Category: Skateboarding Product Reviews

02.01.07

It’s all good and fair that a skater needs tough shoes to get busy in, but there comes a time when the skatepark shuts, the night draws in, the seasons change and the board stops.

Often this time instigates social behaviour, preferably in a bar or on a date. The sight of your scruffed up skate shoes does not sit well with the opposite sex, or bouncers of high society nightclubs, so strolling the streets and heading home might be the only result if you don’t get your self a pair of chilling shoes.

The DVS Barons are good chilling shoes.

Initially, I thought I’d get my skate on with the Barons, but after one push around the park I knew I’d have to save them the fate of griptape murder. That said, I’m sure these shoes skate a dream; they’re light, flexible and very grippy. However, the Baron is a little slim of the rigidity level, so save them for a rainy day.

At a first glance, my Barons reminded me of those sneakers West Coast gangsters like to wear. You know the Chuck Taylor style plimsoles with the bright white laces? Rolling around in these shoes had me humming Too Short lyrics all day. Even if they’re low and slim, the gum sole is a sweet cushion to your stomp. The Baron takes me back to the good old days of simple skate shoes like Salman Agah’s first pro-model on Vans. The only problem I had with these kicks is that the tongue is pretty slim so the laces tie up and make your feet look a bit kippered.

DVS make competent skate shoes with style playing a key factor in design. Ideally I’d get a pair of Baron’s for the days when rain has postponed play. Or Snoop Dogg’s coming to town…

7/10
Ralph Lloyd-Davis

Review 2

I have to add to this review as i was sent a pair of these DVS Barons to and i have skated in them religiously since.

I’m not going to fuck about, these are the best skate shoes i skated in during 2006 and i have gone through over 18 pairs this year.

They are flimsy, almost deck shoe like but they served a purpose as soon as they were lifted out of the box and have done the best job possible since.

If you like the Vans OG sole, you are gonna love this shoe. Every shoe company has made a Vans inspired shoe, in fact in 2006 year, more than any other, ALL skate shoe companies have gone for this style and why? Because they work, because they let you have control of your grip tape better than a big, wide skate shoe that gets in the way of your grip and your sole. These Barons are not Vans, DVS have done a great job and supplied skaters with the ultimate control beneath your feet and DVS have not sold out to the high street either, they make shoes for skaters only.

Unlike Ralph’s, my feet did not look kippered, i was proud when i looked down to see where they were positioned everytime i wanted to prepare for a trick.

The only downside to shoes like these is the fact that they will fall apart eventually if you ollie loads – like any other, as they don’t have any extra fabric to overcome the stress of griptape, but i would rather wear these over the likes of the originators any day of the week and that is why they will be on my feet when i go roll tonight.

Look out for DVS this year, they have laid the foundations for an explosion in 2007.

Find them at www.dvsshoes.com

8/10
Chuck Bangers

02/01/07

It’s that time of year again where the wind plays a more prominent role of being your worst fucking nightmare. Sending shivers down your spine and flip sticks (anatomically referred to as legs) with every malevolent attack. One must be prepared for such a bitter onslaught. Praise the Lord the clothing connoisseurs down at Globe Apparel have equipped us with a delicious new pair of slacks that are the perfect method of defence.

If you’re anything like me, you don’t wanna be skating around looking like a complete Tom Penny spoof, thankfully you can be warm and not have to. The “Noodles” come slim fitted, with that extra bit of breathing space and baggage that sucks in the warm air to keep you cosy and to avoid any trouser related genital area disasters. Stoked.

Threaded together with a durable cotton/spandex type affair, these jeans are strong shit. I wouldn’t be surprised if the big heads at Globe forced them into the gym for weeks on end before deciding they are ready for the public. I jest, of course I’d be surprised, that’s complete rhubarb, but you get the point. I went out for 5-hour park session to test these suckers out. Tumble after tumble and they haven’t got a scratch, still looking as fresh as anything Ryan Gallant would dare throw on his body. Steeeeze Louiiize.

Nice deep pockets are a cheeky bonus with these sick jeans; if you’re a ‘headphones on’ type of skater you can have the benefit of your Pod being kept snug while you’re busy mutilating fresh marble. Plus a tidy sealed pocket on the back to stop your moolah being thrown all over the shop while you sling yourself down a hubba bubba. Hold it!

Overall, a solid effort from Globe. A comfortable, sweet looking pair of slacks that keep you snug in the winter wonderland. 9/10 boss.

