Braden Hoban may be only 23, but it feels like he’s been part of the skateboarding world forever. He’s immersed himself in nearly every aspect of the industry—dropping impressive Thrasher video parts, competing in the SLS circuit, and participating in World Skate events to qualify for the USA Men’s skateboarding team. Hoban stands out in competitions with his long, ragged hair, faded vintage shirts, and ripped jeans, which lend a nostalgic yet refreshing look that matches his effortless big-rail and hubba skating.
After seeing Braden’s breakout part in Emerica’s Emerge video, with his first two rail tricks alone, it’s clear he’s been mentored by Leo Romero and is a natural fit for both Emerica and Toy Machine. It wasn’t until watching him live at World Skate Lausanne, where he landed a kickflip nose grind on the massive hubba in every run, that we fully realized his consistency, skill, and unique style. His flair not only sets him apart among the world’s best but also builds anticipation for his next street part.
Originally from Encinitas, California, Hoban has been carving out a name for himself and his sponsors, bringing a raw edge to modern skateboarding that hasn’t been seen since the early 2000s. Just last month, Emerica released his Into The Light video part to celebrate his first pro model release, The Hoban. We got our hands on a pair and put them to the test—read on to see how Emerica’s newest addition performed in our 10-hour wear test.
The Emerica Hoban fits true to size.
The Emerica Hoban performed well in terms of durability during our 10-hour wear test. The sole is thick and high, making it the first area to show signs of abrasion, yet it withstood wear impressively. Thanks to the sole’s high sidewalls, the upper sits deeply within the shoe, offering excellent protection.
As a result, the upper showed minimal wear and it includes several durability features. First, the toe cap panel is triple-stitched and attached to the forefoot panel using a stitch-and-turn technique, creating a thick seam that enhances the flick. Second, the quarter panel is positioned away from the critical Ollie zone, reducing wear. Finally, while the lacing system is wide and somewhat susceptible to ripping, the Hoban offers a hidden lacing option for added resilience. Together, these features contribute to the shoe’s robust durability.
The Emerica Hoban features a straightforward vulcanized sole construction, with cushioning provided by the insole. The sole itself is thin, which limits its natural cushioning ability. As shown in the profile picture of the shoe, the removable insole, known as EM-PACT, is designed with a raised heel for impact protection and a lower profile in the toe area for enhanced board feel. During our 10-hour wear test, the sole and upper together provided reliable impact protection.
The Emerica Hoban features a slim forefoot design that widens through the midfoot and heel areas. The heel is cut low, leaving the ankles more exposed, which accommodates both wide and slim foot shapes. Subtle padding in the heel and tongue adds bulk to these areas but tapers to a thinner toe area for a streamlined fit. The midfoot tapers almost parallel toward the toe, ending in a slightly pointed shape. The sole is well-designed with an ideal height, allowing the rubber and suede materials that contact the griptape to work effectively together, providing a precise and direct flick.
The thick insole has the main aim to increase the cushioning of the Hoban. As seen in the cross section picture, the insole tapers from a heel to toe. In the toe area the difference in thickness essential for boardfeel. The thin front of the Hoban creates a good board feel and the feet have a close connection with the board, exactly where it is needed. The sole construction felt rather stiff in the first session and developed its full flexibility throughout our 10 hour wear test while staying on a high level. The sole construction did not get softer over time.
The Emerica Hoban has excellent grip and is the highlight. The wider sole thread patter in the first two thirds of the show is flexible so the sole sinks well on the griptape and create a grippy feeling. In the beginning the grip was almost too much so it needed some time to get used to and with that said, the grip did get better with more skating and after being broken in.
The Hoban has two drawbacks and one positive point in terms of comfort. On the plus side, the inner construction is clean, and the tongue strap effectively keeps everything in place. However, the shoe is quite heavy for a vulcanized model, which was noticeable right out of the box; this is due to the sole construction and full-suede upper. Additionally, the shoe lacks breathability features, so there’s nothing to prevent feet from overheating.
The stability of the shoe is solid. After our 10-hour wear test, we found that the sole is stable, while the suede overlays on the upper maintained their structure throughout. Though the shoe is cut very low, Emerica added a “heel anchor”—a padded, inset collar—that effectively helps lock the heel in place.
The Hoban is an all-around high-performing shoe, noted for its excellent grip, durability, and stability. However, there’s room for improvement in terms of comfort, as the shoe is somewhat heavy and lacks breathability.
