In many ways, the model is a literal love child between Steve Caballero’s Half Cab and Mike Carroll’s former Vans pro model, the Vans MC ’96. It borrows the most recognizable design cues and technical strengths from both, combining them into a skate shoe that feels familiar yet slightly modernized.

Traditionally, when most people think of Vans, they think of simplicity, clean design paired with fairly modest technical features. Vans has long been the working person’s skate shoe, something that holds up through multiple sessions, stable enough, durable enough, and technical enough. Not exceptional in any one category, but reliable across the board.

Over time, however, Vans began introducing more technically ambitious pro models, likely in response to growing competition from brands like Nike and Adidas. With the Vans Skate Safe Low, the brand seems to have arrived at a different realization: skateboarding innovation does not always require reinventing the wheel. Sometimes, combining two of skateboarding’s most beloved cult classics into one thoughtfully refined design might be the most effective kind of innovation.

SIZING

The Vans Safe Low fits true to size.

DURABILITY

The sole and upper construction are the two main elements that determine a skate shoe’s durability. Starting with the sole of the Vans Skate Safe Low from Vans, the most noticeable feature is the very thick and tall foxing tape. This foxing tape is actually built in two layers, which plays a key role in durability because it protects the upper material from direct contact with the griptape. In our test, the forefoot section of the upper remained almost untouched thanks to this design. Since this area receives the most griptape contact, most of the visible wear appeared along the side of the sole in the typical kickflip zone.

Looking at the upper construction, there is extensive stitching throughout the critical forefoot and midfoot areas. Combined with the protective foxing tape, this helped shield the upper to the point where only minimal wear was visible. Structurally, the upper panels held together very well throughout testing. Vans also incorporated its established Duracap technology, which adds a rubber reinforcement layer beneath the suede to protect high wear areas and extend the life of the shoe.

The parts of the upper that showed the most wear were the heel area and the laces. The lace design offers some protection, but the lace loops themselves are still exposed to griptape contact. Once a loop rips, as happened with the top one in our test, the lacing system quickly becomes compromised.

All things considered, the durability of the Vans Skate Safe Low proved to be exceptional.

CUSHIONING

When it comes to cushioning, the skate line from Vans typically incorporates one of the brand’s proprietary cushioning technologies. For the Vans Skate Safe Low, the designers opted for the PopCush midsole setup.

As expected from a vulcanized construction, the outsole itself remains relatively thin, while the PopCush component comes in the form of a thick foam insole. During our wear test, this setup preserved the natural flexibility of the sole while still delivering a noticeably solid level of cushioning and impact protection.

SHAPE

The Vans Skate Safe Low from Vans features a slim upper pattern paired with a relatively wide sole. This combination results in a stable platform underfoot while maintaining an upper that sits close to the foot for a more precise fit.

The heel height, together with the internal bootie construction, creates excellent heel lock. Padding around the heel and tongue is minimal, which keeps these areas feeling close and responsive to the foot. The midfoot runs almost parallel as it moves toward the toe box, finishing in a slightly more pointed shape at the front. This overall geometry contributes to the shoe’s snug and controlled fit.

BOARDFEELI&IGRIP

There are always high expectations when it comes to boardfeel and grip in shoes from Vans. As mentioned earlier, the outsole itself is very thin, and when combined with the wide tread pattern it becomes quite flexible once the shoe is properly broken in. The longer break in period is mainly due to the thick foxing and sole construction, which are key to durability but require some time to soften. In our experience, the Vans Skate Safe Low needed about three to four sessions before it fully broke in and began delivering its full boardfeel potential. Once the flexibility developed, the sole adapted well to the concave of the skateboard, increasing the surface area of the outsole in contact with the griptape.

Vans also uses its newer SickStick rubber compound. This gum rubber formula is designed to improve both grip and durability. During the first two sessions, however, the grip almost felt too strong and direct. It was sometimes difficult to subtly adjust foot placement for flip tricks, especially while the shoe was still stiff during the break in phase. Over the course of our ten hour wear test, the shoe gradually became more flexible and the grip settled into a more balanced feel. By the end of the test, both boardfeel and grip were very strong, although the shoe does require some time before reaching its full potential.

COMFORTI&ISTABILITY

The Vans Skate Safe Low from Vans has both strengths and drawbacks when it comes to comfort. The combination of padding and multiple material layers can cause the shoe to retain quite a bit of heat around the foot, and the overall build also makes the shoe feel somewhat heavy. On the positive side, the padding helps the foot settle comfortably into the shoe without creating noticeable pressure points. Vans also included a lock in tongue system with internal straps that keep the tongue centered and securely in place.

