Unpopular Gear Opinion Thread 2025

[Slave IV]

Thanks for the details!
I haven’t paid any attention to NB until recently so I didn’t know about their 213. Those seem like they could be really good based on your description.
I’ve always like tech in whatever and definitely shoes so that’s part of why I wanted to try NB now. I got 480 Highs and they seem really good but one thing I noticed is the sole is very blocky or maybe a better way to describe is very flat and stable. Almost like a wood block on the bottom. It’s possible, I just don’t remember how techy basketball style shoes feel like but it seems like it may take some getting used to.
Anyways, I have an open mind and willingness to try them to the fullest and I was thinking and hoping they might be my go to shoe but will see how that goes. I’ve realized I don’t need any tech as long as I have a high top that is comfortably fit and easy to put on and take off because even if the sole is just a thin layer of rubber (which I found my current shoes are), it doesn’t matter because with FP insoles, they provide all the support and cushion I need in any shoe. Blazer Mids with FP felt perfect to me but they are really annoying to put on and take off.
I don’t care much about how my gear looks but I noticed a lot of praise for NB stying here and just posted because they have always been so ugly and seemingly generic to me that they have never even registered in my brain as a viable shoe option until I learned more about what they were doing with site shoes specifically. Still, I think thy are ugly with some of the worst branding, colors, style, everything just looks bad to me but if it works for me, whatever.

[DeanMaple]

I don't think NB# shoes are as comfortable as people say they are. I also *kind of* agree that they're not the prettiest. A lot of "dad shoe" but make it skateable looks. 50/50 on their catalog of models. However, their colorways > shoe design to me.

I've bought, skated, and tried on multiple models. All felt like something was "off" about them. Sorry NB# heads, they just ain't for me!

1010 - too much heel toe drop to feel comfortable for long periods of time. Seemed like I'd feel disconnected from my board if I tried to skate them seriously beyond what I tried in them.

808 - less heel toe drop, but too narrow/numb feeling in the toe box. Easily one of the better designed NB# fit-wise and looks.

440 - too thin of a sole. Boxy upper and a less plush SB dunk sole feel. Rubber is too hard of a compound, perhaps. Flick was okay at best.

933 - kinda clunky feeling, but maybe that goes away with break in. They do feel far more comfortable than other models and seem better built. Good looking front of the shoe, but kinda not so good looking heel of the shoe when seeing the whole shoe. Also, quite narrow in the rear/midfoot area.

358 - Arto's vulc. Comfortable enough to walk around in, but heavy feeling. The leather colorway I had felt stiff forever. Felt like it would be difficult to skate because of that. I did like them while I had em tho

600 - that shoe has the weirdest fit I've experienced from a big brand. My heel and toe were lower than the arch and it's all I thought about. Didn't feel like I'd have an even foundation while wearing it. Not comfortable at all. Not for me, but they look cool.

213 - easily one of the best shoes NB# had ever made. A nice, wide court vulc with sufficient padding. When I skated vulcs these were a fun one to skate. A more wearable blazer mid.

Damn u sound like an annoying bitch from france i once met

[Rick Trapasso]

Prioritizing a lightweight set-up is a misguided endeavor and has unintended consequences

[Unkle Fleak]

Street salt is a good lube for bearings.

[DarkPools]

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I don't think NB# shoes are as comfortable as people say they are. I also *kind of* agree that they're not the prettiest. A lot of "dad shoe" but make it skateable looks. 50/50 on their catalog of models. However, their colorways > shoe design to me.

I've bought, skated, and tried on multiple models. All felt like something was "off" about them. Sorry NB# heads, they just ain't for me!

1010 - too much heel toe drop to feel comfortable for long periods of time. Seemed like I'd feel disconnected from my board if I tried to skate them seriously beyond what I tried in them.

808 - less heel toe drop, but too narrow/numb feeling in the toe box. Easily one of the better designed NB# fit-wise and looks.

440 - too thin of a sole. Boxy upper and a less plush SB dunk sole feel. Rubber is too hard of a compound, perhaps. Flick was okay at best.

933 - kinda clunky feeling, but maybe that goes away with break in. They do feel far more comfortable than other models and seem better built. Good looking front of the shoe, but kinda not so good looking heel of the shoe when seeing the whole shoe. Also, quite narrow in the rear/midfoot area.

