High Quality PDF file: Cons KAII weartested
After watching the obligatory intro clip for the new Converse Kenny Anderson signature model, you could ask yourself: did I just watch a 60-second ad for a bicycle-chiller shoe? Where was the skateboarding?! But even if all of us would have preferred to see Kenny riding his skateboard like the style-god he is, the shoe itself had its charm. According to Mr. Anderson, his first pro model for Cons was a bit too thin for him. This leads to a more solid and sturdy second model, yet still maintained a flexible cupsole construction by featuring the Lunarlon insole that Converse’s owner Nike features in their models. How all this influenced the KAII’s performance on your skateboard will be revealed below in the following review.
The Converse KA II fits normal, but rather slim. If you have wider feet you could go half a size up for a better fit.
Contrary to Kenny Anderson’s first pro model, which featured stitchings around the toe-box area, the KA II goes a more minimalistic appeal. Nearly the whole upper is comprised of one single piece, with the Cons logo as the only exception. This, of course leads to improved durability, since there is nothing to rip or tear off.
The soft suede feels extremely sturdy as well. The only little surprise was the missing interlayer in the toebox area that many Converse models feature. The embossed logo seemed to be the only weak spot in the design as it showed signs of tear, at least according to the 10 hour test. Moreover, the rather wide lacing system and lace loops led to an increased risk of ripped laces. The outsole itself didn´t show any signs of abrasion, although a rather fine pattern did emerge.
CushioningAs aforementioned, thanks to Cons parent company Nike, the Lunarlon insole technology is also incorporated in its models, as well as the KA II. The formula for success has remained constant: a thin frontal area for impeccable board-feel and a wider heel area for moderate cushioning that works well unless you skate big gaps.
The silhouette of the new Kenny Anderson model can be described as low and well molded to your foot, with credit due to the unlined shoe tongue. Unlike many other cupsole models the KA II is rather pointy similar to a previous vulcanized model, the Kenny Anderson vulc. This, of course, leads to great flick especially in combination with the very soft suede.
Like most cupsole models, the boardfeel and grip took some time to fully develop, with help from the adaptive nature of the sole. After a somewhat disappointing grip during the first session, flex and grip improve greatly until they somewhat resembled the flick and flex of a vulcanized sole, which was again supported by the exceptional quality of the upper suede. As for the boardfeel, it was good from the start, and only improved after a few more sessions.
Everybody knows that ventilation is a crucial factor for skate shoes. None wants that foot sweat to be sloshing up and between your toes. Fortunately, the KA II implements ventilation really well, and creates an all around pleasant feel in combination with a really comfortable inner area. The asymmetrically designed Cons logo is also exceptional; it features a durable leather on the lateral side with breathable mesh on the medial side. Perforations along the toebox and a thin mesh-tongue do their part in terms of breathability too. But, as with most soft and comfortable models, the soft inner and heel area lead to cutbacks in stability. Compared to other models, the KA II does offer only average stability for your foot.
The Converse KA II is a simple, modern cupsole shoe with a flexible sole. It shines when it comes down to cushioning, durability and comfort. Its weaknesses are its average stability and low support in the heel area.