Stability is clearly one of the Safe Low’s strongest qualities. As seen in the cross section construction, the foot sits relatively low inside the shoe and is surrounded by the high foxing tape of the sole. This creates a very secure and supportive feeling while skating. The neoprene bootie construction in the heel area further improves the fit by providing excellent heel lock. As mentioned earlier, the shoe requires some time to break in, but it maintains its structural integrity throughout the process. Overall, the stability of the Safe Low is very impressive.

SUMMARY

The Vans Skate Safe Low from Vans stands out for its exceptional durability and strong overall stability, supported by its wide sole platform, reinforced upper, and high foxing construction. Boardfeel and grip are ultimately very good, but the shoe starts off quite stiff and heavy and requires several sessions of break in before its flexibility and performance fully come through.

The post Vans Safe Low appeared first on Weartested - detailed skate shoe reviews.

Skateboarding, and skateboarders, are not exactly known for embracing new technology. We are a culture of core lords who live by if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

But over the past few years, a small operation has been quietly bubbling in Salzburg, Austria. Led by skateboarder Peter Karacsonyi, it started with a simple question he asked at a young age. Why can’t skateboard decks be updated. That question led to countless hours spent in his parents’ garage with his father, experimenting with different methods to create what he hoped would be the ultimate skateboard deck.

Fast forward to today, and Peter is running his own board company and factory, KAPE Skateboards. Using cutting edge manufacturing techniques, KAPE produces skateboard decks made with recycled ocean plastic and glass fibers. Boards that do not chip, do not snap easily, and still promise to feel like a classic wooden deck. Their first commercial release, The Vanguard, launched about a year ago at 200 euros. Since then, they have slowly built a team featuring tech wizard Levi Löffelberger, fresh off a Berrics part, and Adrien Bulard, the mad Frenchman who backtailed El Toro. They also dropped a little video with the guys together skating in Barcelona. While gaining momentum, KAPE has continued refining its technology, offering new shapes and sizes, and steadily bringing the price down.

THE IDEA

Traditional skateboard decks are made by stacking seven sheets of maple plywood with alternating grain directions, placing them into a mold, and pressing them with extreme heat and pressure. Once pressed, they are cut and shaped into the decks we all recognize.

KAPE does something completely different.

After nearly ten years of experimentation and feedback, they have developed a construction based around three elements. A foam core, an injected melted plastic composite, and glass fibers for strength. Everything is molded rather than pressed, creating a deck that is fundamentally different in how it is built and how it behaves.

IMPRESSION

I got my hands on one of the first production runs of The Vanguard, which even came with a skate bag and carried a 200 euro price tag. Honestly, my biggest concern was not chipping or pop. I wanted to know if it felt like a wooden board.

One of the reasons new technology struggles to gain traction in skateboarding is the mental barrier skaters have toward change. I definitely felt that. The first few sessions were strange, not because the board felt bad, but because my brain refused to accept that the piece of plastic under my feet actually felt normal.

I have been skating the board for six months now and I am still skating it. Here is what stood out.

The pop was surprisingly good. There is a solid balance between flexibility and rigidity. Once broken in, the pop stayed consistent throughout the entire six months.

The durability was exceptional. There was no chipping at all, even with heavy wallrides. A friend tried snapping it by stomping on it and had no luck. It may have warped slightly, but it did not break.

The feel took the longest to adjust to. It feels like a wooden board, but slightly denser and softer. The tail still sounds crisp, but the composite construction seems to absorb impact better, making landings feel more forgiving.

The shape was my biggest drawback. I rode an 8.25, but it felt a little smaller than a standard 8.25. Probably a mental thing, but it took some getting used to.

OVERALL

This is an extremely well designed product, and it is obvious how much thought, testing, and feedback went into it. My biggest challenge was not the board, it was my own mindset. Skateboarding does not change easily, and this board forces you to confront that.

They say an open heart leads to an open mind. If you are willing to give this board a fair shot, I am confident you will walk away more impressed than disappointed.

THEIPETERIINTERVIEW

I sat down with Peter for a quick interview. It’s no secret that the business side of skateboarding benefits from shoes wearing out faster and boards breaking more often. Turnover drives sales. At a time when brands are struggling to compete for business, Peter is pushing something completely new. I wanted a glimpse into the reality he saw.

What became clear very quickly is that Peter is someone who figured out what he wanted to do early on, developed the skills to make it happen, and is completely committed to seeing it through.

Weartested: Hey Peter, tell us a little about your self and how you got started doing this?

