Customer Reviews Converse Jack Purcell® CP Canvas Low Top

These were a huge Train wreck for the brand! I have owned over 140 pairs of Jack Purcell tennis shoes since the 1970's. Approximately seven years ago they made some tremendous improvements which justified a price increase. Now they have stripped those away and cheapened the shoes back to what they used to be. Plus the fit of the toe cap is completely different causing some irritation when flexed (by taking a step). The shoes are not worth much at all and I am completely dissatisfied with the changes. I will not be back until I see the classic shoes that once were a stable in my casual wardrobe.

Jack Purcell's used to be advertised with the tag, "Virtually unchanged since the '30s". Not anymore. Converse has ruined this shoe. The suede insole is gone. The padding around the ankle is gone. The padding in the tongue is gone. The Jack Pucell logo on the tongue is gone. The logo on the heel has changed. The logo on the sole has changed. The durable shoelaces with metal aglets are gone. The trademark "smile" is no longer recessed in the toe, but rather applied. For some reason the instep eyelets are now located down partially in the rubber midsole. And the blue version of the shoe now features white stitching. The material and overall feel of the shoe is now flimsy, thin, uncomfortable, and cheap. I don't understand how Converse could take its highest-quality shoe and utterly ruin it. I'd being willing to pay 10 to 20 dollars more per pair to have the Jack Purcell to return to what it was like in 2008 or '09. If you're thinking of buying these shoes, save your money. Just buy a pair of All-Stars and take a marker and draw a smile across the front of each shoe. Because that's basically what you'd be buying here.

Do not buy these. Here is a list of everything Converse changed on these shoes when they updated the style in Spring of 2012. The high quality metal-tipped laces have been replaced with cheap ones like you would get with a pair of All-Stars. The insole is now thinner, lower-quality, and non-removable. The sole has lost the Sperry-like ridges. The vent holes have been moved and are no longer functional. They are now blocked by the insole. The "smile" has been changed. Before it was a cut-out from the extra layer of rubber on the toe. They paint it on now to save money, and have the audacity to describe it as a "toe reinforcement." I have been wearing Jack Purcells for years now, and it is worth saying that some of these changes are simply Converse taking away the upgrades they gave us with the last revision. Prior to 2006 or so, Jack Purcells were nearly identical to All-Stars in terms of cost and construction. At that point they started charging more for them, but they also added the improved laces, sole, and insole, as well as a sock liner. It was not the original, but they were still good shoes. With this latest revision, Converse has kept the premium price, but removed the premium features. What is left are the worst shoes that have ever been called Jack Purcells. I am most upset about the smile though. The smile is gone, and with it, the smiles of Converse customers. I have worn Jack Purcell sneakers for close to a decade now, and I know people who have been wearing them for four times as long. I am telling everyone not to buy them anymore because they are terrible sneakers now, and at the rate they are going, they are only going to get worse over the years. Within my lifetime, Converse has gone from a pillar of consistency and American manufacturing to a shamelessly cost-cutting company. When they were acquired by Nike it was not immediately obvious they were going to start making inferior shoes. It is now. Never again.

This website is terrible don't buy any products from here. I bought a pair of Jack Purcell converse thinking to myself that I found a good deal. A week after getting them I realized that they were fake. Yes fake! They didn't have his name on the lip, the stitching was different from my older pairs, and the bottoms were a different color than the online photos. And to make things worse the website got hacked and somebody in Michigan stole my card number. I live all the way in Texas. I would not recommend this site to anyone.

These are great shoes! They are much more comfortable than my Converse all stars, they seem to have better padding underfoot. I originally ordered my size and then exchanged for a half size down and they fit much better.

Converse has changed the shape of the toe of the classic Jack Purcell low top! The toe is narrower and the vamp shorter than on past Purcells. Shame on Converse for tampering with perfection! As a result, I have to return the new pair I ordered.

Aw. I don't think a classic Jack Purcell really needs a review from me. If you're buying this shoe it's because you probably know it and love it already. It's a flat basic great looking fresh and preppy canvas shoe, and/or can be worn in hipster vernacular as well. If you require arch support add an insert as they do not provide support. They are awesome if you prefer to go without socks as they breathe and don't become stinky. I stuff mine with brown paper bags though after wearing so maybe that's why mine stay nice. I have had probably 25 pairs over the course of my lifetime. Total standby. Cute with short dresses, jeans, outfits. The whole enchilada. But a half-size smaller than you wear for snug/good fit.

