Check out the new "Skating in the HUF Classic Hi" article on the Hypebeast site, featuring the HUF classic Hi Navy // Seaport, now available. Check out a preview of the article below, and click here to read more. Photos by Thuan Tran.

Design In Practice
Despite its handsome looks, the Classic Hi is built for the long run. The upper is composed of a thick slab of suede, which is thankfully backed on the interior by a cushy mesh lining. Metal eyelets are left unpainted and are inset over the dorsum of the foot, which was a smart, subtle design cue taken from the demands of skateboarding. The inset lacing and thick suede work in conjunct to make the Classic Hi more resistant to blowout holes and frayed laces than other similar models.

Despite all the technological innovations available to performance sports companies, the vulcanized outsole remains the popular choice for skateboarders. Vulcanized sneakers are heat-bonded with a strip of rubber wrapping the bottom part of the sole (typically the gum-colored part) to the upper. The Classic Hi, while not splitting the atom, does make a nifty assertion on vulcanized technology by extending said rubber from the sole to cover the toecap and heel.

The Classic Hi lends itself to the slimmer side. The extended sole acts as a secondary support in the heel, which noticeably secures the foot in place. At the forefoot, the rubber toecap again improves the overall durability of the shoe. It’s worth noting that some wayward toes may miss the natural stretch of suede toecaps; the added layer of rubber comes at the cost of a slightly longer break-in time. By the third session however, the sneaker fit like a glove.