There's a hole in the skate shoe market for well-made 90s-style un-fussy cupsoles with a Goldilocks amount of puff on them and Etnies seem to be leading the slow race to corner that segment - I think we should all send Etnies letters of encouragement to step their game up and win our business.
Exactly, I've been rocking some eS silos for a while (I stocked up) because they're the right amount of puff, but they sure are ugly. etnies always had a cleaner look.
I agree, Etnies in its mid90s heyday corrected all the things that Vans couldn't get right. If Etnies can make skate shoes for $60-80 full price, they could not only out-style and out-function Adidas and Nike, they could low ball them too. Adidas, NB, Cons, Asics, and Nike etc seem to be totally incapable of making a simple, stylish, functional, affordable, skate shoe these days, I have actually gone back to skating Vans again.
We appreciate your feedback Ben, and stoked we got to connect yesterday. (Ps. We are working on a Snake re-issue, and other models have been talked about as well, including the Scam)
sir I agree with ben etnies was also one of my favorite brand.. lo cut 2 Calicut mcrap sal23 etnies before was legit.. you must bring back all the model and original colorway.
Also, Hidden lace loops are needed in every shoe. EVERY shoe. Laces are torn first, in my experience. It's crazy we don't get extra laces anymore + no lace protection. And if there are hidden loops it's like only for a couple loops, not all the way up the shoe.
Good point! But also, if you put some super glue onto laces when you see them getting frayed, it is pretty good at fixing the problem. It doesn’t look the best, though, and you definitely want to make sure you have already adjusted the laces to the proper tightness, first, because they get stiff from the glue. Sorry if this was already obvious, but I found it helpful to hear about.
@@aGremolin the hidden lace loops are kinda inside/behind the original lace loops that are exposed to grip tape shredding. You can literally never rip a lace with this one simple trick lol
100% agree, the Michelin is not a gimmick. I was skating the busenitz and, although I don’t dislike them overall, I was having trouble keeping the board on my feet during the ollie into back lips. Then, having forgotten to shoe goo them, I grabbed a pair of joslins I was using for walking around. Instantly, the board (same deck) felt stuck to my feet and my back lip consistency skyrocketed.
@@thekaratekidpartii2169 absolutely love how the Busenitz feel on my feet. I think the rubber is just a tiny bit slicker than the shoes I’m used to (mostly joslins and 508s), though I got used to it eventually.
I thought i was the only one. I couldn't enjoy my busenitz pros for the same reason: the rubber was just a little too slippery for me to feel secure. Such a shame because I love how they look
@@KyleBGangerdepends on the shoe, they used to have widest. Old Lucas puig is medium, the tyshawn narrow af. Old boost shoes from 2015 or so could be either one
I’ve never been able to skate the Busenitz ever since they dropped in 2009. Those soles have zero grip. The Busenitz Vulc II, on the other hand, is grippy.
I've been searching far and wide for the Scam/Rap without any success. It's the only reason I got the Joslin 1's, because it was the one model that most resembled the old ones. So glad someone with a bigger platform is suggesting these ideas, because it's absolutely insane how out of touch the decision makers are with the landscape. Thank you, Sir Ben
I'm glad you're speaking up and challenging them. Most companies either don't care what we want or think they know what we want. It would be nice for a change if someone would listen. I've skated etnies since the 90s also. That soft spot is real bc they used to be so good.
I have skated like 5 pairs of etnies maranas till I put a hole on the bottom and on the sides. Some of them had the entire side of my shoe missing and I could still skate in them. I find the bottom to be slippery but it lasts longer. It's comfortable and I don't feel any bulk in them.
Shoe design and manufacturing takes years. Andy Anderson did a video about how long it takes and how difficult it is to get a new shoe released. The video is on NKAvids
You are completely right! I skated the last years only vans shoes. But i was in the skateshops of germany and saw only the big companys available in shops. I decided to go back to skater owend shoes. Its heartbreaking for me to see no skaterowend shoe brands anymore in the shops on the wall. Only soletech shoes and lakai are available and only online. Iam back on soltech shoes, where i belong to. I love the emerica slip on, wino and jon dickson shoes. Lets push our community again in the right direction! Nothing against the big player, but if i have the choice, i love to support the smaller business. And with 32 i have the choice and the money to buy the shoes i like and not which are the cheapest.
Wanna know what I think Ben? That you care. There aren’t too many brands from that period that haven’t been mutilated or contorted into an image they were not.
Seeing these in person at my local shop I was blown away by the quality despite the bad logo and slightly embarrassing E I knew in my heart of hearts that this shoe had what I needed to skate my best. The michillen 3x is so good and the hidden toe cap adds even more structure, the shoe keeps it's form and has the best flick. If they do a rebrand of the logo and make smart appealing colors like the navy and white they would appeal to more skaters. The fact that they offer a variety of soles for different shoes is good all though personally i'll be sticking with the michillen 3x because it adds to the overall sturdy construction and durability that I like.
I totally agree and it's the same for the Marana ! Pierre André often comes in my skateshop in Paris. He's so nice and so attentive about skaters needs and Etnies does good shoes for treck with icefrost control and BMX michelin technical shoes too. That's not a coïncidence if he has one of the best skate team ever Chris Joslin, Aurélien Giraud, Matt berger, Andy Anderson, Nassim Laachab,...
All i skate now are Joslins. No break in, great flick and feel straight out the box. The flick doesn’t get affected by the wear. Decent colours that aren’t over the top. They also look damn good and have the perfect amount of padding.
I think the colour ways in a lot of sole tech shoes let them down… I’m a big fan of the accel slim and skated a few pairs in a row but the colours put me right off and now I’m skating Thiago 808’s. If they made an all white, suede accel slim, I’d come running right back!
They've definitely made great colorways but they don't stick around or get remade as often for some reason. Soletech needs more staple colorway carryovers on flagship models
I've mostly skated eS Swift 1.5 for the past 2 years and they're one of my favourite shoes lately. I agree how awesome Joslins are but lately I bought Estrellas and I like them very much also.
Agree with everything you’ve mentioned. That E logo with the star would do very well today. And even the font style used on the sole spelling out Etnies is nice.
