What a person’s wearing can say a lot about them. A women dressed in slacks, a blazer and high heels can assert that she’s confident, busy and in charge. A man dressed in floral shorts, a tank top and Rainbow sandals can make him seem like one of the stereotypical Ventura beach boys. For most teens, factors to decide whether to put on Converse or Vans on the wayto school include comfort and style.
In a random survey of 61 Foothill students who were asked to choose between the shoes, 25 students choose Vans, 23 choose Converse and 13 declared a liking to both shoes.
Converse, also known as Chuck Taylors, were originally a basketball shoe, but made a transition to casual footwear when they gained popularity through the media. As leisure was on the rise and fashion trends loosened across America in the 1950’s, Chuck Taylors were seen on the feet of star James Dean in the film Rebel Without a Cause. Without a doubt it was this movie that surged Converse onto the feet of the American Youth.
Vans celebrate their 50 year anniversary in 2016, but didn’t gain their popularity until worn by skaters throughout California in the early 70’s. In a similar incident to how Converse gained recognition, Vans slip ons gained even more appeal when “worn by Sean Penn in the film Fast Times at Ridgemont High” in 1982.
Though Vans are a very similar shoe in that they are casual and support almost any outfit, they do have their own characteristics. Unlike Converse, Vans come in a larger variety of styles. Converse are commonly found with their classic or sometimes cliche, striped rubber band along the bottom. Every style of converse includes their logo in the same places along the tongue and heel of the shoe, whereas Vans’ can be found in high top, mid rise and slip ons.Vans come in solid colors but also various prints, patterns and textures.
When Foothill students were surveyed and asked to rank both shoes on a comfort scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being painful and 10 being “I could go on a long hike in them,” it was evident that students felt Vans were more comfortable. While most responses for Vans were higher, responses for Converse were more scattered. Vans won with an average ranking of 7.16 in the comfortability scale, and Converse trailed shortly behind with an average of 6.31.
These results likely spurred from the different widths and arches of the shoes. Multiple students responded to the survey stating something along the lines of “I have wide feet and Vans are wider than Converse.” However, some students, like junior Natasha Urban stated that she preferred converse for the reason that they made her feet look slimmer.
Nonetheless, Converse are notably much more difficult to put on due to the small width of the shoe and the narrowness of the fabric that allows your foot to slide in. For high top Converse, individuals will find themselves loosening the first several rows of lace before being able to secure theirfeet inside.
Freshman Ryan Aranda expressed that Converse are “always a pain when you take them on or off” and also how “Vans are more suitable for special occasions.”
Freshman Vanessa Luna said that she enjoyed Converse for their ever lasting style and vintage appearance. “Converse have been in style for more than 40 years. My parents have owned pairs, and now I own a couple pairs,” Luna said.
Some students expressed their love for the shoe of their choice with immense passion. Senior Cliff Danza shared how Vans provide him with an artistic space unlike any other shoe. “Personalizing your shoes to be tailored to your specific tastes and sensibilities is so easy, especially with the generously proportioned surface area the shoes have.”
Vans won with an average ranking of 7.16 in the comfortability scale, and Converse trailed shortly behind with an average of 6.31.
“Ultimately, Vans shoes are more than a creative canvas for ingenious minds, or even the superior choice for day-to-day foot-care, they are a way of life,” Danza concluded.
In a random survey of 61 Foothill students who were asked to choose between the shoes, 25 students choose Vans, 23 choose Converse and 13 declared a liking to both shoes.
Regardless of what shoe you choose, each offers unique styles that will suit most outfits. Both provide durability, comfort and are sure to be worn for generations to come.
Background Illustration Credit, Infographic Credit: Jenny Chang / The Foothill Dragon Press
FAQs
It's mainly because this shoe is super comfortable and easy to wear. You don't have to do wear tests with Converses, and you don't have to get them loosened up. You buy them, and you can start walking and training with them immediately.
How do Vans fit compared to Converse? ›
For example, Chuck Taylors run a full size larger than normal, whereas other Converse sneakers, such as Point Stars, run true-to-size. However, most importantly, it depends on whether you're wearing a 10 in men's or women's sizing, which wasn't specified in the original question. Vans run true-to-size.
Which one is more popular Converse or Vans? ›
Converse's brand is ranked #831 in the list of Global Top 1000 Brands, as rated by customers of Converse. Vans's brand is ranked #16 in the list of Global Top 100 Brands, as rated by customers of Vans. Their current valuation is $8.45B.
Are Converse flatter than Vans? ›
For example, Converse shoes tend to be narrower than Vans, making them a little challenging to wear for those with wider feet.
Is it OK to squat in Vans? ›
Are Vans Good for Squats? Yes, Vans can be good shoes for squats and lower body training. Their flatter construction, rubber outsoles, and non-compressible soles work well for squats and heavy leg training.
