Shoes are an important part of the wardrobe. You can wear them all week with multiple combinations of outfits, and each look will be different depending on the shoe. The top brands today include Nike/Jordan’s, Adidas, Vans, and Converse. Walk in the hallway, and you will see white Nike Air Force 1’s, white and black Adidas Superstars, black Vans, and white Converse sneakers. These days, brand name is everything, and while I own Nike, Adidas, Vans, and Puma sneakers, my brand of choice is Converse.

The versatile and world-famous former basketball shoe, also referred to as Chuck’s/Chuck Taylors, go with literally any outfit choice imaginable. Casual, dressy, sporty, heck, I wear them to prom! Whether hi-tops or low, no matter the color, there’s a Con for every person, from infancy to old age. Even teachers can be seen wearing low-tops with their more casual wear. Unless it’s a serious or super-formal event, it’s the one sneaker no one will chastise you for sporting.

Besides their iconic and versatile look, they have a great fit that I don’t find other shoes to offer. Nikes can run too small, and Vans can be uncomfortable in the toe box and heel for some and be difficult to take off the hi-tops because of their bulkiness, but Converse is a lightweight and comfortable shoe. They are true to size yet if it’s the wrong size, it can still fit. I can wear a 6.5 without insoles comfortably, and my regular size 8 with insoles just fine. Some may not appreciate how they are flat-soled with no arch, however if you have arched feet, just add your insoles and it’s a great feel. This lack of arch is also perfect for those into powerlifting/weightlifting, as it allows the lifter to be the closest they could to being barefoot on the floor, the perfect preference for deadlifts.

Lastly, the price is great for those who want a brand-name shoe without the brand-name price tag. Averaging around $50 for a low top and $55 for a hi-top, the price is unbeatable. Nike (ironically the owner of Converse) usually has fans pay upwards of $100 for their shoes (and even more for Jordan’s), Adidas $80+, Puma and Vans $60+, all which can be expensive for a lot of teens and those on a budget. However, Converse never fails to be the affordable option.

While every shoe has their pros and CONS, Converse has been the most reliable shoe in my eyes for the past decade. If you need a new shoe, check out all the options Converse has to offer.