New Balance Numeric Andrew Reynolds 933 Shoe Review
Dan BunnFind out whether the Reynolds 933 lives up to the hype as we put the shoe through its paces in our in-depth wear test.
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In a world filled with made-up tech, false promises and marketing mumbo-jumbo, New Balance Numeric have broken the trend by making a shoe that actually delivers on the claims it makes. Taking inspiration from the iconic New Balance 990 running shoes and with Reynolds' name attached, the bar was already set pretty high but New Balance have managed to deliver the goods by channeling the very best of their running shoe technology and know-how into a skate shoe that's sure to change the game forever. The Reynolds 933 is simply built different. Check out our full review of the New Balance Numeric Andrew Reynolds 933 below to find out everything you need to know about how it performs, how it fits and more!
Comfort
One of the first (and most important) things I noticed when wearing the New Balance 933 was just how comfortable the shoes really are; it's hard to believe you're actually wearing a pair of skate shoes. As soon as you put them on, you can genuinely feel the technology they’ve put into the shoe, particularly their revolutionary new co-bonded Abzorb midsole and stacked heel design. Even just walking around, you can feel your heel sink into the cloud-like cushioning through the centre of the sole as the shoe hits the floor while the stiffer rubber around the sidewalls remains firm to help cup your heel, offering more strength and stability than Theresa May could ever hope for - and you don't have to jump down a 10 stair to know that this cushioning directly translates to when you're on the board.

While the cushioning is some of the finest I’ve ever felt in a skate shoe, it’s the stability which really makes the Reynolds 933 shine. Pretty much every aspect of the shoe works together to help maximise stability: the insole curls up around the edges to help cup your heel; the unique Controlled Reaction Device wraps around the outside to further support the heel; the stiffer sidewalls of the midsole provide a stable base to prevent your foot rolling; and the shank plate (a premium bit of tech they’ve borrowed from running and basketball shoes, but more on that later) helps provide an extra layer of rigidity to prevent the shoe excessively rolling or flexing. Even in running or hiking shoes I've never felt as locked-in and secure as in the New Balance 933.

Performance
I’m not gonna lie, when I ordered these shoes I wasn’t really planning on skating in them, however for the sake of this review I had to take them out for a few sessions to see how they perform in the name of public interest. Straight out of the box, the Reynolds 933 is definitely on the stiff side, but that’s not surprising given the nature of the shoe’s cupsole construction and the added rigidity from the shank plate. If you enjoy skating in stiffer shoes then this obviously won’t be an issue but, for me, it’s not really my favourite and I would probably recommend wearing them more day-to-day first to break them in a bit if you prefer a softer shoe as they have softened up a fair bit since I first got them.
With that being said, the Reynolds 933 feels way less clunky on the board than I expected. Given the shoe’s stiffness and the amount of cushioning, I wasn’t that optimistic about being able to feel the board but I was pleasantly surprised by the 933s’ sensitivity. While the shoe features a fairly chunky heel for comfort and impact protection, the sole thins out considerably towards the toe for a more responsive feel. Obviously they’re not going to be on the level of a vulc but given the amount of cushioning and support they offer that’s hardly surprising and New Balance have managed to strike an impressive balance of cushioning and boardfeel.

While the shoe’s stiffness may not lend itself to providing the best boardfeel, it does of course contribute to the shoe's overall cushioning, impact protection and stability - something which is further helped by the shoe’s TPU midfoot shank plate. To be honest, I had no idea what a shank plate was before hearing that New Balance were putting one in the 933; but apparently, it’s a Thermoplastic Polyurethane insert which runs through the shoe’s midfoot and is commonly used in basketball and running shoes to provide a rigid base, helping prevent over-pronation (i.e. ankle rolls), reducing the load on your foot and improving energy return - as well as doubling up as an extra layer of protection when landing primo (which luckily I didn't get chance to test out).
Maybe it’s all in my head and I’ve been brainwashed by the New Balance marketing but I did notice this ‘improved energy return’ while wearing the shoe. When walking and pushing, you can feel the energy being transferred from your heel through to your toe and, at the risk of sounding cliche, it does give you a spring in your step. I also found that the added rigidity and stiffer construction helped provide a more powerful, snappier pop by allowing you to put more force through your toes and really dig into the pocket when popping and scooping tricks.

