6 Best Canvas Sneakers in 2024

Sheena
Sheena on
6 Best Canvas Sneakers in 2024
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If you're on the lookout for a pair of breathable, easy-to-wash kicks, canvas sneakers are your best bet. And you know what? We've got over 200 stylish men's and women's canvas options lined up for you.

Given the hundreds of variants, finding the best will be crazy difficult. But, don't worry. We got you covered. 

Besides giving you a couple of handy tips on picking the best sneakers, we also have a list of our top picks to help narrow down your choices. This includes the best canvas shoes from global brands and the most value for money. What's more, we made it a point to get every shoe reviewed and tested. This way, you know for sure that the shoes that made it on the list are indeed the real deal.

 

 

How we test sneakers

Picking the best canvas sneakers online can be stressful, especially if you haven't tried these out firsthand. Thankfully, here at RunRepeat, we have everything you need to know about each shoe - the good and the bad stuff included. How? Check out below.

  • We purchase every pair of canvas sneakers that we want to test. We are not entirely against the idea of sponsorships... for others. But personally, we refrain from X-deals and such things to uphold our reputability in giving 100% honest reviews.
  • We test the shoes to their limits out in the field. While doing so, we evaluate and take note of the strengths, weaknesses, and all the other details in between about the shoes.
  • We extend our testing to our lab. We cut the shoes in half and analyze all the parts of the shoes. We also measure the parameters of the shoes, including their waterproofness. What we do is pour water all over the upper and assess how much it holds off the liquid from passing through.

You can get the full details about our testing methodologies here.

 

Best canvas sneakers overall

Vans Old Skool
93
Great!

What makes it the best?

After performing tests in and out of the lab, we reached a decision to crown Vans Old Skool as the best canvas sneaker! We selected this shoe because of its in-shoe comfort, ventilation, and board and ground traction.

Vans Old Skool let our feet be submerged in pleasure while making sure that our ankles were perfectly bolstered. It is worth noting that the break-in time for Vans Old Skool is very quick. Whether skating or not, this sneaker really impressed us with the overall on-foot feel.

Generally, canvas sneakers are breathable, and Vans Old Skool is no different. Apart from allowing smooth air circulation, the canvas upper was also able to bear up against abrasion. We discovered this by performing the Dremel test, in which we pressed a drill with an attached wire brush to the sneaker’s upper, and the result? No harm done! While out and on our skateboard, we learned that Old Skool’s outsole also has dependable durability and traction.

The drawback is that, upon pouring wet dye on the upper, the canvas soaked the color in, making it almost impossible to clean the sneaker completely. We advise looking for other pairs that are more insusceptible to stains. 

Pros

  • A classic silhouette deserving of any wardrobe
  • Easy to wear in
  • Super comfortable
  • Fits true to size
  • Incredibly breathable thanks to the all-canvas upper
  • Clean aesthetics
  • Very durable outsole
  • Brakes well on the board

Cons

  • Not very durable in comparison to other modern skate shoes
  • Collect stains easily
Full review of Vans Old Skool

Canvas sneakers with the best colorways

Vans Era
89
Good!

What makes it the best?

Out of all the canvas sneakers we have tested, the one that offers the best colorways is Vans Era. Even before any reason, there is no doubt that this kick really painted history, as it is still rocking with pizzazz since the 70s. Now with innumerable colorways, we found it impossible to be left with no choice with Era. Additionally, this canvas kick impresses not only with style but with superb comfort and robustness. 

We were enthused by how resistant Era is against scrapes and chafing especially on our skate sesh. Upon checking in the lab, we realized that it is indeed hardwearing, as our Dremel with an attached wire brush didn’t graze the upper – not even a little bit.

During our casual day outs in Era, we felt so ventilated to the point that we didn’t mind the heat. In our lab, we did our waterproofing test to verify our experience. We poured water all over the upper and the result? A swamped sneaker! Thus, our test confirmed the sneaker’s penetrability. 

The drawback is that Era’s canvas upper is so easy to stain yet so hard to clean. We verified this through our stain-proofing test. We applied pigment on the upper, both in powder and liquid forms, and we tried bringing back the Era to its spotless state. However, we were unsuccessful. Therefore, we do not recommend Vans Era to sneakerheads who prefer low-maintenance kicks.

Pros

  • A classic silhouette that works with any wardrobe
  • Fits true to size
  • Durable canvas construction
  • Padded collar
  • Breathable
  • Comfortable once worn in
  • Still a supportive skate shoe
  • Part of sneaker history

Cons

  • Takes time to break in
  • Not suitable for winter wear
  • Hard to clean stains out
Full review of Vans Era

Best canvas sneakers for summer

Vans Authentic
91
Great!

What makes it the best?

We say the unparalleled canvas sneaker for summer is Vans Authentic because it is all set for the season - summer-ready appearance and summer-ready internal environment. But not just that. It is the best because the sneaker also adopts the easygoing vibe of the summer by being magnificent for day-to-day wear and allowing quick on-and-off action.

