Cool canvas shoes
June 25, 2015 8:07 AM

Help me find either a pair of these specific shoes, or their substantial equivalent.

I'm in the market for a pair of canvas shoes, and stumbled upon these supremely awesome looking Adidas, but it looks like the highest size they're available in is US 10.5, and I'm a US 12. For the following reasons, these shoes are basically exactly what I want:

- Smooth, simple design with minimal stitching
- Laced, but minimally (unlike Keds of Chuck Taylors)
- Rubber sole is simple and appears thin relative to the rest of the shoe (unlike Keds or Check Taylors)
- Not too much in the way of labels or branding

I can't find a source for this particular shoe in my size, nor can I find any other shoes that really capture all of my reasons for liking this pair. The closest I've come up with are this and this, but neither hits every point the way the Adidas do.

Where can I find this shoe in a 12, or a pair that's substantially similar? Color isn't super-important, but I'd prefer something subdued: tan, blue, green, etc. That said, if you're aware of a shoe that checks all these boxes but it's only available in neon pink, I'll take a look.

Thanks!

Bonus question: what style of shoe is this even called?
posted by saladin to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (13 answers total)
It's a sneaker-y version of a chukka, which is a search term that might be very useful for you.
posted by Rock Steady at 8:14 AM on June 25, 2015




Even better: 1901 "Harbor"
posted by Rock Steady at 8:18 AM on June 25, 2015


DC Haven

Calvin Klein Jake
posted by Juliet Banana at 9:16 AM on June 25, 2015


Asos has a few options, also free shipping and free returns:
Boxfresh Dalston Canvas Chukka Boots in gray or blue
Asos Chukka Boots in black or navy

Are you fixed on canvas shoes? There are endless chukka/desert boot options if you're open to suede or leather, although this has been a fun scavenger hunt :)
posted by yeahlikethat at 9:51 AM on June 25, 2015


To clarify: those Adidas aren't chukka boots, they're low-top canvas sneakers with no ankle whatsoever. That's what I'm in the market for, not boots. I definitely see the chukka-ness of the laces though, so I see why this thread has gone in that direction... sorry for the confusion!

The 1901 Harbors are quite close, although still not as cool as those damned Adidas. Juliet, those DC Havens are actually one of the two I mentioned as being close, but not quite, but I guess that counts as an endorsement!

Thanks for your help so far folks.

On Preview: Yes, definitely fixed on canvas!
posted by saladin at 10:04 AM on June 25, 2015


Volcom Lo Fi 2
posted by Juliet Banana at 10:30 AM on June 25, 2015


Vans has the retro Rata Vulc shoes that might interest you too. I own a pair and the soles are thinner than the usual Vans slip-ons.
posted by sukeban at 2:41 PM on June 25, 2015


As for what to call them, those are espadrilles.
posted by bgrebs at 2:54 PM on June 25, 2015


No, espadrilles have a woven sole. The closest name for those would be "lace-up plimsolls". "Lace up canvas casual shoes" might be a good search term.
posted by dotparker at 3:44 PM on June 25, 2015


Generic surplus, I buy a pair for my husband as summer shoes almost every year
posted by rmless at 3:08 AM on June 26, 2015


Ooh, I want those Generic surplus shoes for myself. I saw a few hits for "low cut"/"low top" chukkas that are closer in cut to your examples, "buck shoes" might be another useful search term.
posted by yeahlikethat at 12:08 PM on June 26, 2015


I ended up going for a pair of these Top Man plimsolls. Not as cool as the Adidas, but close enough that I'm reasonably content. Thanks for your help everyone, and in particular to dotparker for teaching me the word plimsoll!
posted by saladin at 1:09 PM on July 25, 2015


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