This is how the HUF brand intro described word for word at www.hufworldwide.com. Born out of a skate shop, HUF soon quickly conquered the skate industry and established themselves as a rather underground brand over time, while piquing the interests of the fashion industry. HUF’s strength lies in their ability to bring together like-minded characters who share an interest and passion for skateboarding, not as a hobby, but as a lifestyle.

This passion is reflected by the details in their products and design. Starting with apparel, Keith Hufnagel saw an opportunity to start a footwear program with premium design, combined with modern functional details. Made by skateboarders, for skateboarders, HUF represents not only a more refined and forward-thinking skateboard brand, but also the individual inspired by the vast array of countercultures that parallel the skateboard mentality. The authentic nature of HUF soon became the momentum to push the brand to the forefront of skateboard footwear design, especially with their popular team rider Dylan Rieder and Austin Gillette signature models. No matter how large the scale of business became, HUF was able to work with their rider’s directly to take a hands-on approach of design for skateboard footwear; notably the progressive design details like incorporating dress-like styles with skateboard functionality. Yet, what came as a surprise to many, Keith Hufnagel announced on the Nine Club Show that HUF will be focusing primarily on apparel from 2020 onwards (adding even additional team rider), reducing their attention towards the footwear portfolio. The skate team will be the same but with less focus on footwear.

Over the years, we’ve had a number of opportunities to get the first inisder’s look into HUF’s newest shoe silhouettes for reviews. We want to take this opportunity to thank the HUF brand for supporting Weartested, as we reviewed the HUF Southern back in 2012 and over the years we were able to review eight other models, such as the progressive Dylan and Gillette designs. There is no doubt that HUF has created a legacy in their footwear portfolio, and we’ve been blessed to capture their progression with our review. For a peek into the most historical HUF designs of skateboard footwear, check out our reviews from the past.

HUF Southern

The HUF Southern is a slim and solid vulcanized shoe. It features increased Ollie-area durability, good boardfeel, grip and craftsmanship. Minor flaws are the weight and the only average durability of the sole unit.

HUF Galaxy

The HUF Galaxy proves that a skate shoe does not have to be unnecessarily complicated. Apart from minor weaknesses such as the durability of the sole patterns and rather average cushioning, the Galaxy is completely convincing, particularly through its general durability, its flick and very good form stability.

HUF Dylan

The HUF Dylan does not only feature a very interesting and bold design, it also excels when it comes down to durability, which is far beyond industry standard. Boardfeel, grip and stability are great as well. However, its really slim shape and average (at best) cushioning, were some elements we were not too fond of.

HUF Classic lo

The HUF Classic is a low cut and extremely durable vulcanized model. The shoe scores when it comes to grip, boardfeel and its’ extremely durable rubber toe cap. Minor weaknesses are its’ lack of cushioning and stability for the model.

HUF Gillette

The HUF Gillette features not only one of the most developed designs in the skateboard industry, it also excels when it comes down to durability, which is far beyond industry standards. Boardfeel, grip and stability are the strength’s of the shoe as well. Its below average cushioning and comfort, were some elements we were not too fond of.

HUF Hupper 2

The HUF Hupper 2 is a wonderful addition to the HUF footwear line and packages some innovative design elements into a minimal silhouette. The shoe killed the game in durability, stability and grip, but leaves us wishing for more when it came to cushioning and comfort. 

HUF Clive

The HUF Clive is a perfect addition to the HUF portfolio. Underneath its clean and simple silhouette turns out to be a well thought layout of technical elements. In summary, durability, boardfeel and grip are all above average but one element of the shoe that needs improvement is the cushioning.

HUF Cromer 2

The HUF Cromer 2 features a simplistic design, it excels when it comes down to durability, which is surpasses the industry’s standards for low cut vulcanized shoes. Boardfeel, grip and stability are also the strength’s of the shoe. However, the below average cushioning and comfort, were points of weakness that could be better improved.

HUF Dylan Slip On

The classic silhouette of the HUF Dylan Slip On has a strong focus on boardfeel and grip,  also we evaluate the durability positively but falls short on heel stability and cushioning.

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Sizing

The HUF Dylan Slip On fits true to size.

