eS Skate Shoes Review


eS Skate Shoes

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For any kind of active person, the shoes that one wears are important when trying to optimize for their best performance. This rule applies specifically for people who partake in athletic endeavors. Take skateboarders for example; they need to be able to have a shoe that minimizes injuries acquirable to the feet and ankles. One such shoe model that has made it a goal to accomplish this feature of comfort and performance is the eS skate shoe.

Created by a company that first burst onto the scenes in 1995, eS skate shoes reintroduced the public to their brand after it had taken a bit of a dip in public interest. Due to its lack of popularity, the shoe company was thought to have been dead and buried. However, in 2014, they reemerged with the release of their eS skate shoes and suddenly, skaters from all around the world had their interests peaked once more. 

In the guide, you will learn what the eS skate shoe is, product specifications, and pricing as well as see a direct comparison between this shoe and others like it on the market. By the end, you should have a clear understanding of what the shoe is and whether it is a worthwhile purchase.

What Are eS Skate Shoes?

es skate shoes

Image via www.skatewarehouse.com

Being able to boast of its status as one of the few skateboarder-owned and operated footwear companies on the planet, eS launched in 1995 with its goal being to inspire the current and next generations of skateboarders. They wanted the ideals of inspiration and the needs of skateboarders to be addressed through their innovative designs and styles. While many other companies looked towards the concepts of style over functionality, eS skate shoes introduced the world to shoes that could be both.

As the brand of eSwas introduced to the public at large, some of the innovations that they brought to the table were EVA midsoles, AIR impact systems, hidden lace loops, supportive sock-liners, and some other features that other companies have now implemented in their shoes. eS was the first to make these changes and after some initial resistance, they found an audience that craved those new innovations.

Further breaking down the innovations created by eS skate shoes, the reason hidden laces were so important was because they added extra support around the ankles and arches of the foot. For a long time, skaters were expected to perform stunts and compete without having shoes that would properly protect their ankles. This led to several injuries that could have been avoided if only they had other kinds of shoes with more support.

For example, it would be like driving a car with the wrong-sized wheels on attached. Every car comes with specific wheel sizes that need to be used in order for them to work and thrive. Without installing the correct wheel size, the car will still work, but everything will become much more labored. As the car drives, its foundation is unsteady, which causes things like turning and breaking to become much more labored.

The AIR impact systems were another major innovation as they allowed skateboarders the comfort of knowing that their feet would be protected even during their most turbulent stunts. While skateboarders wore things like helmets, kneepads, and elbow pads, the padding around their feet was something that many designers did not recognize or address. The foundation of skateboarding is foot health, and eS skate shoes recognized that there was a lack of innovation in the market.

The eS skate shoes wanted to eliminate those kinds of doubts as skateboarding became much more an in demand sport in the 1990s. Because skateboarding took time to become considered a legitimate sport, it requipred major names and the introduction of tours for the public at large to recognize that skateboarding was a lot more than just crazy men flipping around.

Product Specs

es Skate shoes

Image via https://global.rakuten.com/

Since eS is most known for their shoes, those are the product specs that this review will focus on. Since their launch in 1995, eS has released several skate shoes, so in order to keep this as broad as possible, the common product specs that tie all of these shoes together have been added below.

All eS skate shoes feature a fat tongue and tongue straps that are used to keep a skater’s foot in place. The shoes all have AIR impact systems that add an extra sense of security during inevitable crashes. While the shoes themselves look huge, they are all lightweight which allows skateboards to optimize their performance.

These shoes also feature a rubber outsole which allows the shoe to stick to the board with much more traction. There is also an STI Evolution Foam compound which adds to the feeling of comfort and ridability of the shoe. 

These shoes range in sizes 5 to 14, which means that a wide range of skaters are able to use and perform with these shoes. Also, as the years went by, the designers of the shoes came up with a smaller toe cat which placed the front of the feet in a fixed position.

How It Compares

es skate shoes

Image via http://veganskateblog.com/

In order to do the best of comparisons, one has to compare eS skate shoes to competitors on the market. There are several brands that sell skate shoes, making it one of the most competitive industries to make a name. We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.

  • Vans

  • Supra

  • Osiris Skate Shoes

eS Skate Shoes

[amazon box=”B011D1882G”]

These offer affordable pricing, and even the older models of shoe still perform quite well. Anyone with any kind of budget will find something they like at eS.

Performance

The performance aspect of these shoes sets them apart. Though they are robust in design, the eS skate shoes are still incredibly aerodynamic, thus allowing the skateboarder to optimize performance while feeling protected.

Durability         

Critically lauded for the shoes ability to retain its integrity, these shoes have received few complaints about their durability.

Design Quality

As discussed earlier, eS skate shoes were the first on the market to bring forth several innovations that have been adopted by other brands. Its design quality is probably the biggest draw about the shoe and why it is still so high in demand after all of these years. Featuring a rubber sole, the shoes have a great degree of traction, allowing them to stick to the board. 

Weight      

Though it features a robust design, the shoes are incredibly lightweight yet sturdy.  It makes for an incredibly compact shoe that does not weigh down the skater.

