No, Converse is generally not considered a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built around timeless core products like the Chuck Taylor All Star, which have remained popular for decades, rather than on rapidly producing trend-driven collections.
However, the brand's ethical and sustainability practices are mixed and show significant room for improvement. While Converse has introduced some products using recycled materials, it faces criticism for a lack of transparency in its supply chain, low wages for garment workers, and an overall reliance on conventional, resource-intensive materials.
Converse’s production model prioritizes brand heritage and product longevity over the high-speed, high-volume approach of fast fashion. Here are the key characteristics that set it apart:
As a subsidiary of Nike, Converse is part of a massive global supply chain with a mixed ethical record. While the company adheres to a code of conduct, significant concerns remain regarding labor conditions and wages.
Converse manufactures its products in countries like Vietnam, China, and Indonesia, where reports of poor labor conditions are common. A 2021 report from the Clean Clothes Campaign noted that some factory workers in Vietnam earned just $150–$180 per month, falling far short of the estimated living wage of $300–$350 for the region. While Converse follows Nike's Supplier Code of Conduct, which sets standards for wages and safety, a lack of independent verification makes it difficult to assess real-world conditions.
The brand publishes a list of its Tier 1 suppliers but offers very little detail beyond that, making its full supply chain largely opaque. It is not accredited by key ethical bodies like the Fair Labor Association (FLA) or Fair Trade, and audits of its supplier factories are not made public. This lack of transparency prevents consumers and watchdog groups from independently verifying its ethical claims.
Converse uses a mix of materials, including canvas, synthetic textiles, and genuine leather, which raises animal welfare concerns. However, the brand has taken positive steps by releasing dedicated vegan collections, such as the Chuck Taylor All Star Vegan, which are PETA-approved. They also maintain that they do not conduct any animal testing.
Converse has started to incorporate more sustainable practices, but these efforts are often limited in scope and don't yet address the brand's larger environmental footprint. Its reliance on conventional materials remains a core sustainability challenge.
Traditionally, Converse shoes are made from conventional cotton canvas and virgin rubber. However, the company has introduced more sustainable materials in recent years, reporting that around 30-40% of its newer product lines contain some recycled content, like GRS-certified polyester or organic cotton. For its leather products, Converse commits to sourcing from tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG) to promote better environmental practices.
As part of Nike, Converse is aligned with corporate goals to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. However, specific emissions data for Converse is not published separately, making it difficult to track its progress. The production of footwear involves significant water, chemical, and energy usage, but the brand provides little specific data on its efforts to reduce this impact.
Converse launched a "Recycle Canvas" program, but its scope remains small and is not widely available. The brand lacks comprehensive take-back, resale, or repair programs that would create a circular model and extend the life of its products. While packaging has improved with some recycled materials, plastic is still common.
While not a fast fashion brand, Converse fails to meet the high standards of a truly ethical and sustainable company. Its approach is characterized by small, positive steps that are overshadowed by a lack of transparency and an unwillingness to address core systemic issues.
Converse receives a C for having a supplier code of conduct and offering some vegan products. However, persistent reports of paying below-living wages in its supply chain, coupled with a significant lack of transparency around its factory conditions and audits, prevents it from earning a higher grade. The brand needs to provide verifiable proof of fair wages and working conditions to be considered truly ethical.
The brand earns a D for sustainability. While its initiatives around recycled materials and LWG-certified leather are a step in the right direction, they are limited in scale and feel more like marketing than a fundamental shift in business practices. Converse’s overall environmental impact remains high due to its reliance on conventional materials and a lack of transparent reporting on key metrics like emissions and waste.
If you're looking for ethically made, stylish footwear with a better environmental track record, here are some alternatives that offer a similar aesthetic:
Veja is a certified B Corp known for its trendy sneakers made from organic cotton, wild rubber from the Amazon, and recycled materials. With a transparent, Fair Trade supply chain and price points from $120-$150, Veja is a leader in stylish ethical footwear.
Shop now at veja-store.com
Famous for its comfortable, eco-friendly shoes, Allbirds uses natural and renewable materials like merino wool and eucalyptus tree fiber. This Climate Neutral Certified brand is highly transparent about its carbon footprint and is committed to circularity, with prices around $95-$150.
Shop now at allbirds.com
Rothy's creates durable, washable shoes from recycled plastic water bottles in its own zero-waste factory. As a certified B Corp, the brand emphasizes longevity and circular design, offering an excellent sustainable alternative with prices from $125-$165.
Shop now at rothys.com
Nisolo is a certified B Corp that guarantees a living wage for 100% of the workers in its factory. The brand creates classic leather and canvas sneakers with a commitment to both social justice and environmental responsibility, priced from $100-$200.
Shop now at nisolo.com
Yes, Converse has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nike, Inc. since 2003. This means it operates under Nike's broader corporate structure and must adhere to its supply chain codes of conduct, but it also shares in any ethical or sustainability controversies associated with its parent company.
Yes, many Converse models use genuine leather. The brand states it sources from tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG), which audits for environmental performance. However, for those seeking animal-free options, Converse also offers specific vegan collections made entirely from synthetic and plant-based materials.
Converse has released collections like "Converse Renew" and styles made with recycled canvas, PET, and organic cotton. While these specific products are more sustainable than its conventional offerings, they represent a small fraction of the brand’s total production. The rest of its inventory is largely made from conventional, resource-intensive materials.
