Converse for hiking or how to get to your destination safe and sound

Are Converse good hiking shoes?

While Converse shoes are popular for their style, they may not be the best choice for hiking. Although they offer comfort and support, they lack the necessary features for rugged terrains. Hikers should consider specialized hiking shoes that provide better traction, durability, and protection.

Often you want to go somewhere away from the noise of the city, be alone with nature and take a couple of beautiful photos for your social networks or just as a keepsake. However, you should never forget about your health and safety because improper use of Converses can lead to serious consequences.

Are Converse good for hiking?

Quite a common question among novice travelers and hikers – can you hike in Converse? How convenient or risky is it to wear Converse shoes for hiking adventures? Is it worth changing your Converse sneakers to new ones, or can you buy special hiking shoe?

In this article, we will give you a few tips and help you to sort out these issues.

What are Converse shoes?

Converse shoes are one of the most recognizable shoe brands among young people. For the long existence of this brand and the presence of a huge number of different models of sneakers, people most often pay attention to Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star.

Converse started making an early basketball shoe in 1917 and redesigned it in 1922 when Chuck Taylor asked the company to create a better shoe for basketball players with more support and flexibility.

The almost unchanged “all stars” design from the 1920s is distinguished by its massive brown or thick rubber sole, with embossed pieces of rubber attached under the boot.

The toe cap, made from white rubber, stitched the upper part, making these shoe light and affordable and giving them an awesome aesthetic look.

Although Chuck Taylor All-Stars had vanished from the professional basketball scene by 1979, they continued to flourish in popular culture and fashion as casual footwear.

Relatively cheap, comfortable, and cozy-to-wear Converse sneakers have become indispensable affordable shoes for sports, walking short distances, and short hikes, even though Converse sneakers were originally designed for courts as basketball shoes.

As a big plus, Converse shoes are breathable. Canvas material allows your feet to breathe well.

A little later, we will talk about the importance of this factor

Wearing Converse sneakers instead of hiking boots

When it comes to long-term long-distance hiking, special hiking boot outperform Converse in many ways.

Firstly, it is mobility and convenience. As already mentioned, Converses are suitable for playing basketball, where the surface is smooth, and clean, without a layer of sand dust, dirt, and stones. Caught in the pouring rain, Converse sneakers will get wet, and your feet will be cold.

Moreover, after the rain for a while, you will slide on wet and damp grass and ground. Minimal ankle support and a canvas backdrop do not provide full support for the foot in the Converses and create additional physical stress on the legs during ascents.

The rubber sole, which is not adapted for long-term hiking, contributes to the risk of accidental falling from ledges, sprains, and dislocation of joints.

Can you wear Converse for hiking?

At the same time, having prepared well for adventures, you can minimize all of the above dangers and use Converses as a hiking boot. Here are some important tips for a comfortable trip:

1) Plan your way and the time of the hike

Look at the weather forecast, and find out the probability of rain and humidity outside. Try to get home before dark, while all the pebbles and branches are visible.

2) Analyze the area

Use the maps to be ready to walk through wooded or mountainous uneven terrain, or walk where you have already been and know all the paths. Find the shortest and safest way to your destination.

3) Prepare a small inventory

Take an awning or tent with you to wait out sometime in case of sudden rains for additional security.

4) Upgrade your sneakers

Use extra insoles for the sole so as not to puncture the foot, use an orthopedic insole, and take an extra pair of socks if some get wet.

You can also use special water-repellent sprays. Most sprays for shoes and boots are permanently water-repellent, similar to clothing.

5) Hiking poles

Hiking poles will help you to distribute the load correctly, even on simple routes.

The main advantage is an even distribution of the load on the shoulder muscles and a reduction in the load on the leg muscles.

Before going hiking in Converse shoe

Another important problem is that for better stability and contact with the surface, you need to try to tie your shoelaces well and firmly.

However, by doing so, you risk causing circulatory problems and slight discomfort in the area of the feet, which leads to the formation of blisters from pressure, friction, and sweat.

