One upside of major athletic brands entering the scene is their decades of design to pull from, archives full of ideas ready to be rebuilt for skateboarding. Case in point: New Balance’s revival of the 770, originally a 90s cross-trainer that later found favor with tennis players. Built for agility, stability, and cushioning, its DNA already checks many boxes skaters look for, including flexibility for lateral movement, plus durability and padding to handle high-impact abuse.

For the skate-ready version, New Balance Numeric re-engineered the 770 with a double-layered toe cap for added toughness, a Footframe system that molds stability around your midfoot, and a lightweight, resilient midsole for long sessions on concrete. Truth be told, the silhouette looks more like a battle tank than a sneaker, but the design and tech engineered for the streets is what piqued our interest to do this review. Read on below to see how the 770 performed in our wear test.

SIZING

The NB# 770 fits true to size.

DURABILITY

Overall, the durability of the NB 770 is solid. For our 10 hour wear test, the upper and outsole were the main points of focus. Starting with the upper, the main toe piece extends into the midfoot and rises straight from the sole, giving it plenty of volume. This is a big plus for achieving a strong flick. At the same time, the large exposed area increases the risk of abrasion. As expected, the double stitched toe panel showed noticeable wear: the stitching tore, the panel began to separate, and two holes formed in the first layer of the double layered toe cap in the kickflip zone.

The cupsole sidewall is fairly soft, which also helps with flick control but led to visible wear. By contrast, the outsole proved very durable, showing almost no signs of use after testing. Finally, although mostly cosmetic, the collar around the top lace loops also showed clear signs of wear.

CUSHIONING

The sole construction of the NB 770 is central to its cushioning performance. Built as a cupsole, the outsole is made up of multiple layers working together. The main cushioning layer sits directly above the outsole and is a grey foam that is noticeably thicker in the heel while still maintaining enough volume in the forefoot to provide protection there as well. A standout feature of this foam is its impressive compression resistance – it feels firm yet responsive. On top of that, a foam insole adds an extra layer of step-in comfort. Together, these components deliver a stable, consistent, and protective cushioning performance.

SHAPE

At first glance, the NB 770 looks like a classic cross training shoe, offering a versatile and familiar style. The shape runs relatively straight through the midfoot and widens toward the forefoot, finishing with a rounded toe. As noted earlier, the toe design and material make for an excellent flick.

The heel is fairly slim, while the lightly padded tongue keeps the shoe looking sleek from above. From the side, it shows a bit more volume, but the NB 770 never feels bulky when worn or skated. It strikes a balanced look and fit that feels both functional and refined.

BOARDFEELI&IGRIP

The boardfeel of the NB 770 was solid and required very little break-in time, which is impressive given the stable sole and upper construction. The forefoot layers are thinned to improve contact with the board, but the sole itself remains relatively thick and firm. As a result, the boardfeel is very good, though not quite on the level of vulcanized or thinner cupsoles.

The grip, however, is exceptional. Not just for a cupsole, it even rivals some vulcanized models. Deep grooves in the tread pattern make the sole flexible from the first session, and combined with the soft rubber outsole, the sole adapts to the concave and grips extremely well.

COMFORTI&ISTABILITY

For comfort, the shoe is very light, and the tongue straps help keep the tongue securely in place. The padded tongue and collar lining protect the foot while providing a stable fit.

The NB 770 incorporates several construction elements that work together to create a remarkably stable foothold. Stability is especially strong in the midfoot and heel, while the perforated forefoot material feels slightly soft and roomy.

The main talking point, however, is the shoe’s unconventional sole design. The sole is slimmer than the upper, which might suggest a compromise in stability, but testing proved otherwise. The high heel collar supports the ankle, and the extended external heel counter, along with the TPU arm integrated into the lateral sidewalls, provides reliable support that maintains the shoe’s structure throughout our ten-hour test. A snug fit, achieved through strategically placed padding, further enhances both stability and comfort.

SUMMARY

New Balance brings fresh energy to the skate shoe scene by adapting their trainer heritage for skating with the 770. The shoe delivers excellent grip, very good stability, and an outstanding flick, though durability falls short in high-abrasion areas.

The post NB# 770 appeared first on Weartested - detailed skate shoe reviews.

Watching Reynolds grow over the years has felt personal. From going sober to raising a daughter, his journey has been public and inspiring. And while many of his peers from that era have faded into the background, The Boss is still out there – pushing, progressing, and setting the gold standard for what a long pro skate career can look like. When New Balance Numeric added him to the team in 2022, it felt like a new chapter was starting. A pro model was inevitable.

True to form, Reynolds didn’t just slap his name on a shoe, he obsessed over it. Known for his “Madness” (a ritual of doing three things three times before committing), he brought that same precision to designing the New Balance 933. The result? A shoe that blends the aesthetics of a runner with the tech of a basketball shoe – engineered specifically for skateboarding.

Built in collaboration with Jeff Mikut, the 933 is a culmination of years of experience, style and meticulous design. For an in-depth look at the process, check out Shredz’s interview with Reynolds – it’s a wild dive into just how hands-on he got and also cut up the shoes in Weartested style. We got our hands on a pair and put them to the test. Read on to see how they held up.

SIZING

The Reynolds 933 fits true to size with a snug feel, so we recommend trying them on at your local skate shop.

DURABILITY

Overall, the Reynolds 933 delivers solid durability, let’s break it down. The upper features multiple layered panels throughout, which stiffen the structure and help the shoe retain its shape over the course of our 10-hour test. The tradeoff with this construction is the abundance of stitched seams, which can be easy targets for grip tape abrasion. In the case of the 933, most seams and leather panels held up impressively well, with the exception of the toe panel, as it’s the highest wear zone. The ollie and kickflip areas showed the most damage, with most of the triple stitching in that section torn. However, the leather kept its shape, preventing any major tearing or deformation.

The sidewalls of the sole, another common wear point, held up excellently, offering solid protection for the toe area. The outsole’s tread pattern also stayed in great shape, showing minimal signs of wear.

CUSHIONING

The sole construction of the Reynolds 933 is key to its cushioning performance. Designed as a cupsole, the outsole is made up of multiple layers that work together to stabilize and support the shoe’s main cushioning element. It’s a green foam insert visible through both a cutout window and the translucent rubber outsole. New Balance Numeric refers to this as the ABZORB midsole, engineered to absorb impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance.

Compression resistance is a standout feature of the ABZORB foam used here. The material feels notably firm, which enhances its ability to withstand repeated impacts without bottoming out or deforming over time. On top of that, the shoe has a molded insole that adds a nice layer of step-in comfort. Together, these elements create a stable, consistent, and protective cushioning experience.

SHAPE

The Reynolds 933 has a distinctive and well-considered shape. Viewed from the top, it runs parallel through the midfoot before tapering into a clean, rounded toe. From the side, the silhouette shows a noticeable amount of volume, giving the shoe a bold presence. The heel is slim and sits at a comfortable height, while the padding around the tongue and collar is well balanced – providing support without feeling bulky, whether you’re wearing or skating in them. As mentioned earlier, the layered upper reinforces the structure, helping the shoe maintain its form and resist collapsing over time.

BOARDFEELI&IGRIP

Boardfeel is where the Reynolds 933 falls short. The combination of a firm sole and a reinforced upper makes for a stiff ride out of the box, requiring a few sessions to break in. While the sole and midsole do soften slightly over time, the boardfeel remains average. Despite efforts to thin out the material layers in the forefoot, the cupsole construction still feels thick and unresponsive compared to more flexible models.

With regards to the grip, the Reynolds 933 is good, providing a grippy feeling out of the box. In addition, the rubber outsole used held up well during the 10-hour wear test.

COMFORTI&ISTABILITY

One of the standout strengths of the Reynolds 933 is its dialed-in comfort and rock-solid stability. Lightweight with a performance driven fit, the shoe achieves a locked-in feel through a smart combination of design elements. The padding of the heel area and tongue helps to lock the foot and ankle into a deep, supportive pocket, contributing to the shoe’s secure fit. Elastic straps anchor the tongue in place, keeping everything centered and secure during intense sessions.

The upper’s material mix is equally well-engineered. Durable leather in high-wear zones for durability, while breathable mesh panels cut weight and improve airflow. Stability, often overlooked in skate shoes, truly shines here. Over 10 hours of wear testing, the structure held firm with minimal deformation, a clear sign that this shoe is built to last.

SUMMARY

The Reynolds 933 excels in stability, comfort, and impact cushioning, with a snug, supportive fit and a well-engineered sole that holds its structure even after extended wear. While durability is solid overall,  boardfeel and grip land in the average range, with a stiff sole that takes time to break in.

The post NB# Reynolds 933 appeared first on Weartested - detailed skate shoe reviews.

Take New Balance, for example: the 480 was originally launched in 1983 as their first basketball shoe, part of an effort to expand beyond running into other sports. Much like the Nike Dunk, it emerged from basketball, faded away for a while, and then was resurrected through skateboarders. Fun fact: Michael Jordan’s iconic Jumpman logo was actually inspired by a photo of him wearing New Balance 480s.