Such good analysis. One thing you mentioned in your original joslin review (I think?) that very few show reviews seem to account for is the fact that a flimsy sole negatively affects pop. So while the joslin’s may feel a little stiff out the box, the upside is how fresh the pop feels.
Been skating a mix of the Figgys, ksl's and accel slims over the past couple of years and have been very satisfied with their performance and durability...BUT Ben is right about the color ways, and I agree about that early 00's etnies logo too. I'd prefer they keep it a little simpler color-wise, maybe even just less contrast/clash in color pairings. That logo is straight metal militia, x games motocross cheese too. They should only bring it out for era appropriate reissues.
Maranas are great imo. I believe the Joslins are very similar but I've yet to try them. Would love to know opinions of people who skated both. Which is better?
I’ve heard that the Maranas are the same as Joslins, but don’t grip the heel as well (I.e. more heel slip). I’d imagine the exposed rubber would kickflip very differently than the leather of the Joslins.
@@JM_andtheArgonauts Luckily heel slip hasn't been an issue wearing Maranas. Also the toe cap isn't exactly the same material as the sole. It's a little bit slicker, thin and stiff. Hard to explain but doesn't seem to hurt kickflips. Although, Joslins do look better to me. So, going off what you said, I'm getting some next time. Thanks!
All I know is that Andy Anderson has an Etnies pro-model, and I heard him say that Etnies was the first company to make an actual skate-shoe, designed for skateboarding.
Great timing! I bought my first pair of Maranas. Cant complain. I like them a lot and have already bought a second pair. I used to wear Vans, and still do. But the Maranas are great. I will have to give the Joslins a try now too!
I loved etnies in the past and I just got back into them with the Joslins. I love the Joslins with Michelin rubber. They are a go-to shoe for me, that I have multiple pairs, and almost always have a pair in my car. Def agree there are some bad colorways, but also some good ones. I've really enjoyed rekindling my relationship with Etnies. I also skate a lot of Mids, so I wish there were more Mids to choose from in the lineup. My other two go-to shoes are the Converse Louis Lopez and Vans Half Cab. In general, I find many skate shoes to be too skinny and not wide enough.
Dont know louies shoes, try to stay away from converse, especially the cheaper ones have terrible quality sometimes. Half cabs are one of my favs aestetically but are maybe the worst shoe to skate in. The sole has no firmness to it, and there is zero protection on the heel even with the skate version. When you stand on a board you only feel the ball and the heel of your foot. Try a nike blazer and see how the sole hugs the whole deck and is stable.
ben, i am watching you till the day i am searching about skateboarding. i was watching videos on youtube but i had to save money for something else. so i bought my first setup and yesterday i was in skatepark for the first time. anyway, etnies is the shoe that i've bought with my setup. i wanted to share this information with you, lol. i saw a video that you were in istanbul and it made me happy, and now you approved the etnies and you made me happy again. by the way, you have the right to give suggestions to companies. you are the guy.
Thank you for this! Been skating es and etnies lately and they feel absolutely fantastic, but I hate looking down at my feet sometimes. The colorways are so outlandish. Been leaving reviews begging for normal/subdued colorways. Hopefully, they take heed at some point
Ben, you won’t want to, but we need it! Gotta see Ben rockin some DCs for the nostalgia. I stayed away from bulky shoes for a while but last year I finally brought some out the closet I have been keep. Man I loved those shoes (Tribeka) the dc toe cap and just the overall construction brought me back to the 90s. This year DC has had lots of different lynx zero’s on sale. I’ve bought many pairs. Let me tell you there is zero break in, they are light and for a cup sole they aren’t very bulky. My lord the nostalgia on these ones. Everytime I set up for a trick I get a confidence boost from how proper everything looks and feels. You gotta do it Ben! I promise you will get a little giddy from how they feel so perfect. Lynx Zeros for that special feeling! ($30ish dollars on the website right now too, cannot beat that price)
The RVM's are a hidden treasure along with the dc pures and you are exactly right about the dunks making you rocket flip lol my kickflips are cleaner now that i skate shoes with more board feel and less sole
I agree with pretty much all of your aesthetic suggestions. Definitely remember having the hideous red MC raps shown at 5:32 back in the day 😂. Now I skate the maranas and have really liked the Michelin rubber as well.
Back in the early to mid 90's my favorite Etnies were the rap and the sal 23 before it moved over to es. I would buy both again if they made them in all black.
I'm currently skating the etnies rebel series there my favorite shoe I've skated in a while. My only complaint is there is not much heel padding. Currently saving for the andy anderson shoes or the estrellas
1000% with you! I'm an Etnies fan since the mid 90's. I'm skating the Maranas for a couple of years now and I wouldn't go back to another model. They're the perfect shoes for me. The Michelin is so great. I personaly don't like the full colored shoes. They should have an all black or all white one for each model cause I think that old skaters are more into sober shoes.
I’ve been a major proponent of Sole Tech since I started skating in 2008. Emerica seems a bit directionless, but their G6 cupsoles are on point. éS makes some excellent shoes, like the Quattro and Silo SC (and, the Accel Slim with upgraded insoles). My favorite Etnies shoe before the Marana dropped was the Rap Vulc in 2009. The Rap and Accel share similar panels.
I haven’t skated Ernie’s since the late 90’s but the lo cut was my first actual new skate shoe In my opinion the sal23 was their best shoe. I also enjoyed the SLB very durable and more comfort than the 23’s
The last Etnies shoe I skated was that hiking inspired shoe that Harold Hunter was filmed skating in. It was not a good shoe. 1996's version of the Sal 23 was my all time favourite shoe.
I had the Natas Etnies back in the day because I’m that old. Even though they haven’t been cool for as long as the average skater has been alive, I could definitely see kids wearing the Scams with some giant contrast stitched jeans just like we used to.
I wear the Marana as a daily shoe and its the only shoe I've worn where i can get it in a regular size. Normally i have to wear quad wide shoes which makes finding anything difficult but with the Marana, its a easy fit.
