We're Tweaking Over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Converse Kicks
We got a chance to gander at NBA MVP Canadian phenomenon Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s first signature sneakers with Converse, and we’re stunned, to say the least. With the Shai 001s officially out as of October 3, these are our first impressions of the unique-looking shroud of a basketball shoe.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who is now 27 and already arguably the league’s best player, is a man of many hats as he also heads Converse Basketball’s creative division.
His shoe aims to fuse effectiveness on the basketball court while keeping a stylish silhouette, which is fitting for one of the drippiest and most dapper players in the NBA.
Ironically, it’s been decades since Converse has really been known as a big-time player in the basketball shoe scene, even if it started out as one of the premier sneakers for the game many moons ago in the 1920s. The shoe disappeared from pro basketball around 1979 when brands like Adidas, Reebok, and Nike infiltrated the game.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the Shai 001 "Charm Black"
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Converse Philippines invited Esquire Philippines to its pre-launch showcase of the MVP’s latest creative venture: the kicks actually worn to win a championship this year.
We were immediately mesmerized seeing the shoe and all the snazzy colorways that looked like they belong on the runways, not on the courts.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen modern basketball shoes that you would actually wear casually; and no, Jordans don’t count since they are retro.
The shrouded design is just so entrancing due to the multitude of pairing options for both on- and off-the-court style antics.
Admittedly, we also go out to play hoops from time to time but haven’t really gone out to buy new on-court kicks since ours tend to last years and nothing compelling has really come to mind.
On the performance side of the shoe, the Converse sneaker makes use of the top tech from its now mother company Nike with the forefront Zoom Air for responsive energy return, a radial traction pattern for multi-directional control, and an over-laster midsole for stability.
The zippable shroud and the layered design just makes the shoe feel modern and a call back to vintage Nike Zoom shoes worn by the likes of Gary “The Glove” Payton.
Pairing these shoes, no matter which colorway you go with, should be a non-issue since the sleek design seemingly goes with any outfit we throw at it.
Personally, we would go with lightwash wide-fitting denim with the shroud unzipped for a laid-back vibe universally for all shoes.
The shoe launched globally last month but arrived in the Philippines last October 3. At launch, the shoe sold out everywhere and hype does not seem to be slowing down for what could very well be the basketball shoe of the year.
It is no joke as the sneaker on the court, as wear-tested by the likes of Andrei Caracut during Converse Philippines’ pre-launch/wear-test showcase. The traction thanks to the various traction patterns and multidirectional support for the players seemed to keep them grounded and allowed to fly on command.
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Guard Andrei Caracut in the Shai 001s in "Masi Blue"
We expected no less from arguably the world’s best basketball player and now the Converse Basketball Creative Director.
"I poured my heart and soul into the SHAI 001, and I'm proud to share it with the world," says Gilgeous-Alexander said during the shoe’s debut. "From performance to design, every aspect of this shoe reflects my passion for the game and my commitment to pushing its 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."
With the NBA pre-season already tipping off and new narratives and legacies set to be cemented, there’s no better time for the Shai 001 to be used by one of the game’s best and a perennial MVP frontrunner for the foreseeable future.
Color Theory and the Shai 001
All three available colorways (with a bunch of unreleased ones also surfacing online) are inspired by Gilgeous-Alexander’s family members with every detail of the shoe being intention. The player was very hands-on with this project with even the silhouette from the inside out being embedded with his design sensibilities and his signature aggressive playstyle taken into consideration.
Think of stopping on a dime to pull up from anywhere on the court to keep your opponent on skates. He puts a ball on the string without and is able to pull-up for a jumper for go for smooth finger-roll layups.
If that’s the shoe that the league’s most unguardable player is rocking, then we just have to cop them. The shoe was clearly a canvas for the basketball savant Below is a quick run down on the available colorways for the Shai 001.
1 | Charm Black
This is probably the most versatile variant of the bunch and the pair that we will be copping. Affectionately named “Charm Black,” after Shai’s mother, Charmaine, this colorway reflects the aura as phenomenal athletes. His mom was a decorated sprinter competing for Antigua and Barbuda in the women’s 400 meters in the 1992 Summer Olympics. Personally, we think this is the cleanest colorway that would go the best even at streetwear functions.
2| Hail Clay
The buttery smooth "Hail Clay" colorway is endearingly drawn from the basketball superstar’s wife, Hailey, and her hazel eyes. This colorway is also another option that is also very clean, pillowy visually and would go well with beige pairings.
3| Masi Blue
This blue variant of sneaker is in honor of the player's brother Thomasi, which is meant to mirror their stoic and stonefaced composure. The blue is also an intriguing option since it also evokes that ice-cold intensity and swagger that is synonymous with the NBA MVP. Converse also said that the colorway was an ode to the chill of “fierce winters and the bond of brotherhood” forged in their hometown of Ontario, Canada.