But enough about basketball; we’re here to talk about the New Balance Numeric 480, a version fully reworked for skateboarding. Backed by skating legends like Andrew Reynolds, Justin Henry, Ryan Lay, Jordan Trahan, Charlie Birch, and Marcello Campanello, this shoe has serious street cred. If you caught the Village Psychic article, you know Reynolds got deep into New Balance’s archives during the process, even cutting apart his shoes in true Weartested fashion, and his influence played probably a role in getting this shoe back on the market, especially after dropping his own colorway last year. Keep reading to see if The Boss’s stamp of approval came through in our review.

SIZING

The NB# 480 fits true to size.

DURABILITY

When evaluating the durability of a skate shoe, we focus on three key areas: the toe, midfoot, and outsole. The NB# 480 excels in all these zones. The double-stitched suede toe box held up well during our 10-hour wear test, maintaining its shape despite some minor stitching wear. The combination of suede and leather uppers in this area provides excellent stability, while the suede contributes to the shoe’s flick. The midfoot showed minimal signs of damage, and even the seams connecting the layers remained intact. Additionally, the shoe’s thick outsole sidewalls helped protect the toe, ensuring solid durability overall. In conclusion, the NB# 480 boasts excellent durability, with the majority of wear concentrated in the toe area.

CUSHIONING

One of the standout features of the NB# 480 is its cushioning. The shoe uses a cupsole construction, filled with FuelCell foam and topped with an ABZORB foam sockliner. The FuelCell foam is thinner at the toe to enhance boardfeel, while the thicker midfoot and heel areas provide impact protection. The removable foam insole adds extra dampening, ensuring the shoe can absorb the shock from medium-impact skating and bails. In short, the NB# 480 performs well when it comes to cushioning, offering solid protection without sacrificing boardfeel.

SHAPE

The shape of the NB# 480 is intriguing. While it appears and feels somewhat wider, it actually hugs the foot closely in the midfoot area. The toe area, notably, has a slightly pointier shape than expected, but this proved to be a pleasant surprise. The result is a shoe that offers a great precision, particularly when it comes to flicks.

BOARDFEELI&IGRIP

As a cupsole model, the NB# 480’s boardfeel develops over time. Initially, the upper feels stiff, and the multi-layer sole construction takes some breaking in to reach its full potential. The thinner toe area contributes most to boardfeel, allowing for a more responsive feel.

The sole features a wide, deep tread pattern, which provides solid grip for a cupsole—though it can’t quite match the performance of a vulcanized sole. Once broken in, the shoe’s grip improves significantly, with the sole adapting to the concave and griptape. Overall, while the NB# 480’s sole feels stiff at first, it becomes a reliable, no-frills performer after a few sessions.

COMFORTI&ISTABILITY

Comfort in a skate shoe depends on weight, ventilation, and an overall well-constructed interior. Despite being a cupsole, the NB# 480 is surprisingly lightweight, and its interior is thoughtfully designed. One standout feature is the fixated tongue, which keeps everything in place and secures your foot. This addition seems to be a recent update, as earlier colorways lacked the tongue strap. While breathability is solid, it’s not exceptional.

The NB# 480’s stability is one of its greatest strengths. The combination of a stable sole and a durable suede-leather upper ensures that the shoe maintains its shape throughout extended wear. The toe and midfoot areas feel snug and locked in, contributing to a secure fit. However, despite the overall stability, there is some heel slippage due to the slick lining material at the heel, which could be an issue for some skaters.

SUMMARY

The New Balance Numeric 480 stands out with exceptional cushioning, excellent stability, and top-tier durability. The boardfeel and cupsole-like grip are solid, though one notable downside is some heel slippage.

The post NB# 480 appeared first on Weartested - detailed skate shoe reviews.

Now with the release of the NB# 417 Franky in a low-top silhouette, we wanted to compare the silhouettes and see if the updated design had a noticeable difference in performance or if it was just a marketing tactic. It’s been quite the timing as well. Although Franky hasn’t put out much footage in the past year, besides street clips in his 417 low promo and IG/Youtube clips, it’s safe to say he’s been hard at work in the streets filming with Joe Monteleone for the upcoming Dickies “Honeymoon” video that just premiered recently. No matter what clips we do get of Franky, his creative approach to skating is timeless and always a treat; read on below to see how Franky’s newest low-top silhouette performed in our weartest.

SIZING

The shoe fits true to size.

DURABILITY

To start, we evaluated the durability of Franky’s 417 by examining the sole and upper. The sole’s foxing tape is quite thick in the forefoot area, which not only enhances the flick but also proves to be extremely durable. The thickness of the sole on the side also helps protect the upper from wear and tear, particularly in the forefoot (kickflip) area, which held up well during our 10-hour wear test.

