The etnies Marana was originally introduced in 2012 as Ryan Sheckler’s seventh pro model. The concept behind the design was to develop an affordable and highly durable skateboard shoe that the everyday skateboarder would be stoked on and the parents buying it would have faith in.

Released during a period where slim vulcanised shoes dominated the skateboard market, the Marana reintroduced a technical focus into the etnies brand range and its subsequent influence can be seen in shoes such as the Helix and Scout XT.

“The Marana Michelin boasts a beefy cupsole, which utilises Michelin’s PC00 rally racing compound. This substance lends itself perfectly to skateboarding usage”

Over the last five years the Marana has taken on many variations (the Marana Vulc, Mid and XT) and has transitioned into a staple of the etnies range. Introduced in summer 2017, after rigorous wear-testing and input from etnies rider Chris Joslin, the Marana Michelin is the latest in this lineage and translates the durability and grip capabilities of Michelin racing tyres to skateboarding footwear.

The Marana Michelin boasts a beefy cupsole, which utilises Michelin’s PC00 rally racing compound. This substance lends itself perfectly to skateboarding usage; creating stability and combatting the heavy abrasion inflicted on skate shoes from griptape contact and constant impact. Visually inspired by car tyre treads, the Michelin formula sole further maintains and enhances grip with deep interlocking grooves and flex lines sculpted into the cupsole meaning that despite their reduced abrasion-resistance, there’s no compromise on flexibility or boardfeel.

The etnies Marana Michelin’s long sculpted toe shaping is designed to assist with flip tricks and an added TPR toecap ensures a balance of durability between the cupsole and suede upper. The one-piece toe is blind stitched to the shoe’s side panel which features prominent branding with etnies and Michelin logos carried throughout the shoe.

Despite being four to five times more abrasive than a traditional rubber cupsole, and three times more enduring than its debut incarnation – the etnies Marana Michelin is still priced exactly as the original Marana was – adhering to the initial concept of producing an affordable and incredibly durable skateboard shoe.

If you’re looking for a skate shoe with maximum performance and genuinely heightened durability offering something substantively different from the rest of the market then the etnies Marana Michelin comes highly recommended – parents, we’re looking directly at you!

• ETNIES – MARANA MICHELIN
• RRP: £64.99
• ETNIES.COM