Which brand has the best barefoot Chuck Taylors?
A running list and ranking of all the barefoot Chucks I know
Here’s the whole list from best to worst executed:
- Aintap Converse Style Wide Barefoot Shoes (lo)
- Waldviertler Wirbelwind and Rückenwind (both)
- Bohempia Orik 2.0 (both)
- Vega Urban (both)
- Groundies True Star (both)
- Peerko Origin (lo)
- Zaqq Chuqqs (both)
I have a Preferred Details checklist for assessing barefoot versions of Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars:
- Do they have a canvas upper?
- Do they have contrast stitching?
- Do they have a foxing stripe?
- For high-tops, is there a curved silhouette formed by a heel counter and narrow shaft?
All-Stars have other iconic details that I consider nice-to-haves for barefoot versions:
- Heel shaft logo patch
- Midsole stripe
- Midsole logo patch
- Knurled toe bumper
- Eyelet-clad ventilation holes
Aintap Converse Style Wide Barefoot Shoes
Like the Waldviertler Wirbelwind below, these look high quality so I’m all for them, leather aside. They’re offered in nubuck, whose texture is more canvas-like than smooth leather.
Their construction is interesting. The “foxing” stripe is just for aesthetics. Foxing consists of elements that connect the sole to the upper. The bottom of the upper is nailed to the footbed and the outsole is stitched on, so the stripe you see technically isn’t foxing.
The textural and color difference between the upper and the outsole adds interest in this area like the midsole stripe on Chucks.
They’re not the closest to Converse on this list, but they have their own thing going on and that thing is very well executed.
Waldviertler Wirbelwind and Rückenwind
Though the only thing going for the Wirbelwind (“Whirlwind” in English) is the silhouette according to my barefoot Chuck checklist, these look so well-crafted that I think they’re the best of the high-tops. The Rückenwind (Tailwind) is the low-top version.
Waldviertler also makes great-looking leather shoes and boots.
Bohempia Orik 2.0
Despite all the great details about the Orik 2.0— the foxing stripe, a knurled toe bumper, midsole patch, ventilation holes, and hemp canvas upper— they fall to this spot on the list because of the lack of contrast stitching.
Pound for pound, contrast stitching adds the most visual interest in Chuck-style sneakers in my opinion. Do you remember the Chuck IIs? Of course you don’t.
Vega Urban
The Vega Urban is canvas and has contrast stitching, which is enough for a low-top to be fairly passable as a Chuck Taylor. They also offer a high-top version, but I’m not rating that one because it has a zipper. Zippers are functionally great but don’t do the style any favors.
Groundies True Star
The Groundies True Star is discontinued, but I’m putting it on the list for archival purposes. They have contrast stitching and a heel counter to give the high-top that silhouette. Bonus points because if you squint you could confuse them for Rick Owens Ramones because of their lack of a foxing stripe. Is that a reach? Let me know.
Peerko Origin
Like the Vega Urban, the Peerko Origin is canvas and has contrast stitching, which does the job. Notice how the toe cap is a bit short. It helps the shoe’s proportions a bit as barefoot Chucks have to put a toe cap on a big toe box.
Zaqq Chuqqs
The Zaqq Chuqqs are last on my ranking. The only thing they have going for them is the contrast stitching. It’s got a logo patch on the outside like P.F. Flyers Center Hi, so I’ll give some bonus points for that. You can see the lack of silhouette in the picture. The back of the shoe is just straight up and down, giving them an amorphous look.
They come in a contrast stitching-less low-top version.
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I hope this list is exhaustive and helpful. Let me know if I missed any and share your thoughts on the order below!