Chucks Made for Converse Japan: A Superior Product?

To preface this article, I’d like to share my personal history with the Converse brand: when I was an impressionable child in the late 90s through early 2000s, I noticed a common wardrobe choice among many characters in the TV shows and movies I watched: red Chuck Taylor sneakers. From Arthur to Stuart Little to the first Spy Kids movie, red chucks were everywhere, and I couldn’t escape. I was drawn in by those “red-and-white shoes”, as I called them, because I didn't know they were tied to a specific brand.

After begging my parents for years, I finally got my first pair of red Converse high tops at age nine in 2005. I can vividly remember that day: as I was trying them on, Counting Crows’ “Accidentally In Love” was the song that played on the Muzak system of the local Foot Locker, but my love affair with chucks was no accident; I was simply elated to finally wear a pair of the sneakers I've always wanted since I was three! Just a few hours later, we settled into the local Muvico cinema see the latest Disney flick: a superhero comedy called Sky High. It's an enjoyable family adventure about a teenager who discovers his superpowers while attending what can only be described as “Hogwarts for superheroes”, but one thing that stood out to me was what the main character, Will Stronghold (played by Michael Angarano), had on his feet: you guessed it, red Chuck Taylor high tops! Ever since that moment, chucks have been my sneakers of choice for life. Sure, I've worn other colors over the years, but I've always had a soft spot for red.

The author at age nine wearing his first pair of red high top chucks.

But enough about me, let's get to the real reason I'm writing this: in mid-2022, Converse — long owned by Nike at this point — had made drastic changes to their core chucks. Instead of the all-canvas inner liner, a spongy foam liner is now being used for chucks. From personal anecdotes I've read on the r/converse community on Reddit, people are divided over the changes: some find the new material more comfortable, while the majority of long-time fans noticed their newer pairs have started to fall apart much sooner.

Some of the comments on these posts had recommended an alternative: buying your next pairs of chucks from Converse Japan. Naturally, I became curious, as products made for the Japanese market tend to be made with quality in mind. That mentality has proven true for cars, cameras, and even Disney theme parks, so it must ring true for chucks, right? So, I did some digging, and learned that Converse Japan is a separate company that officially licenses the Converse brand from Nike, and makes their products to the same standards as American-made chucks from the 80s and 90s. While I can't personally speak for the quality of Made-In-USA Chucks, I wanted to try these out for myself.

Inside patch view of Made in Indonesia high top chucks.

It turns out that Converse Japan doesn't directly ship their products outside of Japan, and I'm not planning a trip there for quite some time, so what's a desperate American chuck-wearer to do? Fear not, as I've found a solution: there are a few proxy services that let you order products from Japan to have them shipped anywhere in the world. The one that was recommended the most back on Reddit was Japan Rabbit. So, naturally, I placed an order for a pair of Indonesia-made red high tops, and they arrived to my door just two weeks later, at just $20 or so more than the cost of what Nike sells their chucks for.

Outside view of Made in Indonesia high top chucks.

You're probably asking yourself “$85 for a pair of imported sneakers? How is that possible with international shipping being so expensive?" Converse here in America sells a standard pair of high tops for $65 (plus tax). Converse Japan, however, prices their standard chucks at a lower price of ¥6380 JPY ($43.15 USD as of the writing of this article). Add on Japan Rabbit's shipping and convenience fees, and you'll find your total at a cool $85 or so. Sure, it's more expensive to get them this way, but I find it worth the cost to get a more durable, comfortable pair of sneakers. But what if I told you there's a more cost-effective way to get them?

Rear and front views of Made in Indonesia high top chucks.

Enter Amazon Japan, where you can find these same Indonesia-made chucks for ¥5380 JPY, or about $40 USD, per pair. Sometimes, they can be had for as low as ¥3867 JPY, or about $27 USD, per pair, so keep an eye out for sales! Just recently, I was able to snag two pair for just under $98 total, including the fastest shipping method, which only takes up to a week. Since you're ordering directly from Amazon Japan, the hassle of a proxy middleman is removed entirely! Just be warned that some colors aren't able to be shipped to your neck of the woods, so you may have to resort to a proxy service for those pairs.

Outer sole view of Made in Indonesia high top chucks.

As for the shoes themselves? They are exactly what you’d expect from a classic pair of Converse Chuck Taylors: comfy, durable, and timeless. As a bonus, they don’t have any of the fuzzy felt that chucks made for the American market have. Overall, if you’re looking for a new pair of all canvas chucks, buy from Converse Japan!