Review on Etnies Men's Scout Skate Shoes - Medium Fit - Top Choice for Men by Simon Connelly

I accidentally bought a pair of these shoes at the Shoe Carnival Sale in 2017 and suffice it to say this is the only shoe I've bought for everyday use since. They may be from a skate brand, but they're incredibly light, flexible, comfortable and minimalistic; The style and materials make them the most comfortable casual shoe I've ever worn and I probably won't buy anything else as long as they keep making them. If I wore them skating they would be torn to shreds in a week but that's not their purpose. In this case, the sole makes the shoe; with the fabric part designed not to compromise comfort while highlighting the shine of the STI Evolution foam outsole. The foam midsole absorbs uneven ground while remaining flexible enough to feel where you're going; The flexion of your foot sinks into the foam, so it perfectly balances the transfer of your weight to whatever surface you walk on. The lightness of the material makes you forget you're wearing shoes and afterwards gives you the feeling of walking on clouds. My feet never hurt when walking or standing, which is why I originally bought them, coupled with their minimalist design that goes with almost any style. During an overland trip from Cincinnati to Vancouver, Canada, I made an impulsive decision to climb Washington's Granite Mountain, an 8-mile, 7,000-foot climb of sharp turns of sharp rock and coarse sand, and I did it while carrying the first Pair of these shoes and the only other things I took with me were two water bottles and a DSLR; I may not have prepared well, but I can say with confidence that my legs didn't start hurting until halfway down the descent. Just last year (2020) I did a revisit on the same destination trail, and on my way back to the Midwest I stopped at Granite Mountain for another climb, again in another pair of these shoes, with some water. Bottles and the same SLR camera. It was a similar story, although the shoes weren't made for that scenario, my feet didn't hurt until halfway through; However my ankles and calves were killing me on the way back although that was probably a combination of poor preparation (ie I didn't train for these hikes which means I could probably be in better shape before travelling) and my only comment, What makes these shoes stand out is that a higher profile would have provided better ankle support and if they had better support they would be better suited to the conditions, maybe they relieve my feet and cause less fatigue. That being said, there is another variant of this shoe, the Scout XT, which has a higher profile, which could mean more ankle support; I might try them on my next purchase. A note on durability: if you must buy a pair with a foam sole in a color other than white, make sure the foam is colored a different color and not just a portion of it colored; The paint is peeling and they look more worn than they should. In addition, they are surprisingly incredibly durable, showing only dirty wear and possibly a little ripped fabric, depending on the type of fabric being run on after many miles. Insoles wear out over time, but that goes for any shoe; Luckily they are thin because they don't rely on insoles just for comfort, so a pair of DrScholls doesn't add much to their density and extend the life of the shoe! In the picture, the gray couple and the green couple are the couples I walked around Granite Mountain with. All pairs have daily use for over a year; I bet if I wasn't interested in other styles of fabric I could probably wear them for many more years before noticing unbearable wear and tear, but they're (perhaps) so affordable that it's hard to break the trend. To sum it up: This shoe is the lightest, most flexible, most comfortable and quietest minimalist shoe you will ever find; You can walk for miles in them and your feet will never hurt, you might not even realize you're wearing shoes or hear the sound of your footsteps. The STI Evolution memory foam outsole gives you a comfortable ride on any surface, yet is so light and flexible you'll almost be tempted to return to your natural running pattern or walk the way you want to. There are many styles of materials to choose from by adding them to the foam midsole, which may or may not affect their waterproofing (out of the 3 pairs I've bought since I discovered them, the mesh was the most waterproof ). ; Depending on the material, they either fit snugly or have room to move. You can also choose XT which has a higher profile. Without dress shoes and essential boots for work, as long as they make them, they'll be the only shoes I'll ever buy; I can change certain styles, but Etnies Scout is now a staple in my wardrobe. I love these shoes; If I could buy enough to last the rest of my life, I would.