Without a doubt, there are certain pros that make you think of a specific team edition shoe and an era of skateboarding. Just think of Arto Saari and the éS Accel during the Flip „Sorry“ era. Or how about Leo Romero and the Emerica „Laced“ model? And don’t forget Brian Wenning and the DC „Lynx“. But when it comes down to creating a signature model that carries this spirit, things get tough: do we simply change 2 stitches and slap a guys name onto the shoe or attempt to persuade the rider to try something completely new? Chima Ferguson is one of those guys that took model-loyalty to new levels: seeing him without Vans Authentic in red, black or white canvas between his feet and board was rare. In fact it hardly ever happened. Still, Vans managed to create a pro model that resembles the Authentic silhouette, but possesses its very own style and look. Whether or not that means it functions well as a skate shoe is something that you will find out now.

Sizing

The Vans Chima Pro fits true to size.

Durability

Simple one-piece toecaps have become the standard nowadays, mostly due to the fact that they increase a shoe’s durability. Vans took this a step further by adding a soft synthetic layer between the toecap’s upper- and inner material which they termed „Duracap“.It increases the durability and ensures that Chima Ferguson’s favorite fabric, canvas, doesn´t live up to its notorious reputation for durability. The “Duracap” also improves the stability and shape of the toecap.

The canvas sidewalls in this test frayed pretty fast. However, thanks to the extended toecap this was not too much of a problem. The sole itself held up very well and proved to be quite durable. The thick extra layer in the front-foot area improves durability quite a lot, even if you are a kickflip-lover. The deep pattern of the sole is another big advantage; even with new griptape, no blown out spots were visible, ensuring the shoe’s long lasting grip.

Cushioning

The Chima Pro established a rather well balanced compromise between board feel and cushioning. Jumping down big stair sets might not be the best idea in these, but thanks to the new „Ultracush Lite“ insole the heel area offers adequate cushioning. However, as you can see in the cross-section, the insole lost most of its thickness and therefore cushioning after 10h of skating gradually decreased.

Shape

The Chima Pro sports a low silhouette, just like the Vans Authentic. The model is a lot more supportive and stable though. The toecap is not as pointy as one would expect. The wide outer sole and the grippy gum sole ensure a really good flick.

Boardfeel and grip

The thin construction of the sole provides great boardfeel and flexibility; it almost feels like you can actually „grab“ your board. This flexibility increases grip as well and so the Chima Pro is comparable to most Vans models. It feels exactly like you would expect with a vulcanized model, and even provides great durability, thanks to its deep threading.

Comfort and stability

The Chima Pro shines from the very first moment: its lighter than most other Vans models and the weight is hardly noticeable on your feet. The front-foot-area is a little wider than usual, but thanks to its low silhouette the shoe still fits snug and nice. This, however, cannot be said for the heel area. It is a bit too wide, even the suede inner lining could not fully make up for the extra space. Moreover, the inner material of the shoe was quite rough and rubbed the foot uncomfortably when skating. A positive attribute of the canvas material is that it kept its shape and hardly widened through the test, which means that its initial stability stayed the same.

Summary

The Chima Pro is a durable vulcanized shoe with a low profile, which excels in terms of boardfeel and grip. Small flaws regarding cushioning and comfort are equalized by the shoe’s weightlessness and the great Duracap toe piece.

 A

Check out the Vans Chima Pro at ARROW&BEAST

ARROW&BEAST Vans Chima Pro

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Street League, X-Games, Dew-Tour, the next big „un-core“ shoe company grabbing for a spot in the industry and the most recent Xtreme energy drink sponsor, they all seem to become increasingly important in our small but wonderful skateboard universe. With that said, it’s good to see that there are still some things that don´t change. When it feels like you’re floating further away from spaceship earth you need something to grab and feel safe.

Dennis Busenitz is one of these constants in this universe that helps us restore faith in the future of skateboarding. New trends pass him by faster than he skates and he keeps it simple, clean and original. Plus, there’s no possibility of stopping him if he can film a whole jaw-dropping part where the only thing he’s skating is a 3-inch high curb. Fittingly, his newest and well-deserved signature model, the adidas Busenitz ADV keeps it simple and clean, but doesn’t lack originality. Due to a lack of red curbs the shoe’s ability to help with your slappy grind game wasn’t evaluated, all remaining questions regarding the performance of the Busenitz ADV are answered below.

The adidas Busenitz ADV fits a little larger than usual.

Durability

One of the strengths of the Busenitz ADV is its simple design. With no overlapping seams and the usage of high-quality suede, the performance of the shoe is greatly elevated.

This of course isn´t some revolutionary engineering technique that adidas brought to the market out of the blue, but with that said, the ADV manages to take it one step further. First of all, the three stripes logo is heat-transferred which majorly increases its durability. Additionally, the seamless connection between main-part and eyestay by a hidden seam in combination with the recessed eyelets greatly improves the lifespan of the shoelaces. Furthermore, the ventilation holes are placed between the stripes and are thereby protected from the abrasive griptape. Another smart detail is the fact that said holes are bigger on the medial side and smaller on the lateral side to account for the occurring abrasion in the respective region. The only flaw of the design is the mesh collar, which frays out quickly and doesn’t look appealing within hours.

