Shoe test | SHAI 001, aesthetic model

Converse dreamed it, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did that. It’s as if her destiny is sealed, SHAI 001 ended her run with the regular season MVP trophy, the NBA Finals and an NBA championship on her feet, just three months after being introduced during the final All-Star game.

An outstanding basketball player, who now dominates the most prestigious league in the world, Shai Giljus-Alexander had to have a shoe named after him. But his entry into this very closed circle also had to be through the front door.

A work of art (or aesthetic model)

An artist on the field, SGA is also an artist off it, and his passion for fashion as well as the quality of his pencil work made him fully invest in the design of his first signature shoe.

The pair remains primarily a “basketball” shoe, designed for profiles in the genre leader of Thunderexplosive, lively on their supports, with a quality of grip that has nothing to envy to the range references and also very good support. But the SHAI 001 is more than that, it’s a small work of art, designed by the gamer himself, that contrasts with the competition with its refined design.

“For me, it’s like there are two sides. There’s a basketball player and an artist. That’s how I see it.”he said on the occasion of his release. SHAI 001 is the most beautiful symbol.

GENERAL COMFORT

From the very beginning, the shoe stands out for its design and aesthetic work, the result of the hand of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. No frills, a zip to cover the laces that gives the whole thing a bit of ‘lifestyle’ and a pair that can easily be worn around town. The only downside to this bias is perhaps in terms of ventilation. The stem is completely hermetically sealed. Several holes on the “inner” card do not circulate air. This is undoubtedly the price to pay for style according to SGA!

You quickly get used to the device, that is, you have to tighten the laces well to be able to close the zipper properly. The advantage is that the support is always optimal. The heel cushioning is generous and the TPU support also provides excellent support.

Overall comfort isn’t the shoe’s forte, and for good reason, as we quickly felt that the pair was designed for dynamic profiles, which need responsive support and a very responsive sole.

Note: 8.5

CUSHIONED

The SHAI 001 needed a midsole that wasn’t too focused on comfort to stay explosive enough in contact with the ground to match Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s style. This therefore favors rebound rather than cushioning.

The midsole is made of “CKS” foam developed by Converse with a polyurethane base that gets thinner towards the forefoot, complemented by an almost imperceptible Air Zoom unit, always true to this idea of dynamism.

Note: 8.5

TRACTION

The grip is simply exceptional. For those looking for excitement in terms of support and impulse, treat yourself, the SHAI 001 is here for that!

The rubber sole and its perfectly gridded chevrons provide a feeling of real grip on the ground. The result in this matter is excellent, at the level of the best on the market, which is generally topped by the latest Air Jordan.

Note: 9.5

SUPPORT AND STABILITY

Support is also one of the pair’s strengths. The zip system covering the laces allows the two sidewalls to be tightened as much as possible, which is a real plus. TPU support is also firm at the back to hold the heel.

There is nothing much to complain about in terms of stability. We are firmly on our feet, and the absence of a plastic or carbon plate under the midfoot is not harmful, perhaps even contributing to bring a little more lightness to the whole.

Note: 9

GRADUATES AND LIFE CENTURY

Everything was conceived and designed by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, starting with his logo on the tongue, which was revealed on this occasion. His design was particularly sought after, featuring the outline of a 2, his number in OKC, but also another upside-down 2 in the 22 sign he wore at Kentucky.

The design of the pair is also quite unique, especially between the central zipper and the molded pieces on the collar. The top is as clean as possible, with no pattern or signature. A simple Converse logo to cover the heel and that’s it. The first three colors released also show this desire for sobriety, with a unique, barely nuanced tone.

SHAI 001 wants to establish itself as a model on a technical as well as an artistic level. And here everything was designed by SGA, a fashion lover and fine designer in his spare time. The result is this shoe that makes the Thunder leader feel as good on the floor as he does in the city.

“I got to the point where I made sketches, put them together and created something. I love the result. I kept working until I had a product that I liked and felt was presentable.”

Nothing negative to report in terms of longevity after a few uses. The sole seems to hold up over time and the upper seems pretty robust. You may see erosion of the moldings on the neck.

Note: 9

SHAI.001 JUDGMENT

Converse hit hard on its return to prominence by relying on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Because in addition to the sporting qualities of the player and his immediate success, his artistic sensitivity and his involvement in all phases of the project allowed a rather unique model to be born.

The couple stands out from the competition for their ability to combine these two worlds. On the one hand, a model that represents technical guarantees close to perfection in terms of dynamics, support and grip (and this is still the most important). And on the other hand, a unique design, conceived and drawn by the hand of SGA.

It is a true work of art, and what Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has managed to do with his feet so far only enhances the already legendary dimension of the pair. For 130 euros, it is surely a five-star model, to be among the favorites of the beginning of the season.

Note: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Shoe weight (size 44): 498 grams

Price: available 130 euros on the Converse official website (re-stock on November 20th)

Rating scale

– minus ⭐⭐: not recommended
– between ⭐⭐ and ⭐⭐⭐: faults that may stop some, but qualities that will charm others
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐: approved and recommended pair
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: an exceptional couple!