COFFEE BREAK WITH THE NEW BALANCE #NB 868, PJ/533, and 288 Ever since Atlantic Drift Ep. 2 (above) I've wanted to trying skating a pair of the 868s… but I’m going to do SLAP two better and compare the 868 to the other #NB cupsoles, the PJ/533, and the 288. I’m definitely not much of a “tech” guy when it comes to my shoes, but there’s just something about the designs of the #NB line that make them a lil more attractive than most of the other tech shoes.
288 / PJ-533 / 868
Toe Shape
I thought for sure the 868 would have the typical pointy-toe that plagues most running-shoe style skate shoes. Nope. The 868 toe is both wider and boxier than the 533 and the 288.
The toe of the 288 is most easily compared to the Busenitz Pro, while the toe of the 533 is probably the most comfortable toe box of them all with a fit that’s right in the middle of the 868 and 288.
Sidewalls
The sidewalls of the PJ/533 are as close as you’ll get to the classic cupsole of the early 2000s. Although, rather than feeling like stiff bricks like those shoe of yesteryear, the rubber used on the 533s is very flexible and very comfortable…and grippy. I was taken aback at just how grippy these shoes are.
The 288 sidewalls are the closest thing youre gonna get to a vulc, but in a cupsole. The shoe is very pared down and you can fold it in your hand. Think of a thinner version of the Busenitz Pro.
Collar, Heel Lock, Insole
The one place the 868 actually feels like a traditional running shoe is in the amazing heel lock. When you tie em up, they’re gonna stay put without yanking em down. I’m a huge stickler for heel lock and the 868 definitely did not leave me constantly adjusting the tightness of my laces like most shoes. Also, the collar is INSANELY comfortable.
The 288 gives an above average amount of heel lock for a typical cupsole. I couldn’t really get it to lock down as tight as I’d like without footballin’ the laces… but even at it’s loosest, my heel at least wasn’t pullin gout of the shoe.
The PJ/533 heel lock is on par with the 868. It feels like there’s even a lil extra notch down near the insole to accommodate your heel. The material in the collar also feels great… and would probably be the most comfortable of the three for going sockless…if that’s your thing.
The Sole
868 / 533 / 188
The only downside of the near perfect sole of the 868 is that it is a pebble magnet. Otherwise, it’s as comfortable as a running shoe with the grip of a skate shoe. It performs exactly how you’d think…with just a little more boardfeel than I expected it to have. Whereas the 533 has much more boardfeel than you’d expect from the look of it. Again, the 288 sole is pretty similar to the Busenitz Pro.
The Insole
288 / 533 / 868
288 / 533 / 868
The 288 insole is a standard thin one, but the cupsole does the work as far as impact is concerned, so I never felt the need to replace it with something more substantial. The 533 insole is very comfortable and seems to be made of some fancy stuff. It’s perfect for the shoe and I wouldn’t replace it in fear it would mess up the near perfect fit of the shoe. The 868 insole is made of some fancier stuff than the 533, but it is actually a bit less comfortable on its own. I’m sure there’s a reason for that, but I dunno what it is.
Final ThoughtsThe 868 is my favorite ‘new’ take on the running shoe for a skate shoe and I’ve found myself skating it in more than the other two models. I would definitely recommend grabbing a pair if you’ve been curious at all. From what I can tell, most people seem to be into the 533… and for good reason. It might be one of the best standard cupsoles I’ve skated in. It seems like it has the most universal-fit of the three shoes while still feeling like it’s made exactly for my foot (which is wider than the average foot). Finally, the 288 is the shoe for you if you are tired of skating vulcs and want to transition yourself into a cupsole without losing the boardfeel and simplicity of a vulc.
Topic: COFFEE BREAK with the NEW BALANCE #NB 868, PJ/533, and 288 (Read 6124 times)