Joe Moynihan

02.01.07

Element Pionner Jacket

Element have sent us pretty much everything they put into the stores for honest testing here at Crossfire since we started in 2001 and that is what we expect from brands that believe they have the quality to pass the tests.

We believe that the brands that ignore our requests for product reviews and decide not to be involved are scared that we will expose their shoddy products.

Magazines tend to hand the product to you on a plate without exposing the design faults and cheap fabrics that some brands will try and get away with but we like to do things differently as a lot of that has to do with advertising: the brands put money their way in return for adverts and the magazines do not want to upset the product managers by exposing what really goes into the product they offer the general public. Element do not advertise on this website yet, but they have enough confidence in their brand to send us everything that comes out season after season. They know that they do not rely on cheap fabrics and have enough experience to get the perfect blend of design and functionality with their products for skaters worldwide.

On first view this Pionner Jacket leaps out of the box, wraps its warm material around you leaving your head to poke out of the top with a smile on your face. It’s lightweight shell does not weigh you down if you want to get loose on a ledge although like any jacket made of micro ottoman 100% polyamide. I’m sure if subjected to being blown off a San Francisco hill bomb at 40mph it would give in at some point. Anyway, that’s obvious of any material but this jacket is firstly super warm without strangling you in a sauna once you get warmed up and also has the pockets you need when you go riding to hide any portable music player on the inside and your mitts on the outside.

The only main fault I could find with this jacket is the fact that the sleeves have the option to be tightened with Velcro and the strip of Velcro stitched to the sleeve itself seems to be a little too long for my liking and is exposed by a good 4 inches which is not needed. Personally I have decided not to skate in this jacket and have used it as my daily winter jacket to tackle weather during my daily duties. Other than the Velcro overdose that can easily be fixed if you want to make the effort at a local tailors, this could well be a contender for jacket of the year here at Crossfire this winter, go grab one and defeat the cold this season in style.

Element Congress Jeans

Once upon a time Levi’s were choice of jean for skateboarders worldwide, probably due to the fact that no skate companies ever made them available, but nowadays you can guarantee that most make them tailored to the way we ride but the question is, are they as good?

Element have done their research and have produced a jean that runs with the same logic and chemistry as their range of shirts, mixing 1.1% lycra with a 98.9% cotton. This provides movement, allowing the fabric to move wherever you do but so minimally that you would not notice it compared against your usual denim.

The cut would suit anyone looking for a superbly fitted jean with a low cut waist that again allows perfect flexibility so if you like either a baggy jean or tight drainpipe styles these will not for you. Add the fact that you could wear these out in the evening and feel good in them and you have one of the best jeans you could buy.

Element’s wood and thread have always delivered quality and these jeans set a high standard. Go get some and find out.

Element Horizontal Hood

The first thing you notice as this fits around your bones is the fact that the fabric is killer soft on first touch. Made of 80% cotton and 20% polyester this hoody manufactured in India has great shape and comes with a perfect hood and the wind water fire and earth logo that sleeps on the chest.

The front pockets supply your hands with warmth once again due to the quality fabric and also boasts another classic logo on the left hand sleeve. You can’t really go wrong with this hoody, go get one and feel the earth….

You can find all of these threads at www.elementskateboards.com

Chuck Bangers

02.01.07

Independent Trucks Lined Coach’s Jacket and Clipper Windbreaker

Popular with golfers over the years, these wind breakers have found a use in the world of skateboarding and rightly so.

Independent (alongside Thrasher) have made these for years and have progressed from standard, thin, rain coats to the now fully lined, slim line, lightweight breakers providing warmth from the lined 100% polyester inner that doesn’t allow you to over heat when you skate but also protecting your body from the wet elements we are so used to having to deal with here in Europe with the addition of the 100% nylon shell on the outside.

The hooded version has a simple zipper, front pockets with drawstrings on the hood and waist line accompanied by a black and white indy logo front and back whereas the standard version is black, red and white, hoodless with collars that you can do up to the neck with poppers as opposed to a zipper. This version has a front red and white indy logo, an indy cross on the middle back and a written red and white logo on the back waistline.

These are built to spill like any other Independent range so grab one to day if you live fast and ride tough.

Independent Trucks Skate Tool Belt

It’s no secret, skating with a rucksack attached to your back is nowhere near as fun as the free flowing runs you can have without the burden of carting your accessories about for a session. But as you know, someone somewhere needs tools to loosen or tighten trucks and wheel nuts, change kingpins that have snapped or tighten truck bolts.

