I've never had a pair of Globe shoes in my life, so I can't tell you anything based on experience. However, the big question for me is: what kind of "synthetic leather" do they use? Note: despite the "recycled" marketing image of these shoes, the UPPER is NOT recycled - which may be a good thing (?) in terms of durability (I don't know). But that is not the main question. The main question is - as always: is the upper PU (polyurethane), aka cheap "plastic" shoe type upper, or is it microfibre, aka expensive but better quality "plastic" shoe upper?
As they do not say anything about it, the answer seems to offer itself: cheap PU, probably. From the pictures the upper looks nice though.
The "Upcycle Heritage Series" seems to be composed of three shoes - which you can find below. As always, please be aware that the same shoes (Fusion, Sabre, and Tilt) are available in other colourways and that these other colourways include real animal-source leather and are NOT vegan. And be double sure to double check the material because the Globe website is not entirely clear about which shoe is which: an extremely similar looking non-vegan colourway is shown right on the page of the vegan colourway. The multi-colour outsole seems to be the easily noticeable characteristic of the "upcycle" colourways - and at least at the moment all (three) of the "upcycle" colourways seem to be vegan.
The Globe website states:
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Upcycle Heritage Series
The Globe website says: "Globe’s classic heritage skate silhouette. As part [of the] Upcycled Heritage Series, the Tilt in Black/Upcycle features recycled polyester mesh lining, durable ripstop mesh and synthetic leather upper. This style also features a partially upcycled rubber cup-sole, using rubber scraps from the factory floor, which might otherwise get thrown away.
MATERIALS
• Synthetic Leather/Recycled Mesh upper
• Nylon Ripstop/TPR
• Globe's Strobo cup sole
• S-Trac™ sole pattern
Nitrolite Shockbed
Waffle EVA footbed with Shockbed Nitrolite formula for lightweight comfort.
Upcycle Heritage Series
The Upcycled Heritage pack presents an all vegan heritage series. It uses recycled polyester mesh lining, durable ripstop mesh and synthetic leather upper. It also features a partially upcycled rubber cup sole [PARTIALLY could mean 1% (?)], using rubber scraps from the factory floor, which might otherwise get thrown away.
"
I applaud Globe's efforts to use recycled materials, of course. This is something that skate shoe companies are really lacking behind on.
Fusion Black/Upcycle (ONLY this colourway)
Product number: #GBFUS-20539The Globe website says: "The Globe Fusion in Black/Upcycle is a rugged, fully padded skate shoe with step-in sock liner. As part [of the] Upcycled Heritage Series, the Sabre in Black/Upcycle features recycled polyester mesh lining, durable ripstop mesh and synthetic leather upper. This style also features a partially upcycled rubber cup-sole, using rubber scraps from the factory floor, which might otherwise get thrown away.
MATERIALS
• Synthetic Leather/Recycled Mesh/Nylon Ripstop
• Globe's Strobo cup sole
• TPR ollie reinforcement and heel stabiliser
• S-Trac™ sole pattern
"
MATERIALS
• Synthetic Leather/Recycled Mesh/Nylon Ripstop
• Globe's Strobo cup sole
• TPR ollie reinforcement and heel stabiliser
• S-Trac™ sole pattern
"
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Sabre Black/Upcycle (ONLY this colourway)
Product number: #GBSABR-20539
The Globe website says: "Our latest re-introduction to the Heritage Series, the Sabre is an ultra heavy duty skate style with step-in sock liner. As part [of the] Upcycled Heritage Series, the Sabre in Black/Upcycle features recycled polyester mesh lining, durable ripstop mesh and synthetic leather upper. This style also features a partially upcycled rubber cup-sole, using rubber scraps from the factory floor, which might otherwise get thrown away.
MATERIALS
• Synthetic Leather/Recycled Mesh upper
• Nylon Ripstop
• Globe's cup sole
• S-Trac™ sole pattern
MATERIALS
• Synthetic Leather/Recycled Mesh upper
• Nylon Ripstop
• Globe's cup sole
• S-Trac™ sole pattern
"
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Tilt Black/Upcycle (ONLY this colourway)
Product number: #GBTILT-20539
The Globe website says: "Globe’s classic heritage skate silhouette. As part [of the] Upcycled Heritage Series, the Tilt in Black/Upcycle features recycled polyester mesh lining, durable ripstop mesh and synthetic leather upper. This style also features a partially upcycled rubber cup-sole, using rubber scraps from the factory floor, which might otherwise get thrown away.
MATERIALS
• Synthetic Leather/Recycled Mesh upper
• Nylon Ripstop/TPR
• Globe's Strobo cup sole
• S-Trac™ sole pattern
"
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What else does Globe say about these shoes?
"Nitrolite Shockbed
Waffle EVA footbed with Shockbed Nitrolite formula for lightweight comfort.
Flex & Grip
Globe's S-trac tread pattern consists of traction lugs, designed for maximum energy transfer and shock absorption. It provides an unmatched combination of grip and flexibility.
"
Globe's S-trac tread pattern consists of traction lugs, designed for maximum energy transfer and shock absorption. It provides an unmatched combination of grip and flexibility.
"
I would assume that these last few words ("unmatched combination of grip and flexibility") are a bit of an exaggeration when comparing the shoes to an éS shoe, for example. I'm not advocating any particular type of skate shoe company. Nor am I a huge éS fan. To me they are mostly leather companies - the more vegan shoes and the fewer non-vegan shoes they (and any other companies) make, the better.
All three:
