For a brand like Converse, with over a century of heritage and a deep archive of iconic silhouettes, new shoe models don’t drop often. Why would they, when they have plenty of archival models to revamp? But when you sponsor someone like Louie Lopez, a once-in-a-generation talent, you make exceptions.
Converse may run a leaner team than its big brother Nike, but what they lack in numbers, they make up for in impact. In the last ten years, they’ve elevated Louie Lopez and Alexis Sablone into bonafide skateboarding icons and they’re not slowing down anytime soon.
Here’s something I’ll never forget: Louie dropped three high-quality video parts in 2022 (for Converse, Fucking Awesome & Spitfire) and still didn’t take home Thrasher’s SOTY. Why? Maybe it’s simply because hard tricks look too easy. His skating tricks the eye. It doesn’t look hard, but it absolutely is.
Louie’s still solidified as modern day street skateboarding’s golden child, and if you need a refresher just watch his Converse Cons “As You Wish” rough cut.
The original Louie Lopez Pro dropped six years ago, and it was a shoe you could rely on for great boardfeel. Now, Converse and Louie are back with a second pro model. This time, beefed up for added durability, support, and all-around ruggedness.
Starting from scratch, Louie and the Converse design team went deep into the archives, pulling DNA from low-key heritage silhouettes like the Converse Kangaroo (track shoe), All Star Pennant (cleat), and Check Point (tennis). The result is a shoe dialed in for precision board control.
We got our hands on a pair; read on to see how they stack up against Louie’s first signature model.
The Louie Lopez 2 fits true to size but has a slightly narrower, snug feel.
There are three key areas to evaluate when testing the durability of a skate shoe: the toe area, the midfoot section, and the outsole. Starting with the forefoot, the Louie Lopez 2 features a one-piece toe panel with an asymmetrical suede overlay placed in the high-wear kickflip and ollie zone. A standout detail is the stitch and turn construction of this suede rim, which adds both durability and structural reinforcement to the panel. Despite initial concerns, this setup held up surprisingly well during our 10-hour wear test.
Most visible wear appeared where the toe panel meets the midfoot, with the suede showing more breakdown in that transition zone, leading to a blowout within a few sessions. In the midfoot area, we also noticed some fraying at the top of the lacing collar. As for the cupsole and outsole, both showed minimal abrasion and performed well in terms of durability.
The Louie Lopez 2 offers solid cushioning performance. It features a slim cupsole paired with a tapered CX foam insole, where the foam wedge plays a key role in absorbing impact. In our wear test, this setup provided reliable comfort and handled low to medium impacts with ease.
The Louie Lopez 2 features a sleek and low profile silhouette that blends classic Converse heritage with a performance driven skate design. The shoe has a clean, minimalist shape with a low cut that sits just below the ankle. The midfoot and toe areas are narrow and fit snugly around the foot, providing excellent flick and precision. This contributes to the slim appearance and a highly responsive feel on the board.
The boardfeel of the Louie Lopez 2 is its standout feature and ranks among the best available on the market. The sole in the toebox and front section is extremely thin, and when combined with the flexible tread pattern, it creates excellent contact with the board. The shoe is ready to skate right out of the box and requires no break-in period.
Grip remained consistently strong throughout our 10-hour wear test. The outsole uses a Chuck Taylor inspired tread pattern that is highly flexible, allowing the shoe to make solid contact with the griptape and enhancing overall grip.
The Louie Lopez 2 offers several strong features when it comes to comfort. First, the shoe is lightweight, making it easy to wear while still delivering the support of a functional cupsole. Second, the inner lining, heel padding, and thin tongue all work together to provide a comfortable fit.
Stability is another standout aspect. This is largely due to the thoughtful heel construction and structure of the shoe. It fits securely on the foot, with the heel area locking in tightly for extra support. The choice of materials also plays a key role. Suede is used in the flick area for control, while leather in the heel lining enhances stability. As a result, the shoe held its shape exceptionally well throughout the 10-hour wear test.
The Louie Lopez 2 successfully blends classic Converse style with modern performance while offering a exceptionl board feeling, impressive stability (especially the heel) & comfort. While its durability is rather average, it truly was a fun shoe to skate.
