Staying true to its ethos, Last Resort AB has consistently released clean, simple skate shoe silhouettes designed specifically for skateboarding, free from gimmicks. Over their almost five-year history, they’ve kept branding to a minimum, establishing their identity through sleek, understated designs. Our last review of a Last Resort shoe covered the CM001, their first cupsole model, which impressed us with its stability and durability.
Since then, the Last Resort AB team has released a standout team video on Thrasher titled Doomed From The Jump, featuring creative skating from Dane Brady, Frankie Decker, Chris Milic, and Jesse Alba. They also shared a 30-minute vlog-style skate diary on their YouTube channel, capturing their crew’s sessions in Japan and including footage of Kiki Kakitani, who kicked off Polar Skate Co.’s Everything Is Normal video with an unforgettable part.
Fast forward to this week: Last Resort AB just teased their latest silhouette, the CM002, marking a new addition to their cupsole line. This model takes a step away from their typically simple designs, featuring a layered look that hints at a more technical approach. We were lucky enough to test out a pair before its release, so read on for our full review of how the CM002 performs on the board.
The shoe fits slightly small, so we recommend going a half size up. For reference, we typically wear a US9 in Last Resort AB’s vulcanized models, but for the CM002 model, we opted for a US9.5.
The Last Resort AB CM002 performed well in our 10-hour wear test, proving itself to be a durable shoe. At first glance, the upper—with its multiple material overlays and stitching—may appear to compromise durability. However, its resilience comes from the strategic use of different materials, with the areas in contact with griptape positioned carefully. The combination of stiff leather with a suede panel on top works particularly well to enhance durability. The suede panel, as the first point of contact with griptape, also provides excellent flick. Although some seams ripped, the sturdy materials kept the panels intact, and the mesh showed only minor abrasion. The sole is relatively low and thin in the forefoot, which led to more wear around the kickflip area.
Cupsole constructions generally offer better cushioning than vulcanized soles due to their thicker sole and increased stability. The Last Resort AB CM002 combines its cupsole with an insole, known as “Cloudy Cush,” providing a comfortable and stable feel that absorbs regular impacts well. This design works harmoniously with the shoe’s stability and padded upper to deliver cohesive cushioning. Overall, the CM002 is recommended for medium-impact skating.
The Last Resort AB CM002 introduces a new shape, adding variety to Last Resort AB’s lineup. With its multi-material, layered upper, it’s a fresh departure from the simplicity of the vulcanized models. The CM002 has padding in the heel and tongue, making it slightly bulkier than previous models, though it still has a close fit. The heel and midfoot run parallel, with the toe area narrowing into a nicely rounded toebox. This shape offers excellent flick and control for flip tricks.
Creating a new sole construction for improved stability and cushioning could compromise boardfeel, but the CM002 maintains a great feel for a cupsole. As shown in the cutaway view, the cupsole combines a skeleton pattern with a foam wedge, making the shoe flexible right out of the box without sacrificing stability or cushioning in the heel. The forefoot is thin, with flex grooves that allow the sole to mold to the griptape for maximum contact. In terms of grip, the shoe performs solidly. The sole held up well in our 10-hour test, offering balanced grip that isn’t overly sticky, which some skaters may prefer.
The CM002 is slightly lighter than the CM001 due to the use of mesh materials, which also increase breathability. However, the cutaway reveals an inner lining that somewhat limits ventilation. The tongue isn’t fixed with straps, which allows it to move side to side. On the positive side, the inner lining, heel padding, and tongue all contribute to a comfortable fit.
In terms of stability, the shoe performs well. The high-cut heel, reinforced padding, quality leather, and stable cupsole give the CM002 strong support. The heel design and lining help prevent slippage, even when the shoe becomes slightly damp due to limited ventilation.
The CM002 is a pleasant addition to Last Resort’s cupsole line, excelling in durability, boardfeel, cushioning, and upper stability. However, there is room for improvement in the shoe’s comfort, specifically breathability, and grip.
