Emerica Hsu G6 Skate Shoes Wear Test Review
The Emerica Hsu G6 may be the best new skate shoe of 2016. It's packed with technology but somehow still manages to look and feel like the classic skate shoes we know and love. The tech starts with a hybrid vulcanized construction that utilizes a G6 midsole to add additional support and impact protection in the heel while allowing free flexing board feel in the forefoot. It also includes an internally welded G6 frame and large neoprene tongue centering bands to secure a snug and supportive fit that doesn't bag out over time. These technologies provide a more versatile, better fitting shoe while also allowing Emerica to strip out all unnecessary materials and create the lightest mid top vulc on the market.
For more info and photos of all the tech, check out our Emerica Hsu G6 Skate Shoes post. This post gets down to the nitty gritty of how they preformed and held up on the board.
Tactics skate team rider and shop manager Justin James laced up a pair and gave them some heavy abuse. He found the lightweight construction to be very noticeable in his hands and on his feet. The forefoot of the shoes bent well out of the box, but it did take a session or two for Justin to fully break in the G6 frame and get a natural flex out of the entire shoe.
Once broken in, they skated well for all types of riding. Its flexibility and board feel lends well to techy flat ground and ledge tricks while offering enough support and stability for some sizable stair sets. Justin also commented that the suede and rubber foxing tape felt grippier than other Emerica shoes and gave the Hsu great flick for flip tricks.
Justin James Kickflip | P. Kyle Richner
After three solid weeks of skating, the shoes are still holding up well. The suede is starting to rip through on the toe, but there is another layer of durable material underneath. It feels somewhat similar to a rip-stop material and is likely part of the G6 frame. Justin is confident that he'll be able to skate the shoes for at least another week without worrying about ripped socks.
Providing an extra layer of durability is a bonus of the G6 frame, but it also followed through on its main function. Most shoes start to feel loose and floppy after a couple weeks, but Justin says the shoes feel exactly the same after three weeks as they did after two days.
Finally, we take a look at the outsoles. When compared to a fresh pair, its hard to identify any substantial wear. We don't know if the material is any different, but Justin mentioned that the soles felt grippier than other Emerica shoes that he's skated.
So there you have it, the Emerica Hsu held up to the hype and delivered an extremely lightweight, flexible skate shoe that held up to daily abuse while offering substantial support and impact protection. This is a versatile shoe that any skater could be hyped on, but if you're not into mid tops, check out our Emerica Hsu Low Wear Test.