358 - Arto's vulc. Comfortable enough to walk around in, but heavy feeling. The leather colorway I had felt stiff forever. Felt like it would be difficult to skate because of that. I did like them while I had em tho

600 - that shoe has the weirdest fit I've experienced from a big brand. My heel and toe were lower than the arch and it's all I thought about. Didn't feel like I'd have an even foundation while wearing it. Not comfortable at all. Not for me, but they look cool.

213 - easily one of the best shoes NB# had ever made. A nice, wide court vulc with sufficient padding. When I skated vulcs these were a fun one to skate. A more wearable blazer mid.

[close]

Damn u sound like an annoying bitch from france i once met

Projecting your own thoughts about someone else onto me is actual weirdo behavior.  No one asked you to read my post and then form an unnecessary opinion about it here, dude. Go do something better than being a hater on every other reply on here. It's tired and childish

[DeanMaple]

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I don't think NB# shoes are as comfortable as people say they are. I also *kind of* agree that they're not the prettiest. A lot of "dad shoe" but make it skateable looks. 50/50 on their catalog of models. However, their colorways > shoe design to me.

I've bought, skated, and tried on multiple models. All felt like something was "off" about them. Sorry NB# heads, they just ain't for me!

1010 - too much heel toe drop to feel comfortable for long periods of time. Seemed like I'd feel disconnected from my board if I tried to skate them seriously beyond what I tried in them.

808 - less heel toe drop, but too narrow/numb feeling in the toe box. Easily one of the better designed NB# fit-wise and looks.

440 - too thin of a sole. Boxy upper and a less plush SB dunk sole feel. Rubber is too hard of a compound, perhaps. Flick was okay at best.

933 - kinda clunky feeling, but maybe that goes away with break in. They do feel far more comfortable than other models and seem better built. Good looking front of the shoe, but kinda not so good looking heel of the shoe when seeing the whole shoe. Also, quite narrow in the rear/midfoot area.

358 - Arto's vulc. Comfortable enough to walk around in, but heavy feeling. The leather colorway I had felt stiff forever. Felt like it would be difficult to skate because of that. I did like them while I had em tho

600 - that shoe has the weirdest fit I've experienced from a big brand. My heel and toe were lower than the arch and it's all I thought about. Didn't feel like I'd have an even foundation while wearing it. Not comfortable at all. Not for me, but they look cool.

213 - easily one of the best shoes NB# had ever made. A nice, wide court vulc with sufficient padding. When I skated vulcs these were a fun one to skate. A more wearable blazer mid.

[close]

Damn u sound like an annoying bitch from france i once met

[close]

Projecting your own thoughts about someone else onto me is actual weirdo behavior.  No one asked you to read my post and then form an unnecessary opinion about it here, dude. Go do something better than being a hater on every other reply on here. It's tired and childish

I didnt metion she was hot.
U probably are too.

I didnt find ur coment annoying. Is just that she was just like that, listing thing and coment on what she deslikes about them.

And you are the weird one for being so hyperfocused. And theres noting wrong about being weird.

You weird hor french dude

[DeanMaple]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

I don't think NB# shoes are as comfortable as people say they are. I also *kind of* agree that they're not the prettiest. A lot of "dad shoe" but make it skateable looks. 50/50 on their catalog of models. However, their colorways > shoe design to me.

I've bought, skated, and tried on multiple models. All felt like something was "off" about them. Sorry NB# heads, they just ain't for me!

1010 - too much heel toe drop to feel comfortable for long periods of time. Seemed like I'd feel disconnected from my board if I tried to skate them seriously beyond what I tried in them.

808 - less heel toe drop, but too narrow/numb feeling in the toe box. Easily one of the better designed NB# fit-wise and looks.

440 - too thin of a sole. Boxy upper and a less plush SB dunk sole feel. Rubber is too hard of a compound, perhaps. Flick was okay at best.

933 - kinda clunky feeling, but maybe that goes away with break in. They do feel far more comfortable than other models and seem better built. Good looking front of the shoe, but kinda not so good looking heel of the shoe when seeing the whole shoe. Also, quite narrow in the rear/midfoot area.

358 - Arto's vulc. Comfortable enough to walk around in, but heavy feeling. The leather colorway I had felt stiff forever. Felt like it would be difficult to skate because of that. I did like them while I had em tho

600 - that shoe has the weirdest fit I've experienced from a big brand. My heel and toe were lower than the arch and it's all I thought about. Didn't feel like I'd have an even foundation while wearing it. Not comfortable at all. Not for me, but they look cool.