Independent Trucks have the answer to your prayers as they have patented a stylish belt that has everything you need to change your rig on the road. Now this could sound like a nightmare and you would think that this invention would be bulky and get in your way, but the truth is you do not even notice these options are there once you belt up and hit the road.

Genius inventions like this are few and far between in the skateboard world, only brands that have been there since the beginning will never let you down and with this brand being at the forefront of the scene since 1978, this belt is set to be a sure fire hit with skaters all over the world, go get one today.

Independent Trucks “The Fix” 149 Jeans

Independent have everything on the go these days in terms of accessories and clothing to compliment their ever impressive skate team riding their trucks and with the jeans market open for competition, they have filled a gap with a 100% cotton jean that simply offers your bottom half the threads you need this winter.

The cut allows flexibility and are not too tight so your knackers move freely when you ride, they are not over branded so you have no worries about feeling like a walking advertisement board and are soft to wear from the off. Wash them alone before you wear them so that they can secrete the colouring and these will wash out leaving you with a naturally looking worn jean just how they should be.

Go to www.independenttrucks.com to see all of their range.

Chuck Bangers

28th Dec 2006

As we step further into the winter and bare the front of all the harsh elements Mother Nature wants to bestow upon us, an adequate wardrobe is the strict minimum so as not to suffer. Aware of the elements (ha!), Element has produced some top quality gear to make it through the winter, with style to boot.

First up are the Grind Pants, or trousers if you’re British, made of a soft corduroy material that is exactly what you want during the cold season- Jeans don’t retain heat and simply soak up moisture! These bottoms have a good cut to them which leave them baggy everywhere except the crotch region, so people won’t point and laugh at you as if you crapped your boxers.

With the bagginess in mind, the cut doesn’t flare out at the bottom and sits comfortably over your shoes without dragging under the heel. Extra detail includes deep pockets and flat rivets in the hip/pocket regions so no hippers here.

Next, we have the One Love Hoodie: 80% cotton, 20% polyester. I got an extra large version of this top, and it has to be my favourite. Super soft and not wafer thin, but not too heavy either. The hood is pretty big, so you can whip it over your hat, beanie, doo-rag or paper bag with no problem. Good graphic, though not pictured is the little skateboard that appears on the back right hip side.

Finally we have two t-shirts. There isn’t much that can go wrong with t-shirts and Element have been stitching up their good for quite some time now to know that a t-shirt mustn’t shrink, the screened print can’t flake and the seams must be sewn tightly. With all the bases covered, these two tees are sweet.

Have a look at the online catalogues and see if anything takes your fancy.

8.5/10

Ralph Lloyd-Davis

These days skate shoe companies have a full range of accessories and clothing available to accompany their footwear ranges and Globe‘s apparel presence over the last few years has crept up into the forefront to compete with the other elite brands out there. Here’s a selection of winter product from Globe that should keep you warm and feeling good at the same time.

‘Globe Wanna Be Anarchy’ Jacket

It’s winter and there’s nothing worse than skating home from a session freezing to death afterwards. This year Globe have brought you a solution, this camouflage cotton lined and shelled winter jacket is made to combat the cold but to also allow you to skate in comfort.

The polyester lining is slightly padded keeping your warmth in but also acts perfectly in a slam situation offering you protection if you fall due its thickness, but please note that this is no puffa jacket, but it has a good filling. Despite not having inside pockets that I’m personally accustomed to, this jacket does offer 4 buttoned pockets on the front with tailored sleeves and poppers if you want to tighten them up.

Overall this Globe camouflage number is a winter slayer and should get you through the worst of it.

Globe Scraper Crew Sweat

Hoodies take all the attention but the good old fashioned jumper has made a massive comeback in skating this year and stripes in particular have always proved popular. This charcoal scraper crew sweat has subtle thin blue stripes on the front, thicker stripes on the back and is thin enough to feel comfortable in if you are skating with a jacket on this winter. Made out of 70% acrylic and 30% wool, you know that this will be a tad styleier than the effort your Nan may try and knit you this season. Check the Globe website for other colours. You can’t go wrong with a jumper.

Globe Neo Beanie

This is the warmest acrylic beanie to bless my head all winter so far. When this reached HQ I was down with a stinker of a cold and still had to get through the week whilst the weather just got colder and colder. I must admit this thick tea cosy saved my arse as it provides some serious warmth and also comes with a neat peak that seems to be my preferred taste for winter headwear these days. These may well come in different colours but mine was labeled earthmarle which is a rustic brown, comfortable and should do the trick nicely.

