Intro

It only feels like yesterday that Paul Rodriguez made a sponsor change for the history books in 2004 – from the then well-established and successful éS to the relatively young Nike SB division. The move was eyed suspiciously by many, with more than a few  screaming “sell out”. Times change, and oh, how they changed.
In 2012, éS footwear delivered its last collection and is un­fortunately going on hiatus for now. Nike SB, on the other hand, is more popular than ever, not just with consumers but also professional skateboarders as employer of choice. It’s a controversial topic that can be seen and discussed from many perspectives, but a fair share of those changes can be credited to the high quality of the products that Nike SB has released in recent years. On first inspection, the 6th iteration of the Paul Rodriguez signature shoe doesn’t seem to be an exception. A more detailed view is given in the following lines.



Durability

The Paul Rodriguez 6 is durable for several reasons. The now-standard one-piece toebox with decorative stitching reaches to almost the middle of the shoe. However, it meets the sidepanel in the ollie area and the connecting double-stitching is therefore affected by the griptape. During the test duration of 10 hours, the stitching ripped partly through in this area. Nevert­heless, the generous overlapping and the overall stability of the model prevented a hole. Furthermore, the angle at which both panels meet causes the top layer to be pulled over the toebox layer when doing tricks. This prevents the gap from spreading and the durability is maintained for long-term use, too.




Breathability

The breathability of the PRod 6 is way above average for several reasons. It features a thin, mesh tongue that allows airflow at the instep of the foot, a key region. This is a feature seen in more and more models. Additionally, it has perforated sidewalls. Both the bigger diameter and the number of perforations are exceptional and ensure good breathability. What makes it really special is the fact that not just the upper layer is perforated but the inner material as well. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case for skate shoes. It allows continuous airflow through the sidewalls and makes a noticeable difference.



Summary

The Nike SB Paul Rodriguez 6 offers superior breathability and is suitable for high-impact skating. While being durable, comfortable and very supportive, it features a slimmed-down silhouette compared with its predecessors, as well as solid grip and boardfeel.

words source : http://www.weartested.com/nike-paul-rodriguez-6-review/
photo : @thepictualist