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Skateboarding => Shoes & Gear => Topic started by: art hellman on February 02, 2018, 06:02:14 PM
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COFFEE BREAK WITH THE NEW BALANCE #NB 868, PJ/533, and 288
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgCqD8vo2Qg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgCqD8vo2Qg)
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.
(https://imgur.com/IJBNCgU)
(https://i.imgur.com/iijApf0.jpg?1)
288 / PJ-533 / 868
Toe Shape
(https://i.imgur.com/zMU1Tvn.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/keP2Aso.jpg?1)
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.
(https://i.imgur.com/TGYwpDO.jpg?1)
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.
(https://i.imgur.com/oAEJ7li.jpg?1)
Sidewalls
(https://i.imgur.com/kxk2DqV.jpg?1[img]
I thought the sidewalls of the 868 would end up being way too thick and only serve to dampen any feeling of the outside world. Again, I was wrong. While the sidewalls may look extra beefy, they are actually quite flexible and only serve to give your foot an incredible amount of stability… Weartested has some great pics of the side section of this shoe here [url=http://www.weartested.com/weartested-awards-2017-best-comfort-stability/[/url]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/yHXzWFT.jpg?1)
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.
(https://i.imgur.com/obDv8az.jpg?1)
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
(https://i.imgur.com/3VChE4m.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/94r31j1.jpg?1)
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.
(https://i.imgur.com/y2k8Nrc.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/srxtFBz.jpg?1)
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.
(https://i.imgur.com/v3qYSwE.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/he3lH7m.jpg?1)
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
(https://i.imgur.com/32NxRQ1.jpg?1)
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
(https://i.imgur.com/g3SPxz5.jpg?1)
288 / 533 / 868
(https://i.imgur.com/CvCeePE.jpg?1)
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 Thoughts
The 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.
(https://i.imgur.com/0oiCgKL.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/l1rxKpL.jpg?1)
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I throughly enjoy every one of these coffee breaks.
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Round 2, bandwidth be damned
I throughly enjoy every one of these coffee breaks.
+1
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awesome! always wanted some 868s but got some intel they aren't synthetic even though NB# list them as such. tis a shame cuz they look like tanks!!!
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Good shit Art! I’d also recommend the 533’s as they’ve been my go to shoe the past couple months. NB# is doing it right out here, you can tell they really care about their overall quality. The fact that they’ve modified their best seller at least 3-4 times since they’ve started is proof of that
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533 gang
8)
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Great write up! Keep em coming as I've lost time to do any myself with the baby almost here. Perhaps a City Cup one soon ;)
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COFFEE BREAK with the NEW BALANCE #NB 868
(http://moddriver.com/images/blender-coffee-break-868.jpg)
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Great write up. You should throw the 598's into the mix.
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How is the sizing on those 3? did you get the same size?
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How is the sizing on those 3? did you get the same size?
all same size... and all fit true to size for me.
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Expand Quote
How is the sizing on those 3? did you get the same size?
all same size... and all fit true to size for me.
ok thanks!
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Great write up/review. Thanks!
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What a great review. Love reading these. I’ve always been afraid to buy Numeric since every complaint all over is that they run painfully small. I’m a 13 and there’s no way to “size up”.
I’ve also heard the 868 has terrible boardfeel. Did you find the boardfeel adequate?
Thanks so much for this write up .
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yea, the boardfeel is 'adequate' and on par with the typical cupsole. it's definitely not a shoe that's going to feel perfect right out of the box...but with a couple sessions, the sole softens up and feels great on the board. for example, I skated em a couple times for an hour so per session and wasn't too keen on them (I was coming from some classic half cabs)... but then I went to Chicago for a night and skated around for several hours in near freezing temps and they felt incredible. my feet didnt get fatigued at all. I'd also add that they grip really well for a cupsole.
Right out of the box, the boardfeel is the same as the 533... but after skating for a bit, the 533 breaks down a bit more and has more boardfeel, whereas the 868 doesnt break down as fast.
again, all fit true to size for me. pretty sure the 'painfully small' complaints came from when #NB first came out
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i have some of the 868 coming next week, you've got me stoked for em. how do they compare w/ dunks? i'm definitely in the minority but i love how new pairs of ishod/slim dunks skate, my kickflips become perfect for a couple weeks.
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Thing with the NB# soles (or at least the 533v2 specifically) is that they use some "Ndure" rubber for the outsole and that RevLite foam for the midsole and while they perform great, they are stiff as hell right out of the box. I spend a good 10-15 minutes twisting and bending the sole with my hands/against the corner of a wall before I ever skate em. Done it to all 3 of pairs so far and it definitely speeds up the break-in process, they're good to go by the second session in my experience.
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Art you’re a great person on here and I appreciate this info very much. It’s hard to find anybody near me who’s into New Balance. Off the board I’ve always worn the 999 and 998 etc. on the board I’ve always been a Vans guy. But I’ve had some real shit shoes lately including an era pro that pulled away from the sides in two hours.
