“Quick Can’t Be Caught” is Jordan Brand’s slogan for the latest Chris Paul signature sneaker, the CP3.IV—a basketball shoe designed to push any baller’s speed to the limit.
“Chris is a motorcycle among cars,” Jordan Brand lead designer Jason Mayden told media during the sneaker’s launch event at the New Orleans Arena. “He’s the most mechanical, most reactive, most deceptive player on the court when he gets the ball in his hands, and he needs a shoe that can react to his style of play.”

At the beginning of the design process for the CP3.IV, both Mayden and Paul felt that the shoe needed to highlight CP3’s on-court performance without sacrificing comfort.
“A lot of times guys just think you’re playing and the shoes don’t matter,” Paul said. “It was Willie Green in the locker room—I was explaining it to him, the different things on the side of my shoe, which helps me when I run at a guy really fast and I want to pull back the crossover. Jay May [Mayden] watched me play and learned those different things about me, and believe it or not, it gives me a little edge.”
Jordan Brand has been pushing to make all their products lightweight, so every detail—material, construction and style—was carefully deliberated.

“The CP3.IV has an asymmetrical collar [modeled after CP3’s favorite sneaker, the Air Jordan XIII Low], which is lower on the lateral side and higher on the medial,” said Mayden.

“No-sew construction,” along with a combination of mesh and leathers on the upper, produces a lighter, faster, more breathable shoe—all while providing strong support, which keeps the foot locked into place.

The heel uses a traditional running technology, so ballers can wear the shoe during off-court workouts, but the traction pattern on the sole provides an ample grip on the court, assisting on quick cuts and sharp movements.
Concerning the evolution of the CP3’s, the Hornets’ #3 couldn’t be happier with the results. “It’s crazy to see the evolution from my first shoe,” Paul said. “When my first shoe came out, I thought it was the best thing ever. Then the second one came out and I thought the same thing, and it just keeps on happening.”
Check out STACK’s exclusive video (above) of Chris Paul and Jason Mayden discussing a full breakdown of the shoe, as well as the inspiration behind the CP3.IV.
For more info on the sneaker, set to be released nationwide on Saturday, Jan. 1, head to nike.com/jumpman23.
Source:  Jordan Brand
Photos:  Jordan Brand