Durability

The HUF Dylan Slip On features an all suede upper that lasted incredibly during the whole 10 hour test period, despite a small hole appearing in the Ollie-area. The durability of the shoe is definitely good; the quality of suede that HUF chose to use for this shoe is no doubt one of the better quality suedes we have skated. Moreover, the toebox area consists of a rather large panel, which held up very well against the abuse of the griptape. The stitching used to hold the panels together are located in the sidewall area where it is well protected from griptape abuse.

Cushioning

The cushioning of the HUF Dylan Slip On is minimalistic. The cut clearly shows that it is a combination of a thin sole construction, combined with a thick foam insole. The sole itself is still too thin though, which decreases its cushioning abilities. To counter that, HUF uses a thicker foam insole, which increases in thickness as it tapers towards the heel. This design does improve cushioning, but still, all the stair jumpers will be left without much protection.

Shape

Shape is a crucial design element for the HUF Dylan Slip On. The shoe fits how it looks; it is very tight and long. Its entry area is really slim as well, but the shoe does widen out towards the mid-foot-area. The toebox itself is slim and pointy; overall, people with slim feet will enjoy this model much more.

Boardfeel and grip

Since the shoe doesn’t over-do it when it comes to cushioning, the boardfeel of the shoe shines. The sole throughout the whole toebox and frontal area is really thin, which in combination with its great grip, leads to great contact with the board. Grip did not decrease throughout our 10-hr test. The sole features a special HUF sole pattern which is very flexible so the shoe can really cover a large surface area on the griptape which increases grip.

Comfort and stability

The HUF Dylan Slip On leaves nothing to be desired when it comes to comfort. Since it is slim cut, it fits your foot very well. The inner construction of the slip on is minimalistic, which helps that there are no pressure points. Regarding stability, the Dylan Slip On performed average. Although, HUF has used high quality suede that holds up the shoe’s shape and structure very well, the heel area lacks a bit of support.

Summary

The classic silhouette of the HUF Dylan Slip On has a strong focus on boardfeel and grip,  and the durability of the shoe was extremely positive, but the construction falls a bit short on heel stability and cushioning.

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SIZING

The HUF Cromer 2 fits rather small, so we would advise you to try it on in the skateshop of your choice.

DURABILITY

The HUF Cromer 2 is exceptionally durable for a vulcanized shoe. Its whole toebox and general front foot area is absent of any major seams and outfitted with extremely durable thick suede leather. This is perfectly designed for durability since most skateboard-related signs of use can first be seen in those areas. The seam that connects the toe area’s upper with the lace section is positioned strategically to prevent any contact with the abrasive griptape. Since there are no critical seams around that area, ollie holes or other openings were fully prevented. Although the outsole showed signs of wear, it was only the first layer that wore down. Under the suede lies an additional protective rubber layering which increases the lifespan of the shoe’s durability even if the suede upper has an ollie or a kick flip hole. The eyelets for the laces are also positioned higher up and closer to each other, minimizing the surface area of contact, which helped protect the laces extremely well.

CUSHIONING

The cushioning abilities of Brad Cromer’s second pro model however, are average. The sole itself is very thin, which decreases its cushioning abilities. The shoe’s profile picture shows an insole that is higher in the heel and lower in the toe area. This slightly thicker molded PU insole improves cushioning, but even so, those habitual 10 stair skaters will still be left without much protection.

SHAPE

Shape is an important design element for the HUF Cromer 2, as it is very slim and tight. Initially, the shoe feels flexible right out of the box, and after 2-3 sessions, the construction breaks in softer and adapts really well to the foot. The most impressive characteristic of the shoe was that it kept it’s shape the whole time. The toe area is rather slim, but the model gets wider towards the mid-foot-area. The toebox itself is slim and pointy; overall, people with slimmer feet will especially enjoy this model.

BOARDFEEL AND GRIP

Since the shoe features basic cushioning qualities, the boardfeel is excellent. The sole throughout the whole toebox and frontal area is really thin, which leads to great contact with the board. Grip did not decrease throughout our 10-hr test and performed very well. HUF uses their special Infinity Rubber vulcanized outsole which comes close to a vulcanized shoe from Vans. In addition, the sole does feature a wider HUF sole pattern, which makes for an evenly distributed spread of grip; since the compound is extremely grippy, it could also lead to too much grip. The wide grooved patterns in the sole and the thin sole increase flexibility which helps the shoe adapt extremely well to the shape and concave of the board.