Peter: I was born and raised in Austria, but both of my parents are from Hungary, so I grew up speaking Hungarian at home. I started skateboarding in 2004. Before that, I went to a sports-focused school and was always around different kinds of sports equipment. When I started skating, I remember thinking it was strange that skateboards were still made of plywood. Other sports had moved on to better materials, so I kept wondering why skating hadn’t. By the time I was 16 or 17, I was breaking boards all the time. I’d save money for months and sometimes snap a deck in the first session, and that’s when I thought there had to be something better. I tried reaching out to skate brands for old molds, but no one replied. That’s when I realized most companies don’t actually make their own decks—they buy them from woodshops and put their name on them. So I started making my own boards in my parents’ garage. My dad, who’s actually a doctor but really handy, helped me build presses and molds. We used scrap metal, hydraulic presses, and CNC-cut parts. Once I started building decks, I became obsessed with the materials. I studied sports equipment technology, learned how fibers behave, and applied everything directly to the boards. I built a new deck almost every day—skated it, found what didn’t work, adjusted fibers, weight, and stiffness, and built it again. That constant cycle of riding, changing, and refining is where everything really began. Every board was a progression. Sometimes it didn’t work at all, but that was part of it. And yeah, that was really the beginning.

I started experimenting with wood combined with fiberglass and carbon fiber. What you see now in boards like the VX, Flight, or DBX decks—I was already doing that about ten years ago. In some ways, those boards were better: they had more pop, they were stronger, thinner and more responsive. But they also chipped like crazy. By 2018 or 2019, I felt stuck. I didn’t really know how to make my boards better using the conventional skateboard-making method of pressing wood layers. So I had to completely rethink how a skateboard could be made. That’s when I started thinking about casting boards instead, because casting would let me control the shape and structure much more precisely. The problem was that a fully plastic board just felt wrong—it was too heavy, too flexible, and didn’t ride well. So the real question became: how do you get fibers into plastic, and how do you keep it light enough? The answer ended up being a technology I’ve been developing over the last five years. It took five full years of R&D. I quit making my old products, stopped selling skateboards, and spent up to eighty hours a week just experimenting. A lot of it didn’t work. But in the end, it did—and now I’m genuinely happy with where it landed.

Weartested: Who’s on the team?

Peter: Officially, the team is kept tight for now. Right now it’s Levi Löffelberger and Adrien Bulard—that’s the core team. Both skate at a very high level, but in fundamentally different ways. That contrast is key—it produces distinct feedback, which helps us improve the boards for a wide range of skating styles, which is ultimately making the product better.

Weartested: So for Kape there will be different boards created for different types of skating? Like different decks made for technical skaters and impact heavy skaters?

Peter: Yeah. Right now, Levi is riding a board that’s lighter and flips faster. What’s unique about our technology is that we can control where we use denser or lighter materials, which lets us fine-tune how the board reacts. For Levi’s setup, we reduced weight around the edges, so the board flips faster and higher. For Adrian, we did almost the opposite—his current shape has more strength across the width of the board. These are still prototypes, but that’s how the process starts. Once everything is dialed in, the changes flow into standard production.

We are currently developing a board that is tailored for shorter skaters. Wheelbase, angles, flex and weight must be different for people with shorter legs and lower bodyweight compared to standard boards. That’s not personal preference – it’s bio mechanics. Our technology allows endless possibilities.

That said, skateboarders are pretty conservative. A lot of skaters, especially older ones, have been riding wood for decades and had the best moments of their lives on those boards, so change is hard. Younger skaters tend to be much more open. The interesting thing is that once people actually try the boards—even if they were skeptical—they’re usually stoked and surprised by how good they feel.

We’re already selling boards in 46 countries, and we see that once a board lands in a new place, more orders follow. That shows how much skaters rely on word of mouth. They trust their friends and riders they respect—not marketing or ads. In the end, that’s how real change happens: trusted skaters riding the boards, and friends convincing friends to try them.

Weartested: Skateboarding business seems to be in a challenging time, how do you fare through this?

Right now, the skateboarding industry is at a low point. After COVID, there’s a massive oversupply of product—shops and brands are stuck with inventory and cutting prices just to move it. But instead of seeing that as a problem, I see it as an opportunity.

Yes, the market is smaller than it’s ever been, and that’s not good. But a smaller market is also easier to reach. It’s much easier to convince a small group of skaters than a massive one. If we can get people to actually ride our boards and feel the difference—not just understand it on a technical level, but really experience it—then we can grow with the market when skateboarding grows again.

We’re not trying to be a brand for every skater. Long term, the bigger goal is to become a white-label manufacturer, similar to a woodshop, and open up our technology to other brands that are willing to use it. Instead of competing in an oversaturated deck market, we want to help other brands make better boards.

