PPC Blog and News

I’ve recently had the chance to evaluate the best pair of skate shoes yet, the Ipath Locust. My feelings are included below.

I am not used to spending as long breaking in skate shoes as these took, but as you’ll see later within the review it all paid off. You probably shouldn’t skate using them until you’ve broken them in, they’re a little stiff out from the box. You don’t have to devote too much work to break them in. Wearing them around the house for a couple of days should do the trick nicely. Remember that the locusts are hi-tops, so you will need to wear full socks so they don’t chafe your legs. Once you have them broken in, the locust is among the best fitting shoes I’ve ever had the satisfaction of wearing. I understand a lot of people have expressed doubt about how good these are for skating because of their width, but the simple truth is they look much wider than they feel, and they’re excellent for skating. The reason for their wide profile is a fair amount of extra padding inside the shoe, making them ultra comfortable. Skate shoes that are sized true can be challenging to locate, so if you have sizing issues these shoes are definitely worth your consideration because of their accuracy in sizing. I usually buy cheap skateboarding shoes so getting these for the price I paid and having them be such a massive upgrade has definitely made me up my budget a little bit.

Grip is often a problem for skaters, but there’s no cause to fret with the Locust – It has the best grip of any skate shoes I’ve ever worn! Previously to picking these up I was skating in a pair of Lakais and they’re not nearly as grippy as these guys. Trust me, with these shoes on your feet, you’re going to be stuck to that board like glue. To ensure your feet stay firmly in place, these shoes possess a velcro strap as reinforcement to laces.

Considering the hell I put my shoes through,they’ve held up really nicely during the last month. I’ve noticed that the toe stitching is beginning to run a little bit, but considering I spend more time on my board in a week than most people do at their jobs, I can’t say I’m shocked. They’re quite durable for a canvas shoe, but naturally they’re not likely to have the lifespan of a leather shoe.

The Locusts feature what’s become a staple of skate shoes, the stash pocket, and are produced from organically grown hemp and cotton in support of the green movement. These shoes also have a leather upper with rounded toe, a special customizable ankle strap for additional comfort and fit (a feature I completely love) toe ventilation, foam padded lining, detachable CHT insole created from coconut skin that Ipath claims will help your feet breathe a lot. And last but not least, the locust makes use of a gel heel technology for cushioning, meaning you can afford to bail on a trick or two in the bowl without having problems walking the next day.

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