COMFORT AND STABILITY

The Cromer 2 satisfies all your needs when it comes to stability. Since the shoe is slim and low cut, it fits to your foot very well. The shoe doesn’t have too many elements of support, but because it is slim fit, it hugs the foot closely and leaves a very secure feeling. With that said, this slim silhouette also has its negative points; it’s pretty easy to get blisters on your toes, depending on the shape of your foot. Although the shoe becomes softer, it does maintain its structural strength throughout the whole time skating since it was designed with a stable construction in mind. The heel is hard, which does adds to the support but is also very thin. With regards to comfort, the Cromer 2 performs average. We define comfort with breathability, weight and step-in feeling. When it comes to breathability, the shoe is average since there are only tiny design features involved, however the shoe’s weight and step-in are quite satisfactory to balance overall comfort with an average evaluation.

SUMMARY

The HUF Cromer 2 features a simplistic design, it excels when it comes down to durability, which is surpasses the industry’s standards for low cut vulcanized shoes. Boardfeel, grip and stability are also the strength’s of the shoe. However, the below average cushioning and comfort, were points of weakness that could be better improved.

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SIZING

The HUF Clive fits slightly bigger, so we recommend to go half size down.

DURABILITY

There are certain design elements that influence the durability of a skateboard shoe, with seams and foxing tape thickness being the most important for vulcanized models. The clean and minimal look of the HUF Clive is a result of the minimal seams designed in the hot spot Ollie and Kickflip area. After skating the shoes, we noticed this particular characteristic elevated the shoe’s durability. The HUF designer did a great job in fusing the upper panels together instead of stitching seams. Similar to the HUF Hupper 2, the Clive’s 3D foxing tape profile is much higher than other vulcanized models, which helped by directing most of the griptape abuse towards the foxing tape itself and away from the kickflip hole area. It basically acts as a rubber shield reinforcement in the Ollie and Kickflip attack areas. Although it’s a small detail, we’ll always mention how the laces ripped extremely fast in our reviews. But in the case of the HUF Clive, the lace line is designed quite narrowly and hardly comes in contact with the griptape, which resulted in our laces lasting throughout the whole test duration. All these mentioned features from our evaluation led to the shoe’s overall impressive durability.

SHAPE

The shape of the Clive is a narrow fitting shoe that still offers enough breathing room and space for the feet. The extra wiggle room for the feet is a result of their inner bootie construction, which we will explain more about in the Comfort section. The feet are quite secure and hug tightly to the shoe. The toe area is a nice element of the shoe; it tapers to a pointy shape, which also creates less surface area for abrasion. Although the HUF Clive is a classic vulcanized design, it is heavier than most. The sidewalls of the shoe are also much higher than most, which makes for a deeper fit and better protection.

CUSHIONING

Most of the vulcanized models we have tested opt for better boardfeel, which in turn sacrifices a bit on the performance side of cushioning protection. As you can see in the cross sectional picture, the Clive has a very thin sole which provides great boardfeel and flexibility. The cushioning comes from the insole, which is made out of EVA foam. The minimal padding can protect the heel and toe area only from minor impacts; the shoe is quite suitable for jumping down 5-7 stairs but trying tricks down anything more will leave your toes hurting.

BOARDFEEL AND GRIP

As a vulcanized model, the Clive’s internal construction has a heavy emphasis on boardfeel. Due to the thin sole, as well as the thin foam insole, there is almost no material that can decrease boardfeel and flexibility. A flexible sole can adapt very well to the concave of the board and has a bigger surface and contact area between board and foot. As for grip, the shoe uses HUF’s newest “Infinity Rubber” for the outsole, which is a rubber compound that is more durable and grippy than standard rubber formulas found in the market. When it came to the weartest, the shoe proved to be extremely grippy, however, we saw first signs of blow out spots in the sole. 

COMFORT AND STABILITY

Comfort has three main elements: breathability, fit and weight. The breathability is good due to a perforated HUF logo on the lateral panels that allows for consistent airflow. The fit is also improved due to an inner bootie construction that hugs the foot and offers good snug fit, stability and also support. The weight of the shoe however, is average. In terms of stability the Clive turned out to be very stable and kept its shape over the test. The shoe’s high foxing tape provided the sidewalls and feet more stability so the chances of ankle rolls are minimized.