The deck market is crowded because there are simply too many brands selling essentially the same product. That makes it hard for any deck company to stand out. That’s why I think it’s essential for board brands to genuinely care about how their boards are made, how they feel, and how they can be better—not just how they look.

For us, it’s product first. You have to believe in what you’re making. A lot of skate companies are really media companies—they focus on image and marketing more than the actual product. We’re doing the opposite. If the product is right, everything else follows.

When skaters ride our boards and experience the difference for themselves, trust follows. And when skateboarding grows again, we grow with it.

The post KAPE Skateboards appeared first on Weartested - detailed skate shoe reviews.

The VX1000 paired with a Mk1 fisheye lens shaped an entire era of skating and its influence is still easy to spot in edits today. But that iconic look came at a cost. VX setups and later digital cameras are heavy. Filmers spent years carrying camera bodies, lenses, handles, batteries, chargers, and backups, often hauling 10+ kilos through the city on a filming trip. Anyone who’s done it knows it’s part of the process, but it’s never been fun.

Today, the most common filming tool fits into your pocket: your phone. It’s light, always with you, and technically impressive but on the other hand visually often too clean, too corrected, and too wide in the wrong way to naturally capture the feel of classic fisheye skate footage.

That gap is where Shineye steps in.

GettingIItIRight

Martin Ottosson, Daniel Hansson and Danijel Stankovic (Shinner Crew) from Malmö created Shineye after constant debates about why phone footage never hit the right vibe.

“It was one of Martins brilliant ideas, as he’s always on the chase on how to make things better” Danijel recalls. “We end up always talking and hating on the current formats of the iPhone or GoPro cams, that it looks very skewed and not correct how we like skateboarding to look”.

Those conversations eventually led to a key realization: Apple’s ultra-wide 0.5 lens wasn’t actually behaving like a real fisheye lens at all, it was software manipulation.

“Once we realized that 0.5 wasn’t the lens, but a software manipulation we decided to give it a try. I brought some 0.5 wide-angle shots into After Effects and applied a series of effects to them,” Martin explains. “I wanted to see if a fisheye effect on rectilinear footage was even feasible from a technical point of view. And it was.”

Even with that realization, there was an early moment where the project’s future wasn’t entirely clear.

“There was one moment where we got stuck on some of the technical aspects of the actual fisheye distortion,” Martin says. “But Daniel did an amazing job finding a solution to it. That felt like a true Eureka moment, and from there on it was full speed ahead, fine-tuning both the effect and the UX.”

From concept to App Store release, Shineye took roughly a year and a half to complete. Development began at the end of 2024, with the first public version launching in July 2025.

NostalgiaI×i2026

The VX1000/fisheye footage makes tricks feel closer, lines look faster, and exaggerates movement in a way that pulls you straight into it. The vignette, curvature, slight shake and edges all add up to footage that feels raw.

Shineye aims to mimic classic fisheye behavior digitally, using software-based lens simulations and image processing, with the effect applied to a full sensor readout (open gate) rather than the cropped output used by standard camera apps. One of the App’s biggest strengths is its simplicity: no login, no cloud, no sign-up. You open it, film, and export. No adapters, handles, or heavy gear needed.

“We worked with a lot of people to get the effect right,” Danijel explains, “especially students at Bryggeriet Gymnasium, but also Pros and filmers through beta tests. I think the first time I properly tested the final product was with Stefan Janoski in Paris.”

Because the workflow is digital from the start, Shineye makes editing and exporting straightforward. Clips drop directly into Instagram, TikTok, or full-length edits without extra steps, so all the VX energy, none of the gear hassle.

TestingIShineye

At first glance, Shineye’s digital fisheye curve comes surprisingly close to the familiar VX1000/fisheye look. The edges bend in a predictable, natural way, the center remains sharp, and objects are pulled toward the lens with the same intensity that makes fisheye footage so engaging.

Comparing Shineye’s clips to real VX footage reveals the main differences. The parts that feel right are the curve, the proximity, and it genuinely captures that “in your face” vibe. What feels new is the cleaner, brighter and more stable image that naturally comes from the iPhone camera. It’s a small reminder that you’re filming digitally, but in a way that actually complements the look.

“We really wanted to nail the feeling you get from a Death Lens on a VX or the Century Xtreme fisheye on an HPX,” Martin explains. “Obviously, the hardware limitations of the iPhone mean we can’t go quite as extreme, but with a small adjustment to your filming style, you can get surprisingly close to the real thing.”

In the end, Shineye delivers the feel skaters are searching for. A good takeaway here is that the goal isn’t to replace cameras like the VX1000 or the equipment that shaped skateboard filming for decades. Instead, Shineye aims to change the way iPhone footage looks and feels. It brings character back into smartphone filming, letting clips carry the same nostalgia and energy that made the VX era so iconic.