Globe Fingerless Glove Mitts & Toasted Throaty

Other winter warmers from Globe include these fingerless gloves that also turn into mitts once you pull the mitts over the fingers. It’s a strange design I have not seen before but obviously works well if you want the best of both worlds. They are seriously warm but also are not too thick so that feel clumsy in them. Also, if you are sick of a trailing scarf and want a quick fix to stop the chill hitting your neck Globe have also released a toasted throaty this season for exactly that reason. The fabric is stupidly soft so if it’s freezing and the wind is up, pulling this across your face is going to be nothing but comfort – plus if you don’t fancy wearing it in black, the toasted throaty is reversible and grey on the opposite side, just switch it

Find all of these at www.globe.tv

Chuck Bangers

Element recently announced the release of their winter collection. The collection was inspired by their newest pro, Michael Mackrodt : a stylish german fella with some serious pop in his hop. The collection includes the Kensington Jacket, Rocker jeans and Cajon gift set.

Clothing isn’t something you can test like a deck or pair of trucks, so I’d like to set the record to the following criteria: Quality, Competence and Cool.

Starting with the Kensington jacket , the quality is top-knotch. The jacket is made of very soft cord material with a padded lining. The colour might resemble that of your late great grandpa’s easy chair, but the finish is actually quite refined with little details like the buttons on the right shoulder. Competence-wise, the Kensington boasts 5 pockets – 1 inside, 4 outside- and an interesting button-up pattern overlapping the zip- 2 at the top and one at the very bottom. However, the material is not waterproof at all so anything heavier than a fine mist will probably leave you in desperate need of an umbrella or contemplating the warmth of a wet sponge. Finally the Cool factor results in a good score for the Kensington. I was complimented on my new jacket by several friends and social circles.

Next for review: The Rocker jeans . Despite the name, these jeans are a slim cut, but not ridiculously tight. The jean material is slightly stretchy and soft, which makes movement a flex no problem. However, the way the material moulds it self a little tighter in the upper half might have those of us who prefer a low crotch to their jeans squirming a little to begin with.

Finally, the Cajon Gift set . Presented in a pretty wooden box emblazoned with the Element logo and original grain finish, the Cajon looks good already and you haven’t even opened it. Inside is a beanie, I-pod sock and belt: Three essential accessories. The beanie is like a skull cap with a subtle design, and the belt is a one-size-fits-all slip-thru metal buckle. The quality is good and there is no margin for error. Just make sure the beanie fits!

So, Element are looking to inspire everyone this Christmas season with their new line of soft goods. My favourite has to be the jacket, but I must point out that the Cajon Gift box would be a perfect gift for friend or family member without blatantly looking like something you picked up at the SOS. Good stuff.

Ralph L-D

So Plan B is back in full effect and everyone is shook- especially the cyberspace haters. Just to run through a check list of what constitutes a bad ass team shifting units:

1) Innovative and extra-ordinary skaters- Check!
2) History and good track record- Check!
3) Haters despite everyone riding your goods- Check!

So, there you have it- Plan B is the shit. But, as you should all know by now, Crossfire scratched beneath the surface and tests the goods so as not to see the paying customer taken for a mug. Would Plan B and their elusive prodigy, PJ Ladd get a good score..?

The first thing to hit me with this board was its shape. According to the little guarantee slip, this Limited Edition Life after death deck came with a “Guaranteed Plan B concave“. Alright, well I’d definitely think twice if I bought a Plan B board that boasted anything otherwise! Strange claim… Anyway, the shape in itself is about as good as it comes for any street technician out there. The rails, the dips and the contour of each extremity scream the words, “Scoop, flip and catch!” Needless to say, this board is a pleasure to ride from the get-go. No awkward foot in bowl concave situations, or retarded pop from obtuse angles on this deck.

The next thing I noticed with this board was the measurements: 7.5 x 31.5 that makes for a pretty small board for anyone peaking above 5ft11. My previous board had a large wheelbase (space between the trucks), so stepping onto the PJ Ladd had me double crossing myself as to whether this wasn’t a mini. It isn’t. Then there’s the width; 7.5 but riding like a comfortable 7.6. It’s only a fraction of a difference, but it means a lot when you’re trying to get your position and balance right.

Finally, the finish of this Plan B board is clean as a whistle. Smooth carpentry on the rails, and a jazzy twist on the old skull and crossbones graphic. I had to take a picture of it because the top surface of this deck is printed from top to bottom with each rider’s skull and banner. So, like I said, the finish on this deck is clean. Hell, the varnish even slides without sticking or flaking off.