Likewise, I was also impressed with the Reynolds 933s flick, despite being somewhat apprehensive about how the runner toe would feel. To be honest, I barely noticed the runner toe when skating in them, even when doing tricks like hardflips where I flick with the very tip of the shoe, as it sits pretty flush with the rest of the sole. It takes me a while to get used to flip tricks in new shoes at the best of times and I was definitely worried the runner toe would be overly grippy and end up with the board wrapping around my foot and decimating my ankle but luckily I was reliably landing kickflips within a matter of goes and my ankles lived to see another day.
As well as the skating side of things, I also had to make sure to put the 933 through its paces when it comes to everyday wear to see if the shoe really can bridge the gap between skate shoes and everyday chillers. Jumping straight in the deep end, I gave them a baptism of fire with a weekend of standing around watching punk bands before topping it off with a hike in the Peak District, and it’s safe to say they passed the vibe check. All the tech packed inside the shoe directly translates to everyday wear, with the Abzorb midsole offering top-quality comfort and support when you’re on your feet for long durations (as well as helping minimise any alcohol-induced ankle rolls) while the NDurance rubber outsole and heel stabilising features provide reliable grip and stability even in off-road environments.

Durability
In terms of durability, the New Balance 933 has been holding up pretty well after a few sessions, as you can see in the pictures (and yes, I can't switch flip, just imagine both shoes have the same wear...). The pig suede upper is showing minimal signs of wear and I'm not even close to getting through to the adhered toe-cap underneath (the wear looks more extreme in the pictures because of all the dirt I've managed to accumulate, so it's basically just worn through the top layer of grime to expose the clean suede underneath). Even the stitching around the toe panel is still going strong thanks to the triple-stitched construction. To be honest, I didn't really notice a difference from the debossed ollie patch and, while it does feel pretty tough, I imagine I'll end up wearing through the stitching below it before it really comes in handy - although it should still help prevent wearing through that part of the shoe over longer periods.

Sizing & Fit
While how a shoe fits can vary significantly depending on the shape of your foot, I found the Reynolds 933 to fit true to size. My feet aren’t particularly wide or narrow and the 933s fit me perfectly. For reference, I usually wear 480s, and most other New Balance models, in a size 10 and I’m glad I got the 933s in the same size as they fit my feet snug but without being too tight. Lengthwise, I would say that the 933s feel very similar to the 480s, however, in terms of width, they do feel slightly narrower. If you have wider feet you may want to size up or look at getting the Wide fit option (which I believe is currently only available direct from the New Balance website) - although due to all the padding around the inside of the shoe they will definitely stretch out a bit as they break in. Ultimately, if you’re really unsure what size to go for, the best thing to do is to come visit us in the shop (or any other local skater-owned shop) and try them on in person.

Summary
Pros:
- Next-level comfort
- Excellent stability
- Good durability
- Reliable flick
Cons:
- Pricey
- Somewhat lacking boardfeel
- Narrow fit
Overall, I've been very impressed with the Reynolds 933, both as a skate shoe and as an everyday chiller. New Balance Numeric have definitely succeeded in creating a shoe that bridges the gap between a skate shoe and a runner with next-level comfort and top-tier skating performance. Given the heavy emphasis on comfort and stability, the New Balance 933 does suffer a bit when it comes to boardfeel, however they ended up exceeding my expectations and I found skating in them much more enjoyable than I first anticipated. If you're used to vulcs or thinner cupsoles, like me, then you might struggle a bit at first, however your feet will thank you for it in the end. Whether you plan on skating them or not, it's safe to say that the Reynolds 933 is one of the comfiest and highest-quality skate shoes I've ever experienced and I highly recommend giving them a go - although they might just ruin every other shoe for you.
That's enough chit-chat though. Head to the shop to browse the full range of New Balance Numeric skate shoes and buy now from CSC. Or, find out more about the latest skate product on the CSC Blog. Safe.