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From its humble beginnings as a rubber shoe company that specialized in galoshes in Massachusetts in the early 1900s, Converse has grown into one of the world’s most iconic sneaker brands with factories all over the world.
In a 2017 survey conducted by fashion site Polyvore, the Nike-owned footwear company emerged as the most-searched-for sneakers online in all 50 states in America.
Kaia Gerber teams her black Converse All Star high tops with an orange blazer, jeans, and baseball cap while out in New York City on September 5, 2019 (Credit: WENN / Instar)
Converse is best known for its Chuck Taylor All-Stars silhouette, which was initially designed as a basketball shoe in 1917.
Also referred to as “Chucks,” “Chuck Taylors,” “Cons,” and All “Stars,” the classic canvas sneaker remains one of the most popular, iconic, and best-selling sneakers of all time.
Millie Bobby Brown wears her white Converse All Star sneakers to the 24th SAG Awards in Los Angeles on January 21, 2018 (Credit: WENN / Adriana M. Barraza)
Chuck Taylors’ versatility appeals to consumers from all walks of life, from everyman to A-list stars and fashion icons all over the world.
It pairs with just about everything in your closet, be it with casual or classy outfits.
Katie Holmes goes shopping in Converse All Star sneakers on April 27, 2017 (Credit: WENN / TNYF)
Unfortunately, along with popularity comes imitation and counterfeit goods. And with the high demand and popularity of Converse All Star, it has become a frequent target of counterfeiting.
Where to buy Converse shoes
While some shoes are easily recognizable as fake, some skilled counterfeiters make convincing knockoffs.
The best way to avoid falling prey to counterfeiters is to shop from authorized and reputable retailers. Aside from the Converse official website, you can also make your purchases at Zappos, Amazon, Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Urban Outfitters.
The Chuck Taylor All Star is Converse’s most iconic and timeless silhouette (Credit: Chanonnat Srisura / Shutterstock)
Before throwing your hard-earned money on a new pair of Converse All Star sneakers, do some research on how to spot fake Converse All Star shoes.
Below are easy ways to tell if your Chucks are the real deal:
1. Check the retailer
The first thing to avoid getting scammed is to check the store you’re buying from. Converse has added a store locator tool to its official website to allow customers to find authorized Converse retailers near the area.
If you prefer to shop online, you might want to read the feedback and reviews of the online seller first.
Also, examine the photos they use as scammers tend to steal or edit a photo to make their product look authentic. Better yet, buy from trusted and established online retailers like Zappos, Amazon, and Nordstrom.
You can also buy Converse shoes on eBay, but make sure to read our eBay shopping guide before purchasing to ensure you’re not buying a fake product.
2. Always compare prices
The original Converse Chuck Taylors are typically sold for $50 for low tops and $55 for high tops. Anything cheaper than that should set off the alarm bell unless it is stated that they are running a promo or the shoes are discounted.
Converse stores and authorized retailers usually offer the best marked-down prices and clearance sales, which can usually go up to 75% off the original price tag. You can find also find discounted Converse shoes on sale at Nordstrom Rack.
3. Check the packaging
All fresh, original Converse All Star shoes come in a properly labeled Converse box. It’s a black box with brown stripes around the bottom. Prints of the company’s wordmark logo should be seen on the top, front, and right sides of the lid.
Black Chuck Taylor All Star low-top sneaker with a retail box featuring the Converse logo (Credit: Mas Yudhi / Shutterstock)
The side of the box should also display information about the shoes, including size, style, and color, as well as a barcode and a QR (Quick Response) code. There should also be a print of the All Star shoe sole on the bottom part of the box.
The package also has tissue wrapping and, at times, stuffing paper inside the shoes.
4. Examine the logo patch
High-top Chucks have a round logo patch on the inner ankle of the shoe. If you find a shoe that has the logo on the outside, it is clearly a fake. It was placed on the inside as it was initially designed to protect the athlete’s ankle.
Authentic Converse All Star patch with a navy blue star
The logo patch is a white, round screen-printed rubber patch that has the label “CONVERSE ALL STAR” in red uppercase letters and “Chuck Taylor” signature in navy blue script with a five-pointed star in between.
