The CDG Play Chuck 70 has been labeled the most influential sneaker of the past decade. And while this may cause sneaker snobs to raise their eyebrows, it got me thinking those who say so may actually be correct.
Flashback to 2009 when CDG got praises for streamlining the classic Chuck 70 silhouette even further by removing the stitch lines. Adding the now iconic heart and eye logo, the model became an instant hit, attracting hypebeasts and ordinary sneaker users alike. Some found it cute, others a break from tradition, still others appreciated how it scuffed up nicely. There were those who went for it for a simpler reason—it was the "in" sneaker to have. And while I remember it was hard to get when it was just released, after awhile you could cop a pair with relative ease.
And this is what truly made it influential IMO. While collaborations between fashion houses and mainstream brands were nothing new as early as 10, 15 years ago, they were often extremely limited and unattainable for the mass market. The CDG Play Chuck 70 was actually the first collaboration from a legit fashion house that people liked and could actually get their hands on with minimal effort and without breaking the bank.
This caused the sneaker elite to give it a thumbs down, saying its become passe and too mainstream. However, stocks regularly sell out even today (although they restock regularly), they come out with new colors and designs, and still retain the legitimacy that they’re a big name and edgy fashion house.
I'd say that because of this the sneaker has reached icon status. And while other designs may have taken precedence in the pecking order of desirability, you know what they say about icons: they never truly go out of style. And they regularly stage comebacks.
But as always in this space, we try to discuss the merits of the sneaker itself apart from its legacy. Let's take a deeper look at the CDG Play Chuck 70.
Materials
Tried and tested canvas and rubber. An upgrade of your regular Converse Chuck Taylors? Umm, to even say it has slightly better rubber and thicker canvas is a stretch. I’d say it’s garden variety, although maybe put together a little better. Just maybe.
Rating - B+
Design
It’s that almond-eyed heart that captured the, um, hearts of most people who wanted something a bit different in their Chucks, and is iconic to the CDG Play brand. Other than that, the sneaks in almost all colorways released are generally very, very clean in color blocking and design, using iconic Chuck 70 patterns with only mild twists. This particular model is a more recent release, and has the playful red midsole. I do like the white strip down the heel, though. The white version is nice as well.
Rating - A
Wearability
I wore Chucks in grade school, high school, even college. They were pretty comfy then until they weren’t. I just didn’t think it benefited from all the advancement in technology over the years. So I was incredibly surprised the CDG Play Chuck 70 are incredibly soft for vulcanized sneakers! And check out that insole. Style-wise, you can wear these kicks with any fit that goes well with Chucks and feel confident you’ll stand out just a bit more.
Rating - A-
Price
SRP costs more than double the regular Converse Chuck 70s. But hey, there’s a price for being associated with a luxe brand so expect to pay premium. Besides, that’s still roughly the same price as UBs or AJ1s. So yeah, not too bad if you look at it that way.
Rating - B
Final rating
Almost everyone loves toast and butter. But sprinkle white sugar on buttered bread, pop it into a toaster, and voila, you’ve elevated the experience. Yummy.
[An old school sneaker enthusiast, Rhobee Pilares enjoys street fashion, toys, cars, food and the excitement of busy, bustling cities. You can often catch him at coffee shops reading on the latest media trends. IG @rhobeelicious.]
Photos by Rhobee Pilares