4th pair of Reynolds, Supra Avex, P. Rod 8
Sorry about the pic size.
Reynolds: Wanted to get Westgate runners but I don't see them on sale as often. I keep forgetting about how these crush my toes for the first few sessions, even before I swap in my old Nike insoles. The stock insoles are the WORST and there's no I could skate in them. Size 10.5.
Toe pain aside, I was surprised how quickly I was skating in these without any break in awkward stage.
P. Rod 8: saw these on fleabay for $35 so I thought I'd give them a try. Msrp was $145! I ordered these in 11 since that's my usual Nike size. Pulled them out of the box and held them next to the Reynolds and they were half and inch longer. Oh, shit. But when I tried them on my toes were pleasantly snug - there's no way I'd fit in a 10.5.
Sole cushioning is good but the heel to toe drop is smaller than I like with the stock Lunarlon insoles (which are otherwise nice). Thin unpadded tongue is annoying with the stock round laces. Hard to get the laces not too loose, not too tight. Synthetic upper smells like shit and is going to be hot as fuck. Tightly waisted in the arch area which looks goofy and makes your instep hang over a bit, just like the Project BA. Complaints aside, they were reasonably comfortable from the get go.
Tried skating in them for 5 minutes but I was hating it and switched to the Reynolds. Maybe the sole needs break in or maybe I need to get used to the larger size or the synthetic ollie area. I definitely want to add some heel height to the insole as well.
Avex: Got these a in the mail a few days later. Never got to try one in a store and ordered 10.5 which looked super small when I got them. Surprise, the Avex had the roomiest toe area of all. My big toe has about the same space as the Reynolds but my little toes aren't getting crushed like on that shoe.
Narrower than I expected overall and not very heavily padded on the sides. Foot sits rather high in the upper and laces don't come up very high. Weird business where the tongue isn't sure if it wants to go above or under the hidden lace loops.
Sole padding is firm but there is a lot of it. Significant heel to toe drop. Insole has softer insert in heel, rest is cheapo foam but still better than the Emericas.
Color-way is plain but looks less mid-2000s Ben Gilley in person.
Outsole is a nice soft gum which feels nicer than the 'dirty gum' on some other Supras I've seen but it might not last long.
I think I'll like these provided I don't roll my ankle on account of them being high and narrow.
Overall length comparison:
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