Vegan Skate Blog

After about 10 hours of skate time, we take a second look at the Vans [Rowley] Pro. Available in 3 synthetic colorways. Black, Navy, and Red (pictured) all using a really nice looking synthetic-nubuck upper!

The bright red that once popped has been muddied (quite literally) by the dirty winter skating that is just a fact of life here in Chicago. Even still, the Rowley Pro looks great and seems to be wearing smoothly.

Closer look at the toe, ollie area and lace cage, the usual offenders are getting the business end of the grip. The synthetic nubuck is smooth and takes a fair bit of abuse which is surprising, considering how thin the upper feels. Over all the shoe is extremely light but feels protecting, especially around the tongue and top of the shoe.

The vulcanized waffle soles have deep pockets all over, but the ball of the foot is wearing fast, Its the area that always makes you look at a Vans shoe and wish you could get a re-tread. The bottoms still feel super gummy and grippy though, so as longs as that lasts the board feel and maneuverability are going to be excellent.

Vans Rowley Pros feel super padded and comfortable when skating all day, and thats likely due to the inserts. Super cushiony at the heal and ball of the foot. Even if you don’t skate in them they are nice shoes to just stand around in. Needless to say, hard slams get a bit more cushion then the typical Vans shoe.

Summing it all up there are a few things that need to be mentioned. Most important, the sizing.

In the comments of the First Look we had several people talking about the sizing. Most felt that the Rowley Pro is running large. It would probably be advisable to try a half size down.  The size 10s we are skating feel loose. If you tighten them then its not to bad, but the heal is slipping.  If Vans fixes this its going to be a solid skate shoe. Get the right size and you may fall in love.

They are easy on, easy off. The soft mesh collar doesn’t offer to much ankle protection, but they don’t dig in either. The Rowley Pro feels so light but protective up front and on the ball of the foot, this means skating all day isn’t an issue.

Despite all the synthetic nubuck, the feet breath! No doubt your feet my sweat, but not like other synthetics.

(For full disclosure, the PR Coordinator for Vans could not confirm the origins of the glues. After looking into the issue further, Vans said they just couldn’t be sure.)

Vans size 6.5-16 $65.00 (synthetic in Black, Navy, and Red)

The Pistol is the newest team model from Supra and comes in an all canvas upper vegan colorway! Designed for skateboarding this silhouette shoe is light weight and free moving around the collar with some extra padding in the rounded tongue. The toebox is a solid piece for consistent wear as is the style. The two tone look is nice and a little chill for Supra, usually known for a bit of flair. Vulcanized soles for the close board feel combined with Supra’s skate insoles should provide some nice cushion for the pushin’.

Zumiez size 7-13 54.95

Supra size 7-13 $55.00

The Praxis Core is back in another vegan colorway. The lower cut of the Core has many of the elements that you think of when you think classic skateboard shoe: cup soled, padded, and double stitching everywhere! Praxis as we mentioned in our review last year of the Elemental is a core-skate company focused like a laser on the skateboard community.

This season the Core features a textured synthetic-leather and ballistic canvas upper. The collar has a nice cut around the ankle with a nice bit of padding without making the shoe look fat. The tongue is thin but still has some cushioning to keep your feet comfortable.

Praxis’s “Sacred Sole,” which is featured across the entire line of shoes manages to be extremely light, flexible, and durable! It feels so close to the board you’ll think its a vulc, but it has the style and comfort of a cupsole.

Zumiez size 8-13 $59.95