Haters can keep hating because with product like this Plan B is laughing. I can’t wait for Unquestionable to drop…

9/10

Ralph L-D
19/12/06

I kinda look back a few years remember when Globe shoes first spawned upon the feet of many a skateboarder around the world. They had a wacky approach and produced some of the most technical skate shoes for the likes of one Gershon Mosely, Rodney Mullen, Chet Thomas and a few others.

In my opinion, the shoes they produced back then was suited for the flip-in-flip-out crowd and didn’t really appeal to me that much; but they started doing then that makes them elite today…They diversified their approach and picked up riders with different knacks on all kinds of terrain, thus exposing them to a wider audience and making the general skate-blic aware of their thought process! Groundwork which now makes them the elite of the clothing/footwear combination in the business!

I personally have never ridden a pair of Globes before, but spotted the Magnums and thought it’s time to make the ‘change’. When these cowboys came knocking, I was most delighted with my excellent choice in skate shoe. I knew from the start that the relationship would be a long and good one.

This particular model features a double-layered toe section with triple stitching sealing it down nice and tight. The first two lace holes comes with protection and will preserve them laces a lot longer whilst you perfect your powwow flips. The tongue is slightly padded for extra comfort, but its not to thick or heavy and suits the shoes design down to a G. I cant say I’ve ever heard of a slip resistant mesh lining, but these come with those and I can’t really say that it’s a noticeable feature, but hey, it’s a feature nonetheless and that means that they are keen at pushing the limits to produce a finer product for the consumer.

Although these shoes have a stylish design, and look really good, I think the key to its success lies beneath- the sole of the shoe!!! They have this internal footed cushioning system that is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. The sole is so flat and yet I can see Charlie America flipping a 13set with ease and not being too concerned about the old bruised heel. The outside sole is vulcanised and comes in a sticky rubber blend with a foxing band and abrasion resistant rubber, that’s a good thing I say. These tyres are rather grippy, fits like gloves on you feet and are good to go out of the box, a decent shoe at a decent asking price.

Globe is on a mission and they are belting more and more great products. They also have one of the, if not the strongest team in the world. I thought Globalized was just a cute slogan…FUCK, with bait like that, it’s hard not change your diet.

If the shoe fits…WEAR IT!!!

Find them at the Globe website.

8/10
Live FAST, Ride FAST!!!

2P

Many of the other girls I skate with own a pair of the Kingpin W’s and rate them very highly (and as they only have them in black I was the envy of many – blokes and girls alike!!- with a spanking charcoal/pink pair [not shown]). As I already own a set of men’s Kingpins, which as one of my favourite pairs of shoes, it seemed most intriguing to get the chance to compare them and see what all the hype was about.

To start off with, the thing I most like about any of the Etnies footwear I’ve skated is that they don’t need breaking in; Kingpin W’s being no exception. The overall fitting is very good; width ways especially, the shoes contour to my feet perfectly. I find the Kingpin W as opposed to the bloke’s version supports the arch and heel area of my foot much better.

The STI Foam soul padding provides good cushioning and they have tongue centering straps that keep the padded tongue firmly in place – so no worries if you’re not a lace expert, regardless if they are done up or not, these straps are the bit that hold the shoe to foot. Kingpin W is a solid skate shoe that has a great profile; a simple subtle design with the perforated E logo on the side and there is also a variety of colour combinations on offer. The best thing of all is they are Vegan friendly which is definitely a big bonus.

Judging by the durability of the men’s ones the Kingpin W’s look like they’ll also last a long time. With extensive Pioneer, St Albans station car park and a bit of Stockwell testing thrown in these shoes are definitely lasting the distance. The rubber sole still even looks good – in fact too good!

They are light and once on board you are given the benefit of instantly forgetting about what’s on your feet – I mean this in a good way, I’ve had pairs of shoes before that are so bulky they are the only thing you focus on when knocking out a trick which can prove quite a distraction. The only thing I have found with the blokes version is that they have started squeaking in the heel area, which for secretive getaways from jobs-worthy fat Bob security guard this may be slightly problematic…However I’m yet to find out if my Kingpin W’s will serve the same fate.

Etnies manufacture excellent footwear that is designed to last and I would definitely recommend purchasing a pair of these, they’re durable, stylish, extremely comfortable, and an excellent product for the price.

Jen Selby