vans vs converse

Original illustration by Stephanie Kim, @someyellowchick, for she steps.

she steps looks at the two most popular monochrome trainer styles right now.

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Smooth rubber soles. Canvas upper. Signature branding on the back of the heel. Yes, we are talking about trainers, but what ones? Both Converse All Star and Vans Old Skool have these elements. These trainers have dominated for a few years now, and its time to find out why by putting them head to head.

she steps asked a sample of women what trainer style they preferred out of the two to commence the investigation. 48% of women said they prefer the Vans Old Skool. Close behind, 43% of women said they prefer the Converse All Star, which includes both the hi-top and low-top styles. 9% of women said they didn’t like either, reinforcing that while these styles both have immense popularity at the moment, they are not for everyone.

What do the bloggers and influencers have to say? Social media is a huge area for influence for what’s hot and what’s not, and both of these trainer styles are worn by some of the biggest bloggers on social media.

Fashion blogger Kose Usiade, said “I had low-top Converse and I didn’t like them.” Usiade laughed and added, “On bigger feet they look like boats. I’m a size 7 with long legs so I stay away from such things. I converted to Vans and never looked back” It seems that Converse have been available to purchase for a longer time than the Vans Old Skool style, so this particular pair of trainers offered something new and fresh to try. The original monochrome colour scheme is easy to incorporate into a wardrobe without being too daring. The style is also available in hi and low versions, just like the Converse All Star.

Fashion and beauty writer Ariana Marsh explained in a feature that Vans Old Skool are her most worn pair of trainers in 2018. She wrote, “they’ve proven to be the most versatile and comfy footwear I’ve ever owned.” Through the confessional of how the Old Skool’s became her go to, Marsh shares images of her Vans paired with different outfits on her travelling trip.

Lifestyle blogger Tasha Steel, founder of hello-freckles.com said, “Converse are my favourite. I've had so many pairs and they last so well. I still have a pair from when I was in the final year of secondary school (and that was getting on to ten years ago now) They're timeless and will go with everything, so I really like that versatility. Knowing I can wear my chucks with jeans and a hoody if I'm going out to run errands or visit the cinema, but they'll equally look cute and make a dress look more casual for day time. If I'm travelling somewhere I'll typically take my Converse because they pack away well and aren't too heavy. That said I do love Old Skool Vans, especially the pair I have which are khaki with leopard print detailing - they're a little different to the classic black ones that everyone seems to be wearing lately.”

In addition to social media influence, celebrity influence also plays a part in increasing popularity and thus driving sales. Vans Old Skool have been worn by mogul Kim Kardashian to actress Kristen Stewart. Converse All Star have been worn by singer Rihanna to first lady Michelle Obama.

Both social media and celebrity influences have facilitated growth for both trainer styles, but when did the frenzy really begin? Nav Gill, editor of Hypebae UK said, “both Vans Old Skools and Converse All Stars have, in one way or another, always been in style. The simple construction and timeless design of each of them has allowed them to be subtly updated and reworked through the years (in different colourways, fabrics, patterns, etc) and they've also always been the perfect canvas for collaboration.”

New takes on each style has allowed for a little change to classic styles, and a refresher for anyone with the pair of trainers in question.

In recent years, Converse has teamed up with different fashion brands to create new twists on the classic all star. Eccentric, eye-catching designs were created in the several collections with Italian brand Missoni. Featuring the brand’s iconic zig-zag pattern, the All Star was revived with knitted upper and even slip on styles. Converse’s collaboration with Comme Des Garçons is easily recognisable from CDG’s Play red heart. Emblazoned on the ankle or peeping from the rubber sole, this collaboration is a firm hit amongst the fashion world and sells out nearly every release. Most recently, Converse teamed up with Irish designer J.W.Anderson for a longstanding collaboration which has seen the designer create Suede, glitter and neutral coloured versions of the classic All Star.

Vans often partner with companies for fun collaborations. Vans has created limited edition styles featuring Star Wars and also cartoon series peanuts, with graphic prints on their trainer styles. Vans most recently collaborated with original American hop-hop collective A Tribe Called Quest.The collection reimagined the Old Skool trainers into a variation of styles including all black leather, cream with lyrics printed on the laces and album cover print upper Old Skools.

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The two trainer brands have been nominated for Sports Fashion Footwear Brand of the Year in the Drapers Footwear Awards 2018.

For a basic comparison, the trainers do have a lot of similarities. In terms of price, both styles retail for around £55. Materials used could give the upper hand to one style over the other.

Veganism is a way of life that is gaining more interest day by day. Veganism omits using any animal based products, especially in diet. The use of animal products also overlaps into fashion, and footwear. Portia King, Vans’ senior account manager at Canoe Inc. explained, “The Old Skool is made up of 56% leather and 44% canvas and so cannot be classed as vegan. Styles which use only canvas such as the ‘Authentic’ or ‘Slip-on’ are officially free of any animal by-products.” For those who loves Vans but are vegan, alternative styles such as those mentioned are a good in between.

she steps was unable to find out if Converse were vegan friendly, however American skater Kenny Anderson created a limited edition collection last year that was vegan friendly.

So what’s next for these trainers? Gill added, "With skateboarding set to enter the Olympic Games in 2020, I think it's entirely plausible that both these silhouettes and the sport will continue its mainstream popularity and it may even spread further to people who before may not have been interested in either brand."

Their popularity is no doubt on the same level as a pair of white Adidas Stan Smith trainers. It is likely that their popularity shall remain as both styles have huge accessibility, being sold through most major footwear retailers in the UK. Reinventions of each style could tip the scales and make one more popular than the other, but in the end it is strictly down to personal preference.

What’s your favourite? Comment below or tag us on Instagram @shesteps_social showing us what your favourite is in a picture.

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