fail like the Chuck II, the old-fashioned name tags over the tongue and license-plate logos at the back of the heels of Chuck 70 shoes are maintained.

The ‘Canvas’ Differences

The popular Converse All-Star shoes come with cotton canvas and weigh under 12 ounces. All-Star shoes come with a lightweight and unstructured design, which is what the men’s Chuck 70 shoes are upgraded with. The weight of the canvas remains the same as 12 ounces, but the design is more substantial and structured.

Both the shoes are made with cotton canvas, but the thickness is what makes the difference. The upper portion of the All-Star shoes is light, just like a tote bag. You can assume that the Chuck Taylor All-Star shoes will be lighter than most pairs of jeans you purchase. Even though Chuck 70 is 12 ounces, the canvas is much thicker.

Just by giving a look at both the shoes together, you will realize that the All-Star shoes are quite floppy, while the Chuck 70s have a substantial shape to them.

The ‘Sole’ Differences!

The Chuck Taylor All-Star comes with 3 different pieces of vulcanized rubber, which is flatter and harder, ideal for lifting weights at the gym. On the other hand, Chuck 70 is offered with just a single piece of rubber and a glossed-out faux patina. The foxing of the Chuck 70s runs over the top of its canvas, offering you better support.

In terms of lateral stability, Chuck 70 offers better support and reduces the possibility of hole formation at toe breaks. But considering the durability, All-Star shoes have three layers of vulcanized rubber, whereas Chuck 70 has just one.

If you have been into powerlifting or weightlifting, you must be aware that Converse All-Star is probably the most famous sneaker for you to do deadlifts or squats with immense strength. It is mostly because the base of the All-Star shoes is truly stable and hard. Chuck 70 is much more cushiony, as it is meant to drive comfort upon being worn.

The reason behind this extra softness of the Chuck 70s is the use of Ortholite insoles. It is made up of open-cell polyurethane, which absorbs the shock and offers better arch support. If you have sore feet issues, Converse Chuck 70 might be the best pick for you. The construction of this classic shoe is worthy to be considered an upgrade to All-Star.

The ‘Price’ Differences

You can expect the Chuck 70s to be more expensive than the Chuck Taylor All-Stars. It is mostly because you will be getting a lot of add-ons with the upgraded version than the popular counterpart.

But, as All-Star is one of the most iconic sneakers in the world and is now priced less than the Chuck 70s, most sneaker fanatics might consider sticking to it. But people who want more comfort, the latest design, or an upgrade will consider paying a little extra for the Chuck 70s.

Conclusion

These were some of the noteworthy differences between Chuck Taylor All-Star and Chuck 70 shoes by the brand Converse. All-Star is lighter in weight, available in various colors, ideal for gym goers, and is highly popular, which has given this sneaker range a whopping demand for centuries.

But with the Chuck 70s now introduced, its features are worth considering! People now have variations to look up to and make this new range equally popular, like the iconic All-Star. Irrespective of what interests you, do check out the Converse store to stay updated with the latest designs or colors of your favorite Chucks shoes!