After giving up on the Fastbreaks, I tried out these DC Kalis.
I have a nice size bunion on my right big toe. Got it from a slam 7 or 8 years ago. While wearing Busenitz Pro. So I can't ever wear those again. My feet are also fairly wide.
Anyway, I always wear my skate shoes around work for a couple weeks to break them in. Got these Kalis in my regular size, 9.5. The length was fine. Just a little tight on the sides. Especially the old bunion.
They look really cool. I thought with only 3 lace loops, there might be an issue keeping the shoe tight. But the tongue is all part of the shoe. Very tech. I could actually wear these as a slip on without the laces and they would stay on my foot.
I wanted to like these. But it just wasn't happening. The sole is really soft and too thin for me in the forefoot. This was great for flatground. But my old ass feet need more protection. Especially if I want to jump. The collar is really low around the ankle. For the 2 weeks I skated these, both outside ankle bones had bloody scabs.
I was going to just deal with it and skate them. I have this weird sense of guilt about wasting money. Maybe from growing up kind of poor. But I convinced myself that the well being of my feet is worth more than the $45 I spent on these. And if I were to get hurt in them and not be able to skate for some period of time, I would have been so pissed at myself. I gave them to a friend and he was stoked.
I had been planning to skate a pair of Tyshawns next. Been wearing them around work for a few weeks. But they are still pinching on my bunion. Might end up buying a shoe stretcher for them.
So instead I busted out these Joslins that I've been saving for a while. And I'm so glad I did. I've never had a shoe fit my foot so perfectly, ever. Like a glove, as they say. I only wore them around work for 2 days before skating them. The first day of skating was wild. No feeling. And really squeaky soles. But by the second session, they broke in, no more squeak. I'm loving them. All the support and protection I need. I've found my next shoe! I'm going to try not to, but if need be I would totally pay the $80 retail. I already signed up for an Etnies email list for 20% off first order and got 4 more pairs. I really hope now that the Joslin 2 is out they still keep the 1 around. I've already been skating them for 3 weeks and hardly any signs of wear. They'll easily last me 3 months or more.
@Willie I remember you were looking for the Reynolds low replacement. This is it!