Therefore, it will take a little time to find the perfect balance between loose and tight sneakers. Indeed, you should not neglect this advice, since a long-distance hike is very different from ordinary walks.

What can be used for hiking in Converse?

In fact, there are some high-top Converse models that are slightly modified for hiking over longer distances.

For example, some Converse Chuck All Stars have a raised serrated and thick sole that will not slip on wet surfaces. In comparison with special hiking boots, Converse Chuck All Stars still lose for some reason, but they are still convenient for hiking.

It is worth noting that their inexpensive price also makes them more attractive in choosing hiking boots. For about $ 100-150, you can get high-quality and beautiful shoes that can be worn for a single year.

Another advantage of wearing Converse is that the material from which the shoes are made allows air to pass freely. So, the leg breathes and does not sweat for a long period.

Is it possible to use Converses for winter hiking?

Let’s answer the question of why Converse All Stars should be left at home for winter hikes.

A thin layer of material

Subzero temperatures can play a bad joke on you. Converse sneakers are made of high-quality, but thin material.

Literally, in a few minutes, you will feel cold in your feet, even if you put on warm socks

Icy surface

Before that, we have already talked about the fact that it is dangerous hiking in Converse in rainy weather. And when it comes to ice, then your Converse is more likely to play the role of skates than comfortable hiking shoes.

Cold water

We also mentioned the rains and their bad effect on Converse. Once you step into cold water or melted snow, your desire to continue winter hiking in Converse will disappear for a long time.

If you can wait out the rain, then even water-repellent spray will not save you from cold water in your shoes

Snowfall

Again, a good comparison with the rain. The same problems, the same troubles, and the same consequences.

We have listed only the most basic disadvantages, but this is enough to make sure that it is irrational while hiking in Converse during winter.

We do not recommend winter hiking in Converse Chuck Taylors and other everyday shoe!

What can I wear instead of Converse?

When the situation with Converses has become clearer, we suggest you familiarize yourself with the possible replacement of these sneakers with more suitable hiking boots

Timberlands

If you are a fan of walking in branded shoes but realized that hiking in converse is not suitable for the implementation of your plans, then Timberlands will be a great alternative for you.

These hiking shoes have a comfortable sole and arch support with anti-slip relief In order to avoid flat feet

The material is durable, with the properties of polyurethane, so the sole practically does not wear out even after many seasons.

The tread pattern is created using computer modeling, which guarantees stability on slippery surfaces.

For lovers of aesthetics and beautiful photos, a small interesting fact: the yellow color of the shoes was explicitly chosen for loggers so that the shoes were noticeable, and the workers did not accidentally drop a log on their foot.

The brand name also confirms this hypothesis: “timber” and “land”, and the logo depicts an American oak.

Trekking and hiking shoes

If your main joy lies in the process itself, and you are not picky about the choice of certain popular brands, then you will have a wide selection of diverse hiking shoes in absolutely any climate, season, and surface conditions.

There are no special instructions for choosing, you can choose shoes according to all the parameters you need.

Such shoes specialize in hiking, trekking, and in some cases mountaineering, so you will not have any problems with the quality of the sole or the wetting of the sneaker.

Pros: Advantages of hiking in Converse shoes

Yes, despite all the criticism, we still want to remind you about the advantages of Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars sneakers. After all, these sneakers are really very high-quality shoes, just for other purposes and tasks.

Advantages

• Cute, comfortable, light, and affordable shoes
• Relatively cheap compared to competitors
• Well suited for dry weather and the warm season
• A great option for light walks and short hikes

Cons: Disadvantages of hiking in Converse shoes

And now let’s recall all the identified problems and nuances.

Disadvantages

• The ankle patch and canvas heel counter provide minimal ankle support
• Easy to get wet in rainy weather
• High risk of slipping and reduced stability on rocky trails
• In cold weather, feet freeze quickly
• Thick, but easily pierced sole

Frequently Asked Questions

After all of the above, we can briefly answer the most important questions:

Read more about hiking footwear