The short answer: buy Converse from converse.com when you want the full catalog or a custom pair, from Amazon for the widest third-party selection, and from Zappos or Nordstrom when free return shipping matters more than the lowest price. Whichever store you pick, order a half size below your usual sneaker size. The classic Chuck Taylor All-Star runs large, Converse’s own size guide says so, and that one detail sends back more pairs than color or model ever will.
This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Who Owns Converse, and Which Model Is Which
Converse is an American footwear brand founded in 1908 as the Converse Rubber Shoe Company in Malden, Massachusetts, and it has been a subsidiary of Nike, Inc. since 2003. Nike still operates it as a separate lifestyle brand rather than folding it into the Nike name. Its signature product, the Chuck Taylor All-Star, began in 1917 as one of the first shoes designed for basketball and stayed on courts, NBA included, for decades before it became one of the most recognized casual sneakers ever made.
Four models cover almost every purchase:
- Chuck Taylor All-Star (the classic chuck). The thin-soled original in canvas, sold as a high top or low top.
- Chuck 70. The heritage-spec rebuild with heavier canvas and real padding underfoot.
- One Star. A suede or leather low-top with a single star on each side, the throwback skate pick.
- Jack Purcell. Named for the Canadian badminton champion, with the “smile” line on the toe cap and a roomier fit.
Buy a pair if you want a flat, low-profile wardrobe staple that outlives a decade of trends, or if you lift and need a stable base. Skip them if you need cushioning or arch support for long days on your feet.
Chuck Taylor vs Chuck 70: The Spec Differences You Pay For
Five things decide whether a pair is worth its price: upper material, footbed, height, width, and whether it is standard stock or a limited collaboration. Everything else is color.
Upper material. Cotton canvas is the default: light, breathable, quick to crease. Leather and suede uppers handle wet weather better and break in slower. Canvas is the safe pick unless you are buying for winter.
Footbed and sole. The reason the classic model feels so flat is how it is built: it is a vulcanized shoe, meaning the natural rubber sole is bonded to the upper with heat, and the insole on top of that is thin. The Chuck 70 adds an OrthoLite footbed and a thicker outsole. That padding is the entire practical difference between a shoe you can stand in all day and one you cannot.
Toe cap, stripe, and hardware. On the Chuck 70 the rubber toe cap is larger, the midsole stripe reads off-white rather than bright white, and the lace eyelets are matte. What the listing photo will not tell you is which build you are looking at, so those three details are the fastest way to check before you pay the higher price.
Standard stock or collaboration. Regular colorways restock; limited drops do not. A Converse x Comme des Garcons PLAY release, or any designer partnership sold through boutiques and department stores, tends to sell out in its launch window and then trade above retail secondhand. Buy those during the drop, not on markdown.
| Model | Upper | Cushioning | Fit note | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chuck Taylor All-Star | Cotton canvas | Minimal, flat | Half size down | Everyday, lifting |
| Chuck 70 | Heavier canvas | OrthoLite footbed | Half size down | All-day comfort |
| One Star | Suede or leather | Lightly padded | Check model chart | Retro streetwear |
| Jack Purcell | Canvas or leather | Lightly padded | Check model chart | Wider feet |
How to Get the Size Right Before You Order
Converse’s size guide describes the Chuck Taylor as running large, and a half size down from your usual number is the correction the brand and most buyers land on. The part most listings leave out: the official chart puts men’s and women’s sizes on one scale with a flat two-size gap, so a men’s 8 is a women’s 10. Sizing guides report that the One Star and Jack Purcell do not always follow the same conversion, so pull up the chart for the exact model before you order.
- Start from your usual sneaker size. Use a pair you already own that fits well.
- Convert to the men’s scale. Subtract two from a women’s number.
- Drop a half size. This corrects the long last.
- Stay at full size for wide feet. Canvas stretches sideways with wear, never lengthwise.
- Order from a free-returns retailer if you cannot try them on. A wrong guess then costs nothing but time.
There is essentially no built-in arch support here. If you want structure under the arch, a supportive aftermarket insole is the fix, not a different size.
Where to Buy Converse Online
Four channels cover nearly every scenario: the brand site for the full catalog and customs, Amazon for breadth, Zappos or Nordstrom for the easiest returns, and eBay for retired colorways.
Converse.com and the By You customizer
The official site is the only place with the complete catalog plus Converse By You, the customizer where you pick a high top, low top, or platform shape and then choose the colors, prints, laces, and personalized heel text. Custom orders take longer to make and can carry different return and exchange terms than stock inventory, so read those before you design. Buying direct removes the authenticity question entirely. Check the official site for the current lineup.
Amazon
Amazon, the largest online retailer in the United States, carries the widest assortment, from plain white Converse low-tops to collaboration drops. Shipping speed depends on the seller, not the brand, so buy from listings sold and shipped by Amazon or the official brand storefront, since a brand filter alone does not confirm an authorized seller. Browse the selection on Amazon #ad to compare models and read verified buyer reviews.
Zappos and Nordstrom
These two are the low-risk choice when you are unsure about fit. Zappos pays return shipping anywhere in the US and gives you 60 days to send back unworn pairs in the original shoe box. Nordstrom also emails a free prepaid return label and says it sets no time limit on returns or exchanges, though the shipping you paid on the original order is not refunded.
eBay
eBay is the market for discontinued Converse colorways, vintage pairs, and used shoes in wearable condition. Its Authenticity Guarantee sends eligible shoe listings through inspection, but eligibility depends on the model and price and does not cover every item, so look for the badge. Prefer sellers who photograph the tongue label and outsole. Check current eBay listings for a retired design.
