Nearly a century later, “Jack” returns with its iconic smile toe detail.
Converse has officially announced that it will reimagine the classic Jack Purcell silhouette under its highest-tier First String product line. This marks the second time Converse has awarded this top-tier craft label to an iconic archival model, following the First String Chuck Taylor release back in 2025.
The history of Jack Purcell dates all the way back to 1933. This low-top sneaker was named after Canadian badminton world champion Jack Purcell, who held the top spot in the global professional badminton rankings for 12 consecutive years and personally co-designed the shoe to meet the demands of top-level competitive play.
This First String iteration takes 1970s to 1980s archival original pairs as its blueprint, and has been completely reworked from the inside out. The upper is crafted from premium leather, and the last has been readjusted to add extra width in the forefoot for significantly improved wearing comfort. The outsole is upgraded with a Vibram unit to boost durability and traction, while the midsole integrates CX foam and Nike Air cushioning technology, replacing the traditional die-cut structure from the original design.
On the detail front, the heel label brings back the 1970s JP handwritten font and wedge logo; upper stitching references the larger curved aesthetic of the mid-1970s; the top line of the collar is slightly raised, and the toe cap is shortened to match the early 1980s silhouette; the vent eyelets are sunk down to the top of the welt — all of these are authentic construction features from the original vintage pairs. In addition, vintage-style laces with metal aglets, angled main eyelets, thickened midsole edge binding tape, and a slip-resistant fixing loop on the tongue all come together to complete the full look of this premium reimagined edition.
The launch debuts two colorways, White and Mountain Green, timed perfectly to align with the start of the US Open. Prior to the official release, tennis star Jannik Sinner had already worn a custom pair at the Rome tournament award ceremony, dropping the first hint of this long-awaited comeback. Alex Restivo, Director of Special Projects at Converse, stated: “Jack Purcell is one of the most important silhouettes in our archive, and we are extremely excited for what lies ahead for it.”
The Converse First String Jack Purcell made its first exclusive launch on September 3rd at KITH stores, the KITH official website and the KITH App. It will later be released via Converse’s official channels and selected retailers, with more styles scheduled to roll out sequentially later this year.
FAQ
Q: What design blueprint did Converse use for this First String Jack Purcell?
A: This iteration is modeled after original archival pairs from the 1970s to 1980s, with every element from materials, last shape to construction details reworked based on the classic vintage design.
Q: What upgrades have been made to the midsole setup compared to the original vintage model?
A: The new version features CX foam and Nike Air cushioning built into the midsole, replacing the traditional die-cut structure. Paired with a Vibram outsole, it delivers major improvements in cushioning, durability and traction.
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