As Danijel puts it: “Trust me – this doesn’t replace your VX, but it lets your phone pretend it grew up in the late ’90s.”

Summary

Shineye doesn’t try to replace the VX or Digital camera setup and it doesn’t need to. What it offers is a modern reinterpretation of a visual language that still matters.

It strips away the backpack full of gear while keeping the fisheye look that defined an era of skateboard filming. It brings character back into smartphone footage and makes fisheye-style filming accessible to anyone with an iPhone.

For skateboarders and filmers who value convenience but still want that fisheye look, Shineye is one of the most exciting tools for 2026.

The post ShinEye: The First Digital Fisheye appeared first on Weartested - detailed skate shoe reviews.

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.

Though originally marketed as the “nice pair of shoes to chill in” after skating in beat-up kicks, a few daring skaters couldn’t resist taking them straight to the streets such as Kareem Campbell. Stevie Williams also helped coin the mantra “Run, Skate, Chill” in Transworld’s The Reason video, a phrase later embraced by Nike in promoting the Air Max 95 SB earlier this year. Over the years, the Air Max line has produced countless celebrated iterations, and with its global appeal and entrenched streetwear status, Nike even officially designated March 26th as Air Max Day.

Interestingly, despite being conceived as a running shoe, the Air Max 95’s futuristic design and supremely comfortable midsole made it more of a lifestyle statement, a pair to flex with rather than break in on the track. History has a way of repeating itself: just as the Air Max 90 inspired a generation of skate shoe designs in the 1990s and 2000s, Nike has now reinvented the Air Max 95 as a fully skateable model, staying true to its original aesthetic while adapting it for modern riders. We got our hands on a pair of the still-futuristic Nike SB Air Max 95s and put them to the test to see if we could channel a little of that nineties skate energy. Read on to see how they performed.

SIZING

The Nike SB Air Max 95 fits slightly bigger so we recommend to got half size down.

DURABILITY

The Nike SB Air Max 95 stands out immediately thanks to one bold design twist: the upper doesn’t sit recessed in the midsole, it stretches over it. Most skate shoes embed the upper into the sole to fend off griptape wear, but here, the upper takes the hits head-on. It’s a complete role reversal, and it works.

During our 10-hour wear test, the sidewall of the sole remained virtually untouched, while the upper absorbed most of the griptape contact. The construction cleverly combines suede and leather overlays in critical areas like the toe and sidewall, while the mesh panels sit higher on the toe box, away from direct abrasion. This thoughtful material placement delivers excellent flick without compromising the original Air Max 95 design language.

That said, the first suede panel did show noticeable wear from direct griptape exposure, though the stitching between layered panels held up remarkably well despite being unprotected by the sole. The outsole showed no visible wear, highlighting the model’s solid durability in key areas.

CUSHIONING

The standout feature of the Air Max 95 SB is its sole construction. A visible Air unit in the heel and an encapsulated forefoot air pocket deliver exceptional impact protection, making the shoe feel remarkably responsive during heavy landings. For impact-heavy skating, it absorbs shock like a champ.

What makes the Nike SB Air Max 95 truly special is how the Air Max sole is engineered. The visible Air units don’t just cushion, they give a distinct, almost “springy” feel on the board. The sole tapers thoughtfully, with the heel and midfoot, where the Air units sit, being slightly higher than the toe. This design shifts more weight onto the toes while the firmer foam maintains precise board control, striking a balance between pop, stability, and protection.

SHAPE

The Nike SB Air Max 95 retains its distinctive layered wave design and classic running silhouette. The toe box has been slightly slimmed for improved flick, though it still offers plenty of volume and a noticeably bulky feel. From above, the shoe appears sleek and slightly pointed, while from the side, the layered upper and taller profile create a commanding, standout presence.

BOARDFEELI&IGRIP

The combination of cupsole construction and Air cushioning naturally puts more distance between your feet and the board than a traditional cupsole. Yet Nike SB managed to keep the forefoot flexible, delivering a surprisingly responsive boardfeel despite the thicker sole.

The outsole provides reliable, consistent grip. Its pattern is inspired by the original Air Max 95 but adapted for skateboarding, and after 10 hours on the board, it maintained solid traction while offering precise, controlled flicks.

COMFORTI&ISTABILITY

Out of the box, the Air Max 95 SB is very comfortable. The padded tongue and collar pay homage to the golden era of early SB shoes, while the inner bootie construction keeps the foot secure. The shoe fits snugly in the heel and midfoot, with a slightly roomier toe box thanks to the mesh material. Despite its volume and multiple layers, the shoe feels surprisingly light on the foot.