Pros

  • STI evolution foam midsole
  • Rubber sole
  • STI foam lite level 1 footbed

Cons

  • Some concerns from buyers about the durability of the shoe

Vans

[amazon box=”B01CVBBKC2″]

One of the biggest names in shoes is Vans. Launching in 1966, Vans was one of the first shoe brands to enter into the outdoor sporting world. Their shoes are known for their variety of color choices as well as their signature waffle outsole. In the waffle shape, the outsole is able to stick to the surface of a skateboard. Add that waffle shape to the rubber sole, and the user is offered a great amount of protection.

Performance  

The performance of Vans has always been in question as they do have some great features like rubber outsoles, but they do not seem to support skaters in the ways that other shoes on the market do. Their performance rating is based on resulting of testing and customer satisfaction of the shoe. 

Durability

The durability of these shoes is one of their best features. Even the toughest critics of these shoes can agree that they have last quite a while and do not break down like others in the market. They are built for activities like skateboarding.

Design Quality 

This shoe features certain things like a waffle outsole, which is supposed to enhance the feel of the board on a person’s foot. There is also an EVA insert for added support around the feet. However, these design elements can be found in other shoes, and it is not done in a manner which makes it seem as though it was refreshing or a completely new idea.

Weight                  

These shoes are also very lightweight. As a skater, it is important to have shoes that allow the skater to feel as though they are floating above the board. Many customers have stated that the shoes are a great weight for skateboarding.

Pros

  • Rubber outsole
  • Waffle outsole design
  • Variety of color choices

Cons

  • The design quality is one that can be found in other shoes
  • Prices for the best shoes might be a little steep

Supra

[amazon box=”B075KFZRB2″]

Another major player in the skateboarding game is Supra. Launched only in 2000, this brand has been heavily influenced by professional skateboarders such as Chad Muska, Jim Greco, and Erik Ellington. One of the shoes’ signature features is the padded tongue and collar. Easily one of the best features, a padded tongue and collar allow the skateboarder to protect the top of their foot against the impact of falls. Since the designs of Supra are influenced by active or retired skaters, there is a sense of functionality to them.

Performance

The performance of these shoes is not the best, but they are also not the worst on the market. These shoes fall in the middle ground of skate shoe companies because while they do not offer any new features, they get the job done and allow a person to skateboard with ease.

Durability

The durability of these shoes are also passable. Some customers have stated that the integrity of the shoe lasts quite some time while others complain about the leather material wasting away quite quickly. Depending on how much you skateboard, this shoe can either last a while or not enough.

Design Quality

The design quality of the shoe is one that is common in a lot of other skateboarding shoes on the market. They feature a rubber sole, which allows for a greater grip on the skateboard; plus, they also have a pad tongue and collar. There is also arch support for this shoe which is incredibly important as arches are some of the most abused parts of the foot during skateboarding.

Weight                

Compared to other shoes on the market, Supras are incredibly lightweight, which is one of their best features. As a skateboarder, being able to maneuver your feet through and adjust quickly is important. The lighter the shoe, the easier it is to move.

Pros

  • Light shoes
  • Padded tongue and collar
  • Arch support

Cons

  • Durability of the shoe has come into question
  • Material used to make the shoe is not the best

Osiris Skate Shoes

[amazon box=”B00UUD5UUC”]

Established in 1996, Osiris Shoes has become one the premiere shoes in the world of skateboarding footwear. Another company that is heavily influenced by current and former competitors (like Corey Duffel and Caswell Berry), this shoe has always been at the forefront of innovation. With its rubber sole feature, a skateboarder is able to perform at an optimum level while gripping their shoes to the board. 

Price        $$$

Another incredibly affordable shoe, these sneakers can be purchased for around $50 to $60.

Performance        

This shoe is one that you find a lot of skateboards currently using in competition. From reviews, many customers have stated that they like the feel of the shoe and find that it helps their performance.

Durability           

This is the one area where the shoe does not prosper. Having several customer complaints about the soles of the shoe falling off after a couple of uses, this is a problem that this company needs to address.

Design Quality    

While this shoedoes feature import things like a rubber sole, the design of the shoe itself can be found in other brands for a lot less money. The material used (100% synthetic nubuck) is great, which is why it scored three stars over two. 

Weight                  

In comparison to other shoes, it lands towards the heavier side. Future incarnations of the shoe may consider updating their designs to make a change concerning the weight. That being said, it still does move quite easily.

Pros

  • Affordable pricing
  • Rubber outsole

Cons

  • Major concerns over the durability of the shoe
  • Weight of the shoe 

Where to Buy

Conclusion

As one can see, the world of skateboarding and shoes is quite competitive. With established names looking to stay on top as new competitors emerge, there is a lot that goes into the development of shoes for these athletes. With all things taken into account, the best shoe on the market right now is the eS skate shoe. With their airtight designs and lace structure, a skater is both protected and secure as they perform tricks. One the best brands on the market, it is easy to see why their shoes are still in such high demand.

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