Onitsuka Tiger Ultimate 81 Classic Running Shoe, Black/Black, 5.5 M US - Review

I purchased these shoes just for calisthenics/CrossFit workouts. After wearing them a couple of times of workouts, I love them.They are true to size and are ver comfortable on the feet. I ordered 8.5 ( true to fit) . I did order the other name brand for CrossFit but there sizing is off and pricing is double. I had to return them.I also used them on the stair climber and were comfortable and light weight on my feet!I will be ordering another pair for the price and cost..

Very nice shoes, and not too expensive. My old shoes (Puma Athletic somethings) have very pointy toes - It wasn't a problem, but the fact that these Onitsukas have lots of room for my toes is apparent and very welcomed.The tread seems grippy enough; Not so aggressive that you'll tear out rubber and shred the shoes in horrible mangled chunks (after a few weeks of jumping around and gym stuffs), but good enough that you won't slip in most situations. It does an amazing job of picking up little rocks though; you'll be picking them out all the time if you like keeping the soles all nice looking (or uniform and clean).Unlike my Pumas these shoes are very nicely constructed (The Pumas were on sale -like 75% off- because there was some quality issue) . The materials and stitching are very good quality. No defects or any weird problems occurring due to manufacture error or shipping mishap.They are pretty flat shoes, but actually the insole is slightly molded to support your inner arches. They are extremely lightweight too, which is awesome because then I don't feel like I'm lugging extra weight around. It also makes them perfect gym shoes (I work at a parkour/gymnastics type gym)And they are pretty stylish; bold looking with the stark Black/green/white contrast. I almost don't want to wear my other shoes anymore because they simply don't look as sharp as these do.I was originally going to use them as my parkour gym shoes, but I really love them, and now I find I wear them all the time. It takes a determined effort to not wear them with my everyday outfits haha.Very nice shoes!

Honestly one of the best shoe purchases I've ever made. Fit like a glove. Very comfortable.

Comfy and stylish.

I bought these shoes with the specific purpose of driving (autocross, track days, maybe rallycross in the future). They are excellent for heel-toeing. They're very lightweight. Slim/thin sole and overall profile allow for good maneuverability and great pedal feel and low-top design lets you roll your ankle easily, if that's how you prefer to "heel-toe." The heel isn't quite as curved as some dedicated driving shoes or some of the Puma _______ Cats, but it gets the job done for about half the price.As for overall comfort, they're ok. I have a very wide foot and often get shin splints or knee problems if I don't have the right type of shoe or good support. They have tons of arch support, but I usually prefer something with a more robust sole and slightly more heel support, so i probably won't be wearing these too much outside of racing events or long road trips. Also, they seem to run a 1/2 size large. I usually wear a 9 1/2, but i ordered these in a 9 and they're a perfect fit with 1/4" of space at the toe, the way I like it.Quality is...OK. Some of the interior stitching and seams leave a lot of extra material hanging out, which can get uncomfortable. Maybe that's just the particular pair I got, but if that's the case, then poor quality control. I've only had them for a day, so I can't speak to long term durability.Overall, if you're looking for a stylish, comfortable and effective driving shoe but don't want to shell out $100 for a pair of Pumas, definitely try the Onitsuka Tiger 81's.

I love the design and feel of these shoes. They look great and feel amazing.The lifespan is about average compared to other sneakers I've owned. As is typical the soles wear away eventually and in the mesh style (of any brand sneaker) my big toe usually works a hole in the material. Onitsuka is no better or worse in that regard.What I LOVE about the feel of the shoes is the weight. So light they're almost weightless you feel it as soon as you put them on. The other thing you'll feel immediately is the ground. This is an important point because some people might not like that fact but I love it. I feel connected to the ground almost as if I'm barefoot (but with more protection from sharp things). I live in NYC and walk on a lot of pavement so you would think the thin sole would bother me but actually I find my feet feeling great after a long day of walking around. Maybe this is that whole principle of a thinner shoes making your foot muscles stronger - I don't know - I just know that I like the way it feels.Oh and the look of these shoes is sick (ie. incredible). I put in the yellow laces (that come with the shoe) and they look great!

[1 year update] Still using these as my "daily drivers" and they are holding up well. The insole is glued in which has proven to be a bit annoying as it makes them more difficult to wash and doesn't allow me to switch to custom insoles. By this point the shoes have gone through the wash maybe 10 times and are still doing great.Bought these almost a year ago. Really comfortable, just what I needed. They are a bit on the tighter side which is perfect if you need them to stay on without shifting. The soles are super grippy and it's great that the toes have rubber as well.They can take a beating, but take good care of them. Wash properly and keep them protected when storing. The rubber may start pewling back around the toes, just clean it out with a toothbrush and mild soapy water and glue it back on with some shoe goo