Echo Skates - Teardown & Exclusive First Look

[@LocoSkates]

Additional info… Pre order starts next week, 14th May, for delivery early July. Echo say that the Eva foam attachment Velcro’d to the back of the cuff is to prevent liner-slip. Also, shared shell sizes are 37-38, 39-40, 41-42, 43-44, 45-46

[@FullBongo]

Do you have a sense of the release date? not sure if I missed it in the video.

[@NOIS_inks]

I figured it was for heel lock since it doesn’t wrap around I really love this color though all the skates that have come out in a more unique color way have been blowing up the Mesmer sage green and this one are 2 different shades the echo is more of an avocado guacamole green and the side profile looks more like a throne flat long opposed to the Them 909. Hope to get a pair of these with the black laced x loco laces

[@NOIS_inks]

@@FullBongo nah not in the states I been looking for a us release but nothing

[@FullBongo]

@@NOIS_inks I DM'd the company, they said they are working it out and will announce US distro for the preorder in a few weeks. That being said, Loco has good US shipping and so does Woosh so I'm not too concerned.

[@FabiusPyromanus]

To my eyes the skate looks unique. I like it.

[@dopetag]

agree. The color combination is fresh and kinda gorpcope

[@gargamel3393]

Yeah I like the look of them. The colors are silly but they look like the old hard boot Razor skates from back in my day. I could deal with that goofy green color if it had a black frame and liner.

[@p1roncho]

the colors may be unique, but the boot itself is anything but unique, you can see the exact same line as them skates in most places, I mean not just resemblance-100% same lines, like coming from the same mould

[@FabiusPyromanus]

@@p1roncho Can't see it. The Echo boots have several lines that distinguish it from the Them.

[@zernicht9r286]

my skate looks unique genesis 4.1 colered by my kids

[@chocodesu]

I actually love this color combo. Kind of reminds me of old Bauer aggressive skates. But that frame especially is 😍

[@BradClements-zr9fy]

I thought the same thing when I first saw them. I love the green and purple combo.

[@jord2roll]

Having spoke to the designer at clash. It's seems to me that they've had a quick look at the market and seen what's popular. I see it as a sports direct model. You can make something incredibly similar but different. I don't care what anyone says them skates are extortionate. He's made the brand high fashion. Just as I think you must be pissed to spend 100 quid on a t-shirt. The echo guys were brilliant and took loads of feedback. But it actually fit my foot perfectly over everything else I tried on at clash. The price point for me is excellent.

[@johnharris618]

I know what you mean about the extra price of a fairly standard skate but don’t forget that Julio has been transparent about the pricing. He charges more so that he can pay employees and pros on the team more than they normally would make at another company. If I thought the premium prices were just for Julio to pad his pockets I wouldn’t support it but I believe Jon makes those decisions from a place of integrity.

[@Saultimate]

the color reminds me of the old Bauer Respect skates, love it

[@TheJadedRaver]

I always figured THEM would eventually make a similar version first. Iv seen concept fan art of the exact same idea.

[@DraftyVi]

Im personally a big fan of the green and purple combo, but thats purely because im a massive fan of clashing colours that dont really go together. Cant imagine that will be too popular for the general population

[@Stoitism]

I duno I think green and purple go together well. A colour combination you see in nature a lot.

[@blazinrokz]

On the colour wheel they're considered complimentary colours. I actually really dig this colourway too.

[@Rockysbeats]

graphic designer here. green and purple go together extremely well believe me

[@marcusgilliam3269]

The green and purple combo is so nice

[@rauf4sizzle]

I'm trying for a green and yellow oysi frames just for the general ninja turtle vibe

[@PSpiel8861]

Whooo. The colour scheme is like my old Bauer Sanctity's 🙌🙌 love them 😊

[@udihu]

The Echo came out way better than I expected. I actually like this colorway and the small innovations, tweaks they did is quite nice tbh. The frame mounts into a reciever in the soul, like a sway, right?