Looking at the upper as a whole, it features several panels made from different materials. NB# selected these materials for specific functionalities: suede for the forefoot panel to enhance flick, canvas in the forefoot for flexibility, and leather for the rest of the upper for durability. Aside from some light visible wear on a few of the panels, the upper’s durability is solid.

CUSHIONING

It’s challenging to achieve maximum board feel while maintaining a high level of performance cushioning in vulcanized shoes. In the 417, the sole is quite thin, making the insole the primary cushioning element, featuring NB#’s Abzorb technology. The insole has a noticeable wedge shape, which enhances board feel in the forefoot while improving cushioning in the heel area. Overall, Franky’s shoe offers a comfortable step-in feel, and the cushioning performance is adequate for small to medium-sized impacts.

SHAPE

The shape of the 417 is quite slim from the forefoot to the heel. In the midfoot area, it remains nearly parallel towards the toe, ending in a rather pointed tip.

BOARDFEELI&IGRIP

As with most vulcanized models, board feel and grip are the highlights of the shoe, and this was definitely true for Franky’s 417. The grip is well-balanced and has just the right amount—not overly grippy, as some vulcanized models can be. This made it much easier to readjust foot placement for tricks. The grip also remained consistent throughout the 10-hour wear test and showed plenty of life left for future sessions.

The key to boardfeel lies in the shoe’s construction and sole tread pattern. The board feel was excellent because the insole flattens out significantly in the first third of the shoe, and the outsole is fairly thin, providing a responsive feel underfoot. Additionally, the tread pattern increases flexibility, which helps the shoe sink into the concave, creating close contact with the board and enhancing both board feel and grip.

COMFORTI&ISTABILITY

The NB# 417 offers solid comfort and excellent stability for a vulcanized shoe. With its slim silhouette and locked-in tongue straps, the foot feels snug against the upper, minimizing any slipping. The shoe’s great stability is due to its sole, the choice of materials, and the heel lock. The foxing tape on the sole is quite high, which helps the feet feel securely nestled and well-protected. The upper is constructed from suede, canvas, and leather panels, all of which maintained their shape and form well during our 10-hour wear test. While the overall weight is slightly heavier, this is understandable given the vulcanized design and the multiple material overlays, including leather, on the upper.

SUMMARY

Overall, Franky Villani’s newest NB# shoe was a testament to NB#’s ethos of constantly updating their product line with quality skate shoes. The shoe’s boardfeel was great, had well balanced grip and stability with a secure sink-in foot feeling similar to the 417 high. Durability was also improved with this release. However, the the cushioning of the shoe could use some extra support.

The post NB# Franky 417 low appeared first on Weartested - detailed skate shoe reviews.

SIZING

The NB# 440 V2 fits true to size.

DURABILITY

Overall, the durability of the 440 V2 Hi and Lo were decent. Let’s get into it. The sole, heel collar, laces and the eyelets are usually the most critical areas regarding durability. When it came to these areas, the 440 V2 exceeded our expectations and the shoes didn’t show a lot of signs of wear. The design team added extra stitches to the panel that holds the eyelets, especially in the Ollie zone (in blue on the Lo version), which worked brilliantly and helped to increase the durability of the model. When it came to the toe box and the ollie area, NB# adjusted the toe area to have a slightly taller toe cap, which moved the stitching out of the high wear areas. For the original 440, the main toe suede piece followed the shape of the toe cap. For the V2, the main toe piece stretches further to the midfoot area with the New Balance “N” logo overlapping it. These were great changes. With that, during our 10-hour review, the suede toe cap still showed strong signs of wear in the Ollie and Kickflip area. Additionally, the sole in the forefoot area got worn down to the suede quite quickly. Thankfully, even with the toe cap worn down by the griptape, there was another layer of protection underneath the suede, AND when this ripped through, there was another sizable toe piece underneath it as well. In all, the 440 V2 Hi and Lo had some very positive features for a durable shoe, but the wear in the toe cap was still quite strong.

CUSHIONING

Although the 440 V2 Hi and Lo’s soles look similar to their predecessor, the internal construction was revamped. NB# updated the foam in the midsole heel wedge to their proven Abzorb material and switched to an EVA lasting board. Those internal changes coupled with a new Ortholite insert intend to make the shoe more comfortable and supportive. The sole can absorb medium impacts very well, but nothing more and nothing less. Flatground skating felt extremely comfortable, and the impact from small to middle sized gaps were easy to absorb. The insole is way thicker in the heel area compared to the toe area, and has the aim of offering a softer feeling of cushioning for the heel.

