7 Best Canvas Trainers

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 trainers 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 colour in, making it almost impossible to clean the sneaker completely. We advise looking for other pairs that are more insusceptible to stains. 

The Converse Chuck 70 Low Top effortlessly took our outfits to the next level with its simple yet iconic look. It’s a minimalist shoe—both in form and function—with its simple design that completes any look and its grounded and flexible midsole. Because of this, it appeals to a wide range of audiences and remains a fashion statement for decades. Undoubtedly, it’s our most stylish canvas sneaker in the lab.

The solid canvas upper has a reinforced toebox for added support, and our Dremel confirms its toughness with a high 4/5 durability score. This has been a part of its original design since the shoe was initially intended for basketball. Even the grippy outsole is a testament that Chuck 70 remains loyal to its heritage.

Our feet felt very close to the pavement, to which our calliper measurements align at 24.3/16.7 mm. To soften the grounded ride, the insole is a whopping 12.9 mm thick—one of the plushest we’ve ever seen in a lifestyle sneaker!

While the shoe looks very rigid, it’s quite fluid on foot. It felt effortless to walk around, and our bend test confirms it’s 33.3% more flexible than average.

However, the shoe runs quite long so we recommend those with narrow to medium-sized feet to get a half-size smaller.

Out of all the canvas trainers 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 realised 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.

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 prioritise trainers that are easy to clean. 

We loved wearing canvas trainers, and the Vans Slip-On was that one slip-on shoe that left the most lasting impression. Aside from being easy to put on and take off, this shoe also delivered a sock-like fit, well-pronounced ground feel, and amazing lateral stability. There was just so much goodness that leaving it out of this list would be a crime.

The fit of the and structure of this shoe was literally sock-like. Everything was just so close to the skin. But make no mistake, this does not mean that putting this shoe on would be a challenge. Because the materials were quite stretchy, getting our feet in was such a breeze!

This Vans sneaker had a very very very low profile. Based on our calliper readings, the midsole of the Vans Slip-On was only 18.7 mm thick at the heel and 12.0 mm at the forefoot. The average numbers on record were 31.3 mm and 20.0 mm. This configuration allowed us to feel the ground more.

Aside from giving us a lot of ground feel, this canvas sneaker’s low profile also allowed our feet to be securely planted even when we were moving aggressively side to side. 

If there was one thing that we didn’t like, it would be the Vans Slip-On’s lack of breathability. It felt like an oven, and it only got the lowest 1 out of 5 for ventilation from us.

The Converse Chuck 70 High Top embodies the enduring legacy of Chuck Taylor's iconic design, standing as a timeless symbol that has transcended generations for over a century. It’s extremely versatile in both function and style with its flexible and grounded design, while its reliable grip instilled confidence in our strides during testing. Among canvas trainers in the lab, it’s our #1 high-top pick.

For a high-top, Chuck 70 feels lighter than it looks, confirmed by our scales at 17.0 oz (482g). It’s also more malleable than expected, as we were able to bend our feet effortlessly. Despite its bulky appearance, our bend test reveals it’s 37.4% more flexible than average.

Its moderate 26.2/17.6 mm stack enhances ground feel and control. Combined with the flexible midsole, it allows us to take the driver’s seat. To boost comfort for longer walks, it features a plush OrthoLite insole. Our calliper reveals it’s a massive 13.9 mm vs. the 5.6 mm average, basically serving as the shoe’s cushioning.

Tracing back to its basketball roots, Chuck 70 retains the signature diamond-patterned outsole because it’s highly grippy even on wet surfaces.

However, the solid canvas upper delivered subpar breathability in our actual wear and lab tests. We don’t recommend wearing these trainers on warm and humid days.

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.