The relatively fine tread pattern of the sole would lead you to believe that it wears out quite fast, but it in fact did not show a single bald spot after the 10h of testing. Still, it may be one of the weaknesses in the long term. The sidewalls of the sole seem thin at first, but manage to withstand the griptape abuse quite well.

Cushioning

Even though the differences between vulc and cupsole constructions seem to fade off more and more, when it comes down to cushioning, cupsoles usually take the cake. The Busenitz ADV is no exception.

The cushioning is far above average, thanks to a rather higher sole construction in the heel area and the additional EVA-foam inlay. However, the absence of a foamed midsole in the center and front-area reduces the model’s ability to dampen high impacts in these regions.

Shape

Due to the thickly cushioned collar and the high cut around the ankle and Achilles tendon, the Busenitz ADV has a slightly wider silhouette. 

However, it still fits very snug and tight, and the toebox that tapers slowly to a rather pointy toe helps to control fliptricks extremely well. The Busenitz ADV is especially recommended for people with wider feet.

Boardfeel and grip

Boardfeel and grip are two more strengths of this model. The thin forefoot area and sockliner in the first third of the shoe create a very close connection between foot and board. As the sole is very thin in the front and quite thick in the last third, the balance between cushioning and direct contact to the board is executed really well. This is additionally supported by the flexibility of the sole unit. Due to the thin treat pattern and the medium thick sidewalls of the sole it adapts very well to the concave of the board, especially for a cupsole.

Additionally, the pattern with its fine lamellae structure ensures outstanding grip on the board and does not fail to match with vulcanized soles.

Comfort and stability

Going against the wave of the general trends, the Busenitz ADV relies on a rather high cut around the Achilles tendon. This, along with the ‘geofit”-technology creates a snug fit around the heel without impairing the movement of the ankle. The tongue features two longitudinal pads along the inwards facing side, which prevents it from moving to the sides and protects the foot from getting hit by your board without giving it a bulky look. The inner lining basically has no seams and the reasonable amount of padding around the heel ensure a snug fit and protection of the foot. Overall the workman-ship of the Busenitz ADV is remarkable, which increases the comfort further. The already mentioned sidewall ventilation due to the large ventilation holes that are pierced through the complete upper is outstanding; unlike many other shoes, the ventilation actually works, well done. The thin mesh tongue facilitates air exchange further. The stability is just as you would expect for a cupsole model. The Busenitz ADV offers just the right amount of support and stability for such a shoe, nothing more and nothing less. However, a slightly more rigid plastic reinforcement in the heel would be appreciated.

Summary

The adidas Busenitz ADV proves that a skate shoe doesn´t need to be highly technical. The well-thought-out details define the shoe’s strengths. Apart from the slightly shallow tread pattern of the sole and the average cushioning, the ADV performs exceptionally well.

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High Quality PDF file: Nike PRod 6 review

Intro

It only feels like yesterday that Paul Rodriguez made a sponsor change for the history books in 2004 – from the then well-established and successful éS to the relatively young Nike SB division. The move was eyed suspiciously by many, with more than a few  screaming “sell out”. Times change, and oh, how they changed.

In 2012, éS footwear delivered its last collection and is un­fortunately going on hiatus for now. Nike SB, on the other hand, is more popular than ever, not just with consumers but also professional skateboarders as employer of choice. It’s a controversial topic that can be seen and discussed from many perspectives, but a fair share of those changes can be credited to the high quality of the products that Nike SB has released in recent years. On first inspection, the 6^th iteration of the Paul Rodriguez signature shoe doesn’t seem to be an exception. A more detailed view is given in the following lines.

Durability

The Paul Rodriguez 6 is durable for several reasons. The now-standard one-piece toebox with decorative stitching reaches to almost the middle of the shoe. However, it meets the sidepanel in the ollie area and the connecting double-stitching is therefore affected by the griptape. During the test duration of 10 hours, the stitching ripped partly through in this area. Nevert­heless, the generous overlapping and the overall stability of the model prevented a hole. Furthermore, the angle at which both panels meet causes the top layer to be pulled over the toebox layer when doing tricks. This prevents the gap from spreading and the durability is maintained for long-term use, too.

Due to the long toebox design and the drawn-back middle area, it is also possible to include a large number of big ventilation holes in the sidewall without a major reduction in durability. The rubber outsole is of medium thickness and comes in for a lot of wear because the suede toebox is rather low. As a result, it developed slight grooves during the test period where the upper material bellow became visible. Since the suede is of high quality and the wall thickness of the rubber increases towards the bottom sole, this is only a minor issue though. Additional details, like the fused Swoosh, which can’t peel off like it did with previous models, or the inward-facing mesh at the collar, contribute further to the shoe’s good durability. The shorter mesh tongue, which is hidden and pro­tected by the high peak of the sidewall, suits to the longevity of the design, too. However, a slight weakness occurs due to the long toebox.