I saw these in GQ and loved the many ways you could wear these, very happy I ordered them!

You never buy a pair of Converse for comfort - it is all about looks and attitude. These do not disappoint on either - they are flat as a pancake so your feet get tired if you are planning to walk great distances but the payoff for looking great outweighs my pain. It is better to look good than feel good.

Great shoes, very flat, wide enough for my feet. I've definitely gotten compliments on them already.

I needed something comfortable for commuting to work, and I was getting tired of my Sauconys. These are perfect - look great with any dress, skirt, or work pant, and super comfortable to boot. I've gotten a ton of compliments on them. Got them in white and sprayed them immediately with scotch guard to keep them white - so far so good.

The main reason I went with this canvas sneaker over the traditional Converse shoes is because it has a slightly unique feel to it which I prefer. These are one of my favorite pairs of shoes and after taking the time to break them in, fit very comfortably. I've never really had to walk miles and miles in them but I do wear them at work and move around quite a bit. I'd consider buying another pair in a different color.

Terrific shoe! These are my second pair. They look great, fit well and are well priced. They even have a decent inner sole which make these much more comfortable than the Chuck Taylor's (Converse All Stars).

The Converse by Jack Purcell are the perfect classic-looking, low profile sneakers. They match everything. As with most styles of Converse shoes, they run a bit large. Choose half a size smaller than what you normally wear, and they will fit perfectly. I am really glad that I purchased these; I got them in black, and will soon be getting them in white as well.

I've been a Jack Purcell loyalist since high school, so I was really excited to see them here. Slightly more expensive than Chucks, but also slightly sturdier, so they last longer. They're a bit more comfortable in the soles than Chucks as well. Think of them as Chuck Taylor GT. FYI: The soles (on the black ones, at least) are actually blue. I'm not sure why the picture shows them as black. Just in case that matters to someone.

I have fairly wide, flat feet and wear a women's size 7ish (sometimes a 6.5, sometimes a 7.5). I ordered these in a youth's 5.5 as recommended by the site, and figured I'd be safe due to the reviews that say this shoe runs small. When I got them, they were a 5.5 as ordered, but hung off my feet. I needed to go a full size smaller. I haven't worn a women's size 6 shoe since I was in high school. So I'd have to say that these run large. Now that I have the right size, they look and feel great.

What's not to like about the classic Jack Purcell? Old school cool. James Dean wore this shoe...enough said.

Sometimes I run between a 7.5 and 8. In this case, the 7.5's were just a tad bit too small. I'm keeping the 8's.

Very comfortable shoe. Can wear them all day long. Color and style of shoe a nice upgrade to the standard Converse.

I love these shoes! For years I wore Chucks and now I've decided I need more arch support. These are way more comfortable than Chucks and they look just as good! Also, great job Zappos! Your customer service is fantastic!

I love just about all things Converse. I have many pairs of All-Stars, Premium All-Stars, and even the pricey, yet incredibly well-made and comfortable, John Varvatos Star Player EV. But I never pulled the trigger on this Jack Purcells thinking that they were too stuffy looking. The styling is definitely different, and maybe not as hip or modern as I like, but they do fit in with my overall style. They are quite comfortable as many have stated in the other reviews I have read. they lie between the regular All-Stars and the Varvatos. Overall, I am very pleased with their looks, comfort, and all-day use. As a teacher, I am on my feet all day, and these shoes keep up no problem! I did not give them five stars for comfort because the laces do not match the white of the actual shoe; they are much brighter and stand out some. But that is fairly trivial. They are good shoes, a must buy!

Have looked for JP's for years! Finally decided to get serious, and lo and behold!; my prayers were answered.

So cute and versatile. Like the white ones the best, though you have to be careful not to get them dirty. Classic and pretty comfortable, though you can make them more so with your own insole. Wish they were still made in the USA.

If you grew up in the 60's this shoe will bring back memories. Maybe not as comfortable as the shoes of today, but far less cheaper and the memories are priceless.