Currently riding the kingpin...they were super cheap (on sale), and I'm loving them. Mid 90s Etnies were THE best skate shoes ever. My favorites were the Screw--I got them because I wanted something that would last a really long time, and they did--the leather was thick, triple stitching, legit layer of rubber between FULL layers of leather. The original Etnies sole was also thick and lasted long as well. Etnies disappeared starting in 95 (when Emerica became a new thing). I bought a pair of lo-cuts at the local shop and was told they were going to stop making Etnies and were going with a new company called "E America" (which I'm guessing was the name before it became Emerica). Sole Tech also was doing Sheep around then, then Es started, and Etnies made a comeback, but they were totally off the market for a couple of years.
I had big bulky Etnies in middle school back in the day that I loved. Had a board back then, but didn't know how to do anything on it. Now I'm in my 30s and am actually learning to skate. I've tried a few different brands, but haven't tried Etnies yet. I've gone to their site a few times looking to be convinced to buy something, but just don't really love how anything looks. I'm with you on the logo, Ben - the "capital" E/arrow thing just isn't it. I like the "lowercase m" looking E, personally. I'm sure the shoes skate great, but I want them to look good as well. When I'm done with what I'm skating now, my next pick will probably be some Lakais, Last Resorts, or New Balances. Sadly, Etnies likely won't make the cut. Edit: Also, let's get some more velcro! Always wanted to try those.
Just ordered my second pair of those Mc Raps. Love em'! Black, Grey, and White colorway would be nice. Very nice! I agree, no perforations, no 93, and use the same material as the rest of the shoe instead of the white material. Basically a Rap.
The Scams! Such a good looking shoe. I agree, Etnies has a lot of potential. They could easily become the brand that has a good selection of shoes that are in between bulky and slim in the right way. The 90’s style is only getting bigger in skating right now. If they’re going to do it they better get on it. They need to keep it simple if it’s going to work though.
Your plan is a great one I agree very much with it. The e star logo needs to return, the scam, intercity, and the screw(cup sole half cab? Take my money!!)all would do well right now. I’ve almost bought current etnies a few times but that logo is such a bummer it’s not what I saw when I was 15 and reminds me of motocross.
Etnies are my all time favourite shoes. Currently having a blast on the És Eos. I love a all black or burgundy shoe. The big logos are not my thing either. But the joslin have those claw marks and I do fancy those. A small fine logo is better then a big fat no no. Loved the video and crispy edit saving the best for last!❤
Just got the joslins cause of your review and the Estrellas cause they were on super sale but i do with for a mike v reissue under a different name or something tho. Love all that sole tech makes tho, only brand i know of to have a 14 always available in any colorway and limited run
OK I'm angry with Ben. I've been ho'ing the Kingpins at clearance prices because nobody buys them. Now Ben's gone and put it out all over the internet.
I rode 3 pairs of Joslins and when I bought a 4th one they tweaked the formula of the shoe a bit and I did not like it anymore. I think they are absolutely great shoes for going down stuff and protecting your shoes, but after riding the 508s I realized the lack of board feel. Etnies is killing it with their shoes and colorways(I don't care about their old 90-00s models cause they are too bulky), but for now I am sticking to NB for a while(while using the insoles from the Joslin's lol)
Lol we’ve travelled the exact same journey. I only wish, for financial reasons, that the 508s had a more durable toe, like multiple layers of suede or something.
@@DavidGraham-bs1bi oh man yes! I agree the stitches and the lace protection need some love. Other than that I really like riding them. I ordered my third pair last week lol.
@@KyleBGanger because not everyone ride their shoes until they are destroyed. When I was a teen and had no money, yeah I rode them till I bled. But now as an adult I prefer riding till they stop feeling structured ok. I have realized that buying shoes more often helps prevents injuries as well as making my tricks more consistent. Without going too far even Ben on his video stopped using the Joslins because of that reason
The main two things we changed on the Josl1n (the 2nd version of the Joslin shoe) is the flo tongue (for more breathability) and the stitching around the collar, both at the request of Chris Joslin. Less sweaty feet and less blowouts on the sides from doing heelflips.
I've been eyeing up those MC Raps for a few days now myself. The Bones collab looks stunning, as do the ones you have here. I actually held back because altho they looked like that middle ground Accel that you mentioned I wasn't sure just by the image. I love the OG Accels but yeah they're big. I got sucked into the Slims since eS came back 7 yrs ago but as I mentioned before they've become even slimmer since they 1st released (sneaky & to cut costs), & they hurt badly. Plus you can't get a good insole inside them as they're so narrow & tight. The Joslins as I said b4 are beautiful, but I love that Accel style image, so you've just sold me on these Ben!!❤
i’ve been wanting an accel like the OG for a while with the original tongue and toe box. the new “OG” tongue is wayyyy thicker and the toe box is so stubby and the slim overcorrects both of those things too far imo
@bananaclipper7692 yeah the new OG is way bigger than the original OG. I know this because I still have a pair of the OG Accel TT shoes from a out 20 yrs ago. Dunno why they went even bigger when they re-released it
@@EDDIEM0NS00NPlaying on nostalgia and most shoe companies don’t retro/re-release true to the original. People who saw, wore, and skated the Accel before éS went on hiatus know what’s up.
Ernies lo cut were my first REAL skate shoe. Always brings nostalgia when I see them. I would exclusively wear Ernies if they made the shoes you're talking about.
Nice Spite-fire shirt lol. Skating some Etnies atm. Haven’t had a good chance to session them yet, but they are comfortable after I broke them in and the Michelin is super grippy. Haven’t skated Etnies since I was 17 (17 years ago) when I had a pair of the Arto Saari models. Black and white, they were cool as. Also recently was NKA’s video with Andy talking about his new Etnies model coming out next year. And I am already sold on them. So I think that will help the company out a lot.
I've been going back and forth between Fader's and Kingpins, depending on available colorways. Personally I love (and prefer) the Kingpin hands down! If they had a "middle ground" shoe as you stated I'd be in those in a heartbeat. Fader's, Kingpins, and Accel OG's and too bulky, but my ankles don't feel as stable in their slimmer models. You're on to something Ben, I really hope they listen!
I think you are completely right hitting them up and getting them back on track. Etnies n és is my two all time favorite skate shoe brand. Im not with you on the color point tho. I think they havent gone far enough. Ofc they have to have some nice simple colorways, but i think they should do some full out new colorway designs that is more bold and out there. I think that that is actually a big factor to why Nike SB is more at a standby situation now when most of the people skating Nike shoes skates Dunks or J's. I think their way of making shoes that fit peoples different personalities is a huuuuuuge selling point. Plus the laying down E i think is a cool brand still to use. Its like skateboards tree stripe.