[@Cheezmonka]

That color combo is incredible! That's absolutely the one I would buy once I try these on and see how they fit me in a few months.

[@luukismark9630]

It makes me think of TMNT and I need it in my life 😁

[@Sciancico]

That soul plate looks much better than the 909’s…

[@artamon2212]

As a designer I can say that these skates have cleaner lines than the 909s ... and they certainly won't be so expensive as the 909s, which really aren't as good quality and awesome as they are presented. The color this skate reminds me of Bauer skates from 98

[@jandof]

I think that color is da bomb! super cool 👌🏽

[@podwick7222]

These look sick. Yeah it’s a bit themskates meets RB blank but both are great looking products so a combo is cool to see. I actually like the green a lot, feels very modern and also shrek :)

[@kevarank]

Really exciting times for rollerblading. I blade close to 20 years and never thought that I am hyped about every brand the comes 😁 I like the look and even the moon circle on the side. I like this "ugly" colour and at most the techs inside. I hope I can test them around. This "underdog" feeling reminds me of cell phones back in the day. I always tried some new company's with tech like the big ones. Cool to see they make some new things combined with thinks they work. Hope they fit me 😅 I sound like a fangirl but I am so exited what rollerblading do next 🔥🩶

[@hammonds85]

Good to see the skate isn’t as glossy as it looked from the pictures at winterclash. Never really clocked the ‘Them’ comparison until seeing them side by side in the vid, but then I don’t skate Them, so it’s not an image fresh in my mind. This skate though makes me think blading is in a pretty solid position right now if we are getting bigger companies, turning their heads and willing to dip their toes into the aggressive market. As long as the money generated largely stays in the industry, that can only be a good thing.

[@lewisbloom]

Standard, TNEC, Echo, interesting times for olderbladers now we all have money to buy skates. They are as similar to THEM as THEM are as similar to my Velocity I was skating in the 90's,.... A stateside skate.

[@harry_abel]

Not completely untrue, but the 908 was an open mould from a factory (called the 908) which copied Bauer. Stateside used it to make the velocity as did another brand and called it the Sabotage.

[@udihu]

Don't forget about the future Loco skate

[@marcusgilliam3269]

This makes me laugh. It's exactly how I feel. I'm old and well off enough not to scoff at spending hundreds of dollars on skates. Things I dreamed about as a kid but could never afford.

[@xxjabarri2xx]

I've had issues in the past with the bolt from the cuff digging into my ankle, that patch idea is genius! Also suppose you could add something like that to your already existing liner(s)

[@Bigd4nny]

Definitely taken ques from them. Nothing wrong with that, if anything it's the ultimate compliment.

[@MrIain2305]

I like the Green more than the other two, think this will be the most popular colour way weirdly.

[@willbean1573]

I think these are sic! Definitely gonna try in the future.

[@barneyruckus]

I think the design motifs of the boot separate it enough from other boots on the market to not cause confusion between brands, which I believe is the main point of obtaining a design patent. I personally don’t like the color way, but appreciate that there are companies that dare to be weird. It gives me Incredible Hulk or Green Goblin vibes.

[@JustAnotherBlader]

I kinda wanna try those liners. And I wish every skate company would adopt the square or bridges receptors.

[@tom.coelhocruz]

The Velcro strap thingy on the liner's back may serve solely for heel lock. I find the second-skin version too flimsy after some time to provide additional support, so I only use it for heel lock.

[@mog7814]

If they release the green skate I will absolutely buy it.

[@JacbBach]

Done deal ;)

[@orbeert955]

Ill buy it just for the frame. Actually love that there are some wackier colour combos coming out

[@eddyeffendy_]

digging that green colour

[@pinfarmer]

I dig the colour. I'm surprised how much the matte finish improves the look !

[@Foxhoundn]

Dress in all black and this skate looks absolutely unique and cool, just like the bacemint them ones. Will you get the big wheels ones to review? Really looking forward what the new mounting system is all about.

[@denzense]

I love that green color!!!

