Hyped to pick up a pair of pre-release Koston 1s to test out. They are one of the few shoes like the Half Cab that can be worn straight out of the box. Most shoes have odd pinch points & hard insoles that need to be broken in for a week, worn barefoot before you walk around let alone skate in them. Not the Kostons.
The fit is like a cross between a P.Rod 4 and a Nike Cortez. Thin Vans-like vulcanized feel but with supportive outer sole edges like the P.Rod 4 but with instant flexibility; and a narrow pinch free toe box like a Cortez has. I can only hope they hold their shape after a few sessions. The interior is full nylon-wrap that's super comfortable and the lunar insole holds up to the hype. Plush.
My only issue is the odd half-connected tongue. I understand that it relieves the sometimes uncomfortable tongue straps, but I wish it was connected to the outside part of the tongue, not the inside. Just feels weird. Also I wish the soles were a little thicker like the P.Rod 4s; but great boardfeel makes up for that. Plus I won't be so tempted to backstock pairs to wear daily. Just the one to skate and blow out. Hyped to hit up Astoria park later to do some "performance testing", although I think doing axle stalls & a couple curb bsts's is hardly considered R&D.
Check out the sick tour video that they put out. Super funny. Only Koston can have Kobe on his speed dial.