213 - easily one of the best shoes NB# had ever made. A nice, wide court vulc with sufficient padding. When I skated vulcs these were a fun one to skate. A more wearable blazer mid.

[close]

Damn u sound like an annoying bitch from france i once met

[close]

Projecting your own thoughts about someone else onto me is actual weirdo behavior.  No one asked you to read my post and then form an unnecessary opinion about it here, dude. Go do something better than being a hater on every other reply on here. It's tired and childish

I didnt metion she was hot too.
So u probably are too.

I didnt find your coment annoying at all. Its just that it remembered me of her. She would always list things and point what she desliked about them.

I actually find intersting people who hyper focus on stuff like that.

You weird hot french man !

[art hellman]

Prioritizing a lightweight set-up is a misguided endeavor and has unintended consequences

tell that to my anke that has been fffffuuuucccckkkeeedddd since july

[Jort250]

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I don't think NB# shoes are as comfortable as people say they are. I also *kind of* agree that they're not the prettiest. A lot of "dad shoe" but make it skateable looks. 50/50 on their catalog of models. However, their colorways > shoe design to me.

I've bought, skated, and tried on multiple models. All felt like something was "off" about them. Sorry NB# heads, they just ain't for me!

1010 - too much heel toe drop to feel comfortable for long periods of time. Seemed like I'd feel disconnected from my board if I tried to skate them seriously beyond what I tried in them.

808 - less heel toe drop, but too narrow/numb feeling in the toe box. Easily one of the better designed NB# fit-wise and looks.

440 - too thin of a sole. Boxy upper and a less plush SB dunk sole feel. Rubber is too hard of a compound, perhaps. Flick was okay at best.

933 - kinda clunky feeling, but maybe that goes away with break in. They do feel far more comfortable than other models and seem better built. Good looking front of the shoe, but kinda not so good looking heel of the shoe when seeing the whole shoe. Also, quite narrow in the rear/midfoot area.

358 - Arto's vulc. Comfortable enough to walk around in, but heavy feeling. The leather colorway I had felt stiff forever. Felt like it would be difficult to skate because of that. I did like them while I had em tho

600 - that shoe has the weirdest fit I've experienced from a big brand. My heel and toe were lower than the arch and it's all I thought about. Didn't feel like I'd have an even foundation while wearing it. Not comfortable at all. Not for me, but they look cool.

213 - easily one of the best shoes NB# had ever made. A nice, wide court vulc with sufficient padding. When I skated vulcs these were a fun one to skate. A more wearable blazer mid.

[close]

Damn u sound like an annoying bitch from france i once met

[close]

Projecting your own thoughts about someone else onto me is actual weirdo behavior.  No one asked you to read my post and then form an unnecessary opinion about it here, dude. Go do something better than being a hater on every other reply on here. It's tired and childish

[close]

I didnt metion she was hot.
U probably are too.

I didnt find ur coment annoying. Is just that she was just like that, listing thing and coment on what she deslikes about them.

And you are the weird one for being so hyperfocused. And theres noting wrong about being weird.

You weird hor french dude

It’s almost as though this is a forum

NB 425s are sick. Good no frills cupsole for wide footers. Only downside is that they’re getting harder to find

[MMongrel]

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Prioritizing a lightweight set-up is a misguided endeavor and has unintended consequences

[close]

tell that to my anke that has been fffffuuuucccckkkeeedddd since july

I'd love to rock some Ace Classic 55's but switching to lighter trucks helped me get rid of my jumpers knee which in turn helps me to actually skate more.

[Rick Trapasso]

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Prioritizing a lightweight set-up is a misguided endeavor and has unintended consequences

[close]

tell that to my anke that has been fffffuuuucccckkkeeedddd since july

[close]

I'd love to rock some Ace Classic 55's but switching to lighter trucks helped me get rid of my jumpers knee which in turn helps me to actually skate more.

I'm sure a lighter setup would make skating with an injury easier in many situations. But you guys should try to rehab your injuries properly.

What I was referring to specifically is that lighter does not always equal better. There are often overlooked factors like feedback and overall feel when it comes to weight.

I say this as someone who thought for many years that lighter was better.

[MMongrel]

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Prioritizing a lightweight set-up is a misguided endeavor and has unintended consequences

[close]

tell that to my anke that has been fffffuuuucccckkkeeedddd since july

[close]

I'd love to rock some Ace Classic 55's but switching to lighter trucks helped me get rid of my jumpers knee which in turn helps me to actually skate more.

