Converse and Gramicci craft hemp denim All Star J for city and trail

Converse and Gramicci gave the All Star J a hemp-denim upper that looks broken-in from day one, then priced it at ¥26,400, about $167, for a sneaker that tries to earn its keep on pavement and dirt alike. The ALL STAR J HEMP DENIM OX / GRAMICCI came in Navy, carried style code 31317930, and landed with the kind of textured finish that makes workwear feel current without sanding off its purpose.

The upper was made in Japan from hemp-blend denim, cut from 82 percent cotton and 18 percent hemp, then washed for a worn-in surface that reads rugged rather than precious. That material choice is the point. Hemp brings a drier hand and a visibly tougher look than standard canvas, while the denim treatment pushes the shoe closer to utility gear than to a pure fashion sneaker. On a low-profile All Star J base, the result stayed versatile enough for city wear but sturdy-looking enough to stand next to fatigues, chore coats, and raw denim.

What separates this pair from a quick logo swap is the way Converse and Gramicci leaned into their shared Japanese-made and outdoor credentials. The shoe used an 1980s-era last tied to the era when Gramicci was founded in 1982 by rock climber Mike Graham, which gives the silhouette a nostalgic, almost archival shape without turning it costume-like. Gramicci logos sat on the tongue and insole, there was a heel patch, natural off-white canvas tape along the sidewall, matte silver eyelets, and a black insole logo, details that keep the collaboration grounded in materials and construction rather than loud branding.

That balance is what makes the sneaker feel credible as a rugged alternative. It does not pretend to be a trail shoe, and it does not collapse into lifestyle fluff. Instead, it bridges Gramicci’s mobility-and-durability DNA with Converse’s Made in Japan craftsmanship, which is exactly where the story gets interesting for readers who want responsible materials without giving up everyday versatility.

The launch also lined up with Gramicci Harajuku’s first anniversary push. Gramicci’s first Japan flagship opened on April 19, 2025, at 6-13-11 Jingumae in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, and the sneaker was sold through Gramicci Harajuku, Gramicci Umeda, Gramicci online, Converse online, an atmos web raffle, and select Rakuten retailers. A free launch event ran from 18:00 to 21:00 on May 14 at Gramicci Harajuku’s 3F gallery, underscoring how neatly this pair sits between outdoor function, workwear styling, and the kind of Japanese construction that gives a simple sneaker real staying power.