More specifically, what SEALs seem to like about Converse All Stars are their minimalist design, sturdy sole, and lightweight canvas body. “Chucks are streamlined,” Sarraille said, “and the flat sole makes them a great universal shoe, whether you are throwing on fins or climbing a ladder.”
Because the narrow, no-frills sneaker slips easily into dive fins, Chuck-wearing frogmen don’t waste time changing out of traditional scuba booties and into shoes after swimming to shore. Unlike scuba booties, which are essentially protective neoprene socks, All Stars have, as Sarraille put it, “the support of a good sole.”
Service members assigned to Naval Special Warfare Group TWO conduct air operations on June 5, 2019. The sailor jumping from the ramp seems to be wearing Altama boots. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Russell Rhodes Jr.
Also, according to Sarraille, because of the sneaker’s narrow design, SEALs who wear them can easily shove their feet into the 6-inch rungs of a caving ladder while scaling the side of a ship. To top things off, by the time a SEAL reaches the deck, his shoes will have drained nearly all of the water because of their lightweight canvas material and metal ventilation eyelets. Since the Vietnam War, Chuck Taylors have become so popular for over-the-beach missions that some footwear brands have technologically optimized the style of shoe for maritime operations. One popular brand, Altama, sells an All Star-like sneaker with high-tech features such as wicking mesh and nonmetallic drainage holes. Plus, the brand’s shoes come in multicam and multicam black, which has helped make them popular within the entire special operations community. You see, SEALs aren’t the only special operators who wear Chuck Taylors — or Chuck Taylor-inspired shoes — on the job. Because they are well-suited for water applications, special operators from every branch have taken a shine to the retro sneakers. Read Next: Why You Should Never Ask an Air Force PJ To Show You His Tattoo
