First take on the HIs:
- The indigo/Sea Salt look pretty damn good
- These look cool as shit compared to the V1 hi, especially the 'banana' curve the V1 had and the upper/heel texture; I'm a fan of the big, single layer N (less dad shoe vibes), but agree that they should have 808'd it and had the bottom extend to the closest stitch.
- Thick cotton'ish' laces (1 pair no extras)
- No tongue padding/very little ankle padding
- Fit TTS (D/regular), IF A BIT ROOMY (I'm wearing athletic/normal socks - thicker socks would eat up that space), all around - length and width (width is REAL good for me in the midfoot/meta area)
- In a 10.5, my big toe is still 'inside' / right before the cap stitching (which I prefer as it allows upward to flexing)
- There is room enough that I can fit an aftermarket, padded, higher arch insole and it doesn't feel cramped - which was my hope because the ortholite insole can suck some ass; cheapest shit out next to what comes in the rowans.
- Very flat feeling/no arch
- They don't feel very comfy (coming off the react leos which are super comfy and the Rowans which just feel more substantial in the midsole), they just feel 'fine'; not that they are uncomfortable, there just isn't much in the way for padding/cushioning.
Don't have to tighten them down so much you squinch the eyestays / buckle the toe box
I get a tiny amount of heelslip if I don't lace the bottom of the top two eyelets of the 'hi' part of the shoe; it goes away if I lace them
I'd say they're keepers / a win for NB - if you liked the way V1s felt on foot, you should like these; I do feel they could have made them just a bit more plush, cushier, more padding, etc.,, but that would probably move them away from what the 440 offers...or they could just make a Mid/Hi Tiago...