It's one of the most common questions asked by #Vegans, and we still don't really have a clear answer.
In truly political fashion, the official statement from #converse seems to be that they can neither confirm or deny the presence of animal products in their footwear. For me, that's enough to write them off as far as animal-friendly brands go.
If you're still not convinced, consider that fact that Converse uses leather patches in many of their shoes.
It's a real shame, since at first glance a pair of Chuck Taylor All Stars seem like a go-to option for #Vegans. They're made from canvas, they feature rubber soles, and they exude a classic aesthetic that complements just about any outfit.
I'm not going to get into why Converse aren't vegan, because I'm not even sure if I know the truth. The answer seems to change with each person you ask. Is it the glue they use? Is it something to do with the way their factory operates? One thing's for sure, something is preventing Converse from coming out and clearly stating that their products are vegan, and that's enough to dissuade a lot of animal-conscious people - including me.
With all that said, there's plenty of amazing alternatives out there, and the brand I'm going to focus on today is The Good Guys.
Otherwise known as Good Guys Don't Wear Leather, this Paris-based #footwear company has followed in the footsteps of the Converse aesthetic while adding their own unique touch. In my opinion, these shoes are actually far better than a pair of Chuck Taylors - with the added benefit of being 100% Vegan.
Not only are these kicks vegan, but they're also ethically produced in Portugal, Spain, or Italy. Humans deserve rights too, and you can be sure these shoes were made by people who were working under fair, humane conditions.
The material used to make these shoes is also #sustainable and eco-friendly.
The bottom line?
If you're searching the web trying to figure out whether Converse are vegan or not, let me save you some time - you'll never get a clear answer.
What you can do is grab a pair of shoes from The Good Guys instead. Problem solved.
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