giantsfan7791
03-08-2008, 10:41 PM
This is my review for the Lakai/Independent Koston Select. It’s a collaboration between Lakai and Independent, which basically means Indy slaps their logo on the shoe to try to get more buyers and to take a share of the profit. I bought them at Zumiez (it was Black Friday so I couldn’t get proper discounts from online shops) on sale, still kind of expensive at $50.
http://www.exitrealworld.com/catalog/images/Lakai_shoes_koston_select_ltd_indy_black_suede.jpg
Boardfeel: It’s a vulcanized shoe (which, from reading my future reviews, you’ll learn that I <3 vulc) so it would a naturally high amount of boardfeel. It has just as much boardfeel as any shoe I’ve ever skated, a lot more than most, and breaks in fairly quickly. 9/10
Grip: The grip pattern on the bottom is pretty different to me but it works great. They lose their grip fairly quick though. The rest of the shoe works very well grip-wise. The top drags on the grip very well. 7/10
Comfort: Very comfortable shoes, especially if you change the insoles for added protection (seeing how this is a vulcanized shoe). I didn’t do that though and I would damn near sleep in these even today if my toe wasn’t broken. These are epic lushness. 11/10
Durability: Lasted much longer than any vulcanized shoe typically lasts. I bought them the day after Thanksgiving and I skated them until mid-December. Not to say that I can’t skate them any more, they’re still in good shape, I just haven’t skated since mid-December. I of course superglued the stitching and used shoe goo where it applied and so should you (quick tip, get your shoe goo in the shoe section of any walmart, much cheaper than at skate shops). 7/10 (9/10 according to vulcanized standards)
Padding and Support: Being vulcanized shoes, they don’t support much at all. I got frequent toe/heel bruise but I was skating 5-9 stairs. If you skate flat or small stair cases you won’t have any serious problems. 6/10
Design: Good design on them, you won’t feel embarrassed walking around in these (that is, until you trash them and look like a hobo in ripped-up shoes). It’s a low-profile, get the job done kind of design that shows that shoes don’t need an elaborate picture on them to be good. To me, it’s an 8.5/10
Overall: Great shoe, if you can find them at an acceptable price, BUY THEM! You won’t be disappointed. They feel great, will hold up fairly well, and they’ll definitely help you with your progression as a skater. 9/10
http://www.exitrealworld.com/catalog/images/Lakai_shoes_koston_select_ltd_indy_black_suede.jpg
Boardfeel: It’s a vulcanized shoe (which, from reading my future reviews, you’ll learn that I <3 vulc) so it would a naturally high amount of boardfeel. It has just as much boardfeel as any shoe I’ve ever skated, a lot more than most, and breaks in fairly quickly. 9/10
Grip: The grip pattern on the bottom is pretty different to me but it works great. They lose their grip fairly quick though. The rest of the shoe works very well grip-wise. The top drags on the grip very well. 7/10
Comfort: Very comfortable shoes, especially if you change the insoles for added protection (seeing how this is a vulcanized shoe). I didn’t do that though and I would damn near sleep in these even today if my toe wasn’t broken. These are epic lushness. 11/10
Durability: Lasted much longer than any vulcanized shoe typically lasts. I bought them the day after Thanksgiving and I skated them until mid-December. Not to say that I can’t skate them any more, they’re still in good shape, I just haven’t skated since mid-December. I of course superglued the stitching and used shoe goo where it applied and so should you (quick tip, get your shoe goo in the shoe section of any walmart, much cheaper than at skate shops). 7/10 (9/10 according to vulcanized standards)
Padding and Support: Being vulcanized shoes, they don’t support much at all. I got frequent toe/heel bruise but I was skating 5-9 stairs. If you skate flat or small stair cases you won’t have any serious problems. 6/10
Design: Good design on them, you won’t feel embarrassed walking around in these (that is, until you trash them and look like a hobo in ripped-up shoes). It’s a low-profile, get the job done kind of design that shows that shoes don’t need an elaborate picture on them to be good. To me, it’s an 8.5/10
Overall: Great shoe, if you can find them at an acceptable price, BUY THEM! You won’t be disappointed. They feel great, will hold up fairly well, and they’ll definitely help you with your progression as a skater. 9/10