You may think sneaker-loafers are a newfangled oddity based on their highly publicized sudden explosion, but these hybrid concoctions were around for yonks before their current wave of virality.

Converse, for example, created its skate-coded One Star Loafer in the ‘90s, decades before New Balance’s dad shoe turned dress shoe became a sell-out success. However, the most sumptuous Converse loafer is a new creation and it has only ever dropped in one region.

Converse Addict is the luxury branch of Converse Japan, a separate entity owned by the Japanese corporation Itochu, unlike the rest of Converse which is under Nike’s ownership (for now). That means Converse Addict is exclusively available in Japan, which is a shame because its elevated shoes are often top-tier.

The newest Converse Addict releases are a display of some of the things we’re missing out on, including the a luxurious Converse loafer.

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Though the Nike-owned Converse did revive the style in the US, it can't compare to Converse Addict's take.

It took until last year for Converse US to re-launch First String, its most luxurious range, for Converse to debut Vibram-soled shoes stateside but this has been the norm for Converse Addict since it debuted almost two decades ago. 

The grippy Italian soles, specifically the MegaGrip variation, are everywhere in Converse Addict’s latest selection, grounding new Italian suede loafers and hardy canvas Chuck Taylors that're informed by details on 1960s Converses, the wildest of which is extra plush and printed with leopard. Everything is considered here, from reinforced toe caps to the cushy insoles.

In Japan, this new range of high-end Converse is releasing on April 10. There are nice enough Chucks available elsewhere, but nothing else really compares.

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