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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Lifestyle
Staff and agencies in New York

Converse reinvents Chuck Taylor sneaker – its sole update in a century

How the new Converse Chuck Taylor All Star II sneaker will look.
How the new Converse Chuck Taylor All Star II sneaker will look. Photograph: AP

Converse is to update the construction of the trademark Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker for the first time in 98 years.

The idea behind the All Star II was comfort, Converse said in a statement on Thursday.

The update would be made of durable Tencel canvas, as opposed to the cotton kind, the company said, with a Nike Lunarlon footbed for shock absorption, foam padding inside at the ankle, non-slip padded tongues and perforated micro-suede liners along the interior sides.

Spot the differences: an original Chuck Taylor sneaker.
Spot the differences: an original Chuck Taylor sneaker. Converse PR Photograph: Converse PR

For the exterior, the iconic circle patch is to be embroidered on and eyelets will be coloured to match the shoe, according to Converse, with the sole slightly higher than traditional Chucks.

The easily recognisable rubber toe cap will remain. The new shoe is to go on sale in late July in black, white, red and blue, according to Converse.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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