[@bladetilldead]

hows the THEM or Sway soul kit fit on the echo boot?

[@TheMadHatter1330]

Reminds me of Donatello from TMNT 💜💚

[@deividaslaukionis]

Yup, Donatello skate for sure! Now we need a staff, eye mask and a turtle shell!

[@FATSNAIL-FPV]

Buckle protection is exactly the same as that pink skate. There's to many brands now, all taking notes from other brands. Never thought I'd encourer this combtback to skating after 20 years lol.

[@McCreadie88]

Rollerblade companies making plastic boots for our feet, how can they all not look similar to each other....echo, standard omni, them 909, usd sway 58 - they all look similar because they're all plastic. For me, this skate is getting too much unnecessary comparison to the 909 - look at photos side by side, there are clear differences. I love the green and purple colour combo and I love that there are more colour and size options for everyone!

[@ChubbyTurtleKicks]

Purple n green is my absolute fav combo, so i may be a bit biased.. but they look dope as fuck to me! I may have to pick some up! When do they come out?

[@SaccoBelmonte]

Love the colors.

[@j4nk3n]

The velcro rub patches are a nice idea, be interesting to see them in practice

[@okthisisthelasttimeipromise]

Great video, thank you.

[@BourneRolling]

Those third skins liners look great for a £200 skate

[@thomasbrown8462]

Teenage mutant ninja turtles colours! My boy Donatello. Complimentary colours aren't everyone's bag but kinda cool.

[@shner84]

To say that they look like a Thems skates sounds kinda of silly without you saying that a them skate is a strict Bauer civilly rip-off with different soulplates. That is what I see when I see this new skate. And I love my Bauer for the short time they lasted me. I'm really digging this new echo.

[@Inferna-Rex]

We all need bridge wear like that. And like Omni etc.

[@Stu108]

Good stuff. Will you consider doing a deep dive on the TNEC 58 please?

[@LocoSkates]

Coming up soon

[@Stu108]

@@LocoSkates yaaassss!

[@johnharris618]

Those first pictures they dropped of the skates looked terrible. They must have been prototypes with a different plastic or a different finish because they didn’t look anything like what you have there. I did a full 180 from hating the way they looked to really liking them. All the new skate companies seem to be doing well and having success because a lot of people like them. Echo, Mesmer, Faction, Standard, TNEC. Really an exciting time for skate products and I wish the best for all of them.

[@JacbBach]

You have no idea how nice it is to read this. Thanks!

[@joshcontreras8821]

Will they be selling boot or shell only or does it have to be purchased as a complete skate

[@Grindhoven]

Looks like a them mixed with a nimh skate. Cant wait to try the echo skates

[@therealslimsk80]

Would be keen to know what size range they are coming out with and how the boot fits, small normal or wide. I skate the gawds plastic TF and Team skate in 12.5 (305) and would love an alternative option. Also not many on the market as not a fan of the 5ths . Thanks for the review.

[@Matthewdoesstuff]

I believe it's gonna be 36-38, 39-40, 41-42, and so on. I have a wide foot, and barely am able to skate the sl in a 42. My other option is always going up in size to a skate that's way too long and to big in general. The 42 echo was really accommodating and felt wide in the right places for me. I skated them for about an hour with no issues. For reference, my sl is on the verge of being unskateable at the end of the day if I've been on my feet all day.

[@therealslimsk80]

@@Matthewdoesstuff thanks Matt, appreciate the response. The Standard XL is just too small so was hoping these guys do a full size run.

[@Matthewdoesstuff]

@@therealslimsk80 I think they are. I believe they have all the sizes listed on their Instagram other then the smallest size which was added later

[@Pratalax]

Yeah, i think you're not wrong, they do take a lot after Them 909, and i think the difference between 909/salomon, and echo/909 is that Them are taking after a (long) dead brand. Omni is another exception as while i do see other skates in it, it's kinda really an amalgamation of them all, a true remix as it were. As for the colour, if they don't call that green and purple model the "Donatello", someone needs to get fired. .....also i feel like you're overusing the the term "design language" a bit, but that's just me :P

[@alexdestefano5059]

oooh would that soulplate fit on thems ??

