Slip on skate shoe reviews

Well i’ve had so many pairs of what we call “slip on” shoes. I’ve had various kinds such as Vans, Emericas, and even Etnies slip ons. This isn’t going to be a HUGE review, but i’m going to critique the shoes personally based on my experiences….

Vans Classic Checkerboard Slipons

Appearance: Classic checkerboard look, from slip ons this is one of my favorite designs. And with the Vans “Off The Wall” emblem on the back, it makes it look even cooler.
Feel: They are really comfortable. However I don’t recommend low socks, I got cuts on the back of my foot. If you buy these and plan on skating or even just wearing them around, get middle sized socks.
Wear and Tear: Walking around in them for a few months and not skating them, the grip on the bottom started to fade. It wasn’t a horrible fade but you could tell the difference.
Skate and Tear: As I first skated in these, they definetly began tearing within days. The front of the shoe, on the sole, had a hole in them within 2 days of skating. And I didn’t even have that big of skate sessions, maybe an hour long session within those two days. However, i have a really big style of heelflip tricks and this was a major impact on the front of the shoe. The rest of the shoe was completely fine.
How long did they last?: After maybe five months I got rid of them. They lasted a good while with skating/wearing around.
Colors:This isn’t THAT important but for those who have never had the shoe, They come in Black/Grey, Black/Red, Black/White(As shown in picture), Black/Yellow, Blue/Black, Brown/Red, Brown/Tan, Green/Tan, Green/Black, Pink/Black, And there is also a rainbow scheme.

Fallen Rival - Jamie Thomas signature model

The Bottom Line

These are awesome skate shoes. Everything Fallen makes is high quality, but the Rivals in particular are excellent shoes for skateboarding. Made with plenty of features, like protected lace eyelets, Velcro strap, heel airbag + gel pad - not to mention thick padded tongue, heel collar, the works. These shoes are perfect for skating, unique, and well made.

Pros

• High quality - packed features, the Rival is a well made, durable shoe made from the best stuff
• Unique - Fallen shoes are only available at specialty skate shops. You won't find these in the mall
• Jamie Thomas signature model

Cons

• Being unique and only at certain shops means that you may have to travel to get a pair.

Description

• Jamie Thomas signature model, and Jamie Thomas's skate shoe line
• Synthetic suede or leather upper
• Thin rubber layer under toe cap for durability and protection
• Foam padded tongue and collar add comfort and support
• Internal tongue straps add stabilty
• Dual lacing system on the toe cap adds protection and durrability
• Shock absorbing heel bag plus soft EVA insole with gel heel pad for extra impact cushioning
• Sticky gum rubber herring bone sole for grip and flex
• Shoes come with a plastic Fallen logo template for spray painting
• Available in 4 color schemes - black, charcoal, "chocolate" (dark and light brown mix) and white

Guide Review - Fallen Rival - Jamie Thomas signature model

I've seen a lot of skateboarding shoes, and the Rivals are some of the best. When Jamie Thomas started up the Fallen shoe line, he decided to make true quality shoes, and the Rival skate shoe deserves the name.

First off, they're packed with all the features you'd hope to get in a good skate shoe, plus more. Double stitched synthetic leather or suede gives comfort and durability, while the padded tongue and tongue straps add to the comfort and stability. The heel features an airbag to absorb shock, plus a gel heel pad insole for even more. The sole is grippy gum rubber, scored for flexibility.

The shoes also feature extra lace protection on the toe - this is something I wish more skate shoes had. If you tend to wear down your laces, then this is a feature you should look for, and one you'll be happy to hear is on the Rival.

The Rivals also feature a Velcro strap that improves the shoe's fitting. In fact, I never tied these while I was reviewing them - I laced them up, gave the laces a half crossover and then used the Velcro strap to cinch them. Talk about comfort!

The Fallen logo graces the side and heel, with Thomas's name on the Velcro strap and Fallen on the tongue. All of these accents are simple, and stitched - meaning they won't rub off. They add a little extra quality.

