Nike SB GT Blazer Low PRO Review

If you are a skateboarder I think we can both agree that Grant Taylor is one of the best skateboarders to ever do it. His uncanny ability to find lines where no-one else can while oozing pure style is second to none. I would rather watch him frontside grind a pool than watch most skateboarders flip in-flip out on a ledge. And that's no disrespect, its just my personal preference. Well, it's no surprise he has his own signature shoe with Nike SB and this updated version is packed with new features to make it stand out from its predecessor, the GT Blazer Low.

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Grant Taylor Blazer PRO

Super Sport-Inspired - I'm a sucker for storytelling when it comes to product so when I discovered the racing stripe theme on this model I was an immediate fan. The Chevy El Camino Super Sport was the inspiration for the stripes on the insoles and tongue. So if the original GT Blazer was the a Chevy El Camino, the GT Blazer PRO is the super sport with more beef, muscle, and attitude to it. And I think the comparison of the power of a muscle car to Grant's skating is spot on. Check out Grant's interview to learn more about this story.

Higher Foxing Tape - The higher foxing tape definitely peaked my interest when I first saw this model because I felt as though the GT Blazer felt a bit too thin and lost the rigidity too quickly. So far I am impressed. If you are familiar with those '100 kick flips in 'brand + model' videos well I gotta say I did WELL over 200 flip tricks in these and you can see the foxing tape held up (scope the worn images at the bottom of this page).

Mixed Material Upper - Suede on the forefoot in those high wear areas adds a lot of durability to this shoe. And the canvas on the back quarter is a nice touch. Aesthetically it is pleasing and there is some functionality to it since it is more breathable than suede. I sweat a lot when I skate and any ventilation in a shoe is greatly appreciated.

Classic Sole - This is by far one the main reasons I choose to skate in SBs. The sole always lasts the life of the shoe. There is no flattening out or losing tread here. Just really great grip which is exactly what you need for skateboarding.

Zoom Air - The insoles may not look like much but they definitely take the edge off high impacts. I don't typically skate stairs or drops and these protected my heels just fine. Also, if you find yourself going big or needing extra protection then you can always modify the insoles by adding your own.

Summary - I skated everything in these. A crusty full pipe, cheese grater concrete, a dimly lit basketball court, and my local park and they felt great the entire time. When it comes to low top vulcanized skate shoes, you will be hard-pressed to find anything as good as these. This is a repeat purchase in my book.

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I hope you got the information you were looking for in this review! If you have a pair of used skate shoes don't forget to check out Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe Program. Also, here is a complete skate shop list where you can find this shoe or other Nike SB models. Be sure to support your local shop if you can!