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Chuck Talk—Summer/Fall, 2025

 

Can Chucks Make a Comeback in the NBA?

 

The 2024-25 NBA Season is in the books, and the Oklahoma City Thunder are your new NBA champions! Led by 27-year-old star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers in an all-time seven-game Finals after completing a 68-win season. Shai won both regular season and Finals MVP, and he did it all while being the signature athlete for Converse. That’s right, the original basketball shoe brand is back in full force with SGA at the forefront. During the trophy presentation, Shai even carried a pair of gold SHAI 001s around the stage. This, coupled with other Converse athletes like Payton Prichard winning Sixth Man of the Year, means that the brand that once dominated the basketball world is on the rise once again. Although you could argue that the “Original Icon” never really left the Association.

 

Devin Booker has always worn chucks as a fashion statement.

 

Now we all know that chucks were the original basketball shoe. If you go back and watch any historical clips of the early NBA, you’ll see stars Bob Cousy and Bill Russell dribbling on the parquet floor of the old Boston Garden as they run up the score on part-time janitors. By the 1980s, every major star in the league wore Converse: Magic, Bird, Dr. J, and Isiah all wore Converse, although the chuck had given way to the more modern Converse Weapon. Then Air Jordan arrived and basketball shoes were never the same. Since then, Converse has been nearly non-existent on the court. They have, however, always been present in the vaunted pre-game arrival “fashion show”. In today's NBA, displaying your fashion sense before the game is a big part of the superstar lifestyle, and chucks have always been a fashion statement in these scenarios, especially for stars like Devin Booker who embrace their cultural status. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way, here’s hoping chucks can make a comeback on the hardwood, perhaps with a modern version that can handle today’s modern game.

 

 

Doraemon Converse Chuck Taylor All Star

 

Doraemon is a Japanese manga and anime series about a cat-type robot from the future. The series has continued to grow in popularity and now the creators have collaborated with Converse to issue a new limited-edition print design Chuck Taylor All Star high top. The entire canvas uppers of these sneakers feature a print of Doraemon with an array of playful expressions and secret gadgets. The Chuck Taylor high top is described as White/Hawaiian Gold/Flamingo. The cat itself is a light blue, and the print design features continuous small drawings of Doraemon in different poses. Other features include sockliners and a custom Doraemon license plate on the left shoe.

 

Inside patch view of a left Coraemon high top chuck.

 

There is also a Chuck 70 high top in the collection along with sweatshirts, a tee shirt, and a backpack. The Chuck 70 model is described as Habanero Gold/Flamingo which appears as a light orange to pink gradient upper with red square cross patterns made up of smaller red squares. In addition to the sockliner inserts, the design features a Doraemon license plate heel patch on the left shoe, no racing stripes, and a couple of large Doraemon images on the canvas uppers. The Chuck Taylor model retails for $80 and the Chuck 70 model is $100.

 

 

Naruto Running in Chucks Just Got A Whole Lot Easier

 

Naruto is a Japanese anime television series based on Masashi Kishimoto's manga of the same name. The series follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young orphan ninja who seeks fame and recognition while dreaming of becoming the Hokage, the leader of the Village Hidden in the Leaves. The anime is divided into two separate parts (in a similar way to the manga), with the first series being called Naruto and set in the world of ninjas. The second sequel series, is titled Naruto: Shippuden, and takes place during Usumaki’s teens. The anime has been a millennial pop culture staple for over twenty years, crossing over from Japan into the US and staying in the forefront of nerdom ever since. The “Naruto Run” has been a viral meme staple for nearly all that time, and now Naruto running will be easier than ever with the latest Converse X NARUTO SHIPPUDEN dropping recently.

 

Outside view of a left Naruto high top.

 

This collection celebrates everything fans love from the anime, in styles for all ages. The Converse By You x NARUTO Chuck Taylor All Star allows you to choose from eight shinobi legends for design inspiration: Rock Lee, Gaara, Itachi, Minato, Naruto, Kakashi, Sakura, and Sasuke. You can customize everything-from stealthy graphics, village forehead protectors, specialty patches, trims, and more. There are several colorful cloud prints and Naruto-themed graphics that fit the different characters, whose name you can also add to the midsole. There are also hidden prints at the sockliner and inner-tongue for some cool details. All these design options give everyone the ability to really make these chucks personal to your fandom. This collection also includes little kids shoes and a lot of apparel. Several items have already sold out, so you may wanna throw those arms to the side and get running.