And that's what makes these shoes so great. These shoes are packed with small features like these - the sum of which adds up to one great shoe for skateboarding. I highly recommend them.

Vans Rowley XL2 Skate Shoes Review

Vans Rowley XL2s are the upgraded version of the original Vans Rowleys, which are Vans best selling skate shoe. Rowley XL2s have an updated look, a grippier waffle sole, are comfortable and are freakishly light. Easily one of the best skate shoes now on the market, Vans Rowley XL2s are going to make a big impact.

Features

Vans Rowley XL2s are fully skatable machines:

• Leather upper with suede uede toe cap and edging
• strong puffy tongue
• thickly padded heel collar
• Coolmax liner inside shoe's upper wicks moisture away from foot
• New Comfort Control system in the footbed enhances comfort and ventilation of the foot
• New Footframe helps hold heel in place
• Midsole is made of very flexible, very light EVA, and incorporates an air vent
• Outsole complete with classic Vans waffle tread and made of Vans California Rubber
• Seven different styles currently available

Style

Vans says that the new Rowley XL2s style is influenced by Japan. Honestly, I'm not sure I know what that means, but they do look awesome! Seven different color schemes are available, from bright solid blue or red, to earth toned slashed with black. I tried out the brown and white pair, and I love 'em. The toecap is suede, and so is the edge running up along the top of the upper, while the rest of the upper is action leather. The colors are subtle and strong at the same time. Perhaps that's what's Japanese about them.

Super Light

The most impressive feature, to me, was how light these shoes are. They honsetly tripped me out. Vans has a reputation for making light skate shoes, but to have all the above features, plus light? With the strong upper, the padding, everything, the Rowley XL2s are simply lighter than seems possible. I don't get it, but somehow Vans has managed to re-work one of the most popular skate shoes of all time, make it all around a little better, and yet reduce its weight. I don't understand it, but I like it!

Drawbacks

Now that I've sung the praises of Vans Rowleys XL2s, let me tell you about a couple of things that I didn't like about them. These are small issues, but you're probably reading this hoping to get a balanced view of these shoes before you buy them.

Vans Roley XL2s have nothing built in to protect their laces. I hate breaking shoe laces while skating, so I noticed this. It's not a big problem, but skaters should know that they will likely break several sets of laces in these shoes.

Vans Rowley XL2s are also a little narrow at the toes. One reason I love skate shoes, apart from skating in them, is that skate shoes are usually so wide and comfortable. Rowleys XL2s are a little narrow at the point - not a big deal, but something to mention.

The Bottom Line

Vans Rowley XL2s are easily one of the best skate shoes on the market. These little complaints of mine should sound weak enough to show you that if that's all I can come up with for drawbacks for Vans Rowley XL2s, then these must be great! And they are - they are comfortable, look awesome, are super light, and they will have a strong grip on your board. I highly recommend them, for skaters of any level. And to top it all off, they aren't that expensive.

Globe CT-IVs

The Bottom Line

Chet Thomas has been a pro skater for a long time - he owns Darkstar, and has a long history of making great shoes with Globe. The CT 4s are perhaps the best so far. You may spend more for these shoes, but try them out, and you want want anything else. Beyond being ridiculously comfortable, the shoes are enhanced with various features that add to their skatability and durability. Chet has a huge reputation in skateboarding, and he put all his knowledge and experience into these shoes.

Pros

• Comfortable - these are some of the most comfortable shoes made. Period.
• Durable - with multiple layers of leather and reinforced rubber sections, these shoes should last
• Proven - CT IVs have been on the market for a while, because they're so well made

Cons

• Unless you find a great deal, CT IVs will cost you a lot as compared to other skate shoes

Description

• Step-in neoprene sock liner with memory foam
• Reinforced ollie areas and toe cap
• Nitrocel 3 ICS sole with PU air midsole
• Triple stitched, double layer toe cap
• Segmented ollie protection insert, hidden front eyelet
• Chet Thomas signature model

Guide Review - Globe CT-IVs

Skate shoes come in all kinds of crazy shapes and designs, and it can be hard to know which ones to buy. Most sports require some special type of footwear, and skating's no different - except that skateboarding rips shoes apart, and if your skate shoe doesn't fit well, your performance will suffer.

