Construction

Great materials don’t mean much if they aren’t constructed properly, which Converse knows. The rubber sidewalls are noticeably thicker than other sneakers, which should make them more durable against scrapes, scuffs, and relentless grip tape scratches. Not only that, but the rubber sidewalls reach higher up the shoe for even more coverage and protection. That said, the shoes still use a classic vulcanized sole construction that may or may not last as long as most other vulcanized sneakers (Chuck Taylors, for example). For fans of stitched cup soles, you might be disappointed.

The removable insole is a nice touch in case you want to swap it for your own, but I find it plenty comfortable. It’s wrapped in leather from the heel through the arch, and then a cotton twill from the arch to the toes—a nice touch that makes the wear experience feel that much more premium. The insole is equipped with Nike’s Air unit at the heel. I can’t say that I really notice much of a difference in every stride, but maybe you will.

Aside from that, there’s a handful of smaller details that get the First String treatment as well. The eyelets are flatter and more flush with the uppers, the aglets are made of metal instead of plastic, and the tongue now includes a lace-keeper that holds the laces in place and keeps the tongue from going askew. A small detail and a small change, but a welcome one.

Fit

I was pleasantly surprised to see that the shoes aren’t just visually bulkier because of the thick rubber sidewalls, but they actually have a wider toe box. Compared to previous versions I’ve owned, I could immediately feel the difference, which my toes appreciated. That’ll certainly have an impact on sizing, which, for me, meant that I went down one whole size from my usual sneaker size. For reference, I wear a men’s US9 in most sneakers, but a US8 in the Converse Chuck 70, and went with the same size as those.

Style

Similar to the First String Chuck Taylor, the suped-up version of the prodigal badminton sneaker is substantially beefier than past iterations. The thick rubber sidewalls give the toebox a broader overall silhouette from every angle, though, thankfully, it’s not as pronounced as the FS Chucks.

Looking at the First String Jack Purcell feels like bumping into an old friend who apparently became a gym rat in the year or two since you last saw him. He’s bulkier but also more defined, his skin looks better, and he seems to be more capable. But like your friend’s new found gains, these newfangled Jack Purcells probably should stay away from slimmer jeans. As the fashion cycle churns through late-stage baggy pants, stick-skinny silhouettes will make their way back onto moodboards and store shelves. I still think we have plenty of time before that trend trickles into a full-on wave, but it nevertheless might impact how you feel about these Jack Purcells.