>>1173383It's plaid because it's Woolrich. They have one plain dyed wool upper model, though it isn't a hiker. It's wool because it's much better at insulating than canvas.
It's fashionable and practical. Nike (owners of Converse) generally are both fashionable and practical, besides standard Chucks which are foot cancer.
The website I found them on for some reason doesn't show the outsole/tread, so I can't say how good of hikers they are. I know my Chucks have more grip (generally) than my Bean Boots because they can actually grab onto gravel and turn them into temporary cleats.
