The way I assume it is is that factories have existing moulds and cuts, like presets to choose from. Some small starter brand will have no other option than picking from their catalogue of designs, mix and matching if they can afford using standard or cheaper materials, nothing special or progressive in order to get their first models on the shelves. The skate brands have never been big enough to be able to have everything they want, even if they got their own design made from scratch they would be only able to use standard materials and technology that premium brands will have been using for years. late 90’s up to the vulc takeover most brands were able to make many bespoke design out there at a time, they got big enough to be able to command some factory freedom. Until someone decided that boardfeel and simplicity was better for skaters. Which it was for most. Vulcs took over and shoes got simpler, more generic. Prices stayed the same, were we being cheated? Maybe. Every brand took it too far, making things so bland it got comical. Again, someone decided that cups were back and we finally had an option again and design started to creep back. Weirdly the same people that moaned about lack of thought with the simple vulcs were slating newer radical designs and wanted function over fashion, wasn’t that the point of the original vulc idea? The shoe industry is very sports brand heavy but as a consumer we have more choice than ever, cups, vulcs, simple, tech, fashion etc etc. i’m fucking rambling.
I’m actually getting bored of my own posts so can’t imagine what you peeps are feeling haha. i’m not at work today that’s why. Rest of the weeks my posts will be short, no tldr bullshit.
Seems like they’ve made an effort to make it not look exactly like a Spiridon now… Pretty sure I’d like these, if I liked this sort of thing.
Well up for some of them
That speckled shit, why?!
That top Mkarta shoe is identical to an Osiris shoe. Weren’t the people behind Dope Clothing doing this back in 05/06?
When will Clarks step up? If/When Supra goes under they should get Penny involved from the get go.
Avert your eyes children!
Ha funny you should say that…heard something recently about them having a go
Anyone remember the Blink 182/emo shoe of choice Macbeth…
I don’t think they look horrible.
I’m a big fan of Black / white / gum shoes and the toe cap reminds me of the good old ollie patch days.
I’m vaguely familiar with Hopking but don’t know Pickeenu at all.
In summary… won’t be buying them as I have three pairs of Nike on the go already and hardly ever ollie so they’re probably going to last me the rest of my life anyway.
They make lovely boots, I’d rock a desert skate boot or a chukka or a grip-proof brogue.
Amazing, I’d love that so much!
Are Hop King big then? I’d only ever heard of them when mentioned on this forum in regards to questionably pro boards, but I saw a hop king branded van drive past me the other week
You also thought Jaako was comparable to Simon Woodstock. You OK hun?
I think they’ve ‘got money’, rather than ‘are big’. Dunno though. I’m a paid-up member of CAMRA and I like skateboarding but I still don’t come into contact with anything they do, so their marketing is probably on point.
Just googled them. It’s the skateboard aspect and not the beer aspect that seems most prominent, which is weird. Are they a skateboard company who make beer, or a beer company who make skateboards?
But had no idea their brewery and office is literally right next door to white grounds in London. And they’ve got an indoor wooden skatepark there as well…
It seems it’s just a couple of lads who are skaters that started a microbrewery with their Dad’s money and have made some back and diversifying into a brand. Good on them, even if I personally don’t like any of their product. I think they got themselves in a weird position especially with public opinion by being affiliating with that phoney skate federation. They were clued in and cut ties it seemed. Also, sponsoring sub par skaters and insta characters will have not helped them look legit in older minds.
First thing I thought of as well.
Whoa there… I wasn’t responsible for any Jaako comparisons. 
There might be a little too much rubber out front - sole a bit thick(?), and am not too keen on the Monster style rips on the back, but I’ll stick by my comment though - I don’t think they look horrible.
Come on… I’m fairly sure I remember you like a black / tan shoe.
