Took me a jolly good long time, but I’m finally getting around to reviewing the (not so) new Xsjado Jeff Stockwell 2 boots. After getting bought by The Conference (USD, Deshi, Kizer etc.) from Salomon (who’ve bowed out of the aggressive skate market), Xsjado went on a little soul searching trip and finally came back into the market, 1 year later with new boots and new colours for 2008.
On the surface, it’ll seem like nothing has changed. It retains its oddball looks, responsive footwrap + skeleton combo and love for everything animally. But upon closer inspection, you’ll see that things have changed, sadly, not for the better.
The good
-The winning bits of the Xsjados are still there: responsive skates, lightweight design and off-beat colours.
-New sturdier buckle (major plus points compared to the older flimsy buckles)
The bad
-Quality has taken a back seat. After only the first month I’ve snapped my ankle straps and worn out my shoes (even though I hardly wear them outside of skating).
^starting to fray at the edges
-Though it is still as generous as ever, the soul spot is still way too slow. New plastics please!
The ugly
-Bad quality control. Looks like someone fell asleep on the production line, a quick look at my footwraps and you’ll see that the one on the left is crooked, as though the soles weren’t put on properly. Thankfully, the difference isn’t noticable when skating. Outside of the skeletons however, I really feel lopsided in them. Other bad workmanship issues: terrible foam absorbers that don’t even fit the skeletons, toe straps that are an inch too long (had to cut and shorten them to work).
^One is not like the other
^talk about cock-up
-The red is a little too much for me, but then again, its probably my fault for riding them on Red Murda GC Featherlights.
The bottom line
Its hard to full heartedly recommend these new Xsjados. Unlike the older models (pre-2008), the new ones have way too many quality and workmanship issues. Can only hope that they will improve on them for 2009. However, it must be said that after 3 years on Xsjados, I feel that there isn’t a pair of skates in the market that can match its responsiveness, adaptability and fun! So yea, please Conference, make the 2009 model kick ass. You do, after all… have the right to evolve 
-sukeats
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