[@thisoneisonme]

not a fan of the color, but I do have to say for $200 bucks that's a compelling boot. It does seem they just picked their favorite products and made knockoff versions of them but with some of their own tweaks. I don't blame them for not wanting to try and reinvent the wheel. If they do manage to get this into big box stores, it would be a great pickup for a first skate. The liner alone is better than anything else I've seen in that price range.

[@Kingtrollface259]

Also what abec on the bearings are they up to now, 5 was the fastest when I started

[@marcusgilliam3269]

The Verve skate looks unique. I think it looks great, the 909 looks great, and thats probably why you think it looks like the 909.

[@rob.dark7]

Those are the Donatellos😂🥷🐢

[@HaydenBall1985]

Good review Jake

[@jordskates]

I'm a bit unsure of their target market with that price point. Previously Anarchy skates were clearly aimed at beginners, and they were probably the best value options around the £100 mark as they were much cheaper than any of the core brands. However with this skate selling for £200 they are competing with the USD Sway, Roces M12 LO UFS and Razors Cult. If I was starting out I think I'd rather go with any of those modes from the established core brands or go with the Roces UFS M12 or Playlife Reactor skate at around £130. With that being said they do seem to represent good value in the build quality especially with those frame mounts (not sure how much a beginner would know/care about that though). Very interested to see the bespoke frame mount system they have on the urban skate if you get hold of these.

[@dyson2318]

echo: a close parallel or repetition of an idea, feeling, style, or event...

[@Trchamberlin]

How do they skate

[@mellowmoony]

I like the green boot, the pink frame is weird though. Might pick these up if they sell them flat

[@pastoradamt]

to me they look like them and thrones had a baby.

[@SethHinestattoo]

I love that color. Avocado

[@jasoncalva]

I actually am probably one of the few people who prefers the 908 to the 909, but to me the 909 looked like it was trying to copy the look of the USD Throne. The Standard reminds me of the Razors Genesys. All skates are going to take some ideas from other brands, which I think is totally ok. I don't think I'll ever try the Echo skate, but I think they look different enough than the Them 909.

[@theapretorius9563]

Looks very like the Them 909. But I love the green!

[@jonathanhughes5876]

A few points from me; That is Stateside Aggressor Green (which now makes sense) It has a massive aubergine/cock shape that I cannot unsee Thanks.

[@Kj16V]

The prototype one at Winterclash looked totally unique, but the one you're holding there looks almost identical to a Them skate. In fact I thought it WAS a Them skate!

[@chrishartleyjr.5523]

Standard definitely looks like a sway more then the echo looking like a them.....

[@kingrando]

Looks like the cross thing on the liner is to reduce heal lift.

[@LocoSkates]

It’s to reduce the liner slipping at the heel yep 👍

[@luukismark9630]

They look like a Them 909 crossed with a Standard Omni (in my humble opinion)

[@pablosskates7067]

These remind me of the Trigger skate, as in, I imagine someone drew the design on the back of a napkin, and before he had a chance to say “ok it’s just a rough sketch, it’s not ready ye…” the owner said alright send it straight to production!

[@trollerbladdering]

At this point, any skate that has a one piece soul plate, and an all plastic construction and simple line, they all begin to look the same. I thought the same thing with the Them 909 and the current version of the USD Sway. People were saying all the same stuff about the Standard OMNI, and people will say the same thing about Echo, and the Loco Skate. It's more a materials similarity than anything else. Personally, I really like the green color. (sorry-not-sorry for not spelling it colour, because we left U behind when us Yanks told King George to "sod off") The green reminds me of the old Bauer skates from the 90's. Maybe it's just sentimental because I had a pair of Bauer skates that had these cool little frogs on the anti rockers.

[@djsidies]

At a quick glance I thought they where the old Bauer skates

[@BlackCobaine]

do the powerslide storm next

[@Inferna-Rex]

The color is scary and grotesque.. hulk boots. I can't imagine that color is serious...

