Village PM has been making an impact on skate footwear since it arrived in the UK. Based in Paris and skater-owned, Village PM blends skate shoe innovation with comfort and modern style. Drawing inspiration from climbing shoes and outdoor footwear in general, they’ve created skate shoes that break the mould, combining precision-fit construction, premium materials, and progressive design. 

Village PM's first models, the 1PM and 1.30PM are here, but how do they actually perform? I've been skating the 1.30PM, so I'll share my experiences with them, discussing their features and selling points. In short, I'll tell you if I think they're worth your investment, both in time and wonga.

*SIDE NOTE* The 1:30PM's do have shiny leather versions too, but this review will be focusing on the microfibre-upper ones. However, most points are relevant to both the leather and microfibre styles of the 1:30s.

We'll do a review on the Village PM 1PM in the near future.

The Village PM 1:30 PM Skate Shoes are built with Rubber Glove Technology, combining the best of vulcanised, cupsole and toe cap designs into one. The rubber protection ensures the durability needed for a slim skate shoe to be long-lasting.

This article should answer some FAQ's that may be left out of Village PM's product page description. They look classy...

I've skated the Village PM 1.30PM around a dozen times, taking them out every day since they arrived through the shop door. So, although I can't give you a true reflection of the shoe's full lifecycle, I can offer some insight into my first impressions of the shoe and whether I believe you should spend the price point of £80 on them. Here's my honest review of the Village PM 1.30PM.

In the skate shoe industry, you expect to be buying a vulcanised or a cupsole shoe. If you don't know the difference, click here.

However, Village PM skate shoes are neither truly cupsole nor vulcanised. 

Village shoes are made with their 'Rubber Glove Technology', which structurally combines a flexible outsole, lasting comfort and a protective rubber rand. They're described by VIllage as everything we like about vulcanised, cupsole and toe cap constructions all in one shoe.

I found their 'Rubber Glove Technology' to be not only interesting but great to skate. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to skate anything over 5 feet tall in these for more than a few tries before doing damage to my feet. But after a few different sessions skating 6 feet drops, there wasn't a heel bruise in sight, they actually taken impact really well for such a slim shoe.

I expected to have solid board feel in the 1.30PM's and was correct. Board feel is great, as you'd expect from a semi-slim shoe. Don't expect a stiff shoe with this brand, they're very flexible from the get-go.

The flick from the rubber is elite, I think it will be hard returning to flicking suede after these. I think the flick on these will grow them a cult following. It has a unique feeling that's grippy but soft enough to not be a nuisance. If you've skated a rubber toe cap, you know what I mean.

I've never skated a shoe that truly relates to the rubber flick on these though, excluding maybe the old Nike SB All Court Cory Kennedy's ⬇️, although with the CK's, you wouldn't be ollieing with rubber like on the VIllage PM's.

In my experience, yes, the 1:30PM fit to size. I wear a UK9 and I am a UK9. This was a relief considering they look like rock climbing shoes, which usually feel 3 sizes too small. 

They have a slightly wide fit, but 'Asymmetrical Precision Fit' fits well and to size. If anything, they can feel a little loose before they have full flexibility due to the slim tongue and ankle padding.

Village PM's 'Asymmetrical Precision Fit' was impressive, which features a lacing system that goes all the way up to the top of the tongue, keeping your foot in well. The tongue is light, relatively cushioned but thin and breathable. They're not a slim shoe, but I never felt like my feet were sliding around. Overall, I've liked how they sit around the foot.

The Village PM 1.30PM has a pretty thick insole that sits on top of a medium outsole. It moulds to your foot well and combined with the outsole, does a great job of providing good impact support for skating drops and landing primo. Even though it's kinda thick, you still have plenty of space between the insole and the top of the shoe.

The rubber protection covers your ollie and kickflip spot, reinforced by a thin microfibre upper. Village PM also advertise that the rubber guards are replaceable if you take them to a cobbler... so these shoes are almost indestructible! 

ALMOST, don't forget the 1.30PM's heelflip flicking area is microfibre, so it's inevitable that that will be the first area to blow out excluding potentially the bottom of the sole itself. I suggest hitting that area with a spot of superglue after a few weeks to add a layer of durability, but in my experience, it's held up very well with barely any sign of heelflips yet.

The laces on the 1.30PM are high and pretty well protected, so for most people, ripping laces shouldn't be a big issue. You get a spare pair with the 1PM's, but not with the 1.30PM's.

I would make 3 changes to the 1.30PM:

• Although they have a lace loop on the tongue, the tongue still slips throughout the session, so I'd add internal lace straps to help, I think they're called a gusseted tongue?

• I'd make the tongue a little thicker, just to help keep your foot in place without having to have the laces tight.

• I'd make the cushioning behind the heel a little thicker, just to keep your foot in place when you slip them on and off.

Well, in my honest opinion... yes! Here's why:

• Village PM are different from any other shoe in the industry right now, offering a new, interesting construction with a lot of benefits.

• Village PM 1.30PM's beat expectations in both impact protection and durability, with a surprisingly thick heel area and soft, grippy rubber as the main contact point that meets griptape.

• Village PM are skater-owned, ran by designer/skater Basile Lapray and veteran Bram De Cleen, collaborating with footwear expert Julien Traverse from All Triangles.

• Village PM break in fast, have great board feel and offer surprisingly good impact support.

If you don't mind a flexible shoe that feels completely different from anything you've skated in the past, give these a try. They're classy, innovative and unique. However, a few people at the skatepark will ask why you have climbing shoes on. 😂