 

 

Introducing Chucks To The Next Generation

 

Getting a new pair of chucks for the first time is an important step in a kid’s life. In the case of the most popular model, the black high top, with its distinctive white stitching and outer foxing, black racing stripes, and iconic ankle patch, this is something that has been going on for for over 75 years. Lacing up and wearing that first pair is something that will always be remembered, and hopefully there will some pictures to record the happy event. Every kid should get an opportunity to have that first pair, the earlier the better. These days you can get a pair of black high top chucks as an infant, toddler, and in speical youth sizes, before their feet are big enough to step into the standard sizes for big kids, teenagers, and adults.

 

Two young boys sporting their first pairs of black high top chucks.

 

The brand of sneakers that kids wear is always a big deal, because sneakers are such an important part of kids’ lives and their preferred dress code these days. Converse All Stars continue to be a very popular choice generation after generation in America and many other countries around the world. And the desire to wear them no longer ends at formal adulthood. These days wearing sneakers is popular at all ages and for all different types of people. The best things about chucks is they are a unisex shoe, everyone can wear them. So what are you waiting for? A pair of chucks makes a great gift for any age of kid you know!

 

 

 

Articles and Features:

See the 2025 Chuck Taylor All Star seasonal color high and low tops plus the Malden mid top releases on our Shoe Outlook page. Two additional seasonal colors have just been added. Read a new article Chucks Made for Converse Japan about where you can get chucks with all canvas uppers. Our latest additions to the Honor Roll for Actors Wearing Chucks in Films and Television Series are Millie Bobby Brown and Nathalie Emmanuel.

For more articles:

 

Film Reviews:

A Minecraft Movie, Young Hearts (2024), The Shed, Monster Summer, Survive, Fall, The Marvels, An Angry Boy, Kleks Academy, Rush Hour, The Sandlot 2, But I’m Letting Go, The Legend of Billie Jean, The Tiger Rising, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, Mean Girls (2024), Fast X.

New listings: You Can’t Run Forever, Till Death, Rage: Midsummer’s Eve, The Electric State, Everyone is Going To Die, Felon, The Killer, Kill Order, The Room, Jumper, Stuber, Work It, We Grown Now, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Once Upon a Time in Venice, Made in Italy, If, Cruella, Infamous, Gia, The Mosquito Coast.

All of the alphabetical film pages, The Chuck Taylor in Films - A, etc., are accessed from the main Chuck Taylor in Films Page at the top of each alphabetical listing. More banners have been added to our Coolest Chucks Moments in Film gallery.

For more film reviews and listings:

 

Music Video Reviews:

Give You Love, CUDN’T B ME, Giver/Taker, idk I Just Work Here, West Like, Birds of a Feather (Bastille), We Will Never Die, Pink Pony Club, Not Sober, Big Dawgs, Leave It All to Me, Chasing Shadows, The Story, Not Like Us, lights, first night, Birds of a Feather (Eilish), Checkmate, January Eyes, It’s Halloween, Sunlight!, Smoke Slow.
More links to our music videos reviews have been added to the Musicians Who Wear Chucks page.

For more music video reviews:

 

New or Updated Photo Galleries:

Light Saddle High Top Chucks, Berry Smoothie High Top Chucks, Stills from Cruella, Actors Wearing Red Chucks in Films, Dominic Pike, Kid Laroi, Teen Boys Wearing Chucks, Teen Girls Wearing Chucks, Zendaya, Converse x Barriers Black Chuck 70 High Tops, Kava Bliss Washed Canvas High Tops, Guys Wearing Red Chucks, Zendaya.

Most of our Musicians Who Wear Chucks photo galleries have been re-edited with improved links and captions.

For a complete listing of our photo galleries:

 

TV Page Features:

New listings with an article: The Last of Us Season 2, Food Network Tournament of Champions 2025, The Rookie, Eyewitness, A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder, The Recruit, Ragnorak, Boo, Bitch, Nobody Wants This, The Boys Season 4, Dave, Boy Swallows Universe, Ted, Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Other recent listings are: FUBAR, Mees Kees, Harlan Corben’s Shelter, Son of a Critch, Deadtime Stories, Sweet Tooth, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Lockwood & Co., Reboot, Night Sky, The Last Bus.

Many listings have been updated with streaming information.

For a complete listing:

 

Videos and Short Films With Chucks:

Pop!, D Squared CRU, Conan Gray The Story, The Grandpa, Levitating Dua Lipa, Elijah Woods January Eyes and Sunshine, Glee Footloose, Olly Pearson Guitar, Prora, Scraps, Semicolon, Dirty Laundry, The Great Scout Adventure, Greatet Joke Ever, Greg’s Treasure Map, Indian Warrior Ghost.

