I feel like as an industry, we need to clarify our language around the idea of "fit". I mean, what does "fits large/fits small" even mean? A centimetre's a centimetre, so why can't we start there? I know that in the cycling industry, there's a huge problem around fitting people in the right shoe; all too often, people are sold a larger shoe to compensate for the width of their foot, resulting in dysfunction and injury (i've been there). It seems that you guys are doing an excellent job in terms of getting people the right skate for them, at least when people enquire, but i certainly think it would be beneficial to have some clarification/standardisation of terms regarding things like shell width/volume relative to length (some people got flat, wide duck feet like me, y'know! and just cause you got flat feet doesn't mean you don't want that arch support or heel raise! but that's another discussion entirely). It's definitely up to the manufacturers to be clear about this also, and hopefully one day we'll be in the place where people have more options for how a skate fits. Seems like Roces and Razors are the only ones who have actual options between wide and narrow fitting boots, but hopefully that will expand. Personally, i love the way a narrow boot looks - cults, m12s, and my current 909s, but i know they definitely all fit narrow relative to the length of my foot. Wish that wide boots didn't all look so damn CHONKY! Anyways, thanks for reading my essay, love what you guys do always
My top 3 skates now: 1: Iqon AG20 w/ diridari frames (current skate) 2: USD Aeon (Sam Crofts) 3: USD Sway Thinking about trying some 909's in the future.
@brandonpausta2206 I got the blue clarks too a month ago and love them, I come from usd sways in the past year and razors cult before that. Definitely a progression for me in these 3 models.
Eugen Shadows for me. The only skates I've ever owned that I can wear all day without getting numb toes or hot spots. Flexy but supportive, adjustable to the n'th degree, fast and huge soulplate/negative, they skate amazingly on Oysi mediums and while the aesthetics are not everybody's cup of tea I really like how they look. To me they look futuristic af.
My toes fall asleep in my aeons after just a few minutes. I got 2nd skin liners they helped a little bit. Looking at the enins for all the same reason you just described. Are they decent for flexing topside foot?
@@Inkachu I find they are, I usually tighten the toe and 45 degree strap super tight and leave the ankle strap looser which let's me flex over for top sides really easy
@@JumpingJosh thanks for the quick reply! I’m stoked now, gonna pull the trigger in a few mins once I measure my foot one last time. Can’t wait to ride without my toes going numb!!
We were able to use historical data analysis to accurately predict that the skates that are released in 2023 with be the same as the skates in 2022... but in new colours! Let us know your Top 5's for the upcoming year...
Expecting a first boot from from balance distribution (think thats what they are called) to add something new in 2023 and shake up the historical data.
1. Beer 909, 2. Grey 909, 3. Clarks 909. I did try mesmers this year too but they just didn't work out for my foot (27.7). Tried both 41-42 and 43-44s and never felt right. Might try Some sways this year if I can score some used one. That said, the 909 works for me and in many ways I should probably just focus on my actual skating instead of new gear.
Great vid guys. I'm 37 and wanting to get back into skating. Could you do a video of the best 2nd hand aggressive skate from my generation? I've from the 2000's? Peace
I bought an old pair of Salomons from a mate, and I completely understand why people still skate them. I'm never going back lol. Otherwise 5th Elements are the best.
Fifth Element is my current skate, partly because it is probably the only boot my foot will fit in, partly because it just looks so cool to me haha. The bonus is that it skates great too!
Have you ever tried SLs? I use the 41-42 shells with both Razors SL and Roces Fifth Elements and I find them similarly sized, in fact I find the SLs a smidgen bigger. I know people always say the Genesys because they are wide, but the SLs are pretty damn forgiving as well.
@@chilli-iceolive-abode2447 fair question! I haven't tried them, but they were my backup choice when I was looking for a new boot. Does the SL taper much in the mid-foot? That's my issue with most boots. My foot is wide in the middle, so boots that taper off normally toward the heel don't fit well for me. The 5th is so boxy that it accommodates well enough.
