Converse Unveils "Slither" SHAI 001 as SGA Wins Back-to-Back NBA MVP Awards

As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues his dominant playoff run — fresh off back-to-back MVP campaigns — Converse is scaling up the rollout of his debut signature sneaker with the unveiling of the Converse SHAI 001 Premium “Slither.”

Following teasers earlier this week, the brand has now officially revealed the snakeskin-covered pair in full. The Converse SHAI 001 Premium “Slither” wraps the model’s futuristic zippered upper in a detailed reptile-inspired finish, pairing natural tan and black scale patterns with earthy midsoles and matching trim. Campaign imagery leans heavily into the theme, featuring live snakes intertwined around the sneaker as Converse pushes the “Designed to Scale” messaging behind the release.

The pair arrives shortly after the reveal of the shimmering “Steel” colorway, continuing the steady expansion of the SHAI 001 lineup as the silhouette gains momentum throughout the postseason. Despite only debuting last year, the SHAI 001 has quickly become one of the more recognizable signature models in basketball, helped in large part by Gilgeous-Alexander continuing to wear the sneaker throughout his MVP-level run.

Unlike some of the earlier inline releases, the “Slither” edition appears positioned as a premium execution of the model, elevating the sleek low-cut design with bold texture and fashion-forward styling that aligns closely with Shai’s tunnel fits and on-court presence.

The Converse SHAI 001 Premium “Slither” is set to release on Tuesday, July 14, via Converse and select retailers.

For more sneaker news from the NIKE, Inc. conglomerate, check out the latest Jordan releases.