G.H.BASS x Reigning Champ: The Weejuns Get a Sporting Upgrade

When a footwear icon like G.H.BASS meets a modern athletic minimalist like Reigning Champ, something interesting happens — tradition loosens its tie a little. The two brands have teamed up for a limited-edition rework of the Hand Sewn Larson Weejuns®, and the result is a sharp fusion of heritage craftsmanship and sport-inspired design.

The collaboration sees two versions of the loafer — one in all-black and another in a black-and-white spectator colourway — both crafted from genuine Horween® pebbled leather, the same material used in official NBA game balls. It’s a subtle but effective detail that gives the shoes a tactile, athletic edge while maintaining the understated polish the Weejuns are known for.

Look closely and you’ll spot another clever design twist: a white lacquered outsole embossed with basketball lines that gradually reveal themselves with wear. It’s a touch of quiet playfulness — and an invitation to actually live in the shoes, not just admire them.

Originally released in 1936, the Weejuns were G.H.BASS’s American reinterpretation of a Norwegian farm shoe, designed for “loafing in the field.” In the decades since, they’ve been adopted by everyone from Ivy League students to streetwear enthusiasts, each generation finding its own way to wear them. This new take continues that lineage, balancing the clean lines of classic tailoring with the relaxed confidence of athletic wear.

It’s also a statement on what modern menswear has become — less about categories, more about connection. Reigning Champ’s minimalism and commitment to material integrity sit comfortably alongside G.H.BASS’s legacy of craftsmanship. The result feels relevant without trying too hard, a loafer that’s equally at home with selvedge denim as it is under a tailored trouser.

Priced at $245 and $275 USD respectively, the two styles will drop on October 21, 2025, via ghbass.com, reigningchamp.com, and select retailers. Once they’re gone, they’re gone — a fitting approach for a shoe that’s managed to stay effortlessly in step for nearly 90 years.