@@NISHIAKI so they do taper in very slightly a bit like the Fifths, maybe a mm more it's hard to see really, but it's definitely not a pronounced tapering in like on a lot of other skates. The SLs also feel higher volume to me, as in there's a lot of height in the shell, I have to really crank the laces to get them snug.
@@chilli-iceolive-abode2447 ah good to know! Sounds like they'd work out fine for me. The volume would be something I'd have to reduce, but that's still an issue with the 5ths for me. We'll see if I ever actually consider them - I don't like the bumpy shape of the soul kit - but fit is more important than fashion, so they'd be worth a shot either way
@@NISHIAKI They're also flexy skates, but I find because the cuff is taller than the Fifths you still get support! Also the flat base with the huge shock absorber to give you heel raise is a really nice combination in my opinion. Take it easy!
Mark my word the schmedium and not so Xtra small them 909 will be the best selling models of 2023! Can't wait for the new colors too! Hopefully they just don't recycle the same colors just in new shell sizes. We need more magic colors
This is a great video, (for an average size foot) I tried on every skate possible yesterday, and I wear a 14, the only one that would fit me was the Razor Genesys, love the skate, just wish there were more large size options in a variety of skates. 😊
My top five, or top 3 that I’ve actually skate would be: 1: Them 909 2: USD Sway 3: UFR AP Haven’t skated a fifth element since the late 90’s but would like to so I’d put them at number 4, And wouldn’t mind giving the AG20 a go, that’s 5
I'm currently skating the FR Pottier Aggro Skates. I dig em, but the warehouse messed up on my order. My feet are a size 13, and they sent me a size 10-12 boot but with a size 13 liner. So I had to aggressively break the skates in. I like em, but I ordered a Kizer Type X frame to have more fun, because the grind block on the Pottier frames isn't enough for me.
Them 909 why? 350 to 400 quid, for what a plastic boot and a liner, what is so fantastic about these I've yet to hear. No expensive leather or carbon, just a standard plastic boot with some nice liners. What are people thinking: trends...
I own sways team 4. Skates are great but the liners are bad for someone with wide feet. I normally buy my skates 1/2 size bigger accounting for this and even with this the sways with the factory liners were murdering my poor feet. Now with second skin liners they completely transform the skate. Good grind plates the frames are good but not great, wish the center spacing was a tad bit bigger. Overall a great skate. But honestly a $200 skate that requires a $100 liner to work? Next time I’m going for the roces m12 or the “them 900”
i like the sounds of the Aeons being very user friendly and well rounded, but i'd like the option of switching to wizard frames later on. any recommendations for well rounded ufs skates? currently looking at 909s
909 is a great alternative because the weight, volume and general feel of the skate is similar to the Aeon. You could also have a look at USD Sway models.
@@jg046346 The most worthwhile upgrades would be new wheels and new liners. MyFit Second Skin liners work well in these. Equally, if you are happy with the stock liners (which most people are) then not much need to do anything. www.locoskates.com/products/powerslide-myfit-2nd-skin-dual-fit-liners?_pos=1&_psq=2nd&_ss=e&_v=1.0
Fifth Element is the only skate that I have purchased, put on and everything just works stock. I eventually went to Slimline 2 frames which I skate freestyle with 72mm outer wheels. I have purchased a lot of skates and a lot of setups, but after I started with this specific setup I simply stopped purchasing skates / frames etc.. It just feels so good. My liner is getting a bit old now and starting to get pressure points, but I have been skating these skates for almost 3 years...So I might switch out to the R1 liners soon. The one skate that I truly don't like is the THEM 909. I think that they are a simple skate that is horribly over rated and over priced. You can buy an M12 or cult and for a third of the price and basically get the same type of session out of those skates. As for the 908, well, that was an abortion. THEM rides off of Julio's name. It would never have made it to market without that name in my opinion. The 909 is an entry level skate with a small soul plate trading at carbon prices. I truly feel that the SWAY is the better option over all 3 that I mentioned and costs the same price as an m12 or cult roughly.
