Our verdict

93
Superb!

A colorful collaboration with artist Nathaniel Russel had fans rejoicing for the resurrection and reinvention of the OG skate shoe, Lakai Manchester. First introduced in 2007, it still is one of the top picks of skaters. With its standard clean profile in top-notch construction, this low-top from Lakai has been reimagined using modern shoe technology. Just be sure to wear socks for a truly comfortable and fuller skating experience.

Pros

  • Good board feel
  • Has appreciable heel support
  • Durable
  • No break-in required
  • Nice-looking
  • True to size fit
  • High-quality
  • Lightweight
  • Many colorways
  • Looks the same as advertised

Cons

  • Top 10% in
  • Thin tongue is disliked by others

Who should buy it

An experienced skater shared that Lakai Manchesters are “the best shoes [they] have ever had” and wished that Lakai would make more of them. Now their wish is granted. You should also grab your pair now if you:

  • Adore the classic comfort and style of Lakai skate sneakers
  • Love OG shoes making a comeback
  • Make sure to skate with socks-Looks the same as advertised

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Who should not buy Lakai Manchester

updated 11 Apr 2023, Lakai Cambridge has the comfort and support that you might be looking for in a skate shoe. To remove the hassle of laces and tongues, Owen If you want to maximize your options. 

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Make sure to skate with socks

The skate shoe is praised numerous times for being “very comfy.” Some were not impressed, though, and noted that if worn without socks, they felt uncomfortable because of the polyester mesh fabric that lines near the ankles. 

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A dream-come-true comeback of Lakai Manchester

Many skaters and skate enthusiasts have been waiting for the return of Lakai Manchester. Now it’s back, and fans are going wild. A review even alluded to Cinderella “actually wearing Lakai slippers,” like this kicks. If you are wondering how good these kicks feel, take this imagery from the sneakerhead saying wearing them would feel like “you stuck your foot in a warm glove, tried to skate, could feel your board, and suddenly pulled off a tre flip for the first time in your life.”

Manchester's fit hits the bulls-eye

The Manchester is not only high-quality but also fits true to size. One review noted they “do not fit like super small” but feel like a narrowed-down version of Sk8-Hi sneakers. A pro-skater even described their experience A dream-come-true comeback of Lakai Manchestereir feet were made for the sneakers! For another sneakerhead, the kicks “fit [them] perfectly where other brands are hit or miss.”

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Lakai Manchester is top-notch quality

Skaters and sneakerheads alike worship the beauty and quality of Lakai Manchester. Not only that they “Love OG shoes making a comeback,” but look “vibrant but still a nice plum-ish” in person and “seem to be of good quality,” according to the comments.

Let's talk about the tongue

Several skaters love the thin tongue of Manchester. But for some, it is an issue because it is “not as cushioned” and lacks a lace loop of the original. One also noted that the inside lacks padding to fit the tongue to the foot. 

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Don't worry, it's durable!

“M-azing!!!” is how a skater describes Lakai Manchester. For the skaters, Lakai Manchester is their pick for skating because of its durability. After some skating, a tester said that “they don’t rip, and the sole and rubber don’t wear down fast.” The sneakers also “don’t look all frayed,” said another after taking them to skate.

Use them right out of the box

A skater highlighted that the kicks are flexible, and they were able to “skate right away” without thinking about the stitching line on the small toe. These kicks also break in so fast. An experienced skater said the sneakers “don’t need no stinkin’ break-in period!”

Badass boardfeel of Lakai Manchester

The sneakers also have a “good board feel,” attested in many comments. For an experienced skater, if you skate in them, “you can feel your board and still have that heel support.” Not only are they “comfortable and lightweight,” but testers claim that Lakai Manchester’s resilience makes them the “best on the planet.”

A dream-come-true comeback of Lakai Manchester

A sneakerhead describes Lakai Manchester as a “breath of fresh air.” And if you are unsure if Manchester is for you, or if you just can’t decide which to choose from the array of fun colorways, take this advice from a proud fan, “can’t go wrong with Lakai.”

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