Product Spotlight - Lakai AW '21 Part 1: Vulcs

You wanted more shoes, now we've got em! Find out more about the latest vulcanised shoes from one of the world's greatest skater-owned companies, Lakai.

Photo: Lakai's James Capps fakie flip from Chocolate skateboards latest full-length video, 'Bunny Hop', shot by Alex Papke.

Adding to our incredible line-up of premium skate shoes, we've brought back the legendary skater-owned shoe company, Lakai, with their latest range of skate shoes. We try to only stock brands who are a positive impact on our skate community - with the legends over at New Balance doing absolute bits for the UK scene, and Last Resort being one of the most exciting new skater-owned companies in recent memory - so we're really stoked to be stocking one of our favourite skater-owned brands again, and not just because it means we have an excuse to rewatch Fully Flared for the millionth time.

What Is A Vulc Shoe?

The collection this time is fairly big, so I thought I'd split it up into two parts so it doesn't end up reading like a dissertation. First up, we're going to be focussing on the vulcs on offer in this drop. If you don't know what a vulc is: the word is short for 'vulcanised', which basically refers to the process of how they're made, which involves the shoe's upper being glued to the sole before having a layer of foxing tape wrapped round it. Vulc shoes have basically become the meta in skateboarding in more recent years - although this seems like it could be starting to change - due to their thin construction providing unparalleled boardfeel and being easy to break in. Common examples of vulc shoes include: Nike Janoskis, Last Resorts, New Balance 306s, and most Vans and Converse shoes, like the Half Cab, Old Skool, and One Star.

Lakai have come through with 3 different vulcanised models in their latest collection including Stevie Perez's second pro-model, the Flaco 2 Mid, alongside the Manchester and the Lakai x Doom Sayers Newport. I'm not entirely sure why Lakai name their shoes after random UK towns and cities (although I guess they're probably US cities too considering America as a whole is historically unoriginal), maybe the names sound glamorous and exotic to them but for anyone who's actually been to Newport, Telford, or Manchester, the first thing that comes to mind when you associate these places with a shoe is probably gonna be those horrible Lonsdale slip-ons.

Lakai 'Newport' Skate Shoe

Nomenclature aside, the Lakai Newport has been one of our favourite shoes from Lakai since its release due to its clean and simple low-cut silhouette, acting as a bangin' skater-owned alternative to shoes like the Adidas Campus or Nike Blazer. The shoe is inspired by the Howard Select, the first ever vulcanised shoe from Lakai, and despite its simplistic design, it's absolutely loaded with premium tech to massively enhance your skating. While vulc outsoles usually leave a lot to be desired, the Newport features Lakai's signature Para-Mount outsole, which utilises dual-density rubber to help absorb impact and provide maximum comfort and support, alongside the Delux-Lite insole to provide additional shock absorption and further boost comfort and support, so you can hit the streets all day without having feeling it on your feet the next day. The shoe also features Lakai's unique hexagonal tread on the outsole which provides added grip, durability, and boardfeel; a full suede upper for maximum durability; and a perforated tongue for added breathability. What more could you want?

Not only are the Lakai Newport shoes packed with more cutting-edge technology than James Bond's stationery cupboard, they're also seriously fresh. The Newport's clean silhouette makes a nice change from some of Lakai's techier-looking offerings, making them a perfect choice for anyone who's a fan of minimalistic design. We're big fans of gold/yellow shoes here at CSC, as they can be a nice way to spice up a monochromatic wardrobe, but as an added bonus this particular colourway seems pretty on brand for the 'Newport' name seeing as it bears a striking resemblance to Newport County's football kit. Probably a coincidence but, either way, we're backin' it. Not only this, but the Lakai x Doom Sayers Newport shoe is, of course, a collaboration between Lakai and Omar Salazar's Doom Sayers, featuring Doom Sayers logos embroidered below the Lakai flare on the side of the shoe and on the shoe's heel, a custom-design insole, as well as a reimagining of the iconic 'Snake Shake' logo on the tongue with the addition of a Lakai flare. Two skater-owned brands for the price of one? Say no more.

Lakai 'Flaco 2 Mid' Skate Shoe

Next up, the Flaco 2 Mid is the latest signature shoe from Stevie Perez, AKA Flaco, which bears some similarities to the Newport in its simplistic design but with a few major tweaks. As with the Newport, the Lakai Flaco 2 Mid shoe also features Lakai's Para-Mount outsole, along with the hexagonal tread and Delux-Lite insole, for maximum comfort, support, and grip. However, instead of the full suede upper, the Flaco 2 Mid features a mixture of suede and canvas, combining the durability of suede in high-wear areas with the lightweight breathability of canvas along the sidewalls so that, to quote Hannah Montana, you get the best of both worlds. In addition, the Lakai Flaco 2 Mid shoe features co-bound suede in high-wear areas to add extra durability where it's needed most.

Lakai's Flaco 2 Mid skate shoe is, you guessed it, a mid-top construction - although realistically it's more like a high-top - making it perfect for anyone looking for a bit of extra support to keep those pesky ankles in place. It's available in two different colourways, Pine Suede and Black Suede, so you can keep it clean and simple with the black, or freshen up your fit with the lovely, wintery pine. Or, if you're a real baller, just get both; we won't judge.

Lakai 'Manchester' Skate Shoe

Last but not least, the final vulcanised shoe from Lakai's latest collection is the iconic Lakai Manchester. The Manchester has been one of Lakai's most popular shoes since it was introduced back in 2007, and its large, one-piece toe harkens back to its humble naughties origins while providing optimal flick and added durability, due to the lack of exposed seams. As with the other shoes, the Manchester also features Lakai's signature hexagonal tread, as well as a mesh tongue and perforated upper for added breathability. The White/Red Suede colourway features a suede toe for durability and flick, as well as leather sidewalls to reinforce the high-wear areas which usually result in ollie holes, as well as looking extra dope. There's a reason the Manchester has been one of Lakai's best-selling shoes for the last 15 years, you just can't beat its clean and simple design.

Unfortunately, the Gaffa made a bit of a boo-boo when he ordered these in and didn't realise the order form was using US sizes, so these Lakai skate shoes are only available in sizes 7 - 9, rather than the usual 8 - 10, so if you're feet are on the small and dainty side then you're in luck; otherwise, we're sorry.

That's enough chit-chat though. Head to the shop now to buy the full range of Lakai skate shoes at CSC, and keep your eyes peeled for when we take a look at the cupsole skate shoes Lakai's latest collection has to offer. Safe.