I agree Etnies is the closest to becoming the flagship brand because it has the most shoes to cycle through , I saw some old catalogs on insta and the Etnies were cheaper, simple ,CORE, also better looking than most price point shoes.
I bought some joslin x grizzlies on sale from my local and I couldn't have asked for a nicer pair of shoes. I would have paid double the price had I known how good they are
Etnies re-issued scams a few years ago,I had two pairs they we one of the best shoes I have ever skated. Always thought they should be a staple in their line up,glad you've told hopefully they take it on board.
I agree. I sent a request about a month ago for colours for several of the shoes. Sadly, they disappointed me. Best colour would be the bright blue from the Joslin 2s but on the 1's
Skating the Andy Anderson model of the windrow right now & I love it. It basically has everything I want in a skate shoe: rubber toe cap, lace cover, mid-top ankle protection, extra rubber for heelflips. Only thing is I had to swap out the insoles & I fear the way I skate will blow through the tread but I feel like I need to stock up on these. I hope his actual pro model from etnies is similar.
I probably own almost 20 models between the Marana and Joslin right now aince they're my favorite shoes to skate. I wish more people would give them a shot! Also, their marketing and design team could use some help in better colors and focusing on areas where etnies isn't as popular. Aidan Campbell is leaving and he was Etnies TM from what I heard.
The Joslin is my favorite shoe right now and has been for a while. The only shoe I've tried that I can kickflip without having to break them in at all.
It's still my favourite shoe company of all time outside of éS. I really wish they still made more models of big cupsole shoes though. Currently riding the Calli Vulc and I always used to ride Arto's back in the day. Edit: Post watching, I think Etnies desperately needs some advice about how to market to North America. I honest to god feel like the only person in Toronto that wears them. You were definitely not off base.
It would be best if you tried the Aurelian Pro model, or Estrella model, which has everything I consider functional for skating, hidden lace loops, a hidden toe cap in the ollie area, a padded tongue and collar lining that locks the foot in, and much more. The black ones look awesome in either model. For me looks like the perfect balance between a padded and slim skate shoe. Comfort, durability, function, and style. Not a fan of the old models of etnies.
I think etnies has no room for your good suggestions. I don't think they want to be cool again. They are probably doing fine with the "I don't care about cool, just function" crowd.
I’ve been wearing some etnies Marana slip ons and I like them they’re definitely not the longest lasting but 3 months in and only small holes. I love the feel to them though and the insoles aren’t half bad
HAHA! OMG, Love the Accel and it was so good. For me. Though I came from the bulky DC's with big ass tounges at the time. At the same time I've never been as good as you so I guess the attitude of the bulky accels made up for the lack of talent. ;)
I recently had a pair of black Etnies Score x Matt Berger with the Michelin sole. I really liked how durable the shoe felt. However, I found them quite ugly. If they released the Scam with a Michelin sole, I would definitely give them a try!
I am skating the M.C. rap High since 5 weeks and a absolutly love them. The are one of the Most durable shoes i ever had and have such good flick. Mabye you could do a review on the Etnies snake that will come out later this year. (At least in europe)
I’ve never skated etnies because the logo looks so kooky. The first thing I think about when I hear etnies is the weird kids at the skatepark or mall kids who can varial kick flip. If they had the star logo I’d probably start skating them as shallow as it sounds.
Skated some etnies not too long ago and I really enjoyed them. There was some issues with the quality but nothing crazy. I would like to support core companies more but they really do gotta step it up.
There's a hole in the skate shoe market for well-made 90s-style un-fussy cupsoles with a Goldilocks amount of puff on them and Etnies seem to be leading the slow race to corner that segment - I think we should all send Etnies letters of encouragement to step their game up and win our business.
new balance tiago 1010 & 808?
Exactly, I've been rocking some eS silos for a while (I stocked up) because they're the right amount of puff, but they sure are ugly. etnies always had a cleaner look.
@@jarrenjose6230true
I agree, Etnies in its mid90s heyday corrected all the things that Vans couldn't get right. If Etnies can make skate shoes for $60-80 full price, they could not only out-style and out-function Adidas and Nike, they could low ball them too. Adidas, NB, Cons, Asics, and Nike etc seem to be totally incapable of making a simple, stylish, functional, affordable, skate shoe these days, I have actually gone back to skating Vans again.
@@jarrenjose6230 too expensive, but a great ledge skating shoe for sure, but not for me at that price with those limitations.
We appreciate your feedback Ben, and stoked we got to connect yesterday.
(Ps. We are working on a Snake re-issue, and other models have been talked about as well, including the Scam)
sir I agree with ben etnies was also one of my favorite brand.. lo cut 2 Calicut mcrap sal23 etnies before was legit.. you must bring back all the model and original colorway.
Also, Hidden lace loops are needed in every shoe. EVERY shoe. Laces are torn first, in my experience. It's crazy we don't get extra laces anymore + no lace protection. And if there are hidden loops it's like only for a couple loops, not all the way up the shoe.
what are those?
Good point! But also, if you put some super glue onto laces when you see them getting frayed, it is pretty good at fixing the problem. It doesn’t look the best, though, and you definitely want to make sure you have already adjusted the laces to the proper tightness, first, because they get stiff from the glue. Sorry if this was already obvious, but I found it helpful to hear about.
hell yeah dogg that's why i have a pile of stevie williams DCs buried in a hole in my yard
@@aGremolin the hidden lace loops are kinda inside/behind the original lace loops that are exposed to grip tape shredding. You can literally never rip a lace with this one simple trick lol
@@SatelliteSoundLab yeppp the eS Evant is the same
Etnies should have a monument to girls who hung out in the mall and would fight you.
100% agree, the Michelin is not a gimmick. I was skating the busenitz and, although I don’t dislike them overall, I was having trouble keeping the board on my feet during the ollie into back lips. Then, having forgotten to shoe goo them, I grabbed a pair of joslins I was using for walking around. Instantly, the board (same deck) felt stuck to my feet and my back lip consistency skyrocketed.
I don’t think I’ll ever wear anything other than Busenitz. For me they are just the perfect skate shoe. Even the perfect shoe shoe.
