Goody! Two Shoes!

Tennies, sneakers, trainers. No matter what you call 'em, when it comes to casual footwear, two names reign supreme: Converse and Vans. Each has its admirers. Chuck Taylor All-Stars, manufactured by Converse since 1932, are an enduring favorite. "I love Chucks. Simple, comfortable, and cheap," declares Justin T. from Missouri. Despite the fact that All-Stars were originally designed as a basketball shoe, "it's usually the artists, the skaters, and the emo crowd" who wear them now. College student Wendy Farica reports that, on her California campus, "Chucks seem to be a staple in every one's wardrobe. Even a professor or two. They'll come suited up except for the shoes." However, Sean C. from Washington puts the shoe on the other foot when describing the trend at his school. "Up here, Chucks have been in awhile and I don't know about the rest of the country but Vans are heading for a comeback." Vans, the "off the wall" skateboarding shoes that first surfaced circa 1966 and rocketed to popularity in the late 1970s, are once again gaining a foothold. Jas Il tells us about a tune originating in his homestate of California that some credit as a contributing factor. "It's a song by The Pack. The chorus goes: 'Got my Vans on but they look like sneakers.'" Rachel Z. from Pennsylvania doesn't feel the need to favor one brand over the other. ""I love my black Chucks! I wear them with everything." Yet she also adds, "I have the [Vans] Estila in the black/white/teal. Because I used to skate and these shoes seemed to last me the longest, not to mention they're super comfy." Cool Campers, if the shoe fits, wear it.