My trusty AM40s are finally giving up the ghost, and after being glued back together yet again last week I reckon it's time to replace them. I've been looking at the Teva Links & Vans Gravel as well as the AM41s, but heard that the sole on the Teva's gets ripped apart pretty quickly so wondered how the Gravel soles were holding up.
I started out riding flats in normal Vans skate shoes which were fine but the soles on those were shredded in no time and I like the slightly stiffer feel of the AM40s too. Are the Gravels as soft as their normal skate shoes?
As for 5:10s - first off, I've never felt a lack of grip so far so not sure I need their magic rubber, and I also need more convincing about their year-round suitability as there are too many reports of them taking ages to dry or falling apart when wet.
Mine seem to be holding up pretty well, been using them about a year now although not as much use as I would have liked.
I also use a pair of Vans Rowleys skate shoes and while the soles on those are getting cut up after about 2 years they still have loads of grip.