Are Converse non slip? A review with photos

When wearing these iconic sneakers it’s important to know ‘are Converse non slip’? If you’re a shift worker considering wearing Converse to work or you just want to wear your Converse out and about, knowing whether these shoes are slip resistant is important for safety.

In this guide I’ll be including my own experience as a Converse customer/fan (for over 15 years!), alongside research from the most popular reddit forums, customer reviews and what Converse themselves have to say, so you can get the full picture.

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Are Converse non slip?

Converse are non slip thanks to the diamond patterned design of the outsole (which is made of gum rubber), that offers great surface grip. Converse were originally designed for use on slippery surfaces like indoor sports courts (source).

In my personal experience wearing Converse for over 15 years or so, I’ve not slipped in them once (this goes for both low tops and high tops). The gum rubber sole and the patterned tread make them a great choice for a non slip shoe.

If you are interested in the non slip design or how they hold up in different weather conditions/ over time, then read on for a full breakdown of their slip resistance…

Gum Rubber Soles

Converse are made with gum rubber soles that actually warm up as you walk in them. They heat up due to the friction with the ground and your body heat, which helps provide the rubber with even more grip.

Here’s what Converse themselves have to say about the soles:

Gum rubber is really grippy on slippery surfaces – because of this Converse are considered non slip shoes.

Here’s a photo of the rubber soles on my pair of low top Converse:

You can also see the great tread here, which helps make the shoes even more slip resistant.

Diamond Patterned Tread

The diamond patterned tread featured on Converse sneakers is iconic and instantly recognisable.

The design is clever; it creates increased surface grip on the areas of the feet that put the most pressure on the ground – the balls and heels. Having a patterned, grippy tread on these areas helps the shoes stick better the surfaces as we walk, resulting in a safe slip resistant step.

If the bottom of Converse were smooth then they would simply slip over surfaces. The diamond pattern has been tried and tested by Converse over 100 years, resulting in the best slip-free design possible. When combined with slip-resistant gum rubber, the design of the outsoles is a great addition to the grippy material they are made with.

Here is a video of me going into detail about the tread and slip resistance of Converse on the Wearably Weird YouTube channel:

Check the current price of Converse/any deals available on Converse.com.

Other Factors

There are a number of other factors to take into consideration when assessing the ‘non slip’ quality of Converse.

How they hold up compared to other shoes, how the tread is in poor weather, and if they will become slippery over time are all things to be aware of.

Are Converse non slip in Poor Weather?

You should always take care when walking in rainy or icy conditions, despite the footwear you have chosen to wear.

Whilst Converse do have a good non-slip tread, in extreme weather conditions they may not hold up the best. If you really want to wear your Converse in icy weather it may be worth wearing ice grips over the outsoles of the shoes, for extra slip resistance.

In a light rain Converse should be slip resistant, however in heavy rain the tread won’t be as effective. In my experience wearing Converse in the rain is fine, as long as it’s not super stormy and you are walking over well paved areas or abrasive surfaces.

Converse however are made with Canvas, so in wet and snowy conditions they will also make your feet wet, which isn’t comfortable at all! You may want to waterproof your Converse with a canvas safe spray, if you want to wear them in rainy conditions.

Check out my guide to waterproofing sprays for Canvas if you’d like some product recommendations.

Do Converse stay non slip over Time?

Many people want to know if their Converse will retain their slip resistant features over time. The answer depends on how much wear the outsoles of the Converse see.

If you are wearing your Converse daily on abrasive surfaces the outsoles will eventually wear down. Once worn down, the diamond slip-resistant pattern will start to become smooth, and the grip will be compromised.

If you think the outsoles of your Converse are starting to look worn, it may be time for a new pair.

Are All Star Converse non slip?

All Star Converse are non slip thanks to the diamond pattern outsole feature of their design. This diamond pattern helps create a slip resistant tread that provides grip when walking.

Are Platform Converse non slip?

Platform Converse are non slip due to the diamond patterned design on the outsole which increases surface contact.

Are black Converse non slip?

Black Converse are non slip as they feature a rubber compound outsole with a slip resistant, diamond patterned tread.

FAQs

Are Converse or Vans more slip resistant?

Whilst both Converse and Vans are designed for slip resistance, Converse have the edge when it comes to the non-slip tread. This is due to the diamond design of the outsole.

I have owned several pairs of Converse and Vans and have worn them throughout the years, and I personally like both for their slip resistance. However I have to say that converse do feel more slip resistant and don’t skid.

The gum rubber sole and the diamond pattern design on the tread help them grip to the ground really well. This comes as no surprise when looking at what Converse were originally designed for – sports!

I do still think Vans are a great choice too for slip resistance, but I prefer the outsoles of Converse overall. The vans outsole pattern is too compact for my liking, whereas Converse have wider diamonds shapes and deeper grooves.

Are Converse non slip for work?

Converse are non slip enough to wear to work if you are working on slippery surfaces (such as a restaurant floor). However for long shifts it should be known that Converse don’t provide much arch support, and your feet may become tired.

If you are wearing Converse to work you can make them a little more comfortable with an added cushioned insole.

If you work in very slippery conditions you could consider making your Converse even more non slip (and safer) by purchasing a grip spray that you can apply to the outsoles of your Converse. Grip sprays increase grip on the outsoles of shoes to help them stick better to floors when walking. They are relatively inexpensive and can be found in most footwear stores or online.

If you work in a restaurant and you need to walk over wet surfaces or spills, you may be better off wearing more sturdy footwear, like Doc Martens.

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