Are Converse Good for Hiking? [The Honest Truth in 2023]
As one of the most stylish sneakers on the market, I totally understand why it can be so tempting to wear your Converse on the hiking trail.
They’re lightweight, affordable, cute, and comfortable.
Plus, many people wear them to the gym for weightlifting, so why not wear them outdoors for exercise as well?
If you’ve found yourself asking the question, ‘are Converse good for hiking?’, I’ve got you covered with all that you need to know about wearing them on the trail.
Let’s dive a little deeper into why Converse aren’t the best shoes for hiking and what you should choose to wear instead.
Are Converse Good for Hiking?
Before we get started, believe me when I say that I looooveee a good pair of Converse.
I mean, in high school, it’s the only shoes I ever wore (and still do) and I’ve run through probably 3 pairs of black low-tops in my days.
And on top of those, I have 2 shades of blue, 2 types of white, and a few blacks. Believe me now? Alright.
Putting aside the fact that Converse are great for other uses, they are not good for hiking.
In fact, they’re probably some of the worst shoes you can wear for hiking.
I know, I know, what about Grandma Gatewood who hiked the entire Appalachian Trail solo in a pair of high tops?!
She was a bit more rough and rugged than I like to be out on the trail, and we have more options for quality hiking shoes today.
So if you’re wondering, can you hike in Converse, the answer is yes, you can do whatever you want, but the recommendation is a strong no.
They have no traction on the bottoms, soak up water quickly, and your feet will be begging you to sit down after 2 miles.
I know that it can be super tempting to wear them on the trail, but in all honestly, you really should avoid hiking in Converse.
Pros: Advantages of Wearing Converse Hiking
If you’re looking at wearing a pair of Converse for one of your hikes, here are the pros and advantages of wearing them.
Affordable
When it comes to shoes that you can wear for hiking, a pair of Converse is one of the more affordable pairs.
The low tops are typically below $65, and the high tops are usually under $75.
Most good quality hiking shoes or boots will set you back anywhere between $130-$300, depending on which you go with.
Plus, if you wear them as your everyday shoes too, you’ll be able to double up on your use.
So if you’re only going on short hikes and need an affordable pair, then you may consider Converse.
Stylish
As I mentioned above, Converse are definitely one of the most stylish sneakers on the market.
They can be paired with so many different outfits, from dresses to jeans to athletic wear.
So even when you’re sweaty and your hiking outfit isn’t looking the best, at least your feet will still be in style.
Good for Short Distances
Converse work great for short distances, especially because you won’t need to change out of your street clothes.
You can wear them for the entire day and then keep them on for your short hike.
They can be comfortable for short hikes (1 mile or less), but typically only if you don’t have to climb much elevation.
Cons: Why You Shouldn’t Wear Converse on a Hike
There are definitely more reasons why you shouldn’t wear Converse for hiking than reasons why you should.
Let me tell you some of the top cons of and why you should consider picking something else for your footwear.
Uncomfortable
As comfortable as they are for an everyday shoe around the office or at school, hiking in Converse just isn’t that great.
They have a very flat bottom that will be pounding against the ground with every step that you take.
Within that bottom, there’s almost no cushion, unless you supply your own.
But because of how tight-fitting they are, it’s almost impossible to add anything else to the shoe without it fitting even tighter.
This creates an extremely uncomfortable experience while you’re on the trail.
And after walking just a couple of miles, you may be regretting your decision to not choose a different pair of shoes.
No Arch Support
Because of how flat the bottoms of Converse are, this also means that they have little to no arch support.
This is extremely important when choosing a hiking shoe because your feet are hitting the ground for miles on end.
You want to choose a shoe that can keep your foot’s arch in the shape that it needs to be at to avoid back and hip pain.
I know that when I don’t have arch support, my hips are crying by the end of the day!
This is especially bad for people who have already flat feet.
No Ankle Support
On top of the lack of arch support, Converse also don’t have any ankle support.
You can wear the high tops and hope that they’ll help your ankles more, but because of how flimsy the fabric is, it won’t do anything.
When you set a pair of high-top Converse on the ground, the ankle ‘supports’ fall over.
This shows that they don’t have anything to hold your ankles up while you walk on uneven ground or over exposed tree roots.
Not Weatherproof
Converse sneakers are made of canvas material, which soaks up a lot of water when it gets wet.
This would certainly not be ideal if you got stuck in the rain out on the hiking trail.
The shoes would then get heavy, be even more uncomfortable to walk in, and possibly even cause blisters on your heels.
A canvas material also takes longer to dry, so your shoes will most likely be wet for the rest of the day.
Cold
The material that Converse are made of is extremely thin and doesn’t do well at keeping your feet warm when they need to be.
