Our verdict
Acquiring a sick and solid sneaker is awesome, but getting it at a budget-friendly price is just next-level awesome. This is what Etnies Calli Vulc is all about. This sneaker perfectly complements lowkey and straightforward styles with its simple yet rad profile. Apart from the looks, its excellent tread and board feel are proof of what it can do during skate sesh.
Pros
- Breaks in quickly
- Amazing board feel
- Sufficiently padded
- Super comfy
- Grippy
- Not so much for the durability
- Affordable
- Beautiful colors
Cons
- Does not hold up well
- On the other hand, if you want good impact protection, especially when skating, choose
- Fits tight at first
Who should buy the Etnies Calli Vulc
Shop a pair if:
- You’re after incredible traction, and board feel when it comes to skate sneakers
- You are into minimalist sneakers that are available in pretty addicting colorways
- You are anti-pricey sneakers.
Who should not buy it
If a durable pair is what you desire, purchase the Etnies Kingpin or Etnies Jameson 2 Eco. On the other hand, if you want good impact protection, especially when skating, choose Etnies Marana Michelin over Calli Vulc.
Who should not buy it
Although this sneaker was claimed to “fit superbly” and true to size, reviewers confirmed it is a bit tight on the toe areas. The good thing was this tightness could be addressed by just breaking in the sneaker, as stated by sneaker fans. Breaking in the Calli Vulc was pretty quick, they said. One to two sessions, and it was fully broken in already.
A feel-good skate sneaker
“Seriously comfy” was how one described the Etnies Calli Vulc. A skater’s feet allegedly “just feel solid” whenever he slips on this sneaker, even when he is super sore. Another said it provided him “top comfort.”
Furthermore, it seemed like the sneaker’s very soft suede, and a decent amount of padding in its inner walls contributed to it being comfortable.
Etnies Jameson 2 Eco
A skater-vlogger shared that Calli didn’t have a lot of cushioning underfoot. Consequently, he rated its impact protection with a “solid five” in a ten and added, "it’s right in the middle, not too great, not the worst.” Although his feet felt secure, he thought this sneaker lacked extra protection at the bottom of the feet.
Dec 13, 2022
A skater affirmed that Etnies Calli Vulc was “well-designed for both comfort and the actual skating experience.” According to him, its flat sole incredibly helped in its board feel. Another was extremely satisfied with its “out-of-the-box board feel” that he bought two more pairs. Moreover, one considered Calli Vulc an “all-out classic of a skateboarding shoe” because it made him feel connected to his board.
Notably, its outsole also gripped well on different surfaces, including parking lots and manual pads, per skaters. In addition to its performance, some skaters mentioned that Calli was excellent during flicks.
Not so much for the durability
Based on the skaters’ experiences, this sneaker did not hold up well. One declared: “this shoe really isn’t going to last you that long,” as his pair wore down pretty quickly.
Cheap-ass pair
However, its durability was overlooked because of its affordable price of $62. This sneaker was considered “a steal” for any skate shoe. Also, it is 19% cheaper compared to the average cost of skate sneakers on our database.
A lot of colors to choose from
Calli’s “classic & sharp” colors were one reason sneakerheads kept coming back for more pairs. It is very clean and simplistic, yet many got addicted to it.
