Fan Kicks Shoe Review

[klisof]

So back in November I was lucky enough to win a pair of the B&C branded shoes from Fan Kicks.

First i would like to thank both the B&C admin and Fan Kicks for arranging this give away!

Now i have had a chance to try then out for a bit this is my review of them- (mods, if I've posted this review in the wrong forum sorry and please move this)

 

These are a pair of shoes with interchangeable uppers which are available in a lot of different 40k and non-40k designs so you should be able to find a pair that meets your taste.

These are constructed with a plastic/rubber sole and a canvas upper, there are no leather parts on the shoe i received so if you are vegetarian or vegan you will be able to buy these. The sole itself is thin and flexible, it feels like wearing a pair of deck shoes. These are designed as a pair of fashion shoes for walking around town, if you are looking for something to wear playing sports or going hiking you will want a pair of shoes designed for that type of activity.

The canvas upper is very easy to remove and replace, i only have the high top uppers but when removed it just leaves to sole behind so it looks like the only difference between the high top, low top and slip on will be what upper you choose to attach to the sole. This is great as you are not limited to only getting the same type of upper and can switch between styles as well as designs.

It is currently winter in the UK and a bit chilly outside, with the thickness of the canvas uppers they are not the warmest pair of shoes so i would not wear them outside if there was snow or ice on the ground but the flip side of this is that I expect they will be great in the summer when you want a cooler pair of shoes (I’ll find out if this is correct in a few months!). This is not a criticism, these are not sold as outdoor winter shoes so just something to bear in mind depending on the climate where you live.

For fit, i am a UK size 9. Depending on the shoe i sometimes need a 9½ in the UK. It always bugs me shoe sizes are not more standardised. These are obviously sold in US sizes, I received a US size 10 (typically equivalent to UK size 9, but can vary depending on the manufacturer) for the Fan Kicks shoe and they fit me very well.

The insoles for these shoes are fairly flat and don't provide much arch support so i would not wear them if i am going to be on walking for long distances as is, but this very much depends on your feet as to the type of insoles that are best for you. For me they are fine as is for walking down to my local GW to get a game in

[duz_]

Glad I saw this!
Reminds me to do mine! ;)

[duz_]

A bit belated, but better late than never right?

I did manage to score myself a set of B&C fan kicks!

They look great! And the other 40k designs are pretty neat too!
I actually went and bought some RG, IG and 40k ones too. I managed to get them fairly cheaply too.

How? Because the zipper lets me change them out! So I didn't have to buy a sole with each one! :D

They seem to be made a of somewhat durable canvas. However don't expect them to keep you warm in the dead cold of a freezing winter.
I'm also slightly concerned about how much they'll breathe in the heat of summer, we shall see shortly!

However when its not freezing (or I suspect stinking hot), they are comfortable enough in terms of temperature and breath-ability.

As klisof mentioned, despite their advertising the soles aren't the most comfortable or supportive.

I will be looking to add some insoles to them for a bit of extra support and comfort.

The zip system seems to work well enough.

My first set however the zip for some reasons seems to stick out? I wish they had positioned them on the inside of the shoe to make them less visible than the outside. I wonder if when put on the inside they catch more often? I will try and glue them in a bit, as my 2nd set which I some how scored for free don't seem to have the issue.

Overall I really like them! They're fun to wear to my local store and gaming events. The prints look great.

I would definitely recommend them 4/5 Emperor's Blessings! :D :tu:

[duz_]

Quick addendum!

 

Just finished a 2 day Major GT.

2 days of 3x 3hr rounds. I wore my B&C kicks (well 1 B&C side and 1 Imperium because you can mix and match ;) )

 

I had put some ~$15 Scholls comfort and support "orthotics" in to make them a bit better to wear.

 

I can say after standing for 10+ hrs 2 days in a row they certainly made a difference. Maybe mildly more uncomfortable than my Asics with custom orthotics but definitely way better than with the standard insole!

 

Would highly recommend inserting a set :tu:

[Kastor Krieg]

How are the zippers vs dust / dirt? Are the zipper latches on the inside of the foot or outside? It all seems like they're just asking to be caught on something and unzip >_>

[duz_]

How are the zippers vs dust / dirt? Are the zipper latches on the inside of the foot or outside? It all seems like they're just asking to be caught on something and unzip >_>

 

I haven't worn them enough for dirt or dust to be an issue yet? So can't really comment on that.

 

Unfortunately the zippers are on the outside of the foot, I would have preferred them to be on the inside too, so you can avoid knocking them on things as you walk past.

I suspect because the zipper are quite large they didn't put them on the inside because you would have been more likely to knock the two zippers against each other as you stepped?

 

Thus far I haven't had either come undone, or knocked it on anything.

On pair one of the zippers refuses to sit flush with the shoe, I think some super glue may fix that problem. My second set however do not have that issue, I don't with wear though if this could happen with the newer set too?

 

Still well built though and for what they are I like them, I only wear them to 40k events. For day to day use, they're probably less than ideal? 

[Space Truckin]

 

I had put some ~$15 Scholls comfort and support "orthotics" in to make them a bit better to wear

 

Also sound advice for anyone that has ever had to work tradeshows demoing software 8 - 10 hours a day.

especially when the owner of the company is too cheap to pay for the extra padding under the carpet.  :facepalm:

[Kastor Krieg]

 

How are the zippers vs dust / dirt? Are the zipper latches on the inside of the foot or outside? It all seems like they're just asking to be caught on something and unzip >_>

 

I haven't worn them enough for dirt or dust to be an issue yet? So can't really comment on that.

 

Unfortunately the zippers are on the outside of the foot, I would have preferred them to be on the inside too, so you can avoid knocking them on things as you walk past.

I suspect because the zipper are quite large they didn't put them on the inside because you would have been more likely to knock the two zippers against each other as you stepped?

 

Thus far I haven't had either come undone, or knocked it on anything.

On pair one of the zippers refuses to sit flush with the shoe, I think some super glue may fix that problem. My second set however do not have that issue, I don't with wear though if this could happen with the newer set too?

 

Still well built though and for what they are I like them, I only wear them to 40k events. For day to day use, they're probably less than ideal? 

 

I have zero idea why they used such large zippers and why they don't meet in the rear of the shoe instead.