Haha jp, I just thought I'd add to the countless laver-alternative threads that have sprouted up But I did order these, because they're almost like lavers, SUPER comfy, leather inside (another reason I love lavers) and they have cool stripes!
Actually when I looked at them in the store they did look moddable to some degree, but I'm probably not going to tear em up, especially since I'm not a leather shred shoe type of guy. They also have a much thinner sole, which probably won't give enough support for shred. But for casual wear, they're pretty sweet.
Also, sometimes I just want to practice clippers or something when I'm out somewhere waiting on something, and I usually wear shoes that are impossible to shred in, so these would be cool for that.
Last edited by shredzilla on 02 May 2007 14:20, edited 1 time in total.
your post topic is a question that it seems you're most fit to answer. make your analyses and get back to us, please. They look like lavers to me. If they have a decent surface under the leather, I'd assume you'd mod them like leather lavers.
I read that you said you didn't want to cut them up, but that's the only way we're really going to get an answer to this question you've posed.
Wow, I can't believe the first two posts to this were taking the thread title so seriously. I'll be a little less light-hearted, and more to the point of why I created this thread:
To show off the new shoes I ordered.
They look like lavers, and they probably ARE shreddable, except I need as much support as I can get out of a shoe, and the sole looks thin.
Man you guys really need to lighten up, I'll post the shoes when they arrive today...
Okay, had a minisesh. I'd say they're definitely moddable and playable, but I wouldn't use them as a permanent shred shoe for one reason: The sole is VERY hard, not spongy like the laver. I'm guessing this would cause more impact on the legs.
Other than that, they really are playable. The toes are amazing. I can't believe how well the toes played without modding. In fact, I wouldn't even touch the toes except to open up the box, and maybe take the cotton-like layer (canvas on lavers) out underneath of that.
The inside surface also played decently, but would require a bit more modding. I would probably remove the stripes from the inside stall surface, and the cotton-like layer from underneath the leather on both sides. I'd probably use some sort of leather conditioner to soften the leather, or simply just play in them to get that stalling surface nice and supple.
I suppose you could probably use the drilling method and special insoles to compensate for the hard sole, but at that point you have to start questioning why you're going through all the trouble when other shoes would do just fine.
Anyway, that's my analysis. But again, I didn't get these to play in, but just for casual wear and the occasional kick while I'm already out somewhere.
Remember that new Lavers soles' suck for sponginess. I'd walk in the shoes for a month and then make a truer comparison. (Just figured you might have left that variable out)
Ah well, we knew that wouldn't last. After all, shredzilla's a modifier at heart
Okay, here's the right shoe modified about 90%. The only thing more I personally would do, is remove some of the cotton layer from underneath the outside shred surface which I haven't done yet. I'd probably keep the stripes on the outside though cuz I really never use outside myself. Oh, and that kinda crappy stitch job lookin part on the inside surface was already there, I'm going to just seal that with fabric glue and that should be fine for that.
Minisesh 2: This time, modded, I went out and had a little sesh with a laver on the left foot, tennis pro on the right. The tennis pro played awesomely. The toes really are pretty amazing, and I can see the toe surface becoming more and more supple throughout future sessions.
The inside surface also performed well. Osis and clipper sets were good, as well as catches. They actaully seemed to perform better than brand new lavers. The inside surface was even more supple than the toe, and I really felt the bag there.
My left foot felt higher and more cushion underneath in the laver. With the Tennis pro, my right foot, especially the ball of my foot area, felt like it was pretty close to the ground. Sort of like a Nike Free feeling. However, I did not feel any extra impact. Again, this is the only issue I can see about these. If you weren't prone to shin splints, or you played on a padded surface, maybe it wouldn't be an issue. In fact some people might enjoy the feeling of their foot being closer, who knows. The shoe itself felt much sturdier on my foot however, but this may be because they aren't broken in yet.
Analysis- They played awesomely, great surface area catching right away, and felt sturdy the whole way through. The sole is thinner, and pretty hard, but I didn't notice a feeling of higher impact, only that of my foot being closer to the ground. I would say they are a somewhat decent alternative, but would require dedicated testing to give a final answer on that.
But I did order these, because they're almost like lavers, SUPER comfy, leather inside (another reason I love lavers) and they have cool stripes!