@@thekaratekidpartii2169 absolutely love how the Busenitz feel on my feet. I think the rubber is just a tiny bit slicker than the shoes I’m used to (mostly joslins and 508s), though I got used to it eventually.
I thought i was the only one. I couldn't enjoy my busenitz pros for the same reason: the rubber was just a little too slippery for me to feel secure. Such a shame because I love how they look
@@KyleBGangerdepends on the shoe, they used to have widest. Old Lucas puig is medium, the tyshawn narrow af. Old boost shoes from 2015 or so could be either one
I’ve never been able to skate the Busenitz ever since they dropped in 2009. Those soles have zero grip. The Busenitz Vulc II, on the other hand, is grippy.
I've been searching far and wide for the Scam/Rap without any success. It's the only reason I got the Joslin 1's, because it was the one model that most resembled the old ones.
So glad someone with a bigger platform is suggesting these ideas, because it's absolutely insane how out of touch the decision makers are with the landscape.
Thank you, Sir Ben
the senix lows are similar enough to raps, dare i say better, if you can still find them
Biggest problem with Etnies has always been that logo
Hahahahaha I been thinking about that logo for years and never liked it but I never said anything lol for the last 25 years of skating.
The new balance N might be worse
@@salty4390emphasis on might
@@salty4390oh definitely, any of the big brands look like hot garbage
Not a big fan of the logo either, I use a seam ripper to remove them from the side. But I just don’t like large logos in general.
I'm glad you're speaking up and challenging them. Most companies either don't care what we want or think they know what we want. It would be nice for a change if someone would listen. I've skated etnies since the 90s also. That soft spot is real bc they used to be so good.
Nobody seems to be talking about the edit you put together. Flip tricks are on point but that nollie half cab crook was absolutely perfect.
finally someone was able to articulate why i dont like skating dunks
I have skated like 5 pairs of etnies maranas till I put a hole on the bottom and on the sides. Some of them had the entire side of my shoe missing and I could still skate in them. I find the bottom to be slippery but it lasts longer. It's comfortable and I don't feel any bulk in them.
Agreed. Maranas have a good ratio of feet protection to board feel. Love mine.
Shoe design and manufacturing takes years. Andy Anderson did a video about how long it takes and how difficult it is to get a new shoe released. The video is on NKAvids
You are completely right!
I skated the last years only vans shoes. But i was in the skateshops of germany and saw only the big companys available in shops.
I decided to go back to skater owend shoes.
Its heartbreaking for me to see no skaterowend shoe brands anymore in the shops on the wall.
Only soletech shoes and lakai are available and only online.
Iam back on soltech shoes, where i belong to.
I love the emerica slip on, wino and jon dickson shoes.
Lets push our community again in the right direction!
Nothing against the big player, but if i have the choice, i love to support the smaller business.
And with 32 i have the choice and the money to buy the shoes i like and not which are the cheapest.
Thanks Chris!
Wanna know what I think Ben? That you care. There aren’t too many brands from that period that haven’t been mutilated or contorted into an image they were not.
Thank you! That’s ultimately what this is about. I feel like the brand was taken away from us.
Seeing these in person at my local shop I was blown away by the quality despite the bad logo and slightly embarrassing E I knew in my heart of hearts that this shoe had what I needed to skate my best. The michillen 3x is so good and the hidden toe cap adds even more structure, the shoe keeps it's form and has the best flick. If they do a rebrand of the logo and make smart appealing colors like the navy and white they would appeal to more skaters. The fact that they offer a variety of soles for different shoes is good all though personally i'll be sticking with the michillen 3x because it adds to the overall sturdy construction and durability that I like.
I totally agree and it's the same for the Marana ! Pierre André often comes in my skateshop in Paris. He's so nice and so attentive about skaters needs and Etnies does good shoes for treck with icefrost control and BMX michelin technical shoes too. That's not a coïncidence if he has one of the best skate team ever Chris Joslin, Aurélien Giraud, Matt berger, Andy Anderson, Nassim Laachab,...
All i skate now are Joslins. No break in, great flick and feel straight out the box. The flick doesn’t get affected by the wear. Decent colours that aren’t over the top. They also look damn good and have the perfect amount of padding.
OG Accels are the best shoes!!
I think the colour ways in a lot of sole tech shoes let them down… I’m a big fan of the accel slim and skated a few pairs in a row but the colours put me right off and now I’m skating Thiago 808’s.
If they made an all white, suede accel slim, I’d come running right back!
They've definitely made great colorways but they don't stick around or get remade as often for some reason.
Soletech needs more staple colorway carryovers on flagship models
This is great! looking forward to better products if they listen to your ideas!
Also looking forward to the rest of the mini ramp build tutorial!!
I've mostly skated eS Swift 1.5 for the past 2 years and they're one of my favourite shoes lately. I agree how awesome Joslins are but lately I bought Estrellas and I like them very much also.
How do they fit? I used to go up a half size in the Marana around 2015/2016.
True to size
Agree with everything you’ve mentioned. That E logo with the star would do very well today. And even the font style used on the sole spelling out Etnies is nice.
We can't use the star logo anymore due to Chuck T...
How does bape get away with a star in their shoes then?
Such good analysis. One thing you mentioned in your original joslin review (I think?) that very few show reviews seem to account for is the fact that a flimsy sole negatively affects pop. So while the joslin’s may feel a little stiff out the box, the upside is how fresh the pop feels.
Agreed
And that makes for the pop to feel consistent longer, too
Been skating a mix of the Figgys, ksl's and accel slims over the past couple of years and have been very satisfied with their performance and durability...BUT Ben is right about the color ways, and I agree about that early 00's etnies logo too. I'd prefer they keep it a little simpler color-wise, maybe even just less contrast/clash in color pairings. That logo is straight metal militia, x games motocross cheese too. They should only bring it out for era appropriate reissues.
Maranas are great imo. I believe the Joslins are very similar but I've yet to try them. Would love to know opinions of people who skated both. Which is better?
I’ve heard that the Maranas are the same as Joslins, but don’t grip the heel as well (I.e. more heel slip).
I’d imagine the exposed rubber would kickflip very differently than the leather of the Joslins.
