PRODUCT
PATROL
by Jake Phelps
As we approach the end of the year (and the
decade) I figure it's time to clean out my shelves
and write some extra reviews. As you can see, I have
two pages to work with, so I'll try another way to
review things: product by product. Write me and
tell me what you want in the column. Critiques,
ideas and, of course, complaints are welcome, too.
Chris Miller model
Schmitt Stix, 1395 Lyon St.. Santa
Ana, California 92705
The latest Chris Miller
deck came my way. The
new concave is excellent,
as I expected, but the most
interesting thing about this
deck is the super nose. It's
not quite a tail at the front,
but it's one step closer. In
fact, the nose seems
almost steeper than the tail.
I found that a little hard to
get used to, but after a
couple days I was stoked.
At 31% by 9% with a 4½"
nose, a 6½" tail, and a
15¼" wheelbase, I found it
as comfortable on the
street as on a ramp. I highly
recommend this deck as a
step into the future.
Steve Caballero shoes
Vans, 2095 Batavia St., Orange
California 92665
Vans is the first name in skate
shoes. Their new half-hightop.
Steve Caballero dogs are from the
you do get new ones, invest in
some new socks at the same time.
will make your feet and the peo-
ple you live with happier. Hey, I
know shoes go fast. Maybe if they
made a shoe that was a cross be-
tween a Doc Marten and a Chuck
Taylor it would last forever. O
Schmitt Stix
same quality stock. While the up- Red Line wheels
per is nothing special, the sole is
what keeps skaters coming back.
The soft crepe sole has excellent
traction on griptape and absorbs
shock when you bail. Vans are not
as expensive as the other shoes in
this column but their soles don't
last as long. A note on all shoes--if
Schmitt also makes wheels.
Fast wheels. While most com-
panies are into new graphics
and colors, Schmitt makes
simple white disks that haul
ass. I'm not saying that is the
way it should be, but the hype
is less severe and
it makes buying
things a little less
hectic. The new
Red Line formula
68mm x 36mm
50D wheels are
everything you
could ask for in a
wheel-fast and
smooth, with a
controlled slide.
Admittedly, the
Schmitt durometer
scale leads to a lit-
tle confusion, but
the 50D felt like a Santa Cruz
95A. SS radials also have
aluminum hubs, which cut
down the flex of urethane and
theoretically make the wheels
faster. Like the ad says, not for
the weak at heart.
SHOK BLOX
Shok Blox risers
Schmitt Stix
These little riser pads cut
down the shock of everyday
street riding, thus preventing
loose hardware and bearing vis-
cosity problems. The only gripe
I have is that they are not 1/4" and
they are not ", so they're kind
of in no-man's land as far as
thickness goes. All in all, I think
this is a great idea. O
Fishlips model
Fishlips, P.O. Box 189, Station G,
Toronto, Ont. Canada, M4M 367
Fishlips? Who in their right
mind would name their new
company Fishlips? Well, these
Santa Cruz gloves
Santa Cruz, 4401 Soquel Dr, Soquel,
California 95073
Santa Cruz has released the
most recent copy of their ever-
popular skate glove. It is a little
beefier than their previous
model and it seems as if it will
last forever. They feature
strong velcro, no fingertips, a
full-length thumb and double
stitching where it counts. If
you wear gloves, check into
N.H.S., they have their finger
on the pulse of what skating is
all about.
VISION
DV*8 shoes
Vision, 1395 Lyon St., Santa Ana,
California 92705
Vision has made a success
ful venture in to the "lifestyle"
market by making clothes and
shoes. Judging by how many
of these DV 8 whackers I've
seen around, I'm sure they're
making money on them. The
shoes are durable and
"stylish." The leather upper,
thick sole and built-in lace
saver are telltale signs of what
these puppies are designed
for: skating. I don't know how
much they cost, but they're
worth a look. Remember, if Dad
is buyin', you be stylin.
600° Farenheit shoes
Airwalk, P.O. Box 9000-227, Carsibad.
California 92009
Airwalk makes shoes for
skateboarding and the 600°
Fahrenheit model is an excellent
example. Airwalks have "ollie
pads" made of hard plastic in
the heavy wear section of the
shoe, which sets them apart
from other brands. The ones I
had did not wear out on the ollie
area, so my conclusion is that it
works. They have a strong sole
and the upper is an excellent
combination of looks and
durability. To me, the price is a
little on the high side, but they
last well and they look cool, so
check them out.
AIRVALE
fishlips
guys did, and they have a de-
cent product. It's really hard to
start a company these days,
what with all the little guys.
getting bought up by the big
boys, so I give them a lot of
credit. They make simple.
shapes and graphics with
quality materials. Measure-
ments are: 30%" long, 10"
wide, with 4½" of nose, a 6½"
tail and a 15" wheelbase. The
deck was great when I first.
rode it, but after a while it just
went man, like, disintegrate.
When I get the first products.
from these companies, I am
open to their ideas. My advice
to any new company is never
rest on your laurels. When you
put out a new product, always
have something cooking on
the back burner.
Well, that's it. Have a safe,
happy holiday and keep
those cards and
letters coming,
they make my
days.
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