The wider sole and raised heel from the Air unit give the shoe a subtle forward-leaning stance that takes a session or two to get used to, but it contributes to excellent cushioning and stability on landings. A rigid heel counter further enhances support, creating a locked-in feel. Another standout feature is the midfoot stability plate. This rigid polymer element, carried over from the original Air Max 95 running shoe for torsional stability, works perfectly for skating, helping protect the foot on primo landings.

SUMMARY

The Nike SB Air Max 95’s feature exceptional impact protection and impressive comfort, offering decent boardfeel with controlled stability. Durability can be a challenge, as the upper extends over the sole and takes the brunt of griptape wear.

The post Nike SB Air Max 95 appeared first on Weartested - detailed skate shoe reviews.

Their lineup so far has been simple: durable, no-nonsense skate shoes that get the job done. But their latest drop, the Leggerezza FB, digs deeper into the brand’s archives. It’s a mash-up rooted in vintage football shoes, originally inspired by 90s handball models. (Fun fact: handball started outdoors before moving indoors, which explains the blend of traction and style.) The result? A leather silhouette that merges grippy court function with old-school football flair.

A few months back, Asics Skateboarding dropped a sleek New York edit featuring Gino Iannucci, Sully Cormier, Victor Campillo, and Mark Humienik cruising the city in the Leggerezza. The video had that raw-yet-polished vibe that made the shoes and the skating look effortlessly smooth. Honestly, upon first impression the shoes gave off serious Busenitz energy, which only made us more curious. So, of course, we had to grab a pair and put them through a proper weartest. Read on to see if Asics’ football-meets-handball hybrid actually holds up on a board.

SIZING

The Asics Leggerezza fits true to size.

DURABILITY

The Asics Leggerezza, despite its clean and minimal look, proved to be impressively durable for several reasons, chief among them, the one-piece toebox. With no separate panels or stitching that could tear apart, this design eliminates potential weak spots in high-wear zones. After testing, no holes were observed in the upper’s toe area, and the Ollie zone, where the toebox connects to the midfoot, remained solid and intact.

Another key factor behind the shoe’s toughness is its cupsole construction. While the sidewalls aren’t especially tall, the junction between the upper and the sole held up remarkably well. The most visible wear appeared in the kickflip zone, but even there, the damage was minimal. The outsole’s wide and deep tread pattern also contributed to its longevity; after roughly ten hours of skating, the sole still retained significant depth and traction, even in the areas that took the most abuse.

CUSHIONING

The Asics Leggerezza focuses on boardfeel but still offers surprisingly good cushioning for such a thin cupsole. The sole construction is quite interesting. It uses a slim cupsole that contains two layers of foam, one firm for stability and one soft for shock absorption, with an additional glued in foam insole on top for extra comfort.

During our 10 hour wear test, the sole handled small to medium impacts with ease, effectively absorbing shock without feeling bulky. Overall, for such a thin cupsole, the Asics Leggerezza stands out with an impressive balance of board control and cushioning performance.

SHAPE

The Asics Leggerezza has a slim silhouette that fits closely around the foot in every area. Its clean, pointed shape provides excellent flick and plenty of control during flip tricks. The leather also feels thicker than expected, helping the shoe maintain its structure and support throughout the 10 hour wear test.

BOARDFEELI&IGRIP

The Asics Leggerezza’s cupsole does not quite match the grip of vulcanized shoes, but the soft and flexible sole still creates enough friction to keep the feet securely planted. The grip benefits from the sole’s flexibility, which adapts well to the concave and maximizes contact between the shoe and the deck. Overall, the sole offers a moderate level of grip.

The thin sole design also enhances boardfeel. The sole requires no break-in time and feels ready to skate straight out of the box, thanks to its natural flexibility. The shoe delivers a very direct connection to the board, something rarely found in cupsole models. With minimal material between the foot and the deck at the front, the boardfeel is exceptional. In the end, the Asics Leggerezza’s boardfeel easily competes with, and in some ways surpasses, many vulcanized soles, giving it a distinct and refined feel on the board.

COMFORTI&ISTABILITY

The Asics Leggerezza is a comfortable shoe. Its minimalist design and thin sole make it very light on the feet. The tongue centering straps, along with the padding in the heel, tongue, and forefoot, as well as the dual density foam midsole, all contribute to a pleasant fit and smooth skating experience.

Cupsole shoes usually provide more support than vulcanized models, and for such a thin cupsole, the Asics Leggerezza offers solid stability. The close fit around the foot adds to that secure feeling. A standout detail is the padding in the toe area, which feels surprisingly protective despite the slim appearance, while still keeping enough softness for a clean flick. The heel support also enhances the sense of stability. Overall, the shoe delivers a light, comfortable ride with a level of support and control that goes beyond expectations.

