The notorious Converse tongue slide is a fashion and comfort frustration that has plagued owners for decades, and the premium Chuck 70 line is no exception. While the Chuck 70 is celebrated for its superior comfort, thicker canvas, and vintage details—based on the original 1970s design—the tongue’s tendency to drift to the side remains a common annoyance that can ruin the fit and look of your favorite sneaker. As of the latest updates in December 2025, the community has perfected several "tongue tie" methods, ranging from simple lacing adjustments to permanent DIY fixes, ensuring your Chuck 70s stay perfectly centered and comfortable all day long.
This guide dives deep into the most effective and up-to-date solutions for this common issue, focusing specifically on the Chuck 70 silhouette. Whether your pair has the official lace loop or not, you will find a guaranteed method to eliminate tongue slippage and maintain the clean, symmetrical look that makes the Chuck 70 so iconic.
The Essential Problem: Why Chuck 70 Tongues Slide
The Converse Chuck 70 is a modern-day re-creation of the classic All Star from the 1970s, featuring a more durable construction, better arch support, and a thicker rubber sole.
Despite these upgrades, the tongue on many models is not fully anchored to the side of the shoe (unlike some modern athletic sneakers), allowing it to shift laterally during walking. This is known as tongue slippage or tongue shift.
The movement is exacerbated by the natural shape of the foot, which pushes the flexible canvas tongue to one side, often leading to discomfort and the need for constant adjustment. The good news is that the solution is often a simple lacing trick or a minor modification that creates a tongue tie or lace stay where one might be missing.
The Official Solution: Using the Built-in Chuck 70 Lace Loop
On many modern and premium versions of the Chuck 70, Converse has included a small, vertical loop of fabric sewn into the center of the tongue. This feature is sometimes referred to as a webbed tongue loop or lace stay.
This simple addition is the intended and most straightforward "tongue tie" solution. If your Chuck 70s have this loop, using it correctly will almost instantly solve the slippage problem.
How to Use the Lace Loop
- Identify the Loop: Locate the small fabric loop, usually positioned about halfway up the tongue, between the eyelets.
- Thread the Laces: When you reach the eyelets that align with the loop, simply cross your laces and thread both ends *through* the loop before continuing to the next set of eyelets on the shoe's upper.
- Anchor and Tighten: Pull the laces tight after they pass through the loop. This action anchors the tongue firmly in the center, preventing any lateral movement.
It is important to note that this loop is not universal across all Chuck 70 models, which is why the following DIY and lacing techniques are essential for pairs that lack this feature.
4 DIY and Lacing "Tongue Tie" Hacks for Chuck 70s
For those who own Chuck 70s without the convenient lace loop, the community has developed several innovative methods to create a functional tongue tie. These techniques range from non-permanent lacing adjustments to minor modifications.
1. The DIY Slit (Permanent Tab) Method
This is a popular, highly effective, and nearly invisible modification that works on any canvas Chuck 70. It involves creating your own tongue stay where the laces can be threaded.
- Locate the Spot: Find a location a few eyelets down from the top—where the laces naturally cross and where you want the tongue to be anchored.
- Create the Slits: Carefully cut two small, parallel slits (about 0.25 inches or 6mm apart) into the tongue fabric. *Use a sharp craft knife or small scissors and be cautious not to cut too large.*
- Weave the Laces: Cross the laces as usual, then run them *under* the resulting fabric strip (or tab) you just created before continuing to the next eyelets.
This method creates a permanent, custom-placed anchor that is highly effective at keeping the tongue centered, even when using alternative lacing styles like bar lacing.
2. The Sewing Anchor Method (The Most Permanent Fix)
For a truly permanent and completely invisible fix, the sewing method is the gold standard. This technique anchors the tongue to the shoe's interior lining.
- Materials: You will need a needle and thread that matches the interior color of your Chuck 70 (usually white or off-white).
- The Stitch: Pull the tongue straight and centered. Place a few small, neat stitches from the edge of the tongue's interior fabric to the inside lining of the shoe's upper, right where the tongue meets the side.
- Placement: A few stitches on the interior fabric of the shoe, on both the left and right side of the tongue, will secure it. This only takes a few minutes and is completely unnoticeable from the outside.
This method is favored by those who want to ensure the tongue stability is 100% fixed without changing their lacing style.
3. The Tongue Lock Lacing Technique
Borrowed from running shoe technology, the Tongue Lock Lacing technique uses a specific pattern to create tension that pulls the tongue back and keeps it centered.
- Standard Lacing: Lace your Chuck 70s up to the second-to-last set of eyelets.
- The Lock: Instead of crossing the laces, run each lace straight up to the top eyelet on the same side.
- The Tie: Cross the laces over the tongue only at the very top, creating a tight anchor point that cinches the tongue down and prevents it from shifting. This technique is similar to the heel lock method used to prevent heel slip, but it is focused on the tongue.
This lacing style is a non-permanent fix that provides excellent tongue support and can be quickly undone if you decide to change your look.
4. The Under-Over Lacing Trick
For a quick, temporary fix without any modification, this lacing trick provides moderate tongue control by using the laces to press the tongue down.
- The Midpoint: Lace your Chuck 70s normally until you reach the halfway point (around the third or fourth eyelet).
- The Switch: At this point, run the laces *under* the tongue just once, then cross them back over the tongue to continue lacing normally through the remaining eyelets.
This technique helps to pull the tongue straight and keeps it from sliding down into the shoe during wear, aiding in getting the tongue back to its normal position.
Maintaining Your Chuck 70s and Avoiding Slippage
While the Chuck 70s tongue ties listed above are the primary solutions, proper maintenance and wear habits can also reduce tongue slippage and ensure the longevity of your premium sneakers.
- Always Center Before Tying: Make sure the tongue is perfectly centered before you pull the laces tight and tie them. If you start with a crooked tongue, it will only get worse.
- Use Tongue Pads: For a non-lacing solution, small adhesive tongue pads can be placed on the underside of the tongue. These pads add bulk, which can help prevent the tongue from shifting and also improve the overall fit of the shoe.
- Consider Shoe Fit: Sometimes, the slippage is related to the shoe being slightly too wide or the foot's shape. Ensuring you have the correct size and fit can inherently reduce the amount of lateral movement inside the shoe.
By implementing one of these effective Chuck 70 hacks, you can finally say goodbye to the constant annoyance of the sliding tongue and enjoy the superior comfort and style of your Chuck 70s as they were meant to be worn.
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