Haven't tried, but the Mesmer boot has a modified base so probably not. That said, I imagine modifying the classic throne yourself wouldn't be to difficult because the rough shape is already correct.
Oh my god, how boring modern aggressive skates are. I skated in 2006-2009 and there were a bunch of completely different skates - Xsjado, Remz, Deshi. And where are we 15 years later? All skates are similar to each other.
This would have been great if you took an extra effort putting the names of the Skates in text, damn no way we can search and spell every name you chaps say and search the skates for ourselves. Such a common sense mistake to make this video a ton better for the viewer
Used to skate solos and was waiting for blanks but I wanted an interesting colour. So went with the sway all stars. Fantastic skates, solid, grind smooth, and feel way more premium than the price would lead you to believe.
I think you have to be quite privileged to even have a top 5 skate list. Most places dont have a shop to try on different skates, and a very few people can afford or are that into skating that they can buy multiple skates and find their favorite. I bought razor sl icons in like 2010 and they worked fine, so when buying new skates this year i went for the sl again, because i didnt want to gamble with something new, even though there is room for improvement and other skates probably fit me better. I might have to buy a plane ticket to check out your shop sometime this year.
So skate shops sharing their opinions on the skates might just help less privileged people make such a big decision. I didn’t have much money growing up and I made my decisions just based on how they looked or who skated for what company, definitely made my fair share of mistakes here.
Some shops offer free return shipping. Won't name them since this is Loco's youtube channel, but they are out there. Good way to buy and feel out the fit before fully committing.
I’m back on an Aeon after not getting on with the UFR AP for aggro (found the cuff way too stiff and restrictive). I’ve popped the intuition liner they came with in my Aeon and am really enjoying being back on them. Agree with you all, a great all rounder 👍
So glad the Iqon AG 20 made the list. It's a pretty remarkable skate, as are the TR10 and CL10 models as well. I did notice on your website you recommend going down a size, I have to say...all of my boots are the same (my normal skate size) and they all fit great and this is before heat modeling them. Great list, I have them all except the Roces. For some reason I've been hesitant about trying that brand.
Fruit booter from. The 90z here. Just now getting to where I want to get skating again. More for fitness now. But I won't get a frame other than this. So I'm here.
Top 5 for Harry Abel: Salomon St8, St80 , StPro, St Feinbergs. Jk I just miss watching him skate Salomon. We all know the best skate it what matches your pants well.
Late to the party, but I've been skating a 42shell 5th element for years. (The maroon shell from 4years ago) It's a good fit for me with a natural 7.5 foot. And the soul plate can be switched out when it gets too worn
I'm in the market for an aggressive skate, but really struggling to find something both aesthetically pleasing (so no Razors, haha), and that I'm 100% certain will fit (US13/EU47/305mm). In a pair of Next boots in 46-47 which top out at 303mm and they're snug, but comfortable after the semi-rough break-in period... So I'm confident 305mm will be 'just what I need'. Any suggestions?
@ MelbzMTBros I’m a US13/UK12 as well & in my opinion you can never go wrong with a good old Roces M12. They go all the way up to US15/UK14! They’re quite narrow though.
@@lustforlow-end6022 M12 were my dream skate in the latter half of the '90s, but I've grown since then - and I feel like the width might be an issue. I was also reading their soul plate isn't very big, and I was looking for something rather forgiving to get back into the swing of things. Fifth Element was another dream skate, but I see the Roces site only lists them up to EU44 or so, but places like Loco list them up to EU46/US12 but also note they run half a size large... Leading me to think, hmmm maybe it'd work? Then I see other sites noting the 5th run a size small... Everything is contradictory and nothing makes sense anymore, haha.
Dom Bruce Mesmers feel supreme. Absolutely love the new liner in it and the rubber dampened soulplate feels very premium. Also love to just stare at the soulplate art on my shelf