Maranas has a bit less room at the toe area, what is a plus for me because Joslins locks a heel better but suck at the toe area. Imho.
@@JM_andtheArgonauts Luckily heel slip hasn't been an issue wearing Maranas. Also the toe cap isn't exactly the same material as the sole. It's a little bit slicker, thin and stiff. Hard to explain but doesn't seem to hurt kickflips. Although, Joslins do look better to me. So, going off what you said, I'm getting some next time. Thanks!
Joslin’s definitely better overall (pop, grip, sole support, heel flips) but may have a longer break in period for kickflip tricks.
@@surfingizm 100%
All I know is that Andy Anderson has an Etnies pro-model, and I heard him say that Etnies was the first company to make an actual skate-shoe, designed for skateboarding.
This is accurate. Vans came out before Etnies but they weren't designed for skateboarding.
Those airwalks he showed are probably the coolest pair I’ve ever seen
Great timing! I bought my first pair of Maranas. Cant complain. I like them a lot and have already bought a second pair. I used to wear Vans, and still do. But the Maranas are great. I will have to give the Joslins a try now too!
I loved etnies in the past and I just got back into them with the Joslins. I love the Joslins with Michelin rubber. They are a go-to shoe for me, that I have multiple pairs, and almost always have a pair in my car. Def agree there are some bad colorways, but also some good ones. I've really enjoyed rekindling my relationship with Etnies. I also skate a lot of Mids, so I wish there were more Mids to choose from in the lineup. My other two go-to shoes are the Converse Louis Lopez and Vans Half Cab. In general, I find many skate shoes to be too skinny and not wide enough.
Dont know louies shoes, try to stay away from converse, especially the cheaper ones have terrible quality sometimes. Half cabs are one of my favs aestetically but are maybe the worst shoe to skate in. The sole has no firmness to it, and there is zero protection on the heel even with the skate version. When you stand on a board you only feel the ball and the heel of your foot. Try a nike blazer and see how the sole hugs the whole deck and is stable.
Awesome, I’m really thinking about get some mc raps. Have you heard anything about the cons as-1?
ben, i am watching you till the day i am searching about skateboarding. i was watching videos on youtube but i had to save money for something else. so i bought my first setup and yesterday i was in skatepark for the first time. anyway, etnies is the shoe that i've bought with my setup. i wanted to share this information with you, lol.
i saw a video that you were in istanbul and it made me happy, and now you approved the etnies and you made me happy again.
by the way, you have the right to give suggestions to companies. you are the guy.
ben can you give some last resorts a try? perhaps their new cupsole?
Thank you for this! Been skating es and etnies lately and they feel absolutely fantastic, but I hate looking down at my feet sometimes. The colorways are so outlandish. Been leaving reviews begging for normal/subdued colorways. Hopefully, they take heed at some point
I've been skating the eS swift 1.5 and they are probably my favorite cup sole right now.
Ben, you won’t want to, but we need it! Gotta see Ben rockin some DCs for the nostalgia. I stayed away from bulky shoes for a while but last year I finally brought some out the closet I have been keep. Man I loved those shoes (Tribeka) the dc toe cap and just the overall construction brought me back to the 90s. This year DC has had lots of different lynx zero’s on sale. I’ve bought many pairs. Let me tell you there is zero break in, they are light and for a cup sole they aren’t very bulky. My lord the nostalgia on these ones. Everytime I set up for a trick I get a confidence boost from how proper everything looks and feels. You gotta do it Ben! I promise you will get a little giddy from how they feel so perfect.
Lynx Zeros for that special feeling! ($30ish dollars on the website right now too, cannot beat that price)
The RVM's are a hidden treasure along with the dc pures and you are exactly right about the dunks making you rocket flip lol my kickflips are cleaner now that i skate shoes with more board feel and less sole
What is with the newer Etnies and Emerica colorways??!!
I just don't get it... Missed opportunities
Its been close to 30 years since I last wore a pair of Etnies. Just for nostalia's sake, I'd consider rockin a pair of re-issues.
I agree with pretty much all of your aesthetic suggestions. Definitely remember having the hideous red MC raps shown at 5:32 back in the day 😂. Now I skate the maranas and have really liked the Michelin rubber as well.
Back in the early to mid 90's my favorite Etnies were the rap and the sal 23 before it moved over to es. I would buy both again if they made them in all black.
I wouldn't be surprised if they were already planning on releasing older models.
Yup!
I'm currently skating the etnies rebel series there my favorite shoe I've skated in a while. My only complaint is there is not much heel padding. Currently saving for the andy anderson shoes or the estrellas
1000% with you! I'm an Etnies fan since the mid 90's. I'm skating the Maranas for a couple of years now and I wouldn't go back to another model. They're the perfect shoes for me. The Michelin is so great. I personaly don't like the full colored shoes. They should have an all black or all white one for each model cause I think that old skaters are more into sober shoes.
I’ve been a major proponent of Sole Tech since I started skating in 2008. Emerica seems a bit directionless, but their G6 cupsoles are on point. éS makes some excellent shoes, like the Quattro and Silo SC (and, the Accel Slim with upgraded insoles). My favorite Etnies shoe before the Marana dropped was the Rap Vulc in 2009. The Rap and Accel share similar panels.
I haven’t skated Ernie’s since the late 90’s but the lo cut was my first actual new skate shoe In my opinion the sal23 was their best shoe.
I also enjoyed the SLB very durable and more comfort than the 23’s
The last Etnies shoe I skated was that hiking inspired shoe that Harold Hunter was filmed skating in. It was not a good shoe. 1996's version of the Sal 23 was my all time favourite shoe.
I had the Natas Etnies back in the day because I’m that old. Even though they haven’t been cool for as long as the average skater has been alive, I could definitely see kids wearing the Scams with some giant contrast stitched jeans just like we used to.
I wear the Marana as a daily shoe and its the only shoe I've worn where i can get it in a regular size. Normally i have to wear quad wide shoes which makes finding anything difficult but with the Marana, its a easy fit.
Currently riding the kingpin...they were super cheap (on sale), and I'm loving them. Mid 90s Etnies were THE best skate shoes ever. My favorites were the Screw--I got them because I wanted something that would last a really long time, and they did--the leather was thick, triple stitching, legit layer of rubber between FULL layers of leather. The original Etnies sole was also thick and lasted long as well.