SUMMARY

The HUF Clive is a perfect addition to the HUF portfolio. Underneath its clean and simple silhouette turns out to be a well thought layout of technical elements. In summary, durability, boardfeel and grip are all above average but one element of the shoe that needs improvement is the cushioning.

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SHAPE

Surprisingly, the shoe is quite spacious which might be nice for those who have wider feet. More often than not, we had to tighten the shoes more to bring the sidewalls closer to the feet to ensure stability. The toe cap is a nice element to the shoe, and rounds out nicely, unlike some shoes that become very pointy and have less surface area for abrasion. Although the HUF Hupper 2 is  a classic vulcanized design, it is a bit heavier than most and feels a bit more clunky before breaking them in. The sidewalls also rise up a bit higher than most shoes, which is nice for a deeper fit for your feet and also better protection.

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Sizing

The HUF Hupper 2 Lo fits true to size.

Durability

Despite it’s clean and minimal look, the HUF Hupper 2 Lo boasts quite a successful combination of durable materials and design elements. Although it’s not extremely technical in what they have added, the attention to detail and simplicity of its innovation proves to outlast longer when compared to other shoes. From the ground up, the profile of the 3D foxing tape was much higher than other vulcanized models, which helped a lot by directing most of the griptape abuse towards the foxing tape tape itself and away from the kickflip hole area. With that often seen kickflip hole in mind, Huf added more reinforcements with a rubber shield ollie barrier right above the foxing tape, to have a stronger layer of defense just in case that foxing tape wears off. In our model, and also some other models found in the Hupper 2 line, the ollie shield barrier is a strip of high quality suede. During the weartest, there was a bit of abuse towards it, but no wear and tear that broke through the layer, which meant there was a lot of life left in the shoe. Above this rubber shield component of the shoe, there lies a canvas sidewall that was quite sturdy and had no abuse from the weartest. The toe panel itself is made from the same material as our ollie shiel area, which was a high quality suede but well reinforced to provide a sturdy protection over your toes. Durability was a big plus for us with this shoe, with the only drawback being that the shoelaces ripped apart quite fast.

Shape

Surprisingly, the shoe is quite spacious which might be nice for those who have wider feet. More often than not, we had to tighten the shoes more to bring the sidewalls closer to the feet to ensure stability. The toe cap is a nice element to the shoe, and rounds out nicely, unlike some shoes that become very pointy and have less surface area for abrasion. Although the HUF Hupper 2 is  a classic vulcanized design, it is a bit heavier than most and feels a bit more clunky before breaking them in. The sidewalls also rise up a bit higher than most shoes, which is nice for a deeper fit for your feet and also better protection.

Cushioning

Most HUF models we’ve tried opt for better boardfeel, lighter construction and don’t have too much of an emphasis on cushioning protection. However, with the Hupper 2, HUF decided to add in their trademark insole dubbed the “Dual Density Perf Shock” insole to combat impacts from jumping stairs and gaps. The insole itself is made of EVA foam, which means it traps pockets of air in different densities to provide rebound and impact absorption. In this case, the second density of EVA appears as the neon green over lay that stretches from the heel to the midfoot. For the insole, the heel and toe area have very minimal padding which is meant for more boardfeel, while the midfoot area is much thicker and is designed to absorb most of the impact. The shoe is quite suitable for jumping down 7 stairs but trying tricks down anything more will leave your toes hurting for a bit.

Boardfeel and Grip

As a vulcanized model and similar to the predecessors in the HUF footwear line, the Hupper 2 has a heavy emphasis on boardfeel. Although cushioning is important, HUF made sure to not over do the shoe with cushioning elements in order to retain the original boardfeel the HUF shoes had from before. As a result, the insole of the shoe is well balanced, with an emphasis of cushioning in the midfoot, and more boardfeel in both the toes and heels. As for grip, the shoe was introduced with HUF’s newest “Infinity Rubber” for the outsole which was marketed as a newly formulated rubber compound that would be more durable and grippier than standard rubber formulas found in the market. When it came to the weartest, the shoe proved to be extremely grippy, with no blow out spots in the sole at all. In addition to the foxing tape, an added layer of Infinity Rubber circled around the toe cap, which had a diamond shaped tread pattern that helped with more grip with flip tricks. All in all, the grip of the shoe was quite satisfactory.

