Converse is Reintroducing the Jack Purcell with a Premium Retro Update

Talk has been swirling about Converse potentially departing the Nike family for months now, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander taking his talents to The Swoosh has only ramped up the rumors. But if the All-Star classic is departing Beaverton with a one-way ticket, the latest announcement from Converse certainly doesn’t sound like it.

Jack is Back

This Fall, Converse is reintroducing the iconic Jack Purcell silhouette with help from the brand’s premium First String line. Reviving the 1935 badminton shoe that turned into a sporting and lifestyle classic, the OG rubber toecap silhouette debuts in two premium leather colorways: White and Mountain Green.

Taking its construction from the shoe’s heyday in the 1970s and ‘80s, the First String Jack Purcell features a restructured toebox for a wider fit, Nike Air technology and CX Foam in the midsole, a Vibram outsole, and more. The license plate at the heel reverts to the shoe’s ‘70s style to match the slightly raised collar top and shorter toecap, also from the era.

Converse First String Jack Purcell Release Details

The Converse First String Jack Purcell will be released September 8, 2026, through Converse and select retailers in-store and online. Available in unisex sizing, the retail price is still TBD. For all the latest Converse news and drop info, download the Sole Retriever App.

Converse First String Jack Purcell - White

Converse First String Jack Purcell - Mountain Green

Zach Harris

Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com