Inside the Design of Paul George's First Signature Shoe with Nike's Tony Hardman

In Nike’s 44-year history, less than one percent of its athletes have been given a signature shoe. Paul George joins this exclusive club with the Nike PG 1.

George becomes Nike Basketball’s fourth active signature athlete and the 21st basketball player to receive a signature shoe from Nike.

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The Nike PG 1 reflects George’s two-way game, his personality and is a true collaboration between George and Nike designer Tony Hardman. The evidence of Hardman and George’s connection is in the details of the PG 1’s design, from the forefoot strap to the responsive cushioning.

Hardman is a footwear designer for Nike Basketball and has been for about five years. Hardman is the designer behind the Nike Zoom Crusader and Run the One models that George calls his favorites. The snug, seamless fit of the Crusader is reflected in the PG 1 design.

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While talking to B/R, Hardman shared that George made the most sense to become a signature athlete with Nike because of how easy it is to identify with him and his underdog story. In short, Paul George is “hungry and humble,” says Hardman, and was different from LeBron James and Kevin Durant in that George was not heralded his whole life and was someone everyone could relate to.

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George exceeded expectations with his involvement in creating the Nike PG 1. During one of their initial meetings, George actually presented the design team with his own sketches that included a forefoot strap. From there, Hardman and his team recognized “stylistically, we know that’s kinda what he’s looking for” as well as a functional aspect of the shoe. The PG 1 pays homage to who Paul George is. Hardman remembers looking at George’s shoe closet and car collection to draw inspiration for the shoe.

The PG 1 wouldn’t be George’s without acknowledging his love for fishing, a pastime he shares with his father, Paul George Sr. Hardman told B/R about a time when the design team traveled to meet Paul at his house and had to wait an hour because Paul was out fishing on his lake. The shoe’s traction pattern, which resembles fish scales, reflects George’s love for fishing. “He wants to fish professionally one day,” says Hardman.

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During initial meetings for the PG 1, George said he wanted extra cushioning in the front of the shoe because his toes were hurting. Through testing, scans and putting George through drills at the Nike Sports Research Lab in Beaverton, Oregon, it turns out he was wearing shoes almost a full size too small. The PG 1 now features a thicker sockliner to give George a full-bootie construction delivering a snug, 1-to-1 fit.

The PG 1 celebrates Paul George’s personality as well as his journey back from his devastating leg injury almost three years ago. “I want to acknowledge it and celebrate it,” said George when asked about the injury's influence on the shoe. The PG 1 features a reflective strip on the back of the right shoe, a nod to George's injury and the titanium rod used to repair his right-leg fracture.

The Nike PG 1 “Shining” releases Saturday, February 25 while the “Ferocity” colorway releases globally on March 4 for $110.

All images and video courtesy of Nike unless otherwise noted.