“CONVERSE ALL STAR” in red uppercase letters and “Chuck Taylor” signature in navy blue script with a five-pointed star
Note that this red, white and blue badge is not used on monochromatic versions of Chucks. Instead, monochrome pairs feature the logo in 3D and the same color as the canvas upper.
Black Chucks with 3D logo patch
On low-top All Star sneakers, the Converse All Star logo patch is placed on the tongue.
It is a thin, rectangular canvas fabric that is neatly sewn onto the tongue that says “CONVERSE” in white against a red background and “ALL STAR” in navy blue with the star logo separating the two words.
This particular color combination of the badge is only used on the white and natural ivory color versions of the low-top All Star.
Low top Converse All Star logo patch
The two-tone versions of the All Star sneakers feature the rectangular logo patch in black and white, while the monochromatic pairs have the logo in the same color as the shoes.
Red Low top Converse shoes with All Star logo patch
5. Check the heel
Every Converse Chuck Taylor sneaker has a rubber patch on the heel. This rectangular patch features the same branding as the fabric logo patch on the low-top All Stars.
It is labeled with a small “CONVERSE” lettering on top and “ALL STAR” with a trademark star logo in between on the bottom.
Converse Chuck Taylor sneaker with rubber patch on the heel
The font color also depends on the color of the shoes. The print should be straight, and the patch should be accurately molded to follow the curve of the midsole.
There should also be no excess glue showing along the edges of the rubber patch. Otherwise, they’re likely counterfeit.
Authentic rubber patch on the heel
For monochrome versions, the back logos come in a 3D design.
3D design Converse heel patch
6. Inspect the tongue
Whether low- or high-top, the tongue should have a small patch on the inside.
This patch contains information about where the shoe was manufactured, the model number, shoe size, the material of the shoe, QR code, and unique serial numbers for each shoe.
Also, notice the zigzagged stitching around the border of the tongue. If it’s loosely done or crooked, chances are, they’re fake.
Check that the tongue has a small patch on the inside
7. Check the toe caps and toe guards
Converse shoes’ distinctive white toe caps must be made of solid rubber material. It should also be positioned straight and parallel to the bottom laces.
Fake Chucks usually have bigger toe capsize than genuine All Star shoes. Monochromatic Chuck Taylors, on the other hand, have toe caps that are in the same color as the canvas.
The white toe caps are made of solid rubber material
The rubber toe guards must be in solid form. It should have diagonal lines at the top, a crisscrossed diamond pattern at the middle, and a smaller diamond pattern at the bottom.
This should be neatly trimmed and bonded to the shoe, with no excess glue anywhere.
Authentic white Converse toe caps
8. Check the soles
The inner soles of Converse All Star shoes should have the same color as the canvas lining.
The inner soles of white Converse All Star shoes
They should also have the “CONVERSE” wordmark printed in capital letters in navy blue color, except for the black monochrome model that features the insole inscription in white.
The inner soles of black Converse All Star shoes
Converse All Star sneakers boast a unique waffle-patterned sole. It looks like a combination of various patterns, including diamond shapes, diagonal lines, crisscrossed lines, and horizontal lines.
The unique waffle-patterned sole
Original Converse All Star sneakers also have a tiny part on the outsole that shows the Converse logo. You should see the “CONVERSE ALL STAR” lettering and five-pointed star insignia.
There should also be a small hexagonal star in the corner, which is usually missing in counterfeits.
Inspect the outsole that shows the Converse logo
9. Check the stitching and paint
Authentic Converse sneakers all have sturdy stitches on the upper. The stitching usually comes in white, except for the monochrome and ivory color versions that have tonal stitching.
Converse shoes with sturdy stitches on the upper
The paint on the rubber piping should also be straight and solid. Fake ones are usually faded and uneven.
Straight and solid paint on the rubber piping
10. Check the eyelets
If the eyelets, including the medial eyelets, are polished, they are definitely a knockoff. Authentic Converse All Stars have matte eyelets. They are also neatly aligned on the upper, and they don’t come off easily.
Converse eyelets should be neatly aligned