SHAPE

The 440 V2 Hi and Lo both have a clean and classic toe design, with the more subtle technical design elements found in the midfoot and heel area. Compared to the original 440, the V2’s toe box rounds out more than the V1.  The simple design of the outsole in the toe area provided a direct flick for flip tricks. The tongue and heel step-in are well padded but not overloaded, which lets the 440 V2 sit in the range of a cupsole silhouette (not too bulky and not too slim, the original 440 was rather on the slim side). The 440 V2 Hi version is quite an exact copy of the low top version, so there were no major differences between both toe and midfoot areas. If anything, the Hi version just rises up to the ankle in the same shape.

BOARDFEELI&IGRIP

The thickness between the front of the shoe and its heel area is essential for great boardfeel. Both the 440 V2 Hi and Lo silhouettes were thin in the frontal area, which maximized board feel and the feet had a close connection with the board, exactly where it was needed. The sole construction felt good from the beginning; it didn’t need a lot of time to break in and remained at a solid level throughout our 10-hour test. Overall, the 440 V2 had a good boardfeel.

The sole features the same thread pattern as its predecessor, but does differ with a NDurance rubber outsole compound, which provided solid grip. The grip of the shoe felt like a typical cupsole; it wasn’t extremely sticky with griptape as vulcanized soles come off, but instead was very well balanced.

COMFORTI&ISTABILITY

When it comes to comfort, the silhouette of the shoe provides an outstanding foothold. When worn and skated, the foot feels really secure and snug. This is true for both the Hi version and Lo versions. The 440 V2 doesn’t have any annoying stitching or have areas of the shoe that could cause hot spots. The tongue is fixed with two straps which helps to further increase a snug feeling. The cherry on top: the 440 V2 is really lightweight.

The stability of the shoe is very good as well. The Hi version has the advantage of wrapping the whole ankle, which gives a very stable feeling. However, it uses suede and mesh materials which do pose a risk of developing waves and wearing out, but throughout our weartest, the high version stayed in very great share. The Lo version is basically one synthetic material that stretches from the toe panel to the big N logo, which helped the shoe keep its strength and shape, despite the wear and tear within the toe cap.

SUMMARY

It’s not often companies make something good even better, but NB# achieved it with the 440 V2. The shoe is highlighted by great boardfeel, well balanced grip and really good stability. The only area for improvement would be better durability in the toe cap area.

The post NB# 440 V2 appeared first on Weartested - detailed skate shoe reviews.

The post NB# Tom Knox 600 appeared first on Weartested - detailed skate shoe reviews.

SIZING

The shoe fits slightly big so we recommend going a half size down.

DURABILITY

To evaluate the durability of the NB# 574, we first took a look at the sole and upper of the shoe. The sole’s foxing tape is very thick in the forefoot area, which not only increases the flick but also proves to be extremely durable. The thickness of the sole in the side area also helps to protect the upper from wear and tear. This is especially true with the forefoot (kickflip) area, which was very durable during our 10-hour wear test. Looking at the upper as a whole, it features several different material panel overlays that are all double stitched. However, the addition of overlays and stitched panels also pose a higher risk for griptape abuse. Luckily, this was not true to the 574 since it showed very little sings of wears in the critical Ollie and Kickflip area. Aside from some light visible wear on the collar panel, the durability of the upper is great. This was quite surprising as a vulcanized model. All in all, the construction of the sole was critical to the durability of the shoe, and the many overlays on the upper held very well together.

CUSHIONING

The NB# 574 features a very thin vulcanized construction, which maximizes boardfeel and flexibility of the sole, leaving impact protection to the insole. This is a rather typical construction for vulc shoes. However, New Balance Numeric put a lot of focus on the heel and midfoot sole construction, which features a vaulted heel design. The stability of this construction not only helps create a stable and secure feeling, but also increases the cushioning, with helps disperse impacts throughout the midsole, before ultimately hitting directly to the feet through the insole. All in all, the cushioning was fair for the 574, but definitely exceeded expectations for a vulcanized model.

SHAPE

Just from looking at the outward aesthetic of the shoe, you will be drawn in to wondering how the shoe fits and skates. Upon first impression, the shoe looks slim and tight-fitting, but after wearing it, the shoe was very roomy in the mid and forefoot area. The shape of the 574 itself feels like it get wider from the midfoot to the toe, but still rounds off and becomes a pointed tip. The heel area sits quite snug on the foot but since it’s a running shoe design, the toe area has a lot of space and is quite flat. The sole’s foxing tape sits high, so the upper is very securely embedded in the sole and toe area.

