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A leather cupsole skate shoe with a low '80s-basketball shape, the Tyshawn II earns its retail for skaters who want a tough, stable board shoe, with weak breathability and a toe cap that can lift early as the main caveats noted in wear testing.
Tyshawn Jones, the New York skater who anchors adidas Skateboarding, got his first signature shoe in 2019; the Tyshawn II is the structured follow-up that leans further into actual skate performance. adidas reworked it as a cupsole with a reinforced toe and a Lightstrike heel, aiming at skaters who beat through thin vulc shoes. That focus is also its limit as a casual pick: it is heavier and more built-up than a Samba or terrace low.
Yes. It is a genuine cupsole skate shoe with a reinforced dual-layer toe cap and a slim forefoot for board feel, and it holds up better under abuse than thin vulc shoes. Plan for a break-in before you rely on it: the herringbone tread needs roughly four sessions to grip fully, so buy ahead of a trip rather than skating it cold.
It fits true to size with a slim, secure profile and only a short cupsole break-in. Wide-footed buyers should try it on before committing, since the snug last has little extra room and a tight skate shoe gets painful fast as reviewers note for this model.
Once the cupsole flexes in, the Lightstrike heel wedge gives reliable impact protection for skating and walking. It feels supportive rather than plush, and it is noticeably heavy and warm, so it is less easygoing than a lightweight lifestyle sneaker.
It can. Skaters have reported the outer toe-cap layer lifting and flapping within the first few sessions, needing glue to reseat, and wear testing also saw loosening at the toe panel. Inspect the bond before final-sale purchases and keep adhesive handy.
Yes. The low '80s-basketball shape works with denim, cargos, work pants, and shorts, and it pairs best with relaxed fits because it is bulkier than a Samba. Light colorways scuff and mark quickly, so a darker pair holds up better for daily wear as owners pairing it casually note.
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