Review: Xsjado Damien Wilson Skate

Tags: damien wilson, lui summer, the conference, xsjado

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I have been skating Xsjados since the time they were released for the first time. Xsjados have always been the perfect skates for me. Unfortunately I had some issues with the latest models...

I have been skating Xsjados since the time they were released for the first time. Xsjados have always been the perfect skates for me. Unfortunately I had some issues with the latest models. This has been due to Powerslide taking over and changing the manufacturer for the brand. My main issue was that the material for the top strap was way too weak. Because of this the top strap could deform and the metal things in the receiver twisted which resulted in not being able to tighten the skate in the top area.

Because of these issues with the Farmer II skates I was afraid that the next run of Xsjados would not be much better. But the Conference did a great job in getting rid of the flaws of the last line. The new material of the top strap is really sturdy and hard. I had no problem with it so far and I see absolutely no chance to twist it. This is important as only skates with a good fit and a well working closing system will give you a maximal amount of control and security.

The buckle stayed exactly the same as on the old models. The only thing is that the padding under the buckle is now spreading over the whole foot down to the toe strap. To be honest I didn’t feel any difference to the old models concerning the fit of the toe strap.

Damien Wilson has got the first Xsjado pro model with a v-cut cuff. In my eyes this simply is a matter of design. I couldn’t find any difference in the flexibility of the skates. What has also been changed is the foot wrap. This time it is a slip on foot wrap without any laces which is amazing if you are too lazy to tie your laces all the time. The sole of the foot wrap is exactly the same as it has always been. What has changed though is the material on top of the foot wrap; it has become way thinner and is extremely light. I personally still prefer the old liners and ride my Wilsons with the Farmer II foot wraps.

At the end you can say that this skate feels more solid and is of a better quality than the last models were. I hope the Conference keeps pushing their brands and especially the quality of Xsjado skates into the right direction!

Review and product shots by Lui Summer