BOARDFEELI&IGRIP

As with most vulcanized models, boardfeel and grip are the usual highlights, and this was definitely the case with the 574. The shoe proved to have amazing grip throughout the 10 hour weartest, and had a lot of life in them for future sessions. The main technical feature of the shoe in terms of grip was the vulcanized construction. As can be seen in the pictures, the forefoot thread pattern is wide and deep which increases the flexibility of the sole. This helped the shoe mold into the concave of the board and form to the griptape very well. The fine heel area thread pattern had less flexibility, but helped in terms of stability. Boardfeel of the shoe was good; the sole flattens out much more in the first third of the shoe and the midsole itself is fairly thin, which provided for responsive board feel for the feet.

COMFORTI&ISTABILITY

The comfort of a skateboard shoe is mainly influenced by its inner construction, weight and breathability. The inner construction of the 574 is well designed for a comfortable fit; it has very limited seams inside which resulted in no pressure points while skating. One flaw was the lack of tongue centering straps, which shifted around while skating. It’s also worth mentioning that the shoe is quite on the heavy side and barely has any features for breathability. As a result, the comfort of the shoe was just fair.

When it comes to stability, how well the shoe can maintain its structural shape and forms to the foot are both important aspects to consider. The shoe kept its shape very well over the 10-hours of skating. The heel area has several visible and non-visible panels which increases the stability, and there was no slippage-feeling when skating and pushing. However, the overall stability suffered extremely due to the midfoot and forefoot shape. In these areas the feet have lots of space which decrease that secure and lock-in feeling which was coming from the heel.

SUMMARY

The NB# 574 has secured a place among the product portfolio as a versatile vulcanized shoe that excels in durability, board feel and grip. Aside from the heel, the other elements of the shoe’s comfort could be tweaked, and the mid/forefoot stability could be enhanced. But all in all, this is a solid vulcanized offering from NB#.

The post NB# 574 appeared first on Weartested - detailed skate shoe reviews.

SIZING

The shoe fits slightly big so we recommend going a half size down.

DURABILITY

To kick things off, we evaluate Franky’s 417 durability by taking a look at the sole and upper. The sole’s foxing tape is very thick in the forefoot area, which not only increases the flick but also proves to be extremely durable. The thickness of the sole in the side area also helps to protect the upper from wear and tear. This is especially true to the forefoot (kickflip) area, which was very durable during our 10-hour wear test. Looking at the upper as a whole, it featured several different material panel overlays that are all double stitched. However, the more overlays and the more stitched panels also pose a higher risk for griptape attack. With that, one of the most critical areas, the Ollie-area, did have a piece of the suede worn down. But since it was double layered, no hole developed which helped extend the lifespan of the shoe. Aside from some light visible wear on the canvas side panel, the durability of the upper is fair. All in all, the construction of the sole was the highlight in contributing the most to the durability of the shoe while the many overlays on the upper was more of a risk.

CUSHIONING

It’s difficult to create maximal boardfeel while upholding a high level of performance cushioning for vulcanized shoes. For the 417, the sole is quite thin, so the main cushioning element of the shoe is the insole, using NB# Abzorb tech. The insole has a very noticeable wedge shape, which helps enhance board feel in the forefoot, while improving the cushioning in the heel area. Overall, Franky’s shoe has a really nice step-in feeling and the actual cushioning performance is adequate for small to medium sized impacts.

SHAPE

The shape of the 417 is cut quite slim from the forefoot to the heel area. A huge plus of the shoe was the mid-top height, which sits above the ankle and was important to deter blisters from forming since the seams did not directly touch the ankle. When it came to the midfoot area, it goes almost parallel towards the toe area and ends up in a rather pointed end.

BOARDFEELI&IGRIP

As with most vulcanized models, boardfeel and grip are the highlights of the shoe. This was definitely the case with Franky’s 417.  The grip is well balanced and had the perfect “dose”, where it wasn’t overly grippy as some vulc models become. This helped immensely for readjusting your feet into position for tricks, especially when some shoes’ grip make this much harder. Also, the grip stayed stable throughout the 10 hour wear test and had plenty of life in them for future sessions. The key to boardfeel lays within the shoe construction and the sole thread pattern. Boardfeel of the shoe was great because the insole flattens out much more in the first third of the shoe and the outsole itself was fairly thin, which provided for a responsive boardfeel for the feet. In addition, the thread pattern increases flexibility which helps sink into the concave, creating close contact to the board and improving boardfeel and grip.

