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While some speculated that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was going to hit the sneaker free agent market, the Converse athlete decided to re-sign with the label once it had given him the Creative Director role of its basketball division and promised him a signature sneaker in the future. After revealing his signature logo in December and cryptic Instagram teasers over the last week, SGA has finally shown the world his first signature sneaker with Converse — the Converse Shai 001.
As expected, SGA's first signature sneaker opts for a fashion-forward aesthetic, taking on a low-top cut and constructed from a mixture of leather and neoprene for its upper. Concealing the lacing system is a shroud with a zipper attachment lined with a puffy neoprene that contrasts the leather base layer below. Shai's previously revealed signature logo, embroidered in a tonal finish, is atop the tongue and is shaped similarly to the Yeezy 700 V3.
SGA keeps the entire sneaker clean without any stitching details, opting for a sew-less smooth upper reinforced on the heel with TPU and more neoprene. Converse and SGA have kept quiet about the sneaker's tech, though we can expect a full reveal for the model in the coming days as Shai will be participating in the NBA All-Star Game and will be helping Converse with activations in the city of San Fran this weekend. However, the teaser video does show that the medial midsole displays Air Zoom branding.
While many athletes team up with brands to create signature sneakers, oftentimes telling designers what they're looking for, Shai played a pivotal role in the design process by actually drawing multiple sketches that helped inform the final design of the Shai 001.
"I poured my heart and soul into the SHAI 001, and I’m proud to share it with the world," Gilgeous Alexander said. "From performance to design, every aspect of this shoe reflects my passion for the game and my commitment to pushing the boundaries. We made the SHAI 001 a versatile shoe for everyone – from the athlete who’s in the gym three times a day to the kids who just want to express themselves on or off the court.”
“We gave Shai creative control over the design of the shoe in a way only Converse can. Then, we went to work leveraging the resources of Converse and all the innovation of Nike, Inc. to proudly deliver the SHAI 001,” Jared Carver, CEO and President of Converse said. “Converse invented the first basketball shoe, and we have been there for so many of the sport’s beloved moments over the last hundred years. We are confident the SHAI 001 will help inspire and inform the next wave of basketball footwear, and return Converse to its rightful place at the heart of the game.”
The Converse Shai 001 will have a limited release on September 4, 2025, through Converse, Nike SNKRS, and select retailers online and in-store. Available in men's sizing, the retail price is set at $130. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Converse Shai 001 Butter
Images via Nike
Images via Converse
Images via Converse
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy watching films and discovering music. Follow me on Letterboxd @nickvlah For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com
