Converse Expands Basketball Lineup With New G4 Silhouette
Combining a late ’80s aesthetic with a modern-day mix of Zoom Air and React foam.
Converse is expanding its basketball lineup with a brand-new G4 silhouette. Arriving in high and low-top iterations, the G4 blends late ’80s basketball style with a dual-pronged mix of Nike‘s finest modern-day cushioning technologies.
Originally announced alongside the brand’s signing of Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, the G4 draws its design cues from the classic Converse ERX line, shoes once worn on-court by luminaries like Magic Johnson and Karl Malone. The thick collar pattern, classic logo and overall boot-like look draw directly from this potent predecessor, but construction is all modern with a lightweight mesh upper and supportive fused overlays.
Cushioning is where this Converse becomes truly compelling, however. Heels are made from a plush React foam, while a responsive Zoom Air bag is embedded in the forefoot, allowing for comfy landings and explosive toe-offs. “The reload aspect comes from the Nike React foam technology in the heel, and the explosive component comes from the Nike Zoom in the forefoot,” says Brandis Russell, VP of Converse Footwear. “When a player comes down on their heel, the shoe activates the stored energy, and allows him or her to propel forward.”
From a colorway standpoint there are makeups both vibrant and subtle, though the early star of the show is the G4 Low — which will debut in a white and black iteration with red, blue, orange, volt and green accents. The High will arrive in a slightly more subtle black/volt makeup, with the other styles above set to roll out over the course of the spring and summer.
Expect the Converse G4 Low and High to hit the Converse webstore come May 1. The Low is priced at $110 USD, the High at $120 USD.
Moving from court to casual, Converse is also aiming to spark joy with its Chuck 70 “Happy Camper” pack.
