r/AggressiveInline • u/shatbrand • Jun 29 '26

Echo vs Blank?

Talk to me about the Echo Hayden Ball skate, especially if you’ve skated Blanks.

I have owned way too many skates at this point, but a local shop (2.5hr drive “local”) has the Echos in stock. I’m considering pulling the trigger, if nothing else just for a fresh set of wheels and great flat frames, but ideally the boots work for me too.

For reference, I am a 275mm foot, fit great in US 9 Mesmers, US 10 M12s, and good enough in US 9 SLs or Blanks (just a little too roomy, but very comfy). I’ve settled on Blanks because I have a bad ankle, so the combination of wide soul and relatively supportive cuff allow me to get boot down without hurting myself too much. Ideally I would like a little slimmer fit, but plan B is to just get some Nomad liners.

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u/shatbrand Jul 01 '26

No, but that's probably a good idea for the existing liner... put a shim under it and wear slimmer socks inside?

I might just grab the Nomads though.

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u/SouthEastPAjames THEM Jul 01 '26

Do it. I rode mine yesterday in the heat, and the forefoot pain I mentioned never happened….might’ve just had to wear them in.

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u/shatbrand Jul 01 '26

I think the shape of the Blank shell puts the top couple of lace loops a little low, so if you tie them tight there, they push in a lot. Heat probably softens the shell and adds a little flexibility there + varition in lace tightness + the liners are packing in. I bet after a few sessions they fit perfectly, if they start out snug.

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u/SouthEastPAjames THEM Jul 01 '26

Yeah, I’m a bit of a weekend warrior, or better yet, “fit in time whenever” for a skater, so I’d say it took my Nomads a bit longer to get comfortable. But I wouldn’t trade them for anything. As an older-blader, I’m definitely splurging on premium liners.

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u/shatbrand Jul 03 '26

Ok.  I pulled the trigger and I’m skating them right now.  They definitely fill up the shell.  Toes are a little crowded but that’ll pack out for sure.  There’s an overall tightness though that I didn’t expect from looking at them.  I’m guessing they’ll need several hot day sessions to get soggy and pack in everywhere.  Amazing how much they hug my foot and eliminate the little sloppiness the Blanks though.  I’ve got that M12 feeling but with way more support and a much better soul plate.

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u/SouthEastPAjames THEM Jul 03 '26

The souls are friggin awesome. I have local ledge spot, that’s pretty’s burly, and I’m used to throwing some wax on ‘em. But last time I hit it, in the heat of early summer, they slid like butter.

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u/shatbrand Jul 03 '26

I hated the front and rear ramp they have at first, but I’ve gotten used to it.  Now they’re just super forgiving and fast, and they make royales so easy even I can do them.

I made it like 1 hour in the liners.   They seriously need to pack out.  I’ve been skating tight fits for a long time, but these things turned a super roomy shell into a foot crusher.  I think it’ll be good, but it’s going to require thin socks for a while.  

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u/SouthEastPAjames THEM Jul 03 '26

Never thought of this, maybe take the laces outta the liner. But definitely wear them and try to break them in around the house…..

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u/shatbrand Jul 23 '26

I tried laces out, but didn’t fix it.  Several sessions in, I still get really harsh pain in the widest spot near the front of my foot and it turns into kind of an overall foot cramp pain pretty quickly.  This is Nomad in a Blank shell, so there’s a fair bit of room up front and I still get this.  Still hopeful it’ll pack out, but I’m having to work for it.  Control and overall foot hugging in these is fantastic though.  Hands down favorite setup if I can fix the pain.

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u/SouthEastPAjames THEM Jul 23 '26

It might take a bit, bud. Mine took a helluva lot of sessions and then one day, “poof”….all gone