The best thing about the #menswear movement is when it takes functional detailing and re-contextualises them for a decidedly impractical application. Think Stone Island jackets that are resistant to radioactive fallout – which, come to think of it, might actually come in handy when you’re microwaving your third serve of nachos for the day.

The latest inductee into the canon of function and form over everything is this collaborative offering from Hancock VA and Converse first string. Hancock have applied their signature siphonia elastic bonded rubber shell treatment to the Jack Purcell mid silhouette, which in layman’s terms means that these bad boys are waterproof. Now I’d argue that if you’re an adult who hasn’t worked out how to navigate the city without getting your feet wet, then you’d probably struggle to tie up the laces on these shoes. BUT the beauty of being an adult is that no one can tell you what to spend your money on, and you better believe that I’ll be copping a pair of the yellow joints and stomping around in puddles dressed like a steezy Paddington Bear while my friends look on in quiet envy.

The Hancock VA X Converse Jack Purcells are launching in three colourways, blazing yellow, chateau grey, and dark navy. There will be strictly limited quantities available at $180 retail, so if you’re keen make sure you get down to Up There Store at either 10am (South Melbourne) or 11am (City) this Saturday the 15th.