Last Resort AB is a Swedish skate brand that makes durable, no-frills footwear for skaters who treat shoes as tools.
The sizing issue is this: the VM001 runs large and narrow enough that ordering blind risks painful forefoot pinching, while the CM001 cupsole demands a half size up from your vulcanized fit.
Their $110 VM001 HI-UP sits between the flexible vulc line and the more stable CM001, using extra upper height to add ankle coverage without switching construction types.
Last Resort AB Brand Background
Last Resort AB built its name on a simple promise: these are the shoes you grab when your others have fallen apart.
The brand emerged from Swedish skate culture with a clear-eyed focus on durability and board feel over chasing whatever silhouette happens to dominate Instagram that season.
That "AB" stands for Aktiebolag, the Swedish equivalent of "Inc.," but the "Last Resort" half is doing the real work.
It signals a company that knows skateboarders treat shoes as consumable tools, not collectibles, and positions itself as the pragmatic fallback when flashier options fail under actual use.
The design philosophy strips away padding and gimmicks in favor of clean vulcanized construction and suede uppers that break in fast and hold up longer than the price suggests they should.
I respect that honesty. Where larger brands court sneakerheads and fashion crossover, Last Resort AB stays in its lane, making footwear for people who skate in it, scuff it, and replace it only when necessary.
Last Resort AB CM001
The CM001 is built on a cupsole construction with a leather upper and a suede panel placed right where your ollie and kickflip contact points hit.
That suede patch gives you the grip you need for flip tricks, while the leather body keeps the shoe stable and holds its shape through repeated abuse.
After ten hours of skating, the wear test showed solid durability: the suede withstood abrasion better than expected given its exposed position, and the seams stayed intact where they mattered most.
The one weak point is the seam connecting the main upper to the eyelet reinforcement, which started showing stress around the four-to-five-hour mark. It is more of a cosmetic failure than a structural one, but it is something to watch.
The cushioning comes from a combination of the "Cloudy Cush" insole and the cupsole itself, which together absorb regular impact well and give the shoe enough padding for medium-impact skating without feeling disconnected from the board.
Stability is what you get in return. Ventilation is not; the leather and suede build runs warm and slightly heavy, so summer sessions in these will cost you in sweat.
Sizing runs snug through the toe, and most skaters will want to go a half size up from their usual.
Last Resort AB VM001
The VM001 is Last Resort AB’s first shoe built strictly for skating, and the vulcanized construction shows in every detail.
The suede upper carries double stitching around the lace stay to resist grip tape abrasion, while the polyurethane collar adds light padding without bulk.
The sole stays shallow by design to avoid collecting gravel, which keeps the shoe flexible and lightweight, exactly what I look for in a vulcanized model.
The comfort level sits above average for this construction type, though the heel protection is nearly absent.
One skater noted the sole wore fastest at the toe after just six mellow sessions, a real limit if you drag your foot often.
Sizing runs inconsistent enough that I would not order blind. Multiple wearers report the fit runs large and narrow, recommending a half size down from your usual.
The width in particular causes problems: one reviewer described painful forefoot pinching after a single wear, while another found the length comparable to Vans. If your feet run even slightly wide, this model may not work without sizing experimentation.
Last Resort AB VM001 MID
The VM001 MID takes the same suede upper and vulcanized sole as the low-top VM001 and raises the collar to sit at the ankle bone.
That extra height is the entire story here, and it matters more than it sounds. The suede wraps higher around the ankle, which adds a slight buffer against board impact and keeps the shoe feeling contained during quick directional changes.
The grip and board feel stay identical to the low version, since the sole unit does not change.
I prefer the MID for days with more pushing around the city or cooler weather, when the low would leave my ankle exposed to wind and the occasional scuff from a missed catch.
You give up some heat management and flexibility. In summer, the extra suede against my skin gets warm fast, and the taller collar restricts ankle movement just enough that I notice it on flip tricks.
For pure skate performance in dry conditions, I reach for the low. For everything else, the MID wins.
Last Resort AB VM001 HI
The VM001 HI takes the same build as the low-top VM001 and extends the upper to a true high-top silhouette, giving full ankle coverage without adding bulk elsewhere.
The collar sits high enough to protect both the ankle bone and the lower shin, which matters if you are skating transition or working on foot all day in pants that ride above the shoe line.
The construction stays identical to the base model: same outsole, same foxing tape height, same insole.
Only the upper pattern changes, with the extra eyelets running higher and the tongue lengthened to match. That consistency means the break-in feel and the board feel stay predictable if you already know the VM001 low.
For women sizing this against typical skate brands, the HI runs in the same Last Resort AB scale as the rest of the line.
I would order your usual VM001 size; the extra height does not compress the fit through the forefoot or alter the heel lock.
The collar padding is thin enough to avoid that stiff, boxing-boot sensation that some high-tops carry through the first month, though it still takes a few sessions to soften where the top edge meets the front of your ankle.
You give up some breathability.
Full ankle coverage with a suede upper traps more warmth than the low or the mid, so this is the model I would skip for summer sidewalk walking and reach for when the priority is keeping debris out or taking ankle-high slams on concrete.
Last Resort AB VM001 HI-UP
The VM001 HI-UP sits above the standard high-top, adding extra height for skaters who want maximum ankle coverage without leaving vulcanized construction behind.
Kingswell lists it at $110.00, a $10 step up from the regular VM001 HI, which suggests the added material and cut justify the bump for riders who prioritize support.
I see this model as Last Resort AB’s answer to a specific problem: the gap between a traditional high-top and the bulk of a cupsole.
The VM001 HI-UP keeps the flexible board feel vulcanized soles are known for, which the CM001 reviews confirm is a trade-off some skaters have found lacking in past VM models.
If you’ve wanted more stability than the MID or standard HI provides but aren’t ready to switch to the CM001’s cupsole build, this is the middle ground.
The HI-UP only shows in Black/Black at that $110.00 price point, so color options are narrower than lower cuts.
For ankle support in a vulcanized package, though, that limitation feels acceptable. The coverage matters more than variety here.
Last Resort AB VM001 LO CANVAS
The VM001 LO CANVAS keeps the same vulcanized sole construction as the suede models, which means the board feel and flick stay intact.
Swapping suede for canvas trades some abrasion resistance for a noticeably lighter shoe and more airflow through the upper. I see this as a fair exchange for summer skating or anyone whose feet run hot.
Canvas breaks in faster, so the shoe molds to your foot within a few sessions, but it also gives out at the high-wear points sooner.
If you skate daily and your flick foot drags, expect the canvas to show it before the sole does.
For casual wear or lighter park days, the weight savings matter more than the extra months suede would add. The fit sits like the standard VM001 low; size the same.
Last Resort AB VM001 HI CANVAS
The Last Resort AB VM001 HI CANVAS keeps the ankle coverage of the suede high-top but drops the weight.
Canvas breathes better and breaks in faster, which matters when you are skating midday in summer and your feet still