Lakai Riley Hawk 2 review

updated 28 Aug 2023

The Lakai Riley Hawk 2 utilizes gusseted tongues that grant a laceless feel. It also employs a supple suede upper that promotes flexibility. It might benefit you if: 

• You are looking for a skateboard companion durable enough even after several weeks of hard skating. 
• A shoe that has the ability to lessen foot exhaustion due to excessive impact is what you prefer. 

Lakai Riley Hawk 2 shoes vs. Riley Hawk 1s

If you’ve ever skated Riley’s first pro shoes, you might want to know the difference in fit between the two. The measurement has improved a lot in these second editions as they’re now true to size. The first kicks featured a stiffer suede material and took a much longer time to break in. Lakai Riley Hawk 2 sneakers, meanwhile, are almost comfy out of the box and have a softer, more flexible suede fabric.

Style of the Lakai Riley Hawk 2

Riley Hawk’s second signature shoes feature a low profile and slim construction. The design was kept to a minimum with sleek one-piece toes that go far back. The contrast of texture between the mesh trims on the collars and tongues and the suede or nubuck base is subtle but enticing. Perforation details on the throats give off a low-key stylish vibe. 

Colorways for Lakai Riley Hawk 2s include black/gum, tobacco, navy, charcoal, burgundy, white, and black/white, among others. The main fabric of the uppers (either suede or nubuck) depends on the colorway.

Notable features

Two of the main reasons why Riley’s second signature shoes are so popular has to do with the sockliners and outsoles. Delux-Lite Sockliners use a premium foam that never packs out over time. These sockliners have deep contours that support your arches and heels fully.

Para-Mount Advanced Density Outsoles are capable of reducing fatigue and absorbing high impacts. Stair sets shouldn’t be a problem with these on your feet. The rest of the reasons why these are highly-sought after has to do with durability, style, and excellent skateability, which Lakai Riley Hawk 2s have in spades.

Lakai Riley Hawk 2 shoes vs. Riley Hawk 1s

Tony Hawk is one of the biggest names in the world of skating and has held that distinction for 30-odd years. It’s no wonder then that his son has chosen to follow in the father’s footsteps. Unlike Tony who’s popular for vert skating, Riley is a street skater. He has been with Lakai since 2011 and got his first signature shoes in 2015 which were called Lakai Riley Hawks.

Follow-ups to the first kicks were issued in early 2018. The branding, which was already minimal in Riley’s first kicks, is even more so in these new variations. The hawk graphics on the tongues were replaced with a simple Lakai wordmark. Only the Lakai logos on the sides in a contrasting shade against the tonal base give a clue to the origin of the shoes.

The perforations that dotted the collars of Riley Hawk 1 shoes were transferred to the throats of Riley Hawk 2s. The eyelets were reduced to two pairs from four, and a heel pull tab was added in. The fit was also enhanced which makes the shoes more accurate in measurement.

Phenomenal arch and heel support

Just a few months after the launch of Lakai Riley Hawks 2 shoes, a collab with English rock band Motorhead was released. The limited-edition collection featured three variations of Riley Hawk 2s, with two in black and one in white.

One of the black colorways featured gold Motorhead wordmarks on the tongues, midsoles, and sockliners of the shoes, while the other had them in white print. The white color scheme, meanwhile, contained Motorhead wordmarks all over the back part of the shoes. 

The online drop sold out almost as quickly as they came out, but some physical stores still had them in stock.

Additional info

• Lakai Riley Hawk 2 shoes contain nylon heel tabs which allow easy on and off. 
• Style of the Lakai Riley Hawk 2.