Canvas sneakers are a way of life. An attitude. For me, they are a refuge from the heat and stress of a summertime city. The classic Jack Purcell are available these days in many variations, two of which are acknowledged by ACL as acceptable: white and navy blue canvas with laces. The classics, pure and simple. I don’t need the slip-on laceless variety. I don’t need crazy colors. I don’t need work boot laces. Less is truly more.
This past week saw us on an adventure in Maine with a brand new pair of Jack Purcells on hand for all of the Gosling’s soaked excitement – It was high tide for summertime. Being near the sea and doing the things you did as a child make you appreciate when things don’t change. It’s amazing when a pair of canvas sneakers can do the exact same thing and take you back. Like I said, they are a way of life…
Im torn between these and some classic all white Tretorn Nylite Canvas with a touch of paint splatter.hmmm
I have two pairs of Tretorn canvas Skymras. One that is for not-summer (navy/silver accent) and one for summer (white/green accent). So comfy. So classic.
And their $50 instead of $300. Thanks for keeping it real.
Bob
Los Angeles
Some time ago i made the mistake of buying a pair of red jack Purcell ‘s … The result I didn’t wear them once so I decided to give them a bit of sprucing up.
Here’s the result.
http://ramalhoni.com/jack-purcell-2/
i’m a fan of the off white a bit more so
Well designed shoes but wondering how you’d keep those pristine whites clean. Bleach every night? Levitate while walking?
The best part about the Jack Purcell’s is that you don’t have to keep them pristine! They look even better with a little wear on them. I wear mine everywhere!
@Miguel Ramlhao
Thanks for sharing that idea! I have a pair of bright Red Made in USA Chuck Taylors and cannot bare to wear them in public! Off to buy some bleach now, thanks!
I have a pair of these that I’ve been living in all Summer as well. Did you notice that they no longer have the famous tongue embroidery and the grommets now cut through the sole? They also appear to be made of a lighter-weight canvas than most of the online store photos show. There doesn’t appear to be any explanation anywhere as to why… Major bummer, but a comfortable summer shoe none the less.
I have the exact same feeling about summer shoes. My wife bought me the navy Jack’s for my birthday a couple years ago and they look better now then when they were new. This summer I bought the white Jack’s and they are getting better with each wear.
I’ve tried these on before and always found them to be too narrow, disappointing.
Does anyone know where to get the JP’s with the thicker laces w/the metal tips ? Seems the recent JPs have left off these details and are missing the blue suede-like inserts which provided added comfort. My JP’s from 2008 had these features but I don’t see them like this anymore. Thanks!
I buy about 3 pairs a year on Zappos.
They all have the laces with the metal tips, but I hate those laces. They always come undone. They have blue inserts, but it isn’t suede.
Love jps. Also have a few pairs of canvas seevees that are great, although they have durability issues, IMO.
All right Michael, what the story with these? They don’t look quiet like a pair of deadstock nor do they look like the newer redesign model of recent years that are a muck up of the classic. This looks like a reproduction of a vintage model. They’re to crisp and white to be vintage. Enlighten please sir!
These are too white for me :) I will destroy them in no time.
Are these jack purcell LTTs or just the Jack Purcell?
Love the classic white canvas Purcell’s ! I switch back and forth between them and my true white Vans Authentics and that’s all I need all summer. I actually prefer that the foot bed is now an off white rather than navy…looks more simple.
I bought Purcell’s every year until around 2004, when somebody had the bright idea that they needed an up date!!! The upshot was they were a pale imitation of the original. Awful thin cotton uppers and skimpy soles, they seemed to weigh half the weight of the original JPs.
The pair pictured look like old school to me, please tell me they’ve come to their senses and re issued the original design! I mean lets face it, they stood the test of time since around 1932!
I’ve often wondered who the idiot was who commissioned the re design if somebody knows his name…. would l love to give him a piece of my mind!!!
They improve with age, but so do Converse
Love JP’s. I’ve been wearing them for years. Converse for days.
I’ve worn JP’s over All Stars for a while now – they’re more comfortable and I have the white leather versions rather than canvas, they last amazingly (and also have the metal lace tips), and light blue soles.
I feel you on the Whites, but the First String line are clean as well… http://rep96stdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/rrlfin1.jpg
This summer I bought Nike Deuce leather white and despite their simple design like you said less is truly more. http://www.kicksonfire.com/2009/06/07/nike-deuce-blackwhite-whiteblack/
I strongly recommend these, because of their simplistic, yet intriguing design and the many possibilities to combine them with your summer outfit.