First launched in 1917, the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star is easily one of the most influential sneakers ever created. Named after basketball all-star Chuck Taylor, the sneaker practically paved the way for today’s modern-day love affair with kicks. It’s been copied and ripped off so many times that it’s
hard to argue with it’s simple, plain-jane style—a style that’s remained largely unchanged since its creation almost 100 years ago. And even with the same look and feel, the sneaker has still managed to sell over one billion pairs. In fact, a pair of Chuck T’s are sold once every two seconds.
So when Converse (now owned by Nike) said they were going to be releasing a new version of the iconic footwear, it was a big deal. A BIG. FUCKING. DEAL. And today we’re witnessing that big fucking deal in the form of the all-new Chuck Taylor All Star II.
Made with Nike’s Lunar technology, the new Chuck Taylors offer a lot more cushioning than their predecessor. They also feature a soft, perforated suede micro-slip lining, a padded non-slip tongue, and a more premium canvas. All these adjustments add up to a stronger, more secure, and more comfortable overall fit without altering the sneaker’s iconic style. The result is less of a redesigned Chuck T than a revamped Chuck T. A revamped Chuck T you’ll have to wait to get your hands on, as the limited release has already sold out and the official release doesn’t take place until 7/28. The good news is that the price hasn’t really increased that much at all, with the high tops going for $75 and the low tops $70. That being said, it’ll certainly be interesting to see if any other pricier iterations and/or limited edition versions come out in the near future. Either way, the new Chuck Taylor II is sure to once again make this iconic sneaker one of the hottest kicks to get this summer.
