Converse Drops the Nicest Take on Its Classic Sneaker Ever, and It’s Not Even Close

The affordable shoes have been around for over 90s years but they’ve never seen an upgrade like this before.

Close-up of dark green leather shoe with white laces threaded through metal eyelets.

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It’s not uncommon to see a pair of Converse’s Jack Purcell sneakers for around $60. That is, when you can actually find one on the shelf.

Despite being one of the brand’s most iconic and important silhouettes ever, the Jack Purcell has had spotty availability in recent years. But seeing as 2025 was the shoe’s 90th anniversary, Converse managed to bring it back in the way of the revived classic Jack Purcell CL.

If that wasn’t enough, we also saw a heritage-inspired premium option, the Jack Purcell 1935, which upgraded the materials and construction, and came with a price tag of over $100. Nevertheless, there was still room for improvement.

Close-up of a green sneaker with white laces and a textured off-white sole resting on a maroon tennis ball. — Converse is coming out with a luxury-tier version of its Jack Purcell sneaker as part of its First String range.

Now, closing out the parade of releases, Converse has added the Jack Purcell to its luxury-tier First String franchise, showing us what this classic sneaker is actually capable of.

A bit of history

Believe it or not, the Jack Purcell was not originally a Converse model.

Debuting in 1935 by B.F. Goodrich, the sneaker was a collaborative effort with Canadian badminton world champion Jack Purcell and is recognized as one of the first-ever athlete signature shoes. Converse then acquired the rights in 1972 when it merged with B.F. Goodrich’s footwear business.

Pair of white low-top sneakers with white laces and black heel tabs on a white background. — Starting its life as a badminton shoe from B.F. Goodrich in 1935, Converse eventually bought the rights to the Jack Purcell in the ’70s and has been selling them ever since.

Pair of off-white low-top sneakers with thick rubber soles and metal eyelets on a white background. — A collaborative effort with world champion badminton player Jack Purcell, the sneakers were among the very first signature athlete shoes in history.

Since it lacks the typical Converse design language, the Jack Purcell has a unique aesthetic among the rest of the brand’s catalog. Its low profile looks less athletic than its counterparts, while the lack of branding gives it a minimal look.

There’s a reason the shoe has become a fashion icon, associated with the likes of Steve McQueen, James Dean and even Kurt Cobain. Its legacy almost beckons a more luxurious variant.

Dark green low-top sneaker with white laces and sole balanced on four maroon tennis balls. — These minimalist shoes have simply never looked better.

Top of the line

Converse launched its First String series last year as a way to reimagine classic silhouettes under an ultra-premium lens.

Pair of low-top sneakers, one olive green and one white, surrounded by maroon tennis balls on a maroon surface. — These sneakers are available in both Mountain Green and White colorways.

For the latest edition of the Jack Purcell, the shoe was built from the ground up for both feel and fit. The last has been revised to increase forefoot width for improved comfort. Meanwhile, the upper uses a premium leather — available in White and Mountain Green colorways — for a visual texture never before seen on these sneakers before. It’s paired with a thicker-than-normal midsole tape for durability.

Dark green low-top sneaker with white thick rubber sole and white laces on a white background. — The midsole tape is a bit thicker than usual for both durability and a more assertive style.

Off-white sneaker with black heel detail balanced on a black tennis ball against a dark red background. — The new edition features a ’70s-era “license plate” on the heel with period-correct branding.

Informed by archival heritage, this version features the rectangular license plate badge on the heel with the Jack Purcell script and wedge logo lifted from ‘70s-era models. Other retro details include a shorter toe cap shape, sunken vent eyelets and bigger arches on the upper stitching.

Fans will also notice a higher collar than modern-day variants, also nodding to retro ‘70s and ‘80s editions. Vintage-style laces have been equipped with metal aglets and a lace keeper on the tongue as well.

Underfoot, you get a molded sock liner with Converse’s lightweight CX foam cushioning system. Nike’s Air tech is also employed in the midsole (Converse is owned by Nike). Lastly, a Vibram outsole replaces the standard rubber to increase traction and durability.

Availability and pricing

The First String Jack Purcell is set to drop September 8. Converse promises more styles to come in the near future.

There is no pricing as of yet, but other leather-based First String releases have been well into the $200 to $300 range, with secondary market prices going up from there.

Off-white low-top sneaker with thick rubber sole and metal eyelets, laces untied.

Converse First String Jack Purcell

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About the Author: Ethan Brehm is an associate editor at Gear Patrol writing about footwear, watches, spirits, EDC and more. When he’s not shopping for his next G-Shock, he spends his time watching movies and planning a future road trip with his family. He firmly believes CDs sound better than vinyl.

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