For more videos and short films:

 

How to Participate in Chuck Talk.

Let us know what you think! We are also happy to try and answer your questions and inquiries about chucks, and listen to what you are thinking about. If you have some opinions, information, pictures, suggestions, an article or other interesting information to submit, please contact us at mail@chucksconnection.com.

 

More ChuckTalk Articles

 

Darby Allin Reaches New Heights in Chucks

 

Pro wrestling is a dangerous sport. The men and women of the squared circle constantly battle injuries, both minor and life-threatening. This makes them uniquely qualified to take on the most intense and dangerous situations life has to offer. However, climbing Mt. Everest may take another level of daring and craziness. Darby Allin is a 32-year-old professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he has been a cornerstone of the company since its inception in 2019. He is known for his punk rock persona that combines skateboarding culture with a high-risk, unorthodox in-ring style. Darby often rides his skateboard to the ring, and during his matches, he will fight without regard to his own safety. He has been thrown off ladders, into tables, onto steel chairs, and through panes of glass. In short, he is the perfect person to make the treacherous climb up Everest.

 

Punk skateboarding wrestler Darby Allin is scaling Mt. Everest in chucks.

 

Now, Darby has been talking about climbing Everest for years, and the thought among wrestling fans has always been that he’d be insane trying it, and he’s probably too busy wrestling to ever go through with it. However, at the beginning of 2024, Allin announced he would be making the climb during the upcoming climbing season (Everest has a very short climbing season, usually lasting from April to May). This climb ended up being postponed to 2025, though, after Allin broke his foot during a match. That brings us to today, where for the last few weeks, Darby Allin has been making his way up the world’s tallest mountain. His latest update was a video he posted to Instagram, where he performed a kick flip at nearly 6400m in chucks! Now, chucks have been high before, but scaling Everest in a pair is something that has never been done. If Darby makes it to the top while wearing his chucks, we will truly be able to call them the perfect shoe for every occasion.

 

 

Celebrating 10 Years of Being Proud to Be in Chucks

 

June is Pride Month, the annual celebration that supports positive social change and amplifies voices from the LGBTQIA+ community. During this time of year, there are celebrations worldwide, and many companies and brands attempt to offer a welcoming space to those in the community. Every year, Converse uses the month to amplify LGBTQIA+ voices and contribute to numerous charities that support a wide range of causes in the LGBTQIA+ community. This year is the tenth anniversary of Converse launching the Proud to Be Initiative, and to celebrate, they are looking towards both the past and the future. As they have done every year, Converse is partnering with LGBTQIA+ creators, but for this anniversary, they are bringing back fan favorites from the past 10 years. Converse is also partnering again with charities and organizations, including the It Gets Better Project, The Theater Offensive, The Ali Forney Center, and BAGLY. In the last 10 years, they have donated over $3.5 million at both the local and national levels.

 

Burn like all fire in this year’s Pride chucks!

 

This year’s Pride Collection contains some new design elements, but is mostly comprised of elements from previous years, which has led to many hoping for a full refresh next year. Speaking to an LGBTQ chucks wearer, her exact words were “Converse needs to get their [stuff] together”. While the theme of celebrating ten years of designs makes for a good theme on paper, perhaps keeping so many of the same designs after years of having them was not the best choice. The boldest new design this year is definitely the Chuck Taylor All Star XXHi Pride knee highs. With rainbow flames encasing the entire calf, these for sure stand out amongst everything else in the lineup. Whatever you choose this year, find something that allows you to truly express yourself in chucks. Because that is what Pride is truly all about: being able to truly be yourself, free of judgment and prejudice, while being surrounded by love. Happy Pride to everyone out there.

 

 

New Seasonal Colors for 2025

 

Along with the new year comes new seasonal colors for both the classic Chuck Taylor All Star and for the Chuck 70 line of Converse sneakers. You can see a complete set of photos of the new releases on our Outlook Page. There are still some older seasonal color models available at close out prices. These include the Chuck Taylor All Star Illist Pink high top, Out of the Blue high and low top, and Classic Taupe in high and low top. Close out models for the Chuck 70 line include Polar Beam and Citron This Green high tops and Newtral Teal (sic) and Apex Green low tops.

 

Chuck Taylor All Star True Nature and Park Red Chuck 70 seasonal high tops.

