You’ve probably seen the recent Thrasher cover of Jake Hayes 50-50ing two LA schoolyard picnic tables stacked on top of each other. But if you dug a little deeper and watched Thrasher’s Tale of Two Tables, you’ll know that the photo was actually shot as the official New Balance ad for the NB# 340, until a last minute change turned it into a Thrasher cover instead.
And honestly, what a statement. Imagine shooting a photo with the mindset of making an ad, only for it to become the cover of Thrasher Magazine. It’s probably not something the New Balance marketing team had in the plan, but the twist gave the NB# 340, and Jake Hayes’ double decker feat, an unexpected spotlight across the skate world.
The NB# 340 is New Balance Numeric’s latest vulcanized offering, fronted by Hayes and very much in line with the brand’s reputation for well crafted, no nonsense skate shoes. It’s low profile, understated and built to skate, without piling on unnecessary technical bells and whistles. Even the colorways keep things relatively chill, positioning the 340 as a reliable everyday skate shoe rather than a loud statement piece.
Jake Hayes, however, provided the statement.
That Thrasher cover put the NB# 340 in front of skaters everywhere, and we wanted to find out whether the shoe itself could live up to the attention. We got our hands on a pair and put them through the test to see if New Balance had managed to pack enough performance into this stripped back vulcanized silhouette to make it a comfortable, capable all around skate shoe.
Read on to find out.
The NB# 340 fits true to size.
To start, we evaluated the 340’s durability by looking at both the sole and upper. The foxing tape around the forefoot is notably thick, which not only helps with flick but also adds plenty of durability. The thickness of the sole also helps shield the upper from wear, particularly around the forefoot and kickflip area, which held up well throughout our 10 hour wear test.
The upper is made up of several panels using different materials, each chosen for a specific function. NB# uses suede on the forefoot to improve flick, while leather through the forefoot and midfoot adds stability. Aside from a few ripped seams on the suede toe panel and some visible wear around the collar, the upper held up well overall and delivered solid durability throughout the test.
It can be challenging for vulcanized shoes to deliver strong impact protection without sacrificing board feel. For the 340, NB# developed a unique vulcanized construction featuring a PU wedge designed to absorb impact. This type of cushioning insert is more commonly found in cupsoles, while vulcanized shoes typically rely on a thinner sole and foam sockliner to provide cushioning. The 340 also features an Ortholite insole for added step in comfort.
The insole has a noticeable wedge shape that keeps the forefoot close to the board while providing additional cushioning under the heel. The result is a unique feel for a classic vulcanized shoe, with the new sole construction offering a good balance between board feel and impact protection. Overall, the 340 delivers a comfortable step in feel and solid cushioning for small to medium sized impacts.
Just from looking at the shoe’s silhouette, you might wonder how the 340 will actually fit and skate. The shoe is slim through the heel and midfoot, before opening up toward the toe. The heel fits quite snugly around the foot, while the toe box feels more spacious and relatively flat. The toe shape tapers slightly toward the front but maintains a rounded profile, giving the 340 a balanced shape that feels neither too narrow nor overly wide.
As with most vulcanized models, board feel and grip are two of the 340’s biggest strengths. The grip strikes a good balance, providing plenty of traction without feeling overly sticky, as some vulcanized shoes can. This made it easy to adjust foot placement during tricks without feeling like the sole was grabbing the board. The grip also remained consistent throughout the 10 hour wear test, with plenty of life left for future sessions.
The shoe’s construction and sole tread pattern play a big role in its board feel. The insole flattens out significantly through the first third of the shoe, while the thin outsole keeps you close to the board and provides a responsive feel underfoot. The tread pattern also adds flexibility, allowing the shoe to conform to the board’s concave and maintain close contact with the deck. The result is excellent board feel, reliable grip and a responsive connection to the board.
The NB# 340 offers good comfort and solid stability for a vulcanized shoe. Its slim silhouette and locked in tongue straps keep the foot snug against the upper, minimizing unwanted movement. Despite the leather panels used throughout the upper, the 340 is also surprisingly light for a vulcanized shoe.
The shoe’s stability comes from a combination of its sole construction, material selection and heel lock. The relatively high foxing tape provides additional structure around the foot, helping it feel secure and protected. The upper combines suede and leather panels, which maintained their shape well throughout our 10 hour wear test without becoming overly soft or losing their structure.
Overall, the new NB# 340 embodies New Balance Numeric’s commitment to quality skate shoes. Excellent board feel, solid durability and surprisingly good cushioning for a vulcanized shoe make the 340 a dependable all around performer.
