The Jack Purcell Returns Through Converse’s Pinnacle First String Franchise
What’s the history of the Jack Purcell court shoe? First introduced in 1933, the low-profile silhouette takes after its namesake, Jack Purcell, who designed the shoe to meet the demands of elite competition amid a 12-year run atop the world professional badminton ranks.
What’s the history of the Jack Purcell court shoe? First introduced in 1933, the low-profile silhouette takes after its namesake, Jack Purcell, who designed the shoe to meet the demands of elite competition amid a 12-year run atop the world professional badminton ranks.
What’s new in the Converse First String Jack Purcell? Converse has rebuilt the Jack Purcell from the ground up through its Converse First String franchise, bringing forward the most elevated expression yet of a timeless silhouette that’s long evolved beyond its performance roots.
What is Converse First String? First String is Converse’s pinnacle craft franchise, where iconic silhouettes are reexamined through elevated materials and meticulous construction.
When is the new Converse First String Jack Purcell available? The silhouette launches in a limited global release September 3 at select retailers.
Converse is reintroducing the iconic Jack Purcell court shoe through Converse First String, the brand’s pinnacle craft franchise, bringing forward the most elevated expression yet of a timeless silhouette steeped in nearly 100 years of sport history.
First introduced in 1933, the low-profile silhouette takes after its namesake, Jack Purcell, who designed the shoe to meet the demands of elite competition amid a 12-year run atop the world professional badminton ranks.
Like other classic Converse silhouettes, the Jack Purcell evolved beyond its performance roots, becoming a cultural signal adopted by athletes, actors, musicians and creators who recognized something in the distinctive smile across the toe — a feature that became synonymous with Purcell’s nickname, “the Smiler.”
Now, more than 90 years after that smile first appeared, Converse has rebuilt the Jack Purcell from the ground up through its Converse First String franchise, which reexamines classic silhouettes through meticulous craft, premium materials and archival details.
Every aspect of today’s shoe has been remastered with reference to the Jack Purcell archive. Awash in White and Mountain Green colorways, the silhouette features a premium leather upper on a revised last shaped for increased width in the forefoot, helping improve fit and comfort. A Vibram outsole delivers upgraded durability and traction, and a molded comfort sock liner built with CX foam and Nike Air technology replaces a traditional die-cut construction.
The license plate at the heel features the 1970s-era JP script and wedge logo in a tonal molded execution; stitching across the upper reflects a bigger arch aesthetic pulled from mid-1970s models; and the collar top line rises slightly, referencing the silhouette as it appeared throughout the 1970s and ’80s. The toe cap shape is also updated to a shorter profile reminiscent of early 1980s styles, and the vent eyelets are sunken into the top of the foxing — a construction detail found on Jack Purcell models of that era.
Finishing details further elevate the expression: premium, vintage‑inspired laces with metal aglets; beveled main eyelets; and a thicker, upgraded midsole tape all contribute to improved durability and refinement. A lace keeper is added to the tongue for stability, and the signature smile remains — its rubber inlay subtly reshaped for a modern finish.
The result is a contemporary Jack Purcell that honors the character of the original while elevating every surface and sightline. Each pair will be produced in limited quantities and sourced from material partners with their own heritage and reputation for craft, reinforcing the Converse First String commitment to thoughtful design and intentional production.
This commitment to craft is also on display in Converse’s custom one-of-one Player Edition of the First String Jack Purcell that Nike athlete Jannik Sinner debuted following his Italian Open win this spring, reinforcing Converse’s history in tennis and racquet sports while underscoring how Nike and Converse collaborate to provide athletes the best in performance and sportswear innovation.
The Converse First String Jack Purcell launches in a limited global release September 3 at select retailers.
Originally published by Nike.