Is it OK to work out in Vans? ›
While Vans can be okay for some lifting exercises, they're generally not recommended for any workout that requires dynamic movement. So, if you plan on running, jumping, or skipping rope during your training session, then it's best to avoid the Vans and opt for a shoe that's designed for Crossfitters.
What size is 8.5 in Converse? ›
| Find Your Shoe Size | Chuck Taylor All Star / Chuck 70 | inches / cm |
|---|
| 8 | 7.5 | 25.3cm |
| 8.5 | 8 | 25.8cm |
| 9 | 8.5 | 26.2cm |
| 9.5 | 9 | 26.2cm |
19 more rowsVans & Converse are two good examples. Both are commonly worn by young people in Ireland, but both are famous for having flat soles and offering no arch support (though Converse did introduce a new line with arch support in 2016), which can be quite harmful, particularly to young people who are still growing.
Who is Vans biggest competitor? ›
Vans competitors include PUMA, Converse, Nike, Pacsun and Tilly's. Vans ranks 1st in Gender Score on Comparably vs its competitors. See below how Vans compares to its competitors with CEO Rankings, Product & Services, NPS, Pricing, Customer Services, Overall Culture Score, eNPS, Gender and Diversity Scores.
Why do people choose Converse? ›
If you're like most, you're into Chucks because they're comfortable and stylish. However, it's also worth noting what practical choices they are, as well. Because of their sheer versatility, they make a great shoe to travel with.
Their versatility eases stress for people who don't enjoy carrying a lot of clothes when they travel. You can just pack them, then mix and match them with different looks. In terms of wear and tear, most of us who own All Star sneakers will agree that they are one of the strongest shoes around.
Are Vans comfy for walking? ›
Yes. Vans shoes offer great support with a comfortable fit all day long. The ultimate combination of function and style, they are ideal for walking due to a sturdy rubber sole and flexible canvas construction.
What style of Vans are most popular? ›
What Is The Most Popular Style Of Vans? The Old Skool may be the most popular style of Vans. However, the classic slip-on is also very popular. It really depends on what type of activity you are doing, that will correspond with the right pair of Vans.
What style of Converse is the most comfortable? ›
What are the most comfortable Converse? The most comfortable Converse sneaker is the Converse Chuck Taylor 70 because it has better cushioning and improved arch support. If shock absorption is more important, consider their skater-focused Fastbreak Pro sneakers.
Are Vans good for standing all day? ›
Are Vans good for standing all day? Yes. Many Vans are good shoes for standing all day. Be sure to pick a comfortable pair that is engineered for extended use.
Why do people wear Vans? ›
A durable skate shoe, like the Vans Skate Old Skool, has a strong sole that can handle the street and the skateboard without splitting, while the upper parts of the shoe will need to deal with scrapes and scratches without tearing.
Why do weightlifters wear Converse? ›
Converse shoes are great for powerlifting because of their flat sole and high ankle support. The flat sole allows lifters to feel better connected to the floor, which increases balance and reduces the overall range of motion (during deadlifts).
What shoes do people wear to the gym? ›
Good Gym Shoes
- Converse.
- Vans.
- Nike Metcons*
- Reebok Nano (Crossfit) Shoes*
- New Balance Minimus*
- No Bull*
- Underarmour Tribase*
- INOV-8 Bare Shoes*
However, for strength training, one could do way worse than a pair of Forces. This is another case where some Air Force 1s might not be the optimal sneaker for the job given what other shoes are available for the gym. However, they will still provide adequate comfort and support for most gym activities.
Is it okay to squat in Converse? ›
So are squat shoes or converse shoes better for squatting? If you are a tall lifter, squat in a low bar position, or have poor ankle/hip mobility, you should use squat shoes. If you squat in a wide stance, use a low bar position, or have adequate ankle/hip mobility, you should use converse shoes.
Vans perform better than running shoes and cost less than specialized lifting shoes, so they're ideal for a casual lifter but not for a competitive powerlifter. Still, Vans aren't the best out there. They don't match Converse, for example, or specialized lifting shoes.
Can you wear Vans and Converse to the gym? ›
For gym days when you're lifting only, you could head to the gym in flat shoes like Converse or Vans. If you don't have flat sneakers and don't want to buy them, you could take your shoes off and wear socks only for some of your lifts.
Why do people wear nice shoes to the gym? ›
They keep your legs moving faster, longer, harder, and more comfortably, thanks to all that cushioning. You can even wear some of them with your favorite suit. They're great. But if you're mixing it up in the gym and hitting the squat rack, you'll want to invest in a new pair of shoes.
Are Vans okay for business casual? ›
Yes, Vans can be considered business casual in some cases.
Industries and companies where the normal attire is a business suit or dress would most likely not consider Vans business casual. However, certain industries, such as tech, fashion, and entertainment, might consider Vans to be business casual footwear.
