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Some background info. Etnies footwear is one of the oldest skate shoe companies in the world, being around for over twenty years. They've housed many great skaters through their time and released the first pro model shoe. The modern pro team consists of Ryan Sheckler, Arto Saari, Ali Boulala, Jason Dill, Ronnie Creager, Elissa Steamer, Rune Gilfberg and Kyle Leeper. Also, since Etnies is such a popular shoe brand, people tend to automatically think they're bad skate shoes. Here's a shocker, though, you know those Emericas and eS's you love so much? They're all the same shoes.
The shoe I'm reviewing today is the Etnies Facto. To be fair, this isn't a great shoe for me to review because they were a size too small. Once broken in, though, they felt fine.
Looks:
Personally, I think they're not that bad looking. Kind of like a mix between Cannon's and Accels. The camo is a little bit gay on my colorway, but it grows on you. They are bulky as hell though, which is my main complaint. I think that if they were slimmed down a little bit, they would be much better looking shoes. I mean, the tongue is like an inch and half thick.
Price:
These are an older model, and can be found pretty cheap. I bought mine at Pacsun for $9.35. Well worth it for the price. Normally, though, they sell anywhere from $59.95 and $69.95. Definitly not worth it for that price. I only suggest buying these shoes if they are on sale for really cheap. There are many better shoes out there for a better price.
Boardfeel:
Lolwhere? Let me put it this way, you can jump off a building and wouldn't even feel the impact when you're wearing these things. I mean, it's just so rediculously padded. These are great shoes if ALL you skate is stairs and drops. But for the slightest amount of tech skating, awful. You could definitly learn to get used to it and skate fine, but if you're a weak skater who's easily affected by wierd gear, these are definitly not the shoes for you.
Grip:
Personally, I think these shoes have awful grip. The sole design is just so bad and thick cut. The cutaways in the grip are so deep and the sole so stiff, it might as well be smoth rubber. Once again proving this is NOT a tech shoe. In fact, I can't see any style of skating that this kind of sole would serve well. If you just land a little bit off bolts, you're going to slide out. Seriously, what was Etnies smoking wheny they though of this sole? It's just rediculously bad. Plus, just to add to it, it wears away fast. I've been skating these for three weeks and my front foot is shaving away and my back has a nice, big flatspot.
Durability:
I can't speak for every model they have, since mine is that shitty action suede, but let me say that this model has the feel of bricks and durability of socks. After four hours of skating, I started to see some minor rips and scrapes on my front foot and a tiny scuff on my back. Not alot of switch skating. Not big deal. Two days later, the entire front part of the toes ripped completely open, the stitching ripped open and the side rupper shaved down real good. Also, I've gone through two sets of laces already. These shoes don't even make an attempt at lace protection. They might as well made the inside of the lace holes fitted with razorblades. Horrible.
Overall, for the price I paid for them, great shoes. For the original price, some of the worst shoes on the market. These shoes really have nothing going for them. Etnies really slacked on these disgraces.
2/10
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