With all the crazy members of the Etnies family and all the latest developments the US brand giving 100%! Right in time for the release of the Etnies Marana XT I laced it up and took it to the street lap.
The Etnies Marana XT
“Built by skateboarding since 1986” – This sentence dominates the introduction to the new version of Etnies’ flagship ‘Marana’. For 30 years now, the brand from Lake Forest, California embodies the attitude that their shoes are meant to represent the skateboarding of their riders. Presently Ryan Sheckler and Chris Joslin riding their own Marana XT colorways. And that not without a reason. I did skate a few intense sessions with the Marana TX and now I’ll tell you something about fit, feeling, and durability of this iconic skate shoe.
Fit & Feel
„… In addition, the shoe features perforated sidewalls to make this Etnies skate shoe comfortable and breathable…“
The Marana literally is a solid cup sole model without beeing too thick as other skate shoes. Equipped with a padded tongue, a reinforced heel area, a shock-absorbing STI Evolution Foam midsole, and a connected Foam Lite 1 footbed these shoes feature some impact and a nice wearing comfort. In addition, the shoe features perforated sidewalls to make this Etnies skate shoe comfortable and breathable. During a longer session, I noticed this breathability. Nevertheless my feet sweat.
For me, the shoe featured an average board feel and grip. At the beginning, the Marana XT felt hard and stiff. But after the first few days of getting used to the shoe, it felt more and more comfortable.
You’ll get a nice flick with the typical polyurethane flow-molded toe cap. At the beginning, I wasn’t sure about that but it felt really good while doing different flip tricks. It leaves the traces of previous use and consumption visible but lasts.
With a wide shape, the Marana XT perfectly fits on my feet. Because I have broader feet, this shoe felt wonderful, even during longer sessions. At this point and once again, I have to underline the shock-absorbing STI Evolution Foam midsole, and a connected Foam Lite 1 footbed. If you skate a lot with impact, I definitely recommend you the Etnies Marana XT!
Durability
„…Even after more than 15 sessions, the material is rarely affected…“
This Etnies model is one of the most durable shoes I ever skated with. All the demanded areas, Ollie or flip sections, are very resistant. Even after more than 15 sessions, the material is rarely affected. Wear marks can just be found above the top lace eyelet. That’s nearly nothing compared to other skate shoes. The Etnies Marana XT is a tank of a shoe!
Conclusion
All in all, I have to name two main points of this shoe: Durability and shock absorption. Especially I recommend this footwear to all skaters who skate many and intense sessions with stairs, gaps and a lot of impacts. It’s not a surprise that Chris Joslin and Ryan Sheckler skate these shoes. Due to the STI Evolution Foam midsole and the wide shape you’ll get a nice wearing comfort as well. Deduction of points I have to make is the a short period of introduction. BUT in the case of all the features, it’s worth the time. Have fun with the Marana XT!