There's a hole in the skate shoe market for well-made 90s-style un-fussy cupsoles with a Goldilocks amount of puff on them and Etnies seem to be leading the slow race to corner that segment - I think we should all send Etnies letters of encouragement to step their game up and win our business.

Also, Hidden lace loops are needed in every shoe. EVERY shoe. Laces are torn first, in my experience. It's crazy we don't get extra laces anymore + no lace protection. And if there are hidden loops it's like only for a couple loops, not all the way up the shoe.

Etnies should have a monument to girls who hung out in the mall and would fight you.

Biggest problem with Etnies has always been that logo

finally someone was able to articulate why i dont like skating dunks

Nobody seems to be talking about the edit you put together. Flip tricks are on point but that nollie half cab crook was absolutely perfect.

Shoe design and manufacturing takes years. Andy Anderson did a video about how long it takes and how difficult it is to get a new shoe released. The video is on NKAvids

Wanna know what I think Ben? That you care. There aren’t too many brands from that period that haven’t been mutilated or contorted into an image they were not.

OG Accels are the best shoes!!

I've been searching far and wide for the Scam/Rap without any success. It's the only reason I got the Joslin 1's, because it was the one model that most resembled the old ones. So glad someone with a bigger platform is suggesting these ideas, because it's absolutely insane how out of touch the decision makers are with the landscape. Thank you, Sir Ben

100% agree, the Michelin is not a gimmick. I was skating the busenitz and, although I don’t dislike them overall, I was having trouble keeping the board on my feet during the ollie into back lips. Then, having forgotten to shoe goo them, I grabbed a pair of joslins I was using for walking around. Instantly, the board (same deck) felt stuck to my feet and my back lip consistency skyrocketed.

All I know is that Andy Anderson has an Etnies pro-model, and I heard him say that Etnies was the first company to make an actual skate-shoe, designed for skateboarding.

I have skated like 5 pairs of etnies maranas till I put a hole on the bottom and on the sides. Some of them had the entire side of my shoe missing and I could still skate in them. I find the bottom to be slippery but it lasts longer. It's comfortable and I don't feel any bulk in them.

I've been skating the eS swift 1.5 and they are probably my favorite cup sole right now.

Seeing these in person at my local shop I was blown away by the quality despite the bad logo and slightly embarrassing E I knew in my heart of hearts that this shoe had what I needed to skate my best. The michillen 3x is so good and the hidden toe cap adds even more structure, the shoe keeps it's form and has the best flick. If they do a rebrand of the logo and make smart appealing colors like the navy and white they would appeal to more skaters. The fact that they offer a variety of soles for different shoes is good all though personally i'll be sticking with the michillen 3x because it adds to the overall sturdy construction and durability that I like.

I'm glad you're speaking up and challenging them. Most companies either don't care what we want or think they know what we want. It would be nice for a change if someone would listen. I've skated etnies since the 90s also. That soft spot is real bc they used to be so good.

I think the colour ways in a lot of sole tech shoes let them down… I’m a big fan of the accel slim and skated a few pairs in a row but the colours put me right off and now I’m skating Thiago 808’s. If they made an all white, suede accel slim, I’d come running right back!

Those airwalks he showed are probably the coolest pair I’ve ever seen

damn, have just seen, that u got over 100k subs now 😳 keep it up man!

You are completely right! I skated the last years only vans shoes. But i was in the skateshops of germany and saw only the big companys available in shops. I decided to go back to skater owend shoes. Its heartbreaking for me to see no skaterowend shoe brands anymore in the shops on the wall. Only soletech shoes and lakai are available and only online. Iam back on soltech shoes, where i belong to. I love the emerica slip on, wino and jon dickson shoes. Lets push our community again in the right direction! Nothing against the big player, but if i have the choice, i love to support the smaller business. And with 32 i have the choice and the money to buy the shoes i like and not which are the cheapest.

I wouldn't be surprised if they were already planning on releasing older models.

Great timing! I bought my first pair of Maranas. Cant complain. I like them a lot and have already bought a second pair. I used to wear Vans, and still do. But the Maranas are great. I will have to give the Joslins a try now too!

