Animal lovers and those with green inclinations rejoice! Converse have continued to eschew leather in the latest edition of their Renew line.
Utilising undyed factory materials that were previously disused, both the Chuck 70 Hi and Chuck 70 Ox, of course, keep the same style that has popularized the brand over the past century but fundamentally are 100% leather-free.
Chuck Taylor All-Stars, named for the former basketball player and salesman, have been one of the most recognisable shoes on the street, but circumventing the typical manufacturing process with this latest line means that the Nike-owned brand are looking toward the future and doing just their little bit for the environment.
Sustainable shoewear is at the forefront of the Renew line. Launched in July 2019, Converse Renew are a series of one-of-a-kind Chuck Taylors produced using recycled PET from plastic bottles and recycled denim and off-cuts from the manufacturing stages. One pair of jeans makes at least one pair of shoes.
With the Hi and the Ox, both use a raw canvas upper with an unaltered “Egret” shade constructed from material that is 40% virgin cotton and 30% organic cotton.
Keeping with the onus on sustainability, the metal and rubber builds of the eyelets and toe cap have been substituted out for more stitched thread and canvas, and the midsoles have foregone foxing and stripes, but the heel badges, help highlight the fact that each are certifiably part of the Renew line.
Accented with authentic All Star branding, the brown rubber outsoles are recycled as well, with a speckled pattern provided by reused materials. The Hi also arrives in moss, natural and black, whereas the Ox comes in wheat, natural, and black.
The brand states that the editions of their famous footwear are part of ‘an ongoing commitment to make our products in more innovative and sustainable ways. There's always a way to renew what we do.
‘Time to Chuck your Plastic': they’re both eco-friendly, and friendly to your feet.
Released this May, the Converse Renew Chuck 70 Hi and Ox are now available, with the Hi priced at a retail mark of around £80 / €95 EUR (approximately $103 USD), and the Ox £69/ €89 EUR (approximately $96 USD).