COMFORTI&ISTABILITY

The NB# 417 offers solid comfort and great stability. Since the shoes have a slim silhouette, and also features locked-in tongue straps, the foot feels close to the upper and minimizes the space for the foot to slip around. The key to its great stability performance lies within the sole. The sole’s foxing tape was quite high, so the shoe helps the feet feel sunken in and well protected. Also, the risk of ankle rolls are decreased due to the mid-top construction and since the feet sit low in the pocket of the shoes. The overall weight was a bit heavier, but is also understandable as the shoe is a vulcanized mid top model with several material overlays on the upper.

SUMMARY

Overall, the Franky Villani’s newest NB# shoe was a nice surprise in the constantly updated NB# product line. The shoe’s boardfeel was great, featured well balanced grip and exceptional stability with a secure sink-in foot feeling. However, the durability and the cushioning of the shoe could still use improvements.

The post NB# Franky 417 appeared first on Weartested - detailed skate shoe reviews.

SIZING

The NB Numeric Tiago 808 fits true to size.

DURABILITY

Overall, the Tiago 808 has very good durability. Let’s break it down. When it comes to the upper’s durability, there is a thick white leather piece that stretches from the toe to the midfoot area and also forms as the lace panel. This works as the first  layer of protection and adds lots of stability as it is the underlying piece that holds all other elements to it. In the critical forefoot area, there is a suede piece on top which acts as the second layer of protection and the main reason for the shoe’s great flick. In our 10 hour wear test the seams did not rip and the area showed minor signs of wear. The reason for the upper  material staying in such a good shape is a result of the sole. The sides of the sole, which is typically a critical spot for griptape wear and tear, proved to be very durable. The thread pattern of the sole showed also no signs of wear, which held all other pieces of the shoe together extremely well. The collar on the top lace showed the most signs of wear, which resulted in more of a visual issue rather than a performance issue.

CUSHIONING

For the Tiago 808, NB Numeric took the sole construction from Tiago’s first shoe, the 1010 model, and simplified it. The 808 outsole can be described as a “cup” that holds the main cushioning element, the orange foam piece, in place. The foam piece is visible on the sole though a small window. NB# calls this the ABZORB midsole which absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance. The key word in that sentence is compression resistance. Compression resistance within the shoe is quite noticeable since the foam piece is actually very hard. The advantage of this is that the foam can cushion tough landings without compressing completely and whittling down. In our wear test, it was definitely noticeable to have a very secure and good cushioning feeling which felt bit harder than usual.

SHAPE

By just looking at the outward appearance, the Tiago 808 reminds you of the classic skate shoes from the 90s. The shape of the shoe itself runs parallel from the midfoot section and tapers from the toe to a pointy end. The heel area is rather wide and a solid padded tongue makes the shoe look a bulky from the side but looking down from the top, it is rather slim. So it doesn’t feel bulky when worn and skated. As aforementioned, the upper layer construction reinforced the upper of the shoe, which helped maintain the rigidity of the shoe’s shape, and prevented the upper from sinking inwards.

BOARDFEELI&IGRIP

The boardfeel of the Tiago 808 took some time getting used to, especially breaking in the stable sole and upper construction. After a few sessions, the sole and midsole of the shoe broke more in and the boardfeel enhanced. Even though the material layers in the forefoot were reduced in thickness, the sole is still thick and rather stiff which is the  reason why the boardfeel is average.

In terms of the sole, it features a wide and deep thread pattern which typically results in good grip. However, the stable midsole reduced the ability of the sole to sink into the griptape which made the grip also perform average.

COMFORTI&ISTABILITY

An absolute highlight of the shoe is the shoe’s comfort and stability. The shoe itself is rather on the heavy side but it excels with a snug fit, with a few different factors working together. The foam element in the heel area and the tongue stabilize the ankle and heel into a deep pocket. This contributes to the great fit of the shoe. The tongue is held in place by two flexible straps that work to stabilize the superior surface of the feet. The upper’s sidewalls, tongue and heel area feature a well thought out combination of materials; suede was used in the forefoot for flick, while leather, mesh and a heel stiffening element were used in other parts of the upper construction to form a very stable and durable shoe.

Often times, good stability of a shoe is overlooked and not really focused on, but when it came to the Tiago 808, it was an excellent surprise. It is incredible how the stability of a shoe can affect the skate shoe’s longevity. The 808 is definitely a model which after our 10 hour wear test had very minimal changes in terms of stability and durability, with plenty of sessions left to spare.