I like New Balance as a company and today ordered the 868 I’ll post here what I think. I got the olive. I think that’s what you have here but the tone of the photo is bluish on here for some reason
Thanks again Art
yea, the boardfeel is 'adequate' and on par with the typical cupsole. it's definitely not a shoe that's going to feel perfect right out of the box...but with a couple sessions, the sole softens up and feels great on the board. for example, I skated em a couple times for an hour so per session and wasn't too keen on them (I was coming from some classic half cabs)... but then I went to Chicago for a night and skated around for several hours in near freezing temps and they felt incredible. my feet didnt get fatigued at all. I'd also add that they grip really well for a cupsole.
Right out of the box, the boardfeel is the same as the 533... but after skating for a bit, the 533 breaks down a bit more and has more boardfeel, whereas the 868 doesnt break down as fast.
again, all fit true to size for me. pretty sure the 'painfully small' complaints came from when #NB first came out
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Great review, props
Keen to try 868 as been skating in dunk low pros for a few years now and would like to try another shoe out that js kind on the old dogs.
I've heard of the NB skate shoe sizing issues, hate it when sizes are all over the place as no skate shops where I live.
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COFFEE BREAK WITH THE NEW BALANCE #NB 533, and 868
Toe Shape
(https://i.imgur.com/zMU1Tvn.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/keP2Aso.jpg?1)
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.
(https://i.imgur.com/oAEJ7li.jpg?1)
Thank you for doing these!
These toe boxes look great, especially the 868; the whole write up makes me want to skate a pair of them!
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Expand Quote
COFFEE BREAK WITH THE NEW BALANCE #NB 533, and 868
Toe Shape
(https://i.imgur.com/zMU1Tvn.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/keP2Aso.jpg?1)
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.
(https://i.imgur.com/oAEJ7li.jpg?1)
Thank you for doing these!
These toe boxes look great, especially the 868; the whole write up makes me want to skate a pair of them!
I've been skating a pair of 868 for a minute, and I really like the toe box, no smashed up Pinky and lots of support.
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So my 868 arrived today in size 13. I also ordered the 598 in black and gum which looks awesome. They are both very small. And I’m not buying NBs rationalization that it’s a “performance fit.”
They just have the sizing wrong. And I cannot size up because they don’t make a 13.5 or a 14 which I would need in the 598–which is probably a full size down.
The 868 was gorgeous. I wanted to keep it so bad but it just doesn’t fit. If you can try them on go for it and find a size that fits because they’re good looking shoes.
I’ve worn new balance since 1995. I’ve had all of their heritage runners and wish their numeric shoes fit like the rest of their line up.
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I’ve always loved NB# shoes, as a team, and their videos but every time I needed shoes I always go something else. However I found these for $65, looked them up, found this thread and it instantly made me order hem.
(https://s17.postimg.org/5z5bysctb/1_A34_B4_F9-0988-41_FC-_B267-_F19_F98_ADE90_D.jpg)
So thank you Art and also these coffee breaks are fucking amazing. Keep up the good work.
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fantastic work.
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Thanks for the write up. I'm 34 and starting to fall apart. I'm looking into cupsoles with good arch support. I've been on Buz Pros for the last 3 years but want some more support. It looks like the 868 insole has more arch support by the pics. Is that fair to say?
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i wouldn't say that, they're pretty flat side to side, heel raised a bit (but they feel extremely stable)
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Do they get wider with time?
Currently have the shoes at home but they feel like .5 to 1 size to small.
BTW I went up by 1,5 size.
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Do they get wider with time?
Currently have the shoes at home but they feel like .5 to 1 size to small.
BTW I went up by 1,5 size.
So you went 1.5 sizes up and they still feel a size of big.
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Expand Quote
Do they get wider with time?
Currently have the shoes at home but they feel like .5 to 1 size to small.
BTW I went up by 1,5 size.
That's probably just the heel lock. I bet your toes still has a bit of room to move yeah? I'm skating the 868 right now and I went up just one full size and they feel amazing.
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Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Do they get wider with time?
Currently have the shoes at home but they feel like .5 to 1 size to small.
BTW I went up by 1,5 size.
That's probably just the heel lock. I bet your toes still has a bit of room to move yeah? I'm skating the 868 right now and I went up just one full size and they feel amazing.
I went up and they still feel to small.
They are pretty narrow in the midfoot area, especially the 533 and 868. The toebox is good from a length perspective but still a bit narrow.
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Damn this is such a cool thing you got going art!
Man I wish I could get a pair of the 868!! They look soooooooo casual and cool for the mature adult skater style
I got too many shoes at the moment to run through and still haven’t touched my 533 v2 yet :'(
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How is the sizing on those 3? did you get the same size?
I got 868s true to size. Stiff for a day and then break in nicely. Fit perfect after a day. Thy also have very nice arch support.
(http://s9.postimg.org/v4ko6zd3j/F843501_E-6_CCA-4802-_A952-99_B031_C6_BA57.jpg)
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Expand Quote
How is the sizing on those 3? did you get the same size?
(http://s9.postimg.org/v4ko6zd3j/F843501_E-6_CCA-4802-_A952-99_B031_C6_BA57.jpg)
Hope they fixed the sizing on the new color ways. I had a 8.5 (my size) in the black/white/red and way too small. Got a 9 in grey/blue/white felt a bit too big. I now have a pair of navy/red in 9 and they fit perfectly. I have to say these are amazing to skate in, they take a little bit to break in but it's worth it. Thinking of ordering another pair, wish my local shop carried them so I could try them on. Aside from the sizing issues these are my favorite shoes.