SUMMARY

Asics surprised us once again. The Asics Leggerezza stands out with its durability, comfort, and great boardfeel, all while offering solid cushioning. Grip is its weakest aspect, but it still performs at a respectable level overall.

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Back in 2007, Curren emerged as a young talent alongside Louie Lopez, joining Flip Skateboards as a grom and learning from some of the most iconic names in skateboarding: Geoff Rowley, Arto Saari, Tom Penny, and Rune Glifberg, the crew behind Sorry and Really Sorry. At the time, Flip and Vans were closely linked, and with a push from Rowley, Curren joined the Vans team at just 11 years old.

Fast forward to today, both Curren and Louie now ride for Fucking Awesome under the guidance of Jason Dill. At 29, Curren has quietly built a lasting career in a space where longevity is rare. While many of his early peers have faded from view, Curren continues to evolve – thanks in part to a strong circle of close friends like Louie, Jake Anderson, Mason Silva, and filmer Ryan Lee, along with the early mentorship that shaped his foundation.

That journey brings us to a major milestone: the release of Curren’s first signature pro model shoe with Vans. It marks a new chapter in his career, placing him among the ranks of Vans’ most influential riders: Geoff Rowley, Steve Caballero, Chima Ferguson, TNT, Elijah Berle, Gilbert Crockett, Kyle Walker, and AVE.

We put the new Vans Curren Caples to the test. Read on to see how they performed.

SIZING

The Vans Curren Caples fits true to size but has a slightly narrower, snug feel.

DURABILITY

Overall, the Vans Curren Caples impresses with its solid durability, thanks to a three-layer rubber outsole, a suede upper, and an underlying Duracap layer. The upper combines suede in high-abrasion areas with canvas in the midfoot to reduce weight. Unsurprisingly, the suede toecap held up well against grip tape, further protected by the extended outsole. While the Duracap layer is present for added protection, it wasn’t needed in this test, as the suede never developed holes.

The canvas side panels began to show wear after roughly 10 hours of skating, highlighting their lighter construction. Still, the real MVP is the outsole. Its triple-layer build prevented blowouts and significantly extended the shoe’s lifespan. As seen in the photos, the top layer of rubber wore down in a way that suggests weaker bonding with the layers beneath, likely due to differences in texture, but it didn’t compromise overall performance.

CUSHIONING

When it comes to impact protection, Vans Skate models typically feature one of the brand’s proprietary cushioning systems. For the Curren Caples, the designers opted for PopCush, a thick insole foam paired with a thin vulcanized sole, consistent with Vans’ classic skate feel. A standout feature is a reinforcement layer that runs from the heel to the midfoot, adding structure to an otherwise soft and flexible sole. In our weartest, the shoe maintained the expected boardfeel and flexibility of a vulc construction, while offering noticeably above-average cushioning.

SHAPE

The Curren Caples Pro Model features a low-profile silhouette that blends classic Vans design with subtle modern refinements. The toebox is slightly tapered, offering a sharper, more precise flick point without feeling overly narrow. This shape supports consistent flip tricks, while the moderate toe volume helps maintain structure and prevents the shoe from collapsing too quickly.

BOARDFEELI&IGRIP

As a vulcanized model, the Vans Curren Caples places a strong emphasis on boardfeel and grip. While cushioning is present, Vans kept it minimal to preserve that close-to-the-board connection. The thin, straightforward sole construction provides the right amount of flexibility, making the shoe feel extremely responsive underfoot.

In terms of grip, the deep tread pattern and Vans’ signature SickStick rubber compound deliver excellent traction. Throughout our 10-hour weartest, grip remained consistently strong. As expected, Vans’ grip continues to set the standard in skate footwear: still unmatched in the industry.

COMFORTI&ISTABILITY

Comfort and stability show both strengths and room for improvement.

Starting with comfort: the shoe fits snugly and sits close to the foot, with tongue straps that enhance the inner-sock feel. On the downside, the shoe feels noticeably heavy, which takes some time to get used to. The break-in period is relatively short—just one or two sessions—after which the sole becomes fully flexible and stays consistent.

In terms of stability, the snug fit and well-defined arch wrap help lock the foot in place, especially when paired with the padded collar. This design is necessary, as the Curren Caples model has a very low ankle cut, which can lead to heel slippage if not laced all the way to the top.

Overall, the shoe offers above-average stability for a vulcanized model but leans more toward boardfeel and flexibility than a locked-in, cupsole-like feel.