Etnies disappeared starting in 95 (when Emerica became a new thing). I bought a pair of lo-cuts at the local shop and was told they were going to stop making Etnies and were going with a new company called "E America" (which I'm guessing was the name before it became Emerica). Sole Tech also was doing Sheep around then, then Es started, and Etnies made a comeback, but they were totally off the market for a couple of years.
I had big bulky Etnies in middle school back in the day that I loved. Had a board back then, but didn't know how to do anything on it. Now I'm in my 30s and am actually learning to skate. I've tried a few different brands, but haven't tried Etnies yet. I've gone to their site a few times looking to be convinced to buy something, but just don't really love how anything looks. I'm with you on the logo, Ben - the "capital" E/arrow thing just isn't it. I like the "lowercase m" looking E, personally.
I'm sure the shoes skate great, but I want them to look good as well. When I'm done with what I'm skating now, my next pick will probably be some Lakais, Last Resorts, or New Balances. Sadly, Etnies likely won't make the cut.
Edit: Also, let's get some more velcro! Always wanted to try those.
Etnies are high quality though. Of course some models are going to be more comfortable than others but they're all definitely durable.
Just ordered my second pair of those Mc Raps. Love em'! Black, Grey, and White colorway would be nice. Very nice! I agree, no perforations, no 93, and use the same material as the rest of the shoe instead of the white material. Basically a Rap.
ETNIES have been my absolute favorite Shows for over 20 years
Did you ever skate the Etnies Intercity? I had a bunch of pairs around 95 and really liked them.
The Scams! Such a good looking shoe. I agree, Etnies has a lot of potential. They could easily become the brand that has a good selection of shoes that are in between bulky and slim in the right way. The 90’s style is only getting bigger in skating right now. If they’re going to do it they better get on it. They need to keep it simple if it’s going to work though.
Ben could tell me how jumping off a cliff would make my skating better, and I'd do it. Love you Pappa Ben.
Your plan is a great one I agree very much with it. The e star logo needs to return, the scam, intercity, and the screw(cup sole half cab? Take my money!!)all would do well right now. I’ve almost bought current etnies a few times but that logo is such a bummer it’s not what I saw when I was 15 and reminds me of motocross.
Etnies are my all time favourite shoes. Currently having a blast on the És Eos. I love a all black or burgundy shoe. The big logos are not my thing either. But the joslin have those claw marks and I do fancy those. A small fine logo is better then a big fat no no. Loved the video and crispy edit saving the best for last!❤
Just got the joslins cause of your review and the Estrellas cause they were on super sale but i do with for a mike v reissue under a different name or something tho. Love all that sole tech makes tho, only brand i know of to have a 14 always available in any colorway and limited run
OK I'm angry with Ben. I've been ho'ing the Kingpins at clearance prices because nobody buys them. Now Ben's gone and put it out all over the internet.
😂
That's the exact shoe I'm skating rn 😂
I rode 3 pairs of Joslins and when I bought a 4th one they tweaked the formula of the shoe a bit and I did not like it anymore. I think they are absolutely great shoes for going down stuff and protecting your shoes, but after riding the 508s I realized the lack of board feel. Etnies is killing it with their shoes and colorways(I don't care about their old 90-00s models cause they are too bulky), but for now I am sticking to NB for a while(while using the insoles from the Joslin's lol)
Lol we’ve travelled the exact same journey. I only wish, for financial reasons, that the 508s had a more durable toe, like multiple layers of suede or something.
@@DavidGraham-bs1bi oh man yes! I agree the stitches and the lace protection need some love. Other than that I really like riding them. I ordered my third pair last week lol.
@@KyleBGanger because not everyone ride their shoes until they are destroyed. When I was a teen and had no money, yeah I rode them till I bled. But now as an adult I prefer riding till they stop feeling structured ok. I have realized that buying shoes more often helps prevents injuries as well as making my tricks more consistent. Without going too far even Ben on his video stopped using the Joslins because of that reason
The main two things we changed on the Josl1n (the 2nd version of the Joslin shoe) is the flo tongue (for more breathability) and the stitching around the collar, both at the request of Chris Joslin. Less sweaty feet and less blowouts on the sides from doing heelflips.
I remember in the 90s when all the jocks started rocking the czars
I've been eyeing up those MC Raps for a few days now myself. The Bones collab looks stunning, as do the ones you have here. I actually held back because altho they looked like that middle ground Accel that you mentioned I wasn't sure just by the image. I love the OG Accels but yeah they're big. I got sucked into the Slims since eS came back 7 yrs ago but as I mentioned before they've become even slimmer since they 1st released (sneaky & to cut costs), & they hurt badly. Plus you can't get a good insole inside them as they're so narrow & tight. The Joslins as I said b4 are beautiful, but I love that Accel style image, so you've just sold me on these Ben!!❤
i’ve been wanting an accel like the OG for a while with the original tongue and toe box. the new “OG” tongue is wayyyy thicker and the toe box is so stubby and the slim overcorrects both of those things too far imo
What do you think about the swift 1.5?
@@jouhajohnny i like them ok but the toe is a little pointy for me
@bananaclipper7692 yeah the new OG is way bigger than the original OG. I know this because I still have a pair of the OG Accel TT shoes from a out 20 yrs ago. Dunno why they went even bigger when they re-released it
@@EDDIEM0NS00NPlaying on nostalgia and most shoe companies don’t retro/re-release true to the original. People who saw, wore, and skated the Accel before éS went on hiatus know what’s up.
I remember loving skating the shecklers back in the day
Thoughts on the Andy Anderson Etnies?
Didn’t hate that brown color but that 93 can go bye bye
LOVE YOI
Thanks Joa. Ya. It’s not too bad but I the 93 ruins it. I think I would like brown and white.
Love your ideas man would love to see the return of the star logo
Ernies lo cut were my first REAL skate shoe. Always brings nostalgia when I see them. I would exclusively wear Ernies if they made the shoes you're talking about.
damn, have just seen, that u got over 100k subs now 😳
keep it up man!
Nice Spite-fire shirt lol.
Skating some Etnies atm. Haven’t had a good chance to session them yet, but they are comfortable after I broke them in and the Michelin is super grippy. Haven’t skated Etnies since I was 17 (17 years ago) when I had a pair of the Arto Saari models. Black and white, they were cool as.
