MF's top board sports shoes
We grabbed a skate deck, a wakeskate and bunch of the latest skate shoes and came back with these reviews.
Vans Rowley Style 99's
Geoff Rowley’s thirteenth signature Vans shoe is a low-key affair that presents a slimline alternative to some of his previous offerings. Riffing on the classic Vans slippper style, it's lightweight, but still provides decent impact protection – as you'd expect from a man who's as well acquainted with massive sets of stairs as the nails Liverpudlian pro skater. The reinforced suede upper is suprisingly durable and it offers the most comfortable fit of the shoes here.
Price £47.95
Supra Avenger
While they're relatively new to the game, with shoes such as the Avenger here, Supra have quickly established themselves as major players. The Avenger has a chunky b-ball look but offers excellent board feel and freedom of movement. The midsole uses the company's patented SupraFoam, keeping the Avenger light, while still providing bags of cushioning for feathery landings. A high ankle line also reduces the risk of dreaded ankle rolls.
Price £42
Available at crookedtongues.com
TEVA Gnarkosi
Designed with the help of professional wakeskaters, this wakeskate and general-purpose water shoe has a completely flat sole to keep your whole foot in contact with the board so you can control it more effectively. Thick inner padding protects your foot when you're jumping or hitting rails, and because it doesn't absorb moisture, there's no chance of it being damp and stinky after you're done riding. It's not the prettiest shoe around, but who cares when it's so good for the task?
Price £81.99
Es Ecosse
The Ecosse - designed by Scottish pro skater John Rattray - is a teched-out shoe with a lovely minimalist look. It features a breathable tongue that reduces upper foot sweatiness, and a heel lock system to keep your foot from slipping around while you're cruising. There's also a gel footbed, an EVA midsole and a Foam Lite insole so your foot has enough cushioning to protect it from heel bruising drops.
Price £55
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Max was the head of digital content for Men's Fitness which worked alongside Coach between 2015 and 2019.