Canvas shoes are a Cordners favourite for casual everyday wear. Lightweight, breathable, easy to clean and reasonably affordable, canvas styles work for school, weekends, summer holidays and indoor activities. Vans, Converse, Gola, Lacoste and Crocs all do strong canvas ranges across men's, women's and children's.
The original canvas shoe was the Converse All Star (1917) and the Vans Authentic (1966). Both have been worn by generations of skateboarders, musicians, students and casual wearers. The vulcanised rubber sole provides grip without slipping; the canvas upper breathes well in warm weather; the lace-up or slip-on closure is easy to manage.
Children's canvas shoes are particularly popular for school. They're lightweight enough not to tire small feet across a school day, breathable enough to reduce sweat-related foot odour, and washable enough to survive playground wear. Vans, Gola and Converse all do school-friendly children's canvas styles.
Sizing in canvas shoes runs true to UK standards for most brands. Vans tend to feel slightly roomy in the Old Skool silhouette — going down half a size is sensible if you prefer snug. Converse run true to size. Gola, Lacoste and Crocs canvas all use standard UK sizing. Children's sizes follow UK kids' standards.
Care: canvas shoes can be hand-washed with mild detergent. Avoid the washing machine — the agitation damages the rubber-canvas bond. For white canvas (the classic Vans/Converse look), use a soft toothbrush and a non-bleach trainer cleaner to spot-clean marks. Air-dry only — never tumble dry. Replace laces when they fray (cheap replacements are widely available).
Cordners has been Northern Ireland's footwear specialist since 1937. Family-owned across three generations, we've built our reputation on three things: choosing the brands customers can trust, fitting shoes properly using trained staff and free in-store measuring, and standing behind every pair we sell. Our stores across Northern Ireland stock the widest range of footwear in the region, and our online store brings that same expertise to anyone in the UK and Ireland.
Every pair is sourced directly from the brand or its authorised UK distributor — what you order is 100% genuine and comes with the manufacturer's full warranty. Free 30-day returns means you can try at home with zero risk. If the size or style isn't right, send them back at our expense. Free standard UK delivery on orders over £75, with next-day delivery available on orders placed before 2pm Monday to Friday. Click-and-collect from any Cordners store across Northern Ireland is free of charge, with stock typically ready within one working day. Need sizing advice? Visit any Cordners store for a free fitting from our trained team, or chat to us online during business hours.