 

The new seaonal colors for the classic Chuck Taylor All Star are Blue Supermoon, Berry Smoothie, True Nature, and Light Saddle in high top and low cut, and Vermillion Red and Sting Ray Grey in high top only. See a complete photo gallery for the CTAS Red Berry Smoothie high top. The new line of colors for the Chuck 70 line are Open Sky, Park Red, Vernal Pool, Bananas, Mauve Stone, and Pink Frosting. All of these models come in both high top and low top.

 

 

Knee Highs are Back

 

Have you been feeling a bit more rebellious lately? Perhaps a tad more emo-tional? Maybe you’ve been itching to go to an Avril Lavigne concert for the first time in 20 years? That may be because for the first time in years, Converse is dropping the iconic Knee High Chuck Taylor All Stars. That’s right, the staple shoe for scene kids everywhere is back for a brand new generation of rebellious punks on June 28th. The always beloved, elongated chucks have been discontinued for nearly a decade but that hasn’t stopped their popularity. Fans have been clamoring for them to make a return and Converse has finally listened. So in preparation for their comeback, let’s take a trip down memory lane and see how these legendary chucks gained their reputation.

 

Knee high chucks are back at the end of June.

 

The majority of people celebrating the return of knee highs remember them from the 2000s era of fashion. This is due in large part to the shoe’s mainstay status in a few different rebellious sub-cultures. The shoe was a favorite of pop-punk, scene, emo, and goth cultures as kids looked for ways to be different. Chucks have always been the shoe of the rebel, but knee highs showed you weren’t like anyone else. Knee highs also gained mainstream popularity with celebrities like Zendaya rocking them and former WWE Women’s Champion AJ Lee regularly wrestling in them. Since their discontinuation, resellers have price-gouged knee highs trying to make a buck off the nostalgia they bring people. However, with this official return, fans can be sure that they’ll be able to return to their roots without being ripped off. The Converse XXHi Knee High drops online on June 28 at 10 AM EST.

 

 

What Does Your Chucks’ Color Say About You?

 

Colors are a basic building block of life on this planet. They define our world, bringing our surroundings to life and they, along with shapes, define the things we see. However, have you ever thought about how colors can define your mood to those around you? Color Theory, and more specifically color symbolism, is the idea that colors can carry significant cultural symbolism, or even have immutable, universal meaning. This extends to emotions, and you may recognize this idea best in its use for mood rings. However, the use of color like this doesn’t have to stop there. Who's to say that you can’t let your chucks or even your whole wardrobe express your mood via color?

 

Colors speak louder than words on chucks.

 

Let’s take a look at some different colors and what they say about your mood, and explore the different shades these colors come in chucks. Let’s start with the boldest: red. Red is the color of love and passion, but also the color of danger. Wearing red sends a powerful message that you are passionate and meant to be seen. Pink falls on the same spectrum of love, but its cooler tone sends the message in a less blunt way. Blue, the color of the ocean and sky, is often associated with calm, serenity, and wisdom. Green takes its color from nature and it too represents wisdom along with healing. These two colors and their hues let people know that you are someone at one with the world and yourself. Neutral tones like brown and white represent a grounded nature and peace, wearing them tells everyone that you are down to earth and understated in your style. These are just a few examples, but every color has a meaning and says something about you. The only question now is, what mood are you in?

 

What does wearing these colors of chucks say about you?

 

 

Dress Up Your Chucks with Retro Shoelaces

 

Retro shoelaces fit in width between classic shoelaces and fat shoelaces. At 1/2 inch wide, they are the shoelaes that were shipped with new pairs of vintage chucks. If you want to make a color splash with your chucks, dressing them up with a pair of retro shoelaces gives them a bolder look. For example, by using either navy blue or red shoelaces, you can match the trim color on these optical white high top chucks. See how retro shoelaces look on various pairs of high top chucks. See how retro shoelaces look on various pairs of low top chucks.

 

Optical white high and low top chucks with red and navy blue retro sholaces.

 

Retro shoelaces are hard to find these days; luckily The ChucksConnection has a large inventory of the red and navy blue laces shown here in both 45 inch and 54 inch lengths. Go to our shoelace home page for links to purchase retro shoelaces in these and other colors. Now our collection of retro width shoelaces has been expanded to include a 63 inch long white retro shoelace. Now chucks wearers with nine eyelet pair shoes have access to a white retro shoelace. Also chucks wearers with eight eyelet pair models can get retro shoelaces in a longer length. Go to our Shoelaces Home Page for full details, general information, lacing guides, and access to our entire selection of shoelaces for your chucks.