Korea’s AGE Reimagine the Classic Canvas Sneaker

Canvas sneakers have been a footwear staple for over a century, and with good reason: they’re simple, timeless, versatile, and can take a beating. Thanks to brands like AGE, the enduring design could continue to be a go-to for many years to come.

With the slogan ‘ACROSS to GENUINE ERA’, Korean-based AGE was established in 2017 with the idea of reinterpreting the classic canvas sneaker through its own unique lens. AGE started from the ground up, touching on each and every facet of the 100-year-old (give or take) silhouette in an ambitious attempt to leave their mark on the timeless design. Not only did the upper get a re-work, but the sole and midsole wrap did, too. The results were decidedly familiar, albeit with a twist, staying true to the shoe’s original form while still managing to catapult it into the future.

For starters, the usual uppers were swapped out for the brand’s own self-developed carbon-coated canvas – a far cry from the sometimes flimsy uppers that have been utilised on canvas designs for decades. The proprietary construction was made for a shoe that could handle just about anything thrown its way – thanks to a vastly improved water- and stain-resistance. Waxed cotton laces were also added to the mix, largely for the same reason as the carbon-coated canvas, but their tacky finish also ensured that the silhouettes didn’t come loose when the wearer was on the go. Elsewhere, the seemingly indestructible uppers needed soles to match, so the AGE team exaggerated the look of the prototypical vulcanised sole with a thicker, more cushioned design. Last but not least, the plush platform sole was wrapped in specially-designed rubber foxing with deep grooves to further highlight the mod.

The finished product was a thoroughly modern take on a seemingly unimpeachable classic. And the fact that it was tailor-made for rocking all day in urban environments sweetened the deal for wearers. In fact, the OG design ended up proving so successful that it’s been the foundation of the brand’s collections ever since, providing the base for both high- and low-top silhouettes, not to mention limited-edition mules and slip-ons.