Etnies Marana XT Skate Shoes Wear Test Review
When we heard that Etnies was revamping one of our favorite skate shoes, we couldn't wait to get Tactics team rider Caleb Grant in a pair of Etnies Marana XT Skate Shoes for a wear test review. The classic style and substantial support of the original Marana has been Caleb's go to for years, but the XT's upgrades have made it his new favorite shoe.
The thickly padded upper has been slimmed down to provide better flexibility, while an exposed STI midsole has been added for improved impact support. The toe has also been upgraded with a brand new PU flow molded toe cap. During Etnies' testing, they found that the Marana XT's toe cap lasted three times longer than a standard rubber toe cap. We don't have the science to prove it, but after two hard weeks of skating, Caleb was just starting to break through to the suede. For the way he skates and how much time he spends at the park, we were pretty impressed. The cupsole construction definitely takes a little longer to break in than your average vulc shoe, but has excellent board feel once you put some time in, and provides solid impact protection, even for heavy dudes that like to jump down stairs.
If you want a durable shoe that can handle anything, Caleb says, "this is the best shoe".
