Varvatos Converse Quality

[dastig]

I bought a pair of converse slip on chucks from Gap about 6 months. They have been falling apart lately and I am looking for a new pair. I stopped by Off 5th yesterday and they had John Varvatos Converse for about $50. The price seems reasonable, but I am concerned with the quality. I don't want these to fall apart in 6 months.


Does anyone have any experience with the quality of Varvatos Converses? Are they made by Varvatos or are all converses made by one company and each company puts their name on them?

Thanks.

 

[robin]

Someone else might have the low-down on the manufacturers involved, but they're going to be about the same quality as the regular line Converse.

 

[cldpsu]

I heard they're more comfortable though.

 

[amr]

I have a pair of the painted white chucks and they are definitely more comfortable than my regular chucks

 

[z_finley]

The price difference is mostly attributed to the materials used and the name on the insole. I can't imagine construction being much, if any better. My Varvatos Purcells are not nearly as comfortable as my regular Chuck low lace-ups - which I tie loose enough to slip on.

 

[andyl]

I have a pair of the khaki slip-ons. the quality is pretty good...

do you guys put gel insoles in your chucks?

 

[dastig]

thanks for the replies.

I went ahead and bought them. They are actually Jack Purcells. I like them becuase they are not as standard as chucks.

As for the quality. I've only worn them once so far, but they are more comfortable than my gap chucks. I noticed there is extra lining in the padding inside and on the tongue of the shoe. I know they are just sneakers, but they seemed more refined and all around nicer than my gap chucks.

Also, I love getting 100 dollar shoes for only 50.

 

[Sebastian_Flyte]

just got a pair of Varvatos chucks from gilt, and the difference between these (msrp ~$125) and normal Chucks (msrp $45) seem to be:

- better laces
- leather circular patch
- shinier (more expensive by 30 cents?) eyeholes
- translucent soles
- canvas on the shoes seems more refined
- the insoles on the Varvatos are nice but I don't have a pair of normal chucks on hand to compare.
- the rubber on the sole and captoe seem the same.

Overall, better materials and not bad at $70.

 

[Biggie_Robs]

They won't last any longer than the regular converse version.

 

[Jokerman]

Originally Posted by Biggie_Robs

They won't last any longer than the regular converse version.

+1 Mine are less then a year old and there already starting to fall apart. Sad cause I really like them.

 

[krillin]

need these for summer. what color do you guys have? i only see blues but those are good enough. is there a cream or grey?

 

[gladhands]

Never had the shoes, but the clothes are absolute crap. I have a (non-waterproof) trench, and the cloth is literally coming unwoven in less than a year's worth of wear.

 

[Sebastian_Flyte]

Originally Posted by Biggie_Robs

They won't last any longer than the regular converse version.

makes sense-- the Varvatos chucks, like normal chucks, are made in China, and most of the materials that take the most wear and tear-- rubber on the sides of the sole, cap toe, stitching, etc seem to be the same.

Oh, well-- they look good, feel good, and they don't need to become family heirlooms.

 

[dibadiba]

I got a pair of the varvatos purcells, slip-on version.
wore them pretty regularly but they didn't last much more than a year.
they looked great and were really comfy and were worth the $80 or whatever I spent at the time

 

[flyindarkness]

I thought the major difference between varvatos converse and regular converse is that the varvatos converse got a thick padded insole, therefore, more comfy. other than that, it's pretty much the same.