[@ROLL4FUN123]

Feel like it is just the them mould modified. I know them is just from an earlier skate.

[@josecanales6118]

It’s a 909 with a create on it… and obviosuly some unique features…

[@methosb]

I think that green is real nice, but with a different colour frame colour like a biege or black.

[@intrinsic.media.]

Who cares if it looks like a Them!! So many companies in rollerblading do this type of stuff. Look at Mesmer and Gawds. They are using USD moulds. Look at Nimh back in the day. It was a Razors Cult. Look at that skate that looks exactly like a Roces M12 that came out recently. I don’t really like when companies do this crap, but it’s too late to start getting upset about it now, lol. This isn’t even that bad, it’s just similar, not the same mould. Didn’t Julio get the them mould from someone else anyway? Also, look at Valo?? A Roces M12 skate with Valo branding!!! Julio can’t even complain.

[@kingrando]

It looks like a mix between Bauer and Them.

[@christopherlees3684]

I thought the elephant was the Create Unoriginal frame

[@NOIS_inks]

Looks like a Them uses the colors of the usd fienberg aeon and the cult graphite

[@pinfarmer]

I feel entry level price isn't really true. So many lower end skates have junk wheels that don't last 2 weeks. So you need to budget in wheels too.

[@MrChristianantause]

They basically innovated on the thems it the same exact idea just different to avoid lawsuits lmao

[@kordel_alcorn_white]

Honestly other than intuition liners them skates are not that impressive lol i bet with an intuition liner the echo skates better for most people

[@calebsamland3556]

I love the color! But I instantly thought it looked like a THEM skate as well before you even mentioned it

[@Noah-es7tw]

Hm, the line reminds me of mesmers, and the rest of thems, kind of a mix

[@DavidHernandez-tt4id]

Wow a modernize Eddie Bauer....

[@hereshelen]

👀

[@woooshskates7248]

I spotted the lines and the groove similar to them Skates but as it's mentioned I think it's a compliment if they've taken bits. The Green isn't very nice 😂 but I guess someone will like it. Grey and the off white will do well 👍

[@toasty862]

It's EXACTLY the same as a 909, I don't know how anyone could say otherwise. Presumably it was developed from the same open mold as the 908.

[@gobgobcachoo]

Hard pass. Rather support them skates than a copy attempt made with bargain bin hardware. Jon did all the work, he gets my money.

[@RogerWilson-xj4bb]

You're right they look like the Them 909's. That's the first thing i thought myself.

[@roamm9786]

Definitely them sk8 copy my first initial response

[@bladeshred01]

Yes, obviously a Them knock but they changed em enough to be it's owm skate and you're definitely overthinking it. There's nothing John can do about it so why even stress when he's making his money and his skate still looks better with an actual brand behind it.. personally I can't stand the imprint on the side of the boot, the line looks like someone pranked your skates while the plastic cooled down but might try a black pair in the future. I'm just happy that we have more options, sizes and price ranges than ever when it comes to blading. 👏🤘

[@remedyzskate]

Its as bad as you thought..

[@corneliusparkin2401]

First!

[@chrisgoblin4857]

Looks alright but not my style. Not really a fan on the 909 either so I guess that makes sense.

[@skim-lifeoutdoors4269]

Looks good in green makers of anarchy skates are not great though! And the comment that it’s not as good fealing as a them skate tells me these could be doggers

[@davequist7710]

only good thing about it is the pea green color.

[@Kingtrollface259]

I use to make ramps as a kid 😂 the skater culture died too soon

[@gavinhind2391]

Lol argons 2.0

[@andrewkmoodie]

Are we not going to talk about how this is the company who've been making the infamously dreadful ANARCHY skates for decades? Seems weird to give a rundown of their brands and skip over the aggressive skates, makes me wonder if you've been asked not to mention it or something..? Cynically, these seem like the same cheapo corporate copycat sort of product.