Comfort and Stability

The shoe was a bit stiff and clunky at first; it took some time to fully break in the rubber outsole and also the sidewalls, but after a few sessions the shoe’s fit became extremely comfortable. As aforementioned, the shoe was wider than most shoes, possibly due to the minimal padding on the sidewalls. As a result, we had to tighten the shoes to ensure better stability and structure. With that said, the sidewalls of the shoe were extremely stable and held up the shoe’s structure very well. The side quarter panel of the shoe had a rubber insert that stretched to the H logo, which helped with durability and more importantly, stability. The sidewalls and tongue didn’t have any perforations, which made the feet way more sweaty, as can be seen by the sweat lines marked onto the shoe. One aspect of the shoe that turned out to be an added plus was the shoe’s high foxing tape; the foxing tape rose higher which provided the sidewalls and feet more stability so once adjusted to the weight distribution of the shoe, the chances of ankle rolls are minimized.

Summary

The HUF Hupper 2 is a wonderful addition to the HUF footwear line and packages some innovative design elements into a minimal silhouette. The shoe killed the game in durability, stability and grip, but leaves us wishing for more when it came to cushioning and comfort. 

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Here’s how we at Weartested broke the shoe down. Enjoy.

Sizing

The HUF Gillette fits rather small, so we would advise you to try it on in the skateshop of your choice.

Durability

The HUF Gillette is exceptionally durable. Its whole toebox and general front foot area is lacking any major seams and made of extremely durable nubuck leather. This is perfectly designed for durability since most skateboard-related signs of use can first be seen in those areas. The seam which connects the toe area upper with the mid and heel section upper is sewn in the interior so there is no open seam which can be destroyed by the griptape. Since there are no critical seams around that area, ollie holes or other openings were fully prevented. Although the nubuck leather showed signs of wear, only the first layer wore down, in the case of our colorway the actual light brown area. Don’t get irritated by the black spot in the kickflip area, it developed within the first two sessions but there was no signs of a hole. The eylets for the laces are rather wide up and close to each other, which means the laces are protected pretty good as well.

Cushioning

The cushioning abilities of Austyn Gillette’s pro model are below average. The profile picture clearly shows a sole that is higher in the heel and lower in the toe area. The sole itself is still too thin though, which decreases its cushioning abilities. To counter that, HUF uses a thicker molded PU insole, which improves cushioning, but still, all the 10 stair jumpers will be left without much protection.

Shape

Shape is an important design element for the HUF Gillette. It is very slim and tight. In the beginning the shoe might feel a bit hard and stiff, but it gets softer after 2-3 sessions and the shoe adapts really well to the foot. The toe area is rather slim, but the model gets wider towards the mid-foot-area. The toebox itself is slim and pointy; overall, people with slimmer feet will especially enjoy this model.

Boardfeel and grip

Since the shoe features basic cushioning qualities, boardfeel is good and above average. The sole throughout the whole toebox and frontal area is really thin, which leads to great contact with the board. Grip did not decrease throughout our 10-hr test and can be evaluated as good. Then again, the sole does not feature any special structuring or grooves to increase flex. Shape and design are more influential on flex, which decreases from toe to heel. By the way, the heel of the sole is elevated higher than the sole, but is not noticeable when skating.

Comfort and stability

The Gillette leaves nothing to be desired when it comes to stability. Since it is slim cut, it fits your foot very well. With that said, this slim silhouette also has its negative points; it’s pretty easy to get blisters on your toes, depending on the shape of your foot. The shoe is really hard in the beginning, gets softer, but maintains its strength throughout the whole time skating since the model has been designed with stable form in mind. The heel is very hard, which adds to the support but is also very thin. This can be noticed when your board hits you in the heel area. Regarding comfort, the Gillette performs below average. The design of the shoe itself proves some disadvantages when regarding comfort. No padding in a skateshoe takes some time to get used to.

Summary

The HUF Gillette features not only one of the most developed designs in the skateboard industry, it also excels when it comes down to durability, which is far beyond industry standards. Boardfeel, grip and stability are the strength’s of the shoe as well. Its below average cushioning and comfort, were some elements we were not too fond of.

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Sizing

The HUF Classic Lo and Hi both fit true to size.

Durability

The simple design of the Classic Lo is not only visually appealling to the eye, but also proves its practicality; there is hardly any space on the shoe that is vulnerable to griptape. Durability is one of the key strengths of the model, especially due to the rubber toecap. The white reinforcement element makes the shoe hold up very good and protects it from developing holes in the kickflip area. Also, the suede is very thick and the griptape could not wear it down. We didn’t see any critical wear during our 10h test, which is a testament to the quality of the suede used and the rubber toe cap they chose to implement in the model. The only area which showed signs of wear was the sole, which lost some of its profile.

