Emerica’s The Leo is available in a vegan colorway in an all synthetic-nubuck upper! Leo Remero’s shoe in a slightly different style has been in the lineup every season for over four years. This is the first time a shoe with his name sake has been available in a vegan colorway and its a looker in Black and Royal Blue!
The Leo is coming in the material we hear requested time and time again, synthetic-leather. (or in this case Premium Polyurethane Nubuck) This is no easy wear synthetic either. The Leo has a hard, smooth feel to the toe caps and sides but still is an all around light weight shoe. With no outer stitching connecting the toe to upper, it has a cleaner look, instead there is just some extra thick faux-foxing tape for extra toe-wear.
Puffy padded tongues are far and few between these days, but The Leo has a perfect cushion in the tongue and collar. Enough to keep the top of the foot protected and breathing easy!
The heals are capped in blue and embossed with the Emerica logo! You can feel the benefit of the stiff but snug heals when you push your board. It stays firmly connected to the lower ankle with the heal solidly in place. This is an essential part of skateboard shoes. When coupled with a nicely fitted toe, which The Leo has, you slip the shoe on and want to skate!
Emerica has been moving to a different tread on most of their shoes. A diamond like triangle pattern that is in fact the Emerica logo silhouette. While it may get an upgrade eventually, the herringbone tread is plenty grippy. For what has become a mainstay of the Emerica line this is a classic feel that works.
A quick skate, about 2 hours worth, reveals the strength of the Premium Polyurethane Nubuck upper. The box stitching at the bottom of the lace cage held up super well in the Tempsters. Even after the stitching wore through it never blew out. A similar scenario on The Leo and a more durable material should yield even smoother results. All around this shoe feels good and shows some real promise. As for the fit, Emerica sent us a 10.5 where our usual requested size is 10. Good call on their part, because The Leo runs slightly small. Something to keep in mind with any cupsole.
We’ll be updating the skate-wear in a few weeks but if you want to get a pair, we don’t expect you’ll be disappointed.
Emerica size 6-14 $64.99
———————————————————————————————————If you have a total boner for Leo nows a good time to get a pair and head out to one of many premiers of Made, (part 1) the new Emerica video featuring Leo Romero! Vegan Skate Blog will be at the Uprise Premiere in Chicago, and chances are there is one at your local shop this weekend too! Check your local listing.
special thanks to Sean Conley for assisting with photos.
Great looking shoe. Looks sturdy and durable. It reminds me of Adidas but only sleeker looking. Great find! 🙂