We all know how crucial the sole of a skate shoe is for its durability and board feel. While much about the sole is a matter of personal preference, innovations in this area are always interesting and worth a closer look. One such innovation is the long-standing collaboration between tire manufacturer Michelin and etnies, which promises to make skate shoe soles up to three times more durable.
The etnies Aurelien, the pro model skate shoe from French hardflip expert Aurelien Giraud, now features a Michelin sole. We tested whether this upgrade enhances the already durable shoe, which is designed with a double-stitched ollie area and reinforced upper materials for added toughness.
First impression:
Initially, the shoe felt quite stiff and firm. It appears very stable, with high-quality materials that are exceptionally well crafted. When trying them on for the first time, the stance feels solid and the foot sits comfortably in the shoe.
The slightly thicker materials on the outside initially seem a bit bulky, but they promise good protection. After a few attempts at walking and skating, it was clear that the shoe maintains excellent board feel and the padding serves its purpose well.
As expected, the Michelin sole provides excellent grip, especially on fresh griptape and effectively cushions higher drops.
Conclusion after about 20 hours:
Within the first few hours, the shoe broke in nicely, softening the initial rigidity to a comfortable level. Its stability remained excellent even after extended use. The shoe’s design is typical for etnies, but the Aurelien seems to be a great combination of different models, especially with the new Michelin sole. Even after 20 hours, the sole shows hardly any signs of wear.
The flick remains exceptional even after numerous flips, without feeling worn out. After about 20–25 hours, one of the laces broke, but this was partly due to using two fresh boards.
In conclusion, testing the etnies x Michelin Aurelien was a very good experience and I would buy it again – the board feel paired with the protection mentioned earlier result in a good all-round shoe, which is suitable for many skate styles.
Pros
- amazing fit, foot sits comfortably in a typical for etnies wide foot bed
- tongue is very well-shaped, does not slip and its material is breathable
- the overall materials are high-quality, stable and well-crafted
- extremely good board feel – despite the cup sole and slightly thicker outer material
Cons
- cup sole very hard at the beginning but still secures a lot of feeling
- price