Also recently was NKA’s video with Andy talking about his new Etnies model coming out next year. And I am already sold on them. So I think that will help the company out a lot.
I've been going back and forth between Fader's and Kingpins, depending on available colorways. Personally I love (and prefer) the Kingpin hands down! If they had a "middle ground" shoe as you stated I'd be in those in a heartbeat. Fader's, Kingpins, and Accel OG's and too bulky, but my ankles don't feel as stable in their slimmer models. You're on to something Ben, I really hope they listen!
Etnies used to be a staple skate shoe brand and then started catering to emo children. They lost their soul long long ago.
Have you tried the lakai telfords yet? Visually very "dunk" but ive found they break in and skate very well
I don't like the lakai logo
@@bendegrosthis might be your hottest take tbh
@@bendegrospull it off, snip the cuff around the shoe and you have better than half cab mid rises
@@bendegros gifted degros over here hahahaha
The éS accel OG’s are awesome skate shoes
Favourite shoe of all time.
I think you are completely right hitting them up and getting them back on track. Etnies n és is my two all time favorite skate shoe brand.
Im not with you on the color point tho. I think they havent gone far enough. Ofc they have to have some nice simple colorways, but i think they should do some full out new colorway designs that is more bold and out there. I think that that is actually a big factor to why Nike SB is more at a standby situation now when most of the people skating Nike shoes skates Dunks or J's. I think their way of making shoes that fit peoples different personalities is a huuuuuuge selling point.
Plus the laying down E i think is a cool brand still to use. Its like skateboards tree stripe.
Slim Accel and Swift 1.5 were both really similar and also pretty great for me. I gotta try those Joslins.
I love the Marana. They're comfortable and they last.
I agree Etnies is the closest to becoming the flagship brand because it has the most shoes to cycle through , I saw some old catalogs on insta and the Etnies were cheaper, simple ,CORE, also better looking than most price point shoes.
I bought some joslin x grizzlies on sale from my local and I couldn't have asked for a nicer pair of shoes. I would have paid double the price had I known how good they are
Etnies re-issued scams a few years ago,I had two pairs they we one of the best shoes I have ever skated. Always thought they should be a staple in their line up,glad you've told hopefully they take it on board.
This
The Etnies Hook-ups shoes were absolutely perfect
That was a slimmed down version. We have talked about a mid puff version to re-issue.
@etnies if you can make the in forest green,and full time that would be awesome.
LOVE the Kingpin! Been skating them since 2020. Black/Grey/Gum for life!
I agree. I sent a request about a month ago for colours for several of the shoes. Sadly, they disappointed me. Best colour would be the bright blue from the Joslin 2s but on the 1's
Skating the Andy Anderson model of the windrow right now & I love it. It basically has everything I want in a skate shoe: rubber toe cap, lace cover, mid-top ankle protection, extra rubber for heelflips. Only thing is I had to swap out the insoles & I fear the way I skate will blow through the tread but I feel like I need to stock up on these. I hope his actual pro model from etnies is similar.
I probably own almost 20 models between the Marana and Joslin right now aince they're my favorite shoes to skate. I wish more people would give them a shot!
Also, their marketing and design team could use some help in better colors and focusing on areas where etnies isn't as popular. Aidan Campbell is leaving and he was Etnies TM from what I heard.
The Joslin is my favorite shoe right now and has been for a while. The only shoe I've tried that I can kickflip without having to break them in at all.
It's still my favourite shoe company of all time outside of éS. I really wish they still made more models of big cupsole shoes though.
Currently riding the Calli Vulc and I always used to ride Arto's back in the day.
Edit: Post watching, I think Etnies desperately needs some advice about how to market to North America. I honest to god feel like the only person in Toronto that wears them. You were definitely not off base.
Thanks 🙂
Kingpins are so good. The most comfortable shoe I've ever worn. I'm wearing maranas now and they're just not as good.
It would be best if you tried the Aurelian Pro model, or Estrella model, which has everything I consider functional for skating, hidden lace loops, a hidden toe cap in the ollie area, a padded tongue and collar lining that locks the foot in, and much more. The black ones look awesome in either model. For me looks like the perfect balance between a padded and slim skate shoe. Comfort, durability, function, and style. Not a fan of the old models of etnies.
Emerica has been my go to. They last, they are simple and clean, and they are priced well.
I think etnies has no room for your good suggestions. I don't think they want to be cool again. They are probably doing fine with the "I don't care about cool, just function" crowd.
I think they should do a customer chosen poll for a portion of what they produce. I think every company should involve customers to some extent.
I’ve been wearing some etnies Marana slip ons and I like them they’re definitely not the longest lasting but 3 months in and only small holes. I love the feel to them though and the insoles aren’t half bad
HAHA! OMG, Love the Accel and it was so good. For me. Though I came from the bulky DC's with big ass tounges at the time. At the same time I've never been as good as you so I guess the attitude of the bulky accels made up for the lack of talent. ;)
If they remade the old models I would buy them in an instant!
I recently had a pair of black Etnies Score x Matt Berger with the Michelin sole. I really liked how durable the shoe felt. However, I found them quite ugly. If they released the Scam with a Michelin sole, I would definitely give them a try!
Etnies malto shoe and the malto ls were a really underrated shoe.
DC are doing it, bringing back the old models. They are killing it imo
Accel slims got updated with cushioned insoles since at least 2 years ago. They don't make them with the ultra thin ones they used to have.
I am skating the M.C. rap High since 5 weeks and a absolutly love them. The are one of the Most durable shoes i ever had and have such good flick.
Mabye you could do a review on the Etnies snake that will come out later this year. (At least in europe)
Just grabbed some KingPins to try out!!! Haven’t had a pair of Etnies since early 2000’s! Stoked to skate them!!
I’ve never skated etnies because the logo looks so kooky. The first thing I think about when I hear etnies is the weird kids at the skatepark or mall kids who can varial kick flip. If they had the star logo I’d probably start skating them as shallow as it sounds.
Skated some etnies not too long ago and I really enjoyed them. There was some issues with the quality but nothing crazy. I would like to support core companies more but they really do gotta step it up.