Agree with everything you’ve mentioned. That E logo with the star would do very well today. And even the font style used on the sole spelling out Etnies is nice.

All i skate now are Joslins. No break in, great flick and feel straight out the box. The flick doesn’t get affected by the wear. Decent colours that aren’t over the top. They also look damn good and have the perfect amount of padding.

ben can you give some last resorts a try? perhaps their new cupsole?

This is great! looking forward to better products if they listen to your ideas! Also looking forward to the rest of the mini ramp build tutorial!!

I've mostly skated eS Swift 1.5 for the past 2 years and they're one of my favourite shoes lately. I agree how awesome Joslins are but lately I bought Estrellas and I like them very much also.

Back in the early to mid 90's my favorite Etnies were the rap and the sal 23 before it moved over to es. I would buy both again if they made them in all black.

I agree with pretty much all of your aesthetic suggestions. Definitely remember having the hideous red MC raps shown at 5:32 back in the day 😂. Now I skate the maranas and have really liked the Michelin rubber as well.

The éS accel OG’s are awesome skate shoes

Such good analysis. One thing you mentioned in your original joslin review (I think?) that very few show reviews seem to account for is the fact that a flimsy sole negatively affects pop. So while the joslin’s may feel a little stiff out the box, the upside is how fresh the pop feels.

Didn’t hate that brown color but that 93 can go bye bye LOVE YOI

Thank you for this! Been skating es and etnies lately and they feel absolutely fantastic, but I hate looking down at my feet sometimes. The colorways are so outlandish. Been leaving reviews begging for normal/subdued colorways. Hopefully, they take heed at some point

Ben, you won’t want to, but we need it! Gotta see Ben rockin some DCs for the nostalgia. I stayed away from bulky shoes for a while but last year I finally brought some out the closet I have been keep. Man I loved those shoes (Tribeka) the dc toe cap and just the overall construction brought me back to the 90s. This year DC has had lots of different lynx zero’s on sale. I’ve bought many pairs. Let me tell you there is zero break in, they are light and for a cup sole they aren’t very bulky. My lord the nostalgia on these ones. Everytime I set up for a trick I get a confidence boost from how proper everything looks and feels. You gotta do it Ben! I promise you will get a little giddy from how they feel so perfect. Lynx Zeros for that special feeling! ($30ish dollars on the website right now too, cannot beat that price)

I loved etnies in the past and I just got back into them with the Joslins. I love the Joslins with Michelin rubber. They are a go-to shoe for me, that I have multiple pairs, and almost always have a pair in my car. Def agree there are some bad colorways, but also some good ones. I've really enjoyed rekindling my relationship with Etnies. I also skate a lot of Mids, so I wish there were more Mids to choose from in the lineup. My other two go-to shoes are the Converse Louis Lopez and Vans Half Cab. In general, I find many skate shoes to be too skinny and not wide enough.

Its been close to 30 years since I last wore a pair of Etnies. Just for nostalia's sake, I'd consider rockin a pair of re-issues.

Been skating a mix of the Figgys, ksl's and accel slims over the past couple of years and have been very satisfied with their performance and durability...BUT Ben is right about the color ways, and I agree about that early 00's etnies logo too. I'd prefer they keep it a little simpler color-wise, maybe even just less contrast/clash in color pairings. That logo is straight metal militia, x games motocross cheese too. They should only bring it out for era appropriate reissues.

I’ve been a major proponent of Sole Tech since I started skating in 2008. Emerica seems a bit directionless, but their G6 cupsoles are on point. éS makes some excellent shoes, like the Quattro and Silo SC (and, the Accel Slim with upgraded insoles). My favorite Etnies shoe before the Marana dropped was the Rap Vulc in 2009. The Rap and Accel share similar panels.

I had the Natas Etnies back in the day because I’m that old. Even though they haven’t been cool for as long as the average skater has been alive, I could definitely see kids wearing the Scams with some giant contrast stitched jeans just like we used to.

Just ordered my second pair of those Mc Raps. Love em'! Black, Grey, and White colorway would be nice. Very nice! I agree, no perforations, no 93, and use the same material as the rest of the shoe instead of the white material. Basically a Rap.