SUMMARY

The Vans Curren Caples Pro Model delivers excellent durability, boardfeel, and grip, making it a standout vulcanized skate shoe built for performance and durability. However, its very low ankle cut and noticeably heavy build may take some time getting used to.

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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.

SIZING

The Louie Lopez 2 fits true to size but has a slightly narrower, snug feel.

DURABILITY

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.

CUSHIONING

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.

SHAPE

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.

BOARDFEELI&IGRIP

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.

COMFORTI&ISTABILITY

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.

SUMMARY

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.

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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.

The point is: in the era of futuristic foams and space-age silhouettes, sometimes the real flex is simplicity. A clean, well-built, no-frills skate shoe can still make the biggest impact. Adidas proved this last year with the wildly successful revival of the Samba. Now, they’re digging deeper into their archives, not just across lifestyle and basketball, but in skateboarding too. Just last week, they dropped the adidas Kobe 2s – and earlier this year, they brought back the adidas Superskate.

What stood out to our editors wasn’t just the throwback appeal – it was the honesty of the design. It looks like a shoe built to skate. No gimmicks. No flash. Just function. And here’s the kicker: the Superskate wasn’t just inspired by skateboarding, it was adidas’ first skateboarding-specific shoe, originally released in 1979. For context, Vans began seriously targeting skaters with their product in the mid-70s, so Adidas wasn’t far behind.

This reissue not only reminds us of adidas’ long-standing (but often overlooked) presence in skate culture but it also raises a big question: can this vintage silhouette hold up to modern skateboarding’s demands?

We laced up a pair to find out. Read on for the full review.

SIZING

The Adidas Superskate fits true to size.

DURABILITY

The adidas Superskate impressed us with its overall durability. Key stress areas like the sole, heel collar, laces, and eyelets are typically the first to show wear, but the Superskate held up remarkably well. Notably, the panel that houses the eyelets is reinforced with extra stitching, which proved highly effective in boosting durability.

The double-stitched suede toe panel also performed well, showing minimal wear thanks to the sole taking most of the impact. The only area that showed some breakdown was the Ollie zone, where the seam connecting the main suede panel to the toe panel began to rip. That said, even with the stitching compromised, the panels stayed intact and didn’t negatively affect performance.

CUSHIONING

The adidas Superskate offers average cushioning. One of our editors did note some heel impact after a session after skating some stairs, but overall, the shoe held up well. It features a thin cupsole with a blue EVA foam wedge under the heel and midfoot, topped with an EVA sockliner for added comfort.

While the foam wedge is the primary source of impact protection, the mid-top cut also contributes to a secure and stable feel. In our wear test, this setup performed consistently, effectively absorbing low to medium impacts without compromising board feel.

SHAPE

The adidas Superskate features a slim silhouette with minimal tongue padding. The toe area is clean and classic, while more subtle technical design elements are found around the midfoot and heel. From a top-down view, the shoe appears quite narrow, but it finishes with a slightly rounder toe than expected. Whether this shape suits your skating style ultimately comes down to personal preference.

BOARDFEELI&IGRIP

From a sole construction standpoint, the adidas Superskate checks all the boxes for solid boardfeel. The thin forefoot minimizes the material between your foot and the board, delivering direct responsiveness. Surprisingly for a cupsole, there was no break-in period; the boardfeel was dialed in from the very first session and remained consistent throughout our 10-hour wear test.

The cupsole strikes a nice balance: soft enough for good grip, yet firm enough to hold up over time. The outsole features a herringbone tread in the critical forefoot area, with smaller hexagonal patterns covering the rest. This combination provided reliable grip without any blowout spots, making the Superskate’s traction both durable and dependable.

COMFORTI&ISTABILITY

When it comes to comfort, the adidas Superskate delivers a secure, locked-in feel. The silhouette offers excellent foothold, and on the board, the shoe feels snug and supportive. A standout bonus: it’s surprisingly lightweight. For skaters who typically avoid high-tops, the Superskate’s lighter build, slightly looser fit around the upper ankle, and balanced support make it feel more like a low-top in certain ways.

During our wear test, the shoe didn’t cause any pressure points from internal stitching. However, if you have wider feet, it’s worth trying on in-store to ensure the fit is right. One small note: the tongue isn’t anchored with internal straps, so it tends to shift around while skating.

In terms of stability, the mid-top design wraps the ankle well, offering a solid, supportive feel. Material choices also play a role; the combination of suede in the flick zones and leather for structure proved effective. After 10 hours of skating, the Superskate maintained its shape and delivered consistent, reliable support.

SUMMARY

The adidas Superskate delivers strong stability, durability, and boardfeel, but its cushioning is fairly average, and both grip and comfort require a bit of adjustment time.

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