Why Canvas shoes? [Reasons Those Are The Only Shoes I Wear]


Canvas Shoes

Most people know of the brand Vans. Canvas shoes have been around since about 1868, and Vans since 1966. Canvas shoes have gone in and out of style over the years, but my friend has always loved wearing them for one main reason: they are so comfortable to wear.

Generally, canvas shoes are flat-soled shoes with a rubber outsole and a canvas upper. Most people feel these shoes have a relaxed feel on their feet and fabric that breathes well. On average, they are lightweight and easy to clean.

John, my friend, used to only wear canvas shoes because of how comfortable they were for walking, at work, or whenever he went out. They match well with jeans, and if you love skateboarding, these shoes work well for grip and durability. Let’s discuss more about why so many people love their canvas shoes.



Only Wearing Canvas Shoes

Only Canvas

My friend John used to only wear canvas shoes for years. He just felt comfortable wearing them even when they started looking ragged and worn; they felt good on his feet. Yet, there might be a break-in period.

He would wear slip-on Vans shoes that were easy to put on and fit his feet just right. He liked how they looked, and since he wore jeans most of the time, they matched his style well.

He recently told me that one of the main reasons he loved these shoes was that “there was no rubbing on my heel.” Other slip-on shoes just didn’t fit as well and would rub.

These types of shoes also tend to breathe well and can have a relaxed feel on your foot. This adds to the comfort level and may give you the feeling of putting on slippers.

After getting used to this type of shoe, it made sense for my friend to just keep on buying canvas shoes because they worked out so well. So whenever I saw him, he was always only wearing his canvas shoes and nothing else.


Are Canvas Shoes Comfortable?

Those who haven’t worn Vans-style shoes may need some time to get used to them. Once you do, you will recognize how comfortable this style of shoe is. (shoezone.com)

The level of support and comfort might not be evident at first. The insole of your canvas shoes can have a lot to do with how comfortable they are at first.

Once your feet adjust to a more level heel-and-toe walking surface, your feet will likely develop stronger arches and toe muscles. How much stronger depends on how flexible the sole is and how wide the toe box is.

Once your feet are stronger, you will naturally feel comfortable in this style of shoe.

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03/11/2024 08:44 pm GMT

Zero Drop Advantage

Canvas shoes tend to be zero-drop shoes. The canvas shoe “Vans” has always been zero-drop. The heel and the ball of the foot are at the same level. Wearing the same shoe over and over for years, your feet get used to a more natural way of walking.

The advantage of wearing a shoe that has zero drop is that your feet can get stronger over time. Walking without a lifted heel is a more natural way to walk.

Like when someone walks barefoot, when you walk in zero-drop shoes, it’s more natural; the muscles in your feet have a better chance of activating more. This can strengthen your feet, which leads to better arch support.

Eventually, you have better balance and can better manipulate your feet for better control. This gives skaters and others who rely on stronger feet an advantage, even if it is just a little more when riding a skateboard and doing tricks.

Once your feet adjust to a more level walking surface, your feet can feel very comfortable in these shoes. However, this may depend on how flexible the sole is and how wide the toe box is as well.


Getting used to a zero-drop style shoe is why my friend John felt so comfortable in his Vans shoes. His feet walked in a more natural manner and felt comfortable because he didn’t have to rely on cushioning for support.

The muscles in his arches could now take over the job of cushioning, so even if his shoes started getting older, it didn’t affect comfort much. He would wear them until they became too much of an eyesore or fell apart.


Easy To Put On

My friend John loved to slip into his Vans canvas shoes when leaving the house. He recalls that not all slip-on shoes seemed to work great, but his slip-on Vans didn’t rub his heel as he walked.

Was it that they were zero-drop shoes, or was it that the style of the shoe just fit his foot better? For John, his slip-on shoes didn’t slip as he walked. Each shoe is different, so the result can be different.

Each person needs to figure out which type of slip-on canvas shoe works best for their foot because everyone’s foot is different. Trying on a few can help you figure out the best solution.

They were on in an instant, and that made a big difference when you are trying to get out the door quickly to go do something.

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03/11/2024 08:44 pm GMT

Are Canvas Shoes Good Zero Drop Shoes?

Canvas vs Zero-Drop Shoes

Zero-drop shoes come in all sorts of styles and cushion types. Canvas shoes usually come in one main pattern type. They have a vulcanized waffle iron pattern rubber sole with a canvas upper. Although there are hundreds of styles of canvas shoes, this one standard pattern remains common for canvas shoes.

Does this pattern make a good zero-drop shoe? Here is a comparison chart that shows the attributes that make a helpful zero-drop shoe for foot muscle development and if canvas shoes have these attributes.

Helpful Zero Drop Shoes

Flexible Sole – This helps the foot muscles activate more, like when walking barefoot, for stronger arches.

A wide Toe Box – This helps the toe muscles activate more for better balance.

A Grippy Sole – This isn’t always true, but for rock climbers, runners, and skaters, having a good grip is important.

A Snug Fit – This is helpful when you need to activate muscles more often.

Canvas Shoes

Flexible Sole – Maybe. Many are, and some may not be.

A wide Toe Box – There is a mix of wider and narrower shoe box types found among canvas shoes.

A Grippy Sole – Almost all canvas shoes have a rubber sole that grips well.

A Snug Fit – There is a mix of loose and snug-fitting canvas shoes.

If we look at the comparison chart above, we find that canvas shoes generally have most of the attributes of zero-drop shoes that make them good for foot muscle development.

When choosing your shoes, you just need to look for the right kind for the best results.


Are Canvas Shoes Durable?

Skaters know that it’s easy to get holes in their canvas skate shoes after a short time, but in general, canvas shoes are very durable.

The canvas fabric tends to wear well, and the rubber soles can last quite a while. If you want your shoes to last longer, you can try using Shoe Goo.

Yet, it all depends on the quality of the shoe you’re getting and the materials used for construction. Low-cost canvas shoes may not be as durable as a more well-known brand, so do your research before buying them. (reddit.com)


Final Thoughts

You might get used to only wearing canvas shoes after a while if you start wearing them regularly. These shoes are good for all types of fashion styles you may wear, and skaters love them too.

Would you ever only wear canvas shoes? I think it’s a great shoe to have in your collection if you’re looking for something a bit more natural for your feet and a comfortable shoe to wear.

Thanks for visiting Helpshoe.com


References

https://www.encyclopedia.com/sports-and-everyday-life/fashion-and-clothing/clothing-jewelry-and-personal-adornment/tennis-shoes

CHRIS TOOLEY

I enjoy many types of outdoor activities including running, hiking, and walking. I was a former elementary school teacher for 17 years and now enjoy writing and sharing my love of the outdoors.

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