Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Top Kids Review 2025
Quick Verdict
Pros
- Classic canvas look that kids genuinely love and recognize on sight
- Lightweight foam cushioning keeps little feet comfortable through school and play
- Durable diamond-pattern rubber outsole handles rough playground surfaces well
- Iconic design holds up across seasons — no trend risk
- Easy to clean canvas upper wipes down after muddy adventures
Cons
- Sizing runs large — ordering a half size down is essential, which can cause confusion
- Minimal arch support means these aren't ideal for kids with flat feet or orthotic needs
- Canvas doesn't waterproof in rain, so wet autumn mornings can be a problem
Quick Verdict
The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Top kids' shoe delivers exactly what you'd expect from a half-century-old icon: a clean canvas silhouette, a recognisable ankle patch and a price that doesn't make you flinch. My nine-year-old tester put these through two weeks of school runs, a rainy playground session and one accidental puddle crossing. The results? Comfortable enough for daily wear, stylish enough that she refused to switch to her other shoes, and priced right for a shoe that will likely be outgrown before it wears out. Rating: 4.4/5 — a solid buy for active kids who want the classic look.
What Is the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Top Kids?
The Chuck Taylor All Star started life as a basketball court shoe in 1917 and never really left the cultural conversation. The kids' version — specifically this black 13 Little Kid (EU 30–31) high-top — preserves the original recipe: a canvas upper, a vulcanised rubber outsole with a diamond-pattern grip, and those two signature details that make it unmistakable from ten metres away: the Chuck Taylor ankle patch and the All Star licence plate on the heel. The high-top cut gives developing ankles a bit of lateral support, which is more useful than you'd think for a kid who treats the school corridor like a sprint track.
Key Features
- Canvas upper for a breathable, flexible feel that softens after the first few wears
- Soft foam insole with light cushioning — enough for daily school wear, not designed as a performance insole
- Diamond-pattern rubber outsole delivers reliable grip on smooth indoor floors and playground tarmac alike
- Iconic Chuck Taylor ankle patch on the outside; All Star licence plate on the heel — the real thing, not a knockoff detail
- High-top silhouette offers mild ankle coverage without the rigidity of a hiking boot or lace-up boot
- Classic black colourway that works with jeans, shorts, skirts and everything in between
Hands-On Review
I want to be upfront: I was slightly sceptical when the box arrived. Could a shoe this iconic actually be worth the hype for a seven-year-old? The answer, after two weeks of real use, is mostly yes. The moment my daughter laced them up — and yes, there's a learning curve with the laces for younger kids — she announced they were "the comfiest shoes I have." That's seven-year-old speak for a winning combination of flexibility and that familiar canvas give.
What surprised me was how well the rubber sole handled wet surfaces. We had an unexpected downpour on day four, and the outsole gripped the slippy school corridor tiles without incident. The canvas darkened and stayed damp for a few hours, but dried back to normal by morning with no lasting marks. The foam insole, I should note, is comfortable but not orthotic-grade — my daughter has relatively neutral feet and had no complaints, but if your child needs arch support, you'll want to add an insole insert.
The sizing warning Converse includes is legitimate. We ordered her normal size after skimming that note — and they were noticeably too big. The half-size-down recommendation is accurate. After swapping to the smaller size, the fit was spot-on with room for a thin sock but no slip at the heel.
Who Should Buy It?
These are ideal for:
- School-age kids (5–9) who want a 'cool' shoe they can wear daily without their parents worrying about the cost
- Kids who walk or bike to school — the rubber sole holds up well to pavement, kerbs and the occasional shortcut through rough grass
- Parents prioritising a classic look — this shoe genuinely works with almost any outfit, which simplifies morning routines
- Kids who grow out of shoes quickly — the price point means replacing them seasonally doesn't sting
Skip these if your child has significant arch-support needs, requires waterproof footwear for daily outdoor use in wet climates, or is still struggling with tying laces independently — in that case, a hook-and-loop version might serve better.
Alternatives Worth Considering
- Vans Old Skool Kids — shares the same canvas-and-rubber DNA but adds the signature side stripe. A solid alternative if your child prefers the Vans aesthetic or if this colourway isn't available.
- Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Core — the adult version in a junior width is worth a look if your child is between sizes or wants something they can grow into over a longer period.
- Superga 2750 Cotu Classic Kids — a canvas plimsoll-style option with a slightly lower profile and a vulcanised rubber sole. Quieter visually but equally durable for everyday school wear.
FAQ
They run large. Converse officially recommends ordering a half size down from your child's regular foot measurement. This is a consistent quirk across the entire Chuck Taylor range.
Final Verdict
The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Top kids' shoe earns its reputation through simplicity: a breathable canvas upper, a dependable rubber sole and a silhouette that has worked for sixty years of feet — big and small. It won't win awards for arch support or waterproofing, but it wasn't designed to. What it does, it does well, and at a price that makes it easy to replace when the next growth spurt hits. The sizing caveat is real, but once you've dialled in the right size, these become the shoe your kid reaches for without thinking.