Love your ideas man would love to see the return of the star logo

I've been going back and forth between Fader's and Kingpins, depending on available colorways. Personally I love (and prefer) the Kingpin hands down! If they had a "middle ground" shoe as you stated I'd be in those in a heartbeat. Fader's, Kingpins, and Accel OG's and too bulky, but my ankles don't feel as stable in their slimmer models. You're on to something Ben, I really hope they listen!

The RVM's are a hidden treasure along with the dc pures and you are exactly right about the dunks making you rocket flip lol my kickflips are cleaner now that i skate shoes with more board feel and less sole

I agree. I sent a request about a month ago for colours for several of the shoes. Sadly, they disappointed me. Best colour would be the bright blue from the Joslin 2s but on the 1's

That's the exact shoe I'm skating rn 😂

The Scams! Such a good looking shoe. I agree, Etnies has a lot of potential. They could easily become the brand that has a good selection of shoes that are in between bulky and slim in the right way. The 90’s style is only getting bigger in skating right now. If they’re going to do it they better get on it. They need to keep it simple if it’s going to work though.

Agree with you on the rank colour-ways, and generally loving the skate feel of Etnies. I foudn the Joslin's too well reinforced for me, ended up not skating them but have had 3-pairs of the Etnies Score ('Matt Berger' with Michelin rubber) and they have the perfect balance of board feel and durability/comfort for me. Hope they keep getting made. I skated some eS Accel slims in between and they feel like they have no padding and I feel every landing harder than I want too.

I skated a pair or barges not long ago & LOVED them. The flick & pop lasted a long time. I skated them until my toes hung out lol

Currently riding the kingpin...they were super cheap (on sale), and I'm loving them. Mid 90s Etnies were THE best skate shoes ever. My favorites were the Screw--I got them because I wanted something that would last a really long time, and they did--the leather was thick, triple stitching, legit layer of rubber between FULL layers of leather. The original Etnies sole was also thick and lasted long as well. Etnies disappeared starting in 95 (when Emerica became a new thing). I bought a pair of lo-cuts at the local shop and was told they were going to stop making Etnies and were going with a new company called "E America" (which I'm guessing was the name before it became Emerica). Sole Tech also was doing Sheep around then, then Es started, and Etnies made a comeback, but they were totally off the market for a couple of years.

Etnies are my all time favourite shoes. Currently having a blast on the És Eos. I love a all black or burgundy shoe. The big logos are not my thing either. But the joslin have those claw marks and I do fancy those. A small fine logo is better then a big fat no no. Loved the video and crispy edit saving the best for last!❤

1000% with you! I'm an Etnies fan since the mid 90's. I'm skating the Maranas for a couple of years now and I wouldn't go back to another model. They're the perfect shoes for me. The Michelin is so great. I personaly don't like the full colored shoes. They should have an all black or all white one for each model cause I think that old skaters are more into sober shoes.

Ernies lo cut were my first REAL skate shoe. Always brings nostalgia when I see them. I would exclusively wear Ernies if they made the shoes you're talking about.

I remember loving skating the shecklers back in the day

I think they should do a customer chosen poll for a portion of what they produce. I think every company should involve customers to some extent.

ben, i am watching you till the day i am searching about skateboarding. i was watching videos on youtube but i had to save money for something else. so i bought my first setup and yesterday i was in skatepark for the first time. anyway, etnies is the shoe that i've bought with my setup. i wanted to share this information with you, lol. i saw a video that you were in istanbul and it made me happy, and now you approved the etnies and you made me happy again. by the way, you have the right to give suggestions to companies. you are the guy.

I haven’t skated Ernie’s since the late 90’s but the lo cut was my first actual new skate shoe In my opinion the sal23 was their best shoe. I also enjoyed the SLB very durable and more comfort than the 23’s

I had big bulky Etnies in middle school back in the day that I loved. Had a board back then, but didn't know how to do anything on it. Now I'm in my 30s and am actually learning to skate. I've tried a few different brands, but haven't tried Etnies yet. I've gone to their site a few times looking to be convinced to buy something, but just don't really love how anything looks. I'm with you on the logo, Ben - the "capital" E/arrow thing just isn't it. I like the "lowercase m" looking E, personally. I'm sure the shoes skate great, but I want them to look good as well. When I'm done with what I'm skating now, my next pick will probably be some Lakais, Last Resorts, or New Balances. Sadly, Etnies likely won't make the cut. Edit: Also, let's get some more velcro! Always wanted to try those.

