I cant stop buying this shoe because I fantasize daily of having a lifetime supply of them. I am not emotionally prepared to have a "last pair" of these shoes.
The Silo SC (mesh) has a similar fit/feel but the one nine 7s hold up quite a bit longer before blowing out. Both have narrow grooves on the bottom of the shoe that are 3mm deep and <2mm wide- which cruelly makes for the perfect tiny pebble-picker-upper. Every time I step outside I collect tiny pebbles that become tightly wedged into the sole (griptape killer). I bring a nylon brush to help clean the sole before each session. Fingers crossed this style shoe is allowed to have a normal sole someday.
My experience for build quality for each colorway goes in this order- Navy/gum > White/red = black/lime = black/gum > white/gum (toecaps had odd stitching and the shoe was overly stiff). I think the white/gum was the launch colorway a ~2 years ago and ever since then the quality has been better.
I would recommend using sturdier insoles with these shoes, anything 3-5mm fits well. I personally did not like the feel of these with the STI Energy Foam Insole either. Even if you are just using them for walking around the stock insoles flatten pretty quickly.
I am very thankful that Es gives you an extra pair of laces with every pair of shoes. Love the flat laces with these throwbacks.
After seeing Creager get the bubble in the heel for his throwback its been tough holding back the tears knowing that it's still technologically possible to craft shoes that way and that someone must have decided to ditch the bubble when designing the one nine 7s.
