Chuck your old Converse, the new and improved mark II just landed"In creating the Chuck II, Converse joined creative spirits around the world, on tour, in concert halls and art studios, urban streets and all night parties, and realised they wanted more," said a statement from Converse, the 100-year-old American shoe company now owned by Nike. "The Chuck Taylor All Star II is built for the next generation of creative minds that are ready for more." Converse’s perennial longevity is largely down to it being a classless shoe that (unlike perhaps any other shoe) looks better with wear and tear - wear and tear encouraged by the shoe’s disposability. While Converse have held onto the original design for nearly 100 years (12 of which were under Nike’s supervision), it was only a matter of time until Nike got their claws into it, and created a slightly more premium offering. The Chuck II's changes are modest but considered. A sole liner has been added to cushion the wearer's feet and provide arch support using Nike's Lunarlon foam material, which has been a key feature in a number of its most successful recent basketball shoe designs. A strip of padding has been added around the collar of the shoe, and the tongue has been given a non-slip finish. A perforated artificial micro-suede upper liner has also been introduced to help prevent the wearer's feet from getting too hot and sweaty. Whatever your thoughts, you'll probably end up buying a pair.Still hungry for more? Sign up for our weekly supplement featuring the latest news, profiles, features and innovation