[close]

I'm sure a lighter setup would make skating with an injury easier in many situations. But you guys should try to rehab your injuries properly.

What I was referring to specifically is that lighter does not always equal better. There are often overlooked factors like feedback and overall feel when it comes to weight.

I say this as someone who thought for many years that lighter was better.

I hear that and I know I should have. Sometimes it's just hard for me to concentrate on any other activity because nothing else scratches that itch than skating.

I agree with you though. I really like the feedback and momentum of a normal cast truck especially on anything involving transition. I've been going back and forth with a light truck and a normal cast that's a bit wider than the board for most of this year because of two setups and while both are completely usable I still like the non-hollow more.

[Rick Trapasso]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Prioritizing a lightweight set-up is a misguided endeavor and has unintended consequences

[close]

tell that to my anke that has been fffffuuuucccckkkeeedddd since july

[close]

I'd love to rock some Ace Classic 55's but switching to lighter trucks helped me get rid of my jumpers knee which in turn helps me to actually skate more.

[close]

I'm sure a lighter setup would make skating with an injury easier in many situations. But you guys should try to rehab your injuries properly.

What I was referring to specifically is that lighter does not always equal better. There are often overlooked factors like feedback and overall feel when it comes to weight.

I say this as someone who thought for many years that lighter was better.

[close]

I hear that and I know I should have. Sometimes it's just hard for me to concentrate on any other activity because nothing else scratches that itch than skating.

I agree with you though. I really like the feedback and momentum of a normal cast truck especially on anything involving transition. I've been going back and forth with a light truck and a normal cast that's a bit wider than the board for most of this year because of two setups and while both are completely usable I still like the non-hollow more.

 I feel you on the wanting to skate so bad it gets in the way of proper rehab, but over time I've come to realize just how important that shit is.

Especially as I get older, it just has to become a priority.

[bokchoy]

I hate seeing set ups with wheels bigger than 54. Theres no need for that your just following the hype.

You must live in California, exclusively skate parks, or mostly perfect surfaces. Street skating on the East coast anything <54 fucking sucks. 56 is the best atv size. Hefty enough for the streets and large enough for speed on transitions.

[bokchoy]

I think people who obsess over setups and minute measurements on their setups use not having the magic setup as an excuse for why they suck.

[swongolianbbq]

I think people who obsess over setups and minute measurements on their setups use not having the magic setup as an excuse for why they suck.

That's 100% why

At least for me it is. I was trying to figure out some super generic shit, so I can never blame the board again!

I don't suck for the record but I certainly have lost a few tricks over the years

[Ok]

I think people who obsess over setups and minute measurements on their setups use not having the magic setup as an excuse for why they suck.

there is that.

i tend to get too inspired: if a favorite pro rides this that and that, i want to try that combination of items, i. the sizes that i think they use.
which imo, is way kookier.

[DarkPools]

I think people who obsess over setups and minute measurements on their setups use not having the magic setup as an excuse for why they suck.

The line between "oh, I wanna figure out what specs of my gear are compatible with or enhance my skills" and "obsessing over gear specs as the sole reason why XYZ tricks don't work" blurs the longer you keep skating, sadly hahah

Anyways, I usually keep it simple: F4, BBS 8.38 - 8.5, Indys, and I'll make it work. Sometimes the green goblin mask calls me to try something new/different!

[JM]

I think people who obsess over setups and minute measurements on their setups use not having the magic setup as an excuse for why they suck.

Post as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then some axle bends
Unexpectedly

Just a little change
Small to say the least
Board a little scared
Neither one prepared
Madness and the Peace
Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the truck will grind

Tale as old as time
Tuning old as song
Pretty sweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong

Certain as the wheels
Rolling in the east
Post as old as time
Flip as old as rhyme
Madness and the Peace

Post as old as time
Flip as old as rhyme
Madness and the Peace

[Ben DeGros, spoken]
Off to the dungeon with you now, Bok
It's past your bedtime
Goodnight, you

[Coffee]

I think people who obsess over setups and minute measurements on their setups use not having the magic setup as an excuse for why they suck.

I was caught up in the madness for years and still suck. I finally embraced having a quiver and it helps but realistically I could do every trick I can do on all 3 of the setups I have that are all different sizes. It’s usually what I feel like skating that day that determines which setup I take with me.