Cushioning

Given the fact that the HUF Classic Lo has a vulcanized sole, the focus is definitely more on boardfeel than cushioning. The sole has the same thickness from heel to toe area, but, due to the sockliner, the heel area is considerably thicker in the toe area which helps add a cushioning feeling. The thin sole cannot cushion hard impacts but it is better than expected.

Shape

The Classic lo features a low and slim silhouette, with the toebox relatively low and not as pointy as first expected. Although the heel area is cut rather slim, it doesn’t fit too tightly around the foot. This is because there is not much padding in the heel area or the tongue area for that matter. This may lead to problems when it comes down to heel lock, especially for those with slim feet. With that said, wider feet have a better lock in the shoe, which strays from the norm for most slim shaped models.

Boardfeel and grip

The thin sole construction provides great boardfeel because of its’ direct contact with the board. The sole is extremely flexible and molds to the concave of your feet; in this model HUF uses a very well balanced rubber. Given the fact that the sole has almost no profile, it was extremely surprising how perfect the grip performed during our test. The grip is majorly influenced by the flexibility of the sole. Even though the sole lost some of it’s low profile, the grip stayed very good throughout the whole test period of 10 hours.

Comfort and stability

The Classic lo keeps it simple when it comes to comfort. There is not much padding and as mentioned before, the sole construction leads to a direct boardfeel. However, the model is still comfortable for skating especially for people who like simple and low cut shoes. The really thin and wide construction around the heel and ankle area leads to the danger of heel-slippage and offers a looser fit if you have rather slim feet. Thankfully, the HUF Classic lo keeps its shape quite well, unlike many other models with such a thin construction without padding.

Summary

The HUF Classic is a low cut and extremely durable vulcanized model. The shoe scores when it comes to grip, boardfeel and its’ extremely durable rubber toe cap. Minor weaknesses are its’ lack of cushioning and stability for the model.

A

Check out the HUF Classic Lo at ARROW&BEAST

ARROW&BEAST HUF Classic lo

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High quality pdf: HUF Dylan Weartested

Sizing

The HUF Dylan fits rather small (see the chapter about shape), so we would advise you to try it on in the skateshop of your choice.

Durability

The HUF Dylan is exceptionally durable. Its whole toebox and general front foot area is lacking any major seams and made of extremely durable suede. This makes sense since most skateboard-related signs of use can first be seen in those areas. The suede revealed hardly any signs of wear, and the leather did not even show the usual slight grooves caused by griptape contact. Since there are no critical seams around that area, ollie holes or other openings were fully prevented. The eylets for the laces are rather wide up and close to each other, which means the laces are protected pretty good as well. Even the rubber around the usual flick area showed hardly any signs of wear.

Cushioning

The cushioning abilities of the HUF Dylan are rather average. The cut clearly shows that a combination of traditional sole construction combined with some innovative design elements were used. The sole itself features a slightly higher heel than its frontal area, which leads to a nice fit and protection of the heel. The sole itself is still too thin though, which decreases its cushioning abilities. To counter that, HUF uses a thicker foam insole, which gets thicker towards the heel. It improves cushioning, but still, all the stair jumpers will be left without much protection.

Shape

Shape is a crucial design element for the HUF Dylan. It is very tight and long. Its entry area is really slim as well, but the shoe gets wider towards the mid-foot-area. The toebox itself is slim and pointy; overall, people with slimmer feet will enjoy this model much more.

Boardfeel and grip

Since the shoe features basic qualities when it comes to cushioning, boardfeel is rather good. The sole throughout the whole toebox and frontal area is really thin, which in combination with its great grip, leads to great contact with the board. Grip did not decrease throughout our 10-hr test. Then again, the sole does not feature any special structure or grooves to increase flex. Shape and design are more influential on flex, which decreases from toe to heel.

