Converse Japan has reissued the Chuck Taylor All Star US Hi in a hemp build, a material-driven update that leans into the brand’s archival Americana while speaking to today’s texture-first sneaker trends. The model appears under Converse Japan’s “U.S. Originator” line, a program that recreates classic U.S. details—from last shape to foxing sheen—then applies seasonal materials.

The shoe’s headline is its washed hemp upper. Converse Japan specifies a natural off-white colorway with a softly worn hand feel, paired with hemp-blend laces and a discrete “hemp” flag at the heel pull. The specification sheet also calls out a vivid blue-star ankle patch with a notched edge, glossy eyelets, and cream tape with a subtle sheen—a cluster of cues that telegraph the line’s retro intent. Underfoot, the insole combines high-density urethane foam and rubber sponge for cushioning, while a lowered toe spring helps deliver a more classically proportioned silhouette. Branding stays period-correct with “U.S. ORIGINATOR” printed on both the heel label and insole.

While Converse has experimented with premium canvases and collabs across the global Chuck Taylor ecosystem, this hemp execution is a Japan-market release. When the model surfaced in April 2023, fashion press in Tokyo noted availability via Converse Japan at ¥10,450 (about $80 at the time), positioning the pair as an attainable special within the brand’s domestic lineup. That pricing and Japan-exclusive distribution were reiterated by multiple style outlets tracking the drop.

The “US Hi” naming signals more than ankle height. Within Converse Japan’s taxonomy, it indicates adherence to 1990s-era build notes and visual language: richer rubber gloss, sharper rand definition, and that signature ankle patch treatment. The hemp edition overlays those cues with a spring/summer-leaning textile that skews casual and pairs easily with washed denim or utility twill. Importantly, the color story stays disciplined—this release is a single off-white option rather than a multi-color pack—keeping the focus on fabric and finish.

For collectors outside Japan, the model has trickled onto secondary marketplaces, often labeled explicitly as a “Japan exclusive.” That scarcity—combined with the tactile appeal of hemp and the “U.S. Originator” spec sheet—has made the shoe a low-key target for fans who favor material subtleties over loud graphics. Still, this is a Chuck at heart: rubber toe cap, familiar foxing, and the easy wearability that has carried the silhouette from courts to concerts for decades.

Contextually, the release fits a broader pattern in Converse Japan’s catalog: periodic material refreshes of heritage shapes that respect proportion and palette. In this case, the decision to go hemp—washed, not crisp—adds depth and dimension without altering the DNA. For those who chase the nuanced variants that never leave Tokyo, the All Star US Hemp Hi is a clean, well-priced entry that feels archival and seasonal at once. Availability remains through Converse Japan’s channels, with specs and imagery confirming the details that set the pair apart from mainstream Chuck Taylor drops.