So while in the summer they may be great for breathability, they’re not ideal in winter when the ground is cold.
It’s important to keep your fingers and toes warm while outside since they get cold the fastest, and Converse unfortunately won’t do that for you.
Bad Traction
Having traction on your shoes is important when on the hiking trail, as it can get slippery at any time.
From stream crossings and mud to slickrock and scree, you want something that will help you stay standing.
Converse won’t do that, as they have very minimal traction on their rubber soles.
So you may find yourself slipping around if the trail is anything but dry.
What Are Converse?
Converse were first invented back in 1917 as a shoe for basketball players to have support and flexibility.
Since then, they’ve evolved into a favorite, stylish shoe for many people and aren’t worn as often for basketball anymore.
The Converse Chuck Taylors have remained their most popular style and can be found in almost any shoe store.
They’re made of a canvas material and have a rubber sole.
Tips for Hiking in Converse
If you decide that you still want to wear Converse on your next trip to the hiking trail, then I have a few tips for you to help you out.
1. Stick to Dry Conditions
Because of the flat sole with no traction, hiking in Converse in wet or icy conditions can be quite a hazard.
I’d recommend sticking to dry conditions to avoid slipping.
You can do this by checking the weather before you leave for the trailhead and reading trip reports to note any mud or stream crossings.
2. Wear Warm Socks
Because of how thin the material that Converse are made out of it, I would recommend wearing a thicker pair of socks.
This will not only help keep your feet warm but also help prevent blisters.
Merino wool ones are great because they help keep your feet warm in chilly conditions.
I personally love Darn Tough because they have a lifetime warranty and a ton of cute patterns to choose from.
3. Only Go on Short Hikes
Shorter hikes are best when wearing a pair of Converse, because of how uncomfortable they can get on longer ones.
The flat soles don’t help with support and cause your feet to get sore faster.
I would recommend staying under 1 mile with minimal elevation with them, and choosing something more supportive for anything longer.
4. Take Advantage of Hiking Poles
Hiking poles are your friend if you decide to wear your Converse in the snow or rain or when you encounter slippery rocks.
They will help you in slippery conditions to ensure that you don’t end up on your butt.
Hey, even with a good, quality pair of hiking shoes I recommend using poles!
I love the Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles because they’re affordable and have lasted me quite a while.
The Best Converse for Hiking
If you’re still on the fence about wearing Converse for your next trip to the hiking trail, then I would recommend looking into one of these two pairs.
The Run Star Hike looks just like the classic Chuck Taylor, but has a jagged bottom which helps with traction.
It comes in multiple colors, as well as a high-top and a low top model.
Or, go with the All Star All Terrains which have an insulated inside, are waterproof, and have more traction than other models.
What Shoes are Good for Hiking?
When reading this post, you might find yourself wondering, then what shoes are good for hiking?
Here are a few of the things that you should look for when purchasing a hiking shoe or boot.
FAQ
Are Converse Good in the Snow?
Because of their thin material, a flat sole, and non-existent traction, Converse are not well suited in the snow.
I wouldn’t recommend hiking in them in the snow because the chance of slipping is pretty high.
Are Converse Good in the Rain?
While you can hike in Converse in the rain, I definitely wouldn’t recommend it.
Their canvas-like material soaks up water fairly quickly and will become heavy and uncomfortable to walk in.
And, I’ll tell you this much; converse + water + slippery surfaces = a recipe for disaster.
Are Converse Good for Walking?
Converse sneakers can be good for walking short distances, but it’s better to wear a pair of walking shoes.
They’re very flat-bottomed, so they aren’t the best for walking long distances.
Are Sneakers Good Enough for Hiking?
Sneakers can work for hiking, as long as the trail is fairly flat and doesn’t have a lot of rough terrain.
Paved trails, nature paths, and city parks are good places to hike with sneakers.
Trails with lots of elevation change, dirt, rocks, or snow can be tough with sneakers.
What Sneakers are Good for Hiking?
There aren’t really any sneakers that are great for hiking.
This is because many of them have very flat bottoms and aren’t supportive.
It’s best to choose either a pair of hiking shoes or trail runners instead.
What Type of Footwear is Best for Hiking?
The best kind of shoes for hiking are supportive, durable, waterproof, and comfortable.
You’ll want shoes that are going to keep your feet supported and comfortable for long distances.
Wrap-Up: Are Converse Good for Hiking?
In the end, I would recommend choosing a different type of shoe because hiking in Converse is not the best bet.
Their light material, minimal traction, and discomfort make them something that I personally wouldn’t want to wear on the hiking trail.
They’re absolutely great for other uses, but ensure that you find something comfortable and supportive for being outdoors.
Especially on rough trails with snow, rocks, or water crossings.
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