During tropical weather, we never got upset about smelly and sweaty feet, as the Vans Authentic got us covered. We tested the pair by wearing it and taking it outside, and we can confirm that the canvas allows for extreme breathability. 

In terms of wearability, we found the Vans Authentic astounding as it combines an uncomplicated silhouette with a construction that’s hard as a rock. We tested out Vans Authentic’s durability through our Dremel test. What we did was use a power drill with an attached wire brush to press to its upper, and this resulted in an unharmed sneaker.

The problem is, when we applied chalks and dyes onto the upper, the stains were strong and remained so, even after we spent some time cleaning them. We suggest picking up another pair of kicks if you prioritize sneakers that are easy to clean. 

Pros

  • Eternal silhouette
  • Fits true to size
  • Durable canvas upper
  • Breathable
  • Easy to slip on and off
  • Perfect lifestyle shoe

Cons

  • Could use some more padding
  • Vans' canvas shoes always attract stains
  • Not a great year-round sneaker
Full review of Vans Authentic

Best high-top canvas sneakers

Vans SK8-Hi
92
Great!

What makes it the best?

No sneaker can rival the Vans Sk8-Hi in terms of being the most exceptional high-top canvas sneaker. Its upper, although in a high-top construction, delivered superior airflow. Also, the ankle support we got from this shoe is simply outstanding. And if that’s not enough reason for being the best, its canvas is unbreakable too!

The freshness we felt in this sneaker is out of this world. We verified this during our casual adventures in sunny weather in which our feet still managed to breathe well despite the hot temperature. Its upper might be thin and breathable but it sure is generously padded especially around the ankle. This in return offered us ankle bolstering as well as incredible comfort.

Using the shoe even during our skate sessions also didn’t bother us as it didn’t bother the Sk8-Hi. We also noticed the same thing when we applied our Dremel to its canvas upper and no adverse effects occurred to the material. Our bar clamp, on the other hand, showed that Sk8-Hi is not really stiff but we still found it to have a break-in period. So, if you seek instant comfort, we suggest looking elsewhere.

Pros

  • Classic silhouette that works with any wardrobe
  • Fits true to size
  • Breathable
  • Durable
  • Comfortable when broken in
  • Padded collar for ankle support
  • An easy silhouette even for a hi-top

Cons

  • Takes time to put on
  • Can take time to wear in
  • Not good in wet weather
Full review of Vans SK8-Hi

Best canvas skate sneakers

What makes it the best?

Vans Old Skool Pro is inconquerable as the ultimate skate canvas shoe because it embodies everything we love and need in a skate-inspired kick. The sneaker definitely satiated our desire for a supremely comfortable and protective insole, which for the record, also allowed us to have a superb connection with our skateboard. Plus, this is not your ordinary canvas sneaker because, unlike most, this one empowered us to skate even in the rain!

We discovered that this sneaker is not an out-and-out canvas – its upper also boasts suede. This is why, in our lab, we weren’t that surprised to learn that the sneaker repels water. Of course, it is not waterproof but once we poured the water over the upper, it did not instantly pass through. Breathability wasn’t overlooked, though. The canvas sections of the upper took care of that! 

We also felt confident scuffing the Old Skool Pro against our board and the ground while skating because of how hardwearing it is! This toughness is also reflected in our Dremel test, in which we pressed a power drill with a wire brush to its upper. Some specks of dust fell down, but no serious damage was done.

However, the canvas area of the kick does not repel stains; instead, it absorbs them easily. Consequently, we had a hard time cleaning the dye out of it. So, unless you don’t mind a beaten-down sneaker, skip the Vans Old Skool.

Pros

  • Fits true to size
  • Super durable skate shoe
  • Extra comfortable inner sole
  • Flexible
  • Relatively breathable
  • Many colorways to choose from
  • Still the same Vans we love
  • Easy to clean
  • Weatherproof

Cons

  • Can be hard to put on
  • Parts of it still susceptible to stains
Full review of Vans Old Skool Pro

Best slip-on canvas sneakers

Vans Slip-On
92
Great!

What makes it the best?

We were already very familiar with this classic kick before testing it, so we were excited to dissect it in the lab to see just what it's made of. With its timeless, low-key style that can be paired with most outfits, to its incredibly versatile and comfortable nature, it’s no wonder that the Vans Slip-On has been a fan favorite for so long. This easy on-and-off shoe not only looks good but feels great whether we are out for a quick stroll or up on our feet all day, making it an extremely reliable option for any occasion.

Pros

  • Extremely comfortable
  • Easy on and off
  • Timeless style
  • Clean and versatile
  • Durable
  • Compliment magnet
  • Time-tested quality
  • Pocket-friendly range

Cons

  • Poor ventilation
  • Stiff at first
  • Not for wide feet
Full review of Vans Slip-On
Author
Sheena
Sheena
Sheena is a wordsmith turned sneaker addict. Her sneaker fixation intensified as her passion for writing grew. A hands-on mom of two sweet yet spunky kids (plus three dogs and two cats), she finds solitude in leafing through shoe catalogs to find the next "it" sneaker. Scrutinizing hugely popular and underrated kicks is her favorite pastime.