I wear the Marana as a daily shoe and its the only shoe I've worn where i can get it in a regular size. Normally i have to wear quad wide shoes which makes finding anything difficult but with the Marana, its a easy fit.

LOVE the Kingpin! Been skating them since 2020. Black/Grey/Gum for life!

Slim Accel and Swift 1.5 were both really similar and also pretty great for me. I gotta try those Joslins.

Just got the joslins cause of your review and the Estrellas cause they were on super sale but i do with for a mike v reissue under a different name or something tho. Love all that sole tech makes tho, only brand i know of to have a 14 always available in any colorway and limited run

It would be best if you tried the Aurelian Pro model, or Estrella model, which has everything I consider functional for skating, hidden lace loops, a hidden toe cap in the ollie area, a padded tongue and collar lining that locks the foot in, and much more. The black ones look awesome in either model. For me looks like the perfect balance between a padded and slim skate shoe. Comfort, durability, function, and style. Not a fan of the old models of etnies.

Nice Spite-fire shirt lol. Skating some Etnies atm. Haven’t had a good chance to session them yet, but they are comfortable after I broke them in and the Michelin is super grippy. Haven’t skated Etnies since I was 17 (17 years ago) when I had a pair of the Arto Saari models. Black and white, they were cool as. Also recently was NKA’s video with Andy talking about his new Etnies model coming out next year. And I am already sold on them. So I think that will help the company out a lot.

Currently riding the Marana with the Michelin sole and loving these shoes.

I've been eyeing up those MC Raps for a few days now myself. The Bones collab looks stunning, as do the ones you have here. I actually held back because altho they looked like that middle ground Accel that you mentioned I wasn't sure just by the image. I love the OG Accels but yeah they're big. I got sucked into the Slims since eS came back 7 yrs ago but as I mentioned before they've become even slimmer since they 1st released (sneaky & to cut costs), & they hurt badly. Plus you can't get a good insole inside them as they're so narrow & tight. The Joslins as I said b4 are beautiful, but I love that Accel style image, so you've just sold me on these Ben!!❤

Etnies re-issued scams a few years ago,I had two pairs they we one of the best shoes I have ever skated. Always thought they should be a staple in their line up,glad you've told hopefully they take it on board.

I remember in the 90s when all the jocks started rocking the czars

The kingpins were my very first skateshoe. Such good memories 💜

I'm currently skating the etnies rebel series there my favorite shoe I've skated in a while. My only complaint is there is not much heel padding. Currently saving for the andy anderson shoes or the estrellas

Ben could tell me how jumping off a cliff would make my skating better, and I'd do it. Love you Pappa Ben.

ETNIES have been my absolute favorite Shows for over 20 years

HAHA! OMG, Love the Accel and it was so good. For me. Though I came from the bulky DC's with big ass tounges at the time. At the same time I've never been as good as you so I guess the attitude of the bulky accels made up for the lack of talent. ;)

100% agree - I remember when the Marana was released I was a bit shocked given the landscape at the time, but it's actually a really amazing skate shoe. I've never skated the Joslin but I get incredibly similar vibes from that shoe.

Your plan is a great one I agree very much with it. The e star logo needs to return, the scam, intercity, and the screw(cup sole half cab? Take my money!!)all would do well right now. I’ve almost bought current etnies a few times but that logo is such a bummer it’s not what I saw when I was 15 and reminds me of motocross.

I think you are completely right hitting them up and getting them back on track. Etnies n és is my two all time favorite skate shoe brand. Im not with you on the color point tho. I think they havent gone far enough. Ofc they have to have some nice simple colorways, but i think they should do some full out new colorway designs that is more bold and out there. I think that that is actually a big factor to why Nike SB is more at a standby situation now when most of the people skating Nike shoes skates Dunks or J's. I think their way of making shoes that fit peoples different personalities is a huuuuuuge selling point. Plus the laying down E i think is a cool brand still to use. Its like skateboards tree stripe.