Comfort and stability

The Dylan leaves nothing to be desired when it comes to comfort and stability. Since it is slim cut, it fits your foot very well. This slim silhouette also has its negative points; it’s pretty easy to get blisters on your toes, depending on the shape of your foot. However, apart from that, one can’t complain, since the HUF Dylan feels extremely light and reliable. Stability feels great as well, even though at first the sole seems to be a little off-putting. But after walking in it, it can be quickly realized that the wider parts of the sole provide exceptional stability, especially in combination with the shoe’s slim shape and cut, and its high quality leather. Moreover, the cut of the shoe lead to another surprise: The sole in the heel area hides about a 2 cm wide and 10 cm long metal plate, to improve stiffness and shape stability there. Very interesting approach.

Summary

The HUF Dylan does not only feature a very interesting and bold design, it also excels when it comes down to durability, which is far beyond industry standard. Boardfeel, grip and stability are great as well. However, its really slim shape and average (at best) cushioning, were some elements we were not too fond of.

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HUF has grown out of the former shop in San Francisco and has earned their stripes in the skateboard world; not only with their clothes, but also with a shoe collection. Not only the brand grows from year to year, but also the team that has been expanded with the likes of Austyn Gillette and Dylan Rieder last year. Thus, HUF has released several new models in 2014, including the Galaxy. The Galaxy fits with its simple design perfectly in the balanced shoe collection from HUF as well as to the style of the team riders. We have tested the shoe to find out how it skates.

Sizing

Durability

The toecap of the HUF Galaxy is made out of one suede piece, which helps to increase the durability in this area. The transition from the toecap to the lateral area is held together by a solid seam that is stitched from the inside. Thus, the seam holds up really well und there are no signs of holes in this usually critical zone. Therefore, the shoe offers almost no targets for abrasion and the suede contributes to the good durability as well. The perforated “H” can be highlighted as a successful design element. It is important for the design of the shoe and yet offers no possibility for abrasion, making it stylish and practical. The lateral outsole is very thick, thus increasing the durability, significantly in the kickflip area. Unfortunately, the longevity of the bottom sole is average. Although the sole pattern are coarse designed, it showed after 10 hours testing bare areas, whereby it is assumable the grip will decrease with further use.

Cushioning

The cushioning of vulcanized soles are known for not being as good as the likes of cupsoles. The HUF Galaxy confirms this, but possesses nevertheless a sufficient balance between cushioning and board feel. As seen in the cross-section, the heel area is slightly thicker than the toe area. The honeycomb structure around the heel creates a cushioning effect, so to speak, a “crumple zone”. However, since it is not so high it can only absorb impacts up to a certain degree. In addition, the sockliner also creates a slightly absorbing feeling.

Shape

The HUF Galaxy has a slim silhouette. Due to the narrow cut of the shoe, it moulds very close to the foot, which creates a direct contact with the board. The slim side panels taper from the front third to a rounded point. The model provides a very good flick and flip tricks can be controlled with ease through the direct contact between board and shoe as well as the tapered shape.

Boardfeel and grip

Overall, the Galaxy has a rather low height difference from the heel to the toe cap area. The sole design is very thin in the first third, making it possible for a direct, sufficient board feeling. In addition, the entire sole is extremely flexible, allowing it to adapt well to the concave.  A flexible sole typically improves the grip of the shoe. This stands true to the HUF Galaxy. The model has a balanced grip without sticking too much to the griptape. As already mentioned in the durability chapter, the bottom of the sole is showing signs of abrasion but the grip has not been as affected as first suspected. However, it is likely that the grip will decrease with further use.

Comfort and stability

The good grip and the slim silhouette are very comfortable. Since the shoe, especially in the heel area, fits very close to the foot it creates a comfortable fit. The nearly seam-free interior in combination with a good overall quality, further enhances comfort. Weight and ventilation are not strengths of HUF Galaxy, but they are also not considered as weaknesses. The weight is for a vulcanized shoe in midfield. Although the shoe has two ventilation holes, it is not enough that the warm air can circulate from inside to outside. Additionally, a high-cut heel makes sure that the shoe fits close to the foot. This also increases the stability and results in a secure feeling. The shape stability has been recognized as very positive. The forefoot is reinforced with additional seams, thus the suede gets no waves and keeps its form. The side panels and the heel have also kept their stiffness over the test period of 10 hours.

Summary

The HUF Galaxy proves that a skate shoe does not have to be unnecessarily complicated. Apart from minor weaknesses such as the durability of the sole patterns and rather average cushioning, the Galaxy is completely convincing, particularly through its general durability, its flick and very good form stability.

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