Stores That Stock Chucks in Person
Trying on a pair of Converse settles the sizing question in a minute, the strongest argument for buying in person. Shelf assortment is always narrower than a website, so check store inventory online before you drive.
Foot Locker, Journeys, and Champs Sports
These mall chains stock seasonal colorways and collaboration releases that discount retailers skip, and Journeys leans into the category harder than most. Browse the Champs Sports brand page or check the others for store-level availability. Foot Locker and Champs Sports now belong to Dick’s Sporting Goods, and the Champs store count is still shrinking in Dick’s 2026 filings, so confirm your nearest location is open.
Walmart, Kohl’s, and Target
Walmart, the largest brick-and-mortar retailer in the United States, stocks core models, so look yours up in their online catalog first and use the store-availability filter where it appears. Kohl’s carries a rotating selection weighted toward classic colorways. Target stocks the brand in select locations only, so treat it as a check-the-app stop rather than a sure thing.
DSW, Famous Footwear, and factory stores
DSW and Famous Footwear both keep standard Converse canvas models on the shelf. DSW’s rewards program is free to join, and it accepts online orders back in store, which avoids return shipping entirely. Converse also operates its own factory stores in outlet centers, the most reliable place to find last year’s colorways below full retail, though stock rotates, so call ahead.
Return Policies Compared
Because sizing is the main risk with Converse, the return policy is worth more than a small price gap. Here is what the three most return-friendly retailers say, checked October 2026.
| Retailer | Return window | Return shipping | Catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zappos | 60 days | Free in the US | Unworn, original box |
| Nordstrom | No set limit | Free prepaid label | Original shipping not refunded |
| DSW | Varies by status | Free if returned in store | Check your tier for mail returns |
One correction worth knowing: Zappos was long known for a 365-day return window, and plenty of older guides still say so. Its current policy page lists 60 days for a refund to your original payment method.
Three Buying Mistakes That Lead to a Return
Ordering your normal size. The half-size-large fit drives more returns than any other factor. Check the size chart on whichever retailer you use, then apply the men’s-base conversion above.
Paying heritage money for a classic Converse pair. The two look near-identical in thumbnails. Confirm the model name in the listing title, not the photo, and look for the bigger toe cap, off-white stripe, and heavier canvas.
Buying counterfeits on open marketplaces. Fakes are common wherever third-party sellers list freely. The tells: a price well under retail, stock photos only, a new seller account, sloppy stitching at the toe cap, and thin or off-center lettering on the tongue label or ankle patch. Buy from the brand, an authorized retailer, or a listing covered by marketplace authentication.
Five Pairs Worth Buying
These five Converse picks span cheapest to most comfortable, chosen on the spec differences above. Check the current price on each link, since it moves with colorway and season.
Best overall: Chuck Taylor All-Star Classic. The original canvas high top, in dozens of colorways. Check price on Amazon
Best upgrade: Chuck 70 High Top. Heavier canvas, thicker outsole, OrthoLite footbed. The comfort gain is the whole reason to pay more. Check price on Amazon
Best budget: Chuck Taylor All-Star Low Top. Same shoe, less material, usually the cheapest way into the line. See it on Amazon
Best for lifting: any classic pair of Chucks. The flat, barely compressible rubber sole gives a stable platform for squats and deadlifts, which is why the style turns up in powerlifting gyms. Check price on Amazon
Best throwback look: One Star. Suede or leather low-top with the single side star and a slightly padded footbed the canvas version lacks. See it on Amazon
If the flat sole is a dealbreaker, the usual cross-shops are the Adidas Samba and the Reebok Club C, both with more underfoot. PF Flyers, the rival American canvas basketball shoe of the same era, has been independently owned since New Balance sold it in 2021. Cross-shopping casual footwear more broadly? Our guides to buying shoes, Crocs, Jordans, and running shoes cover the rest of that decision.
Start with size: take your usual sneaker number, convert to the men’s scale if you wear women’s sizing, then drop a half size. Buy your first pair of Converse from the brand site, Zappos, or Nordstrom so a wrong guess ships back free. Once you know your number, shop wherever the price is lowest, including Amazon and the factory stores.
FAQ About Converse Sizing and Care
Do they fit true to size?
No. The classic Chuck runs large, and sizing down a half size is the standard correction. Wide or high-volume feet are the exception. The official chart uses a flat two-size gap, so subtract two from a women’s size to get the men’s number.
What is the difference between a Chuck Taylor and a Chuck 70?
The heritage version uses heavier canvas, a thicker vulcanized outsole, a larger rubber toe cap, an off-white midsole stripe, and an OrthoLite footbed. The standard model is lighter, thinner underfoot, and cheaper. Both share the same silhouette and ankle patch.
Is the brand owned by Nike?
Yes. Nike, Inc. bought Converse in 2003 and keeps it as a separate brand with its own stores, website, and product line. The shoes are still sold under the Converse name, not as a Nike sub-line.
Are these sneakers bad for your feet?
They give very little arch support and almost no cushioning, which makes the classic model a poor choice for standing or walking all day. That is a design characteristic, not a defect: the flat platform is what lifters want. An aftermarket insole helps.
Can canvas pairs go in the washing machine?
The brand does not recommend the washer or dryer, because agitation and heat can loosen the bond between the rubber and the canvas. Hand cleaning with mild soap, cool water, and a soft brush is the safer route. If you machine wash anyway, use cold water on a gentle cycle in a mesh bag and air dry. Never soak suede or leather.
Where is the cheapest place to buy a pair?
Factory stores and Walmart usually beat full-price retail on core Converse models, and eBay is cheapest for used or discontinued colorways. Seasonal sales at the official site, Famous Footwear, and DSW close much of that gap.
Editorial review: wheretobuyguides.com team. Retailer return policies last verified October 2026.