More than 90 years after Canadian badminton champion Jack Purcell first put his name to the shoe, Converse is bringing the iconic silhouette into a new era through First String, its pinnacle craft franchise dedicated to meticulous construction, premium materials and obsessive attention to detail.
The story started in 1935. When Purcell designed a shoe specifically to meet the demands of badminton. The result was a low-profile silhouette equipped with a herringbone rubber outsole for traction and a distinctive rubber smile across the toe. Purcell himself became known as “The Smiler”, stepping onto the court in his namesake shoe and retaining his world championship title until retiring from the sport a decade later.
From Badminton to Cultural Icon
Like so many of Converse’s most enduring silhouettes, the Jack Purcell gradually became a cultural signal. Its understated proportions, recognisable toe detail and uncomplicated construction attracted athletes, actors, musicians and generations of creatives who saw something in its distinctive character.
First String Rebuilds the Jack Purcell
Now, Converse is taking the Jack Purcell apart and rebuilding it through First String, revisiting the archive to create the most elevated expression of the silhouette to date.
The reintroduction begins with a premium leather edition priced at $250, coming in two colourways: White and Mountain Green. While the overall shape remains familiar, almost every component has been reconsidered, creating a Jack Purcell that feels rooted in its history.
The new model starts with a premium leather upper sitting on a revised last. The forefoot has been widened to improve fit and comfort, giving the classic silhouette a more contemporary foundation without losing its original proportions.
Underfoot, Converse replaces the traditional rubber outsole with a Vibram outsole, bringing enhanced durability and traction to the design. Inside, the familiar die-cut construction makes way for a moulded comfort sockliner incorporating CX foam and Nike Air technology, adding another layer of cushioning to a silhouette originally created around the demands of court sport.
Archive Details, Reworked
The First String Jack Purcell goes deeper than simply upgrading its materials. Converse has returned to specific moments in the silhouette’s history to inform the remastering process.
The toe cap has been reshaped with a shorter profile inspired by Jack Purcell models from the early 1980s, while the collar top-line has been raised slightly to reflect how the silhouette appeared throughout the 1970s and ‘80s.
At the heel, the stay has been widened from 20mm to 30mm, introducing a more substantial visual presence alongside a multi-line decorative stitch. Stitching across the upper adopts a larger arch aesthetic borrowed from mid-1970s Jack Purcell models.
Even smallee construction elements have been reconsidered. The vent eyelets are now recessed into the top of the foxing, referencing an approach found on ‘80s-era Jack Purcell styles and adding another archival touch that will likely reward closer inspection.
Premium Details From Top to Bottom
That attention to detail continues through the finishing. Premium vintage-style laces are fitted with metal aglets, while the main eyelets receive a refreshed beveled finish.
At the heel, the license plate has been redesigned around the 1970s-era JP Script and Wedge logo, presented in a tonal moulded execution that keeps the branding simple.
The midsole has also been substantially reworked. Its tape height increases to 38mm, combining a thicker lower tape with an upgraded rubber compound designed to improve durability. A new lace keeper has been added to the tongue to help stabalise the lacing system, while the iconic smile across the toe remains in place.
Each pair will be produced in limited quantities and sourced from material partners with their own heritage and reputation for craftsmanship. The approach reflects the philosophy behind First String: doing fewer things, but doing them better.
Release Information
The First String Jack Purcell will release in White and Mountain Green, priced at $250.
The release starts exclusively at KITH on September 2, before receiving a limited global release through select retailers on September 3.
And this is only the beginning. Converse has confirmed the additional Jack Purcell styles and models will follow in the coming months.