Enter the Globe CT-IVs. Designed by Chet Thomas (thus the CT), these shoes are perhaps the most comfortable skate shoes available. They're made a little wide, and with nice, comfortable support. They don't have a tongue, but rather a step-in sock liner with memory foam for a perfect fit. Once you wear CTs for a little while, other shoes will seriously feel tight and hard. It's like your feet get addicted to them, and it's nice. This is by far these shoes greatest feature, but they're packed with others as well. The midsole is molded polyurethane with PVC shanks for additional support and Nitrocel™ cushioning. The point is, these shoes are incrediable. I've had a pair of CT-IVs for over a year, and though a tube of ShooGoo is all that makes them wearable, I still refuse to throw them away.

But comfort isn't all these shoes have. They're technically well built, using leather, synthetics, neoprene - all the good stuff. The toe caps are tough, though the black of the leather will fade pretty quickly if the shoes get wet a lot from rain or snow. The shoes have stylish built in ollie protection, and are well stitched.

Osiris Chino Jerry Hsu Pro Model Skateboarding Shoes Review

The Bottom Line

Osiris Chino skateboarding shoes are flat out nice shoes for skateboarding. These shoes are built tough, light, stylish and with a great board feel. Osiris Chino skateboarding shoes are the Jerry Hsu pro models, and in my opinion by far his best pro model skateboarding shoes yet.

Pros

• Strong - Osiris Chino skateboarding shoes are easily the toughest Osiris skate shoes I've reviewed
• Style - Osiris Chino skate shoes have a strong, confident, simple style
• Pro Model - Osiris Chinos are Jerry Hsu's pro model skateboarding shoes

Cons

• Not much - except Osiris's trademark flimsy laces. You'll likely have to replace them.

Description

• Suede leather double and triple stitched uppers
• Sticky gum herring bone soles with Osiris symbol in the heel
• Padded tongue with stabilizing tongue straps
• Higher topped ankle cuff adds support, with padding on the sides for comfort
• Jerry Hsu pro skateboarder model skateboarding shoes
• Low padding in the sole - less comfort but stronger board feel and response
• Weak laces balanced by leather lace eyelet reinforcement flaps
• Available in black, white with black ollie stripes, or black and white with red ollie stripes

Guide Review - Osiris Chino Jerry Hsu Pro Model Skateboarding Shoes Review

Jerry Hsu is only 22 years old, and already has several pro model skateboarding shoes out in his name. And like I said above, the Chino is easily his best skateboarding shoe yet (read about the Hsu 2s).

First off, the Osiris Chino skateboarding shoes are simply built tough. With strong suede leather uppers, double stitched with a triple stitched reinforced toe cap, Chinos are built to take a pounding. But that's not all. Osiris Chino skate shoes also feature extra reinforced lace flaps - I just love these things. Lace them with your laces inside the flaps and they should keep your laces from ripping up when you ollie and to flip tricks. In fact, this almost makes up for the flimsy laces that the Osiris Chinos come with.

When testing these shoes, the first thing I noticed was how flat out comfortable they are. Osiris Chino skateboarding shoes are moderately high topped, with extra padding around the sides of the ankle. This adds support, but also a pile of comfort. Add the padded tongue and flexibility of suede - you ahve some sweet shoes.

And for skating? Osiris Chinos are light and tough, with a great sticky gum sole (that works) and the classic gum wrap around the base that helps grip your board when doing tricks that just use the edge of your foot. Plus, Chinos have subtle ollie grip strips built into the sides.

All of this adds up to seriously great skateboarding shoes. If light, tough and grippy is your style, check out Osiris Chinos.