If they remade the old models I would buy them in an instant!

I recently had a pair of black Etnies Score x Matt Berger with the Michelin sole. I really liked how durable the shoe felt. However, I found them quite ugly. If they released the Scam with a Michelin sole, I would definitely give them a try!

I love my Mike Vallely 1s Etnies had some bangers in the day and they felt great to skate in. Definitely agree with you

Skating the Andy Anderson model of the windrow right now & I love it. It basically has everything I want in a skate shoe: rubber toe cap, lace cover, mid-top ankle protection, extra rubber for heelflips. Only thing is I had to swap out the insoles & I fear the way I skate will blow through the tread but I feel like I need to stock up on these. I hope his actual pro model from etnies is similar.

When i was a kid, Etnies was like, THE core skate shoe brand. I had plenty of friends who rode them, but i never did. I think you are on point about them re-releasing their old designs. I just picked up some eS Penny 2's. Kinda the same concept here. Bring back the classics!

I’ve been wearing some etnies Marana slip ons and I like them they’re definitely not the longest lasting but 3 months in and only small holes. I love the feel to them though and the insoles aren’t half bad

Love my Joslin 1s. Perfect fit for my feet, comfortable a’d durable as hell. I could skate nothing else forever and be happy only one does want to try something new every now and again for another look.

well done and well said - bring those models back and relook at current color ways

Skated some etnies not too long ago and I really enjoyed them. There was some issues with the quality but nothing crazy. I would like to support core companies more but they really do gotta step it up.

I’ve never skated etnies because the logo looks so kooky. The first thing I think about when I hear etnies is the weird kids at the skatepark or mall kids who can varial kick flip. If they had the star logo I’d probably start skating them as shallow as it sounds.

I love the Marana. They're comfortable and they last.

Couldnt agree more on your summary. If they cut out that big ass E, simplify their designs and add in some additional mid or high cupsole options I think they'd make BANK

I rode 3 pairs of Joslins and when I bought a 4th one they tweaked the formula of the shoe a bit and I did not like it anymore. I think they are absolutely great shoes for going down stuff and protecting your shoes, but after riding the 508s I realized the lack of board feel. Etnies is killing it with their shoes and colorways(I don't care about their old 90-00s models cause they are too bulky), but for now I am sticking to NB for a while(while using the insoles from the Joslin's lol)

The best shoe ever was the Salvador Lucas Barbier by etnies hands down. In light beige lol.

I remember skating the Etnies Czar back in 2000. I was the envy of all my friends. But then they all got the D3s.

Since the mid 90’s etnies has been my shoes 95% of the time, no exaggeration. I’d love for some throw back releases for sure, but I will say I’m LOVING the slip-on trend. They’re making them snug enough to feel like a regular shoe, especially the marana slips.

I only ever had 1 pair of etnies and they were the arto saari 2 pro model vulc .. I liked them actually .. this was a thicker vulc shoe with more padding .. soletech needs direction with emerica , etnies and ‘es .. I feel they are lost .. but been loving the reissues they do expecially the Marc Johnson emericas… you are right they need to go back to making their 90s shoes .. skating and fashion go in waves … cupsoles are making a comeback

The Joslin is my favorite shoe right now and has been for a while. The only shoe I've tried that I can kickflip without having to break them in at all.

Had an awesome pair of Shecklers back in the day (15 odd years ago) They were epic.

I had the Etnies Screw back in the day and LOVED them!

Ben this was hilarious and great i love the honesty~!!

I really liked the cartel mid i had 8-10 years back. Awesome shoe, sweet spot of puffyness.

Awesome, I’m really thinking about get some mc raps. Have you heard anything about the cons as-1?

Emerica has been my go to. They last, they are simple and clean, and they are priced well.

Like the Joslin a lot. I don’t think they are too thick, there are a lot of too thin shoes out there that we are used to that hurt your foot right after the break in. The logo? Not the best but ok. The colors are a bigger problem. Agree that it would be nice to see Etnies be really big.