The big suede panel lacks reinforcement and becomes wavy with wear. This could cause single points of attack for the grip­tape, resulting in holes in the long run. Finally, the laces. Compared with previous models, the Paul Rodriguez 6 features a tighter eyestay arrangement. The drawn-back sidewall and the fact that there are only 5 eyelets mean the laces are protected to a certain degree and stay intact for quite a long time. Crucially, the often-critical top eyelet is protected by the high peak of the sidepanel, which bends outwards when the shoes are tightly laced.

Cushion

The Nike SB Paul Rodriguez 6 is suited for high-impact skating. The use of Lunarlon foam enables it to dampen harsh landings and bails quite well. The cushion capabilities can already be felt while walking or just pushing in the shoe.

The combination of a rubber outsole in the front for durability and a foam outsole in the middle and heel area makes sense in terms of durability, weight and cushioning. As can be seen in the cross section, the foam thickness increases heavily towards the back, which ensures a soft ride. The use of midsole foam instead of a removable Lunarlon insole is especially advantageous for people who like to use orthopedic insoles. The removable insole can be replaced without losing the Lunarlon cushioning.

Breathability

The breathability of the PRod 6 is way above average for several reasons. It features a thin, mesh tongue that allows airflow at the instep of the foot, a key region. This is a feature seen in more and more models. Additionally, it has perforated sidewalls. Both the bigger diameter and the number of perforations are exceptional and ensure good breathability. What makes it really special is the fact that not just the upper layer is perforated but the inner material as well. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case for skate shoes. It allows continuous airflow through the sidewalls and makes a noticeable difference.

Grip

The fine sole pattern of the Prod 6 features good grip. The flexibility is not completely there straight out of the box, so a week of wearing-in time is recommended. After the initial sturdiness is gone, it adapts well to the concave of the deck and the improved contact surface keeps the feet from slipping.

The fine, rectangular shapes with the thin and soft lamellae and the flex grooves in between create the typical soft grip of cupsoles that still allows switching of the foot position. The sticky feeling of a vulcanized sole is not completely reached though. Due to the limited height, the initial grip decreases slightly with wear, with flat areas appearing after the 10-hour testing time, which is a minor flaw of the model.

Shape

There has been a silent revolution in the PRod signature foot­wear range regarding shape.

While earlier models like the 3 where bulky to say the least, the 5 was a turning point to some degree and the 6 continues this direction of a significantly thinner, closer-to-the-foot and more-streamlined silhouette. The toebox of the newest iteration is well rounded with an overall arrow shape; it tapers slowly from the bottom eyestay to a centered, rounded peak. Also, the collar and heel are noticeably thinner and narrower, which create a cupsole model that is close to the shape of the Nike SB Koston 1 in regards to padding and width.

Boardfeel

As could be expected of a cupsole model with a foam middle sole, the boardfeel is well balanced and not as direct and some­times painful as a thin vulcanized sole. The thinner front allows for good contact with the board that gets better with wear and the resulting increase of flexibility. The heel region, which only plays a minor role regarding boardfeel, offers necessary cushioning. Overall, the shoe offers direct contact to the board, but the balance between boardfeel and protection leans slightly towards impact control.

Comfort

Paul Rodriguez’s newest model features a well-designed inner lining. It doesn’t feature tongue-centering straps that could cause discomfort, but the tongue still stays in place most of the time and adjustments are barely necessary. The stitching in­side the shoe is limited to a minimum and overlapping panels are attached to each other by very flat or even hidden stitching to ensure a comfortable lining. A special design feature is the heavily bent collar in the area of the Achilles tendon. It faces far towards the tongue, which results in a superior heel lock – the foot is securely kept in position and doesn’t slip out at any time. Initially, it feels quite different and the feet have to get used to the tight fit around the tendon, which may cause friction, but after a few sessions, and combined with the soft, mesh material in the region, it feels very comfortable. A minor possible improvement would be the use of a more ergonomically shaped and thereby more supportive insole with a noticeable wedge under the middle foot. The previously mentioned use of Lunarlon also means that local stresses are distributed evenly around the feet, so they don’t get as tired even after long sessions.

Support

The heel design is maybe the most obvious new feature of this model. As well as the rigid plastic reinforcement in the heel, which can be seen in the cross section as a white line, it is equipped with an external element, too. It seems to be inspired by basketball and outdoor designs and adds a certain amount of rigidity. All in all, though, it seems to be more of a design feature  and dynamic movement of the foot is still possible as usual. The higher cut bellow the ankle that rises  towards the tongue caused mixed feelings among the testers. On one hand, the additional support feels protective and safe, but on the other, if you are used to lower cuts, it can cause friction that can be uncomfortable. Overall, the model offers very good support for a low top that is above average even for a cupsole design.

Summary

The Nike SB Paul Rodriguez 6 offers superior breathability and is suitable for high-impact skating. While being durable, comfortable and very supportive, it features a slimmed-down silhouette compared with its predecessors, as well as solid grip and boardfeel.

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High Quality PDF file: adidas Ronan review

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Photo by Jürgen Blümlein (www.MadeForSkate.com)

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