SUMMARY

The NB# Tiago 808 is new model that was designed for cushioning protection and durability in mind, which were characteristics that were able to shine due to the shoe’s superior stability. With that said, the boardfeel and grip do pay the price, but Tiago’s second signature shoe on NB# is definitely a hit for us.

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SIZING

The shoe fits slightly big so we recommend going a half size down.

DURABILITY

The clean-cut design of the 272 is the true highlight for the overall shoe’s durability, but don’t mistake simplicity as a weakness, NB Numeric has added some hidden technical features to further improve the shoe’s performance and lifespan. The most notable feature of the shoe is the one piece vamp in the forefoot area, which features a classic New Balance Design and is well constructed with the panels stretching far back to the midfoot. This helps protect the seams that connect the suede forefoot and canvas midfoot panel. The seams showed some signs of wear but far less if they would be more in the forefoot area. Therefore, most abuse from skating happened in the forefoot suede area, specifically in the Ollie area. NB Numeric took matters into their own hands, and added an additional thin rubber underlay beneath the suede to increase durability. In our 10-hour test, the suede did not rip severely, so the inlay didn’t show (you can see it in the half cut picture). The addition of this element not only provides more rigidity and structure to the toe cap area, but also serves as a second layer of defense and definitely prolongs the lifespan of the shoe once the suede is ripped. Also, the shoe features a high foxing tape and has a second rubber layer in the forefoot, which made the shoe’s outsole much thicker and helped withstand all 10 hours of skating, with minimal wear on the suede. Overall the durability of the 272 is very good, showing small signs of wear in the suede Ollie zone and some seams were slightly worn down.

CUSHIONING

The New Balance Numeric 272 features a very thin vulcanized construction, which maximizes boardfeel and flexibility of the sole, leaving impact protection to the insole. This is a rather typical construction for vulc shoes. However, New Balance Numeric puts a lot of focus on the heel and midfoot sole construction, which has a vaulted heel design. The stability of these areas  not only helps create a stable and secure feeling, but also increases the cushioning, with impacts dispersing through the midsole a bit, before ultimately hitting directly to the feet through the Ortholite insole. All in all, the cushioning was fair for the 272, but exceeded expectations for a vulcanized model.

SHAPE

The shape of the 272 is a feature that’s well appreciated in a time when skate shoes are often bulked up with visible technical design features. The 272 is slim around the heel and midfoot area but then increases its width with the suede toepiece. The shape is definitely better for those with wider feet in the toe area. The toe piece tapers off a bit, but rounds out well. Moreover, the vulcanized construction is double layered so even when the first layer starts losing structure from griptape wear, there’s another layer there to maintain the shape of the shoe.

BOARDFEEL & GRIP

As with most vulcanized models, boardfeel and grip are the highlights of the shoe. This was definitely the case with the 272, which proved to have amazing grip throughout the 10 hour weartest, and had a lot of life in them for future sessions. The main technical feature of the shoe in terms of grip was the vulcanized construction. As can be seen in the pictures, the forefoot thread pattern is wide and deep which increases the flexibility of the sole. This helped the shoe mold into the concave of the board and form to the griptape very well. The fine heel area thread pattern had less flexibility, but helped in terms of stability. Boardfeel of the shoe was good; the sole flattens out much more in the first third of the shoe and the midsole itself is fairly thin, which provided for responsive board feel for the feet.

COMFORT & STABILITY

The comfort of a skateboard shoe is mainly influenced by its inner construction, weight and breathability. The inner construction of the 272 is well designed for a comfortable fit; it has very limited seams inside which decreased the chance of pressure points but one flaw was the lack of tongue centering straps. This is usually a simple way to increase comfort and without tongue centering straps, the tongue needed to be repositioned a couple times during the session. Moreover, the weight and breathability aspects of the shoe could have more thought put into. The shoe felt more on the heavy side and did not leave much room for moisture to ventilate out of the shoe. When it comes to stability, how the shoe is keeping its shape and how the shoe hugs the foot are both important aspects, and both were extremely positive features of the 272, which had great stability. The heel area has the rubber heel overlay which increases the stability, and there was no slipping-out feeling when skating and pushing. Also the midfoot shape was very so close to the foot, which helped increase that secure and lock-in feeling. The rubber layer under the suede also the toe area felt thick and kept its shape the whole time during skating. The stability of the shoe was exceptional and felt almost like a cupsole stability, mainly due to the sole construction and New Balance Numeric’s new vaulted heel design.

SUMMARY

The NB Numeric 272 stands out due its great stability, durability, boardfeel and grip, solidifying its status as one of the top vulcanized skateboard shoes on the market. The shoe could use tongue centering straps, and more detail in minimizing the shoe’s weight and maximizing the breathability.

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