Wet Test: The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Ii Shield Canvas Braves The Elements

Having wet feet sucks. So much so that that we literally link the maxim to ‘have cold feet’ with ducking out on your loved ones. Wet feet can stop you dead in your tracks. They can dampen spirits, and even makes this thing called trench foot possible. The design geniuses over at Converse are obviously aware of this, and they’ve dedicated their considerable resources to solving this age old problem.

I was convinced my dues were paid by now, but the team insisted that there was more testing to do. (Un)fortunately there was an unguarded fire hose in the immediate vicinity. The thinking was that holding up to water from below is one thing, but the ability to withstand monsoon-style deluges seemed like an ample test of a shoe that had already impressed us. My objections on the basis that it was already raining, and questions as to who would ever find in this situation in the first place fell on deaf ears – and the hose was turned at my feet.

Converse’s solution to airborne water attacks is the inclusion of a gusseted tongue that folds and connect to the side of the shoe. This fold has a sharp crease down the middle which, when treated with DWR, ushers water down the crease and out the front of the shoe. On a Chuck Taylor this equates to a sneaker that has all the abilities of a gumboot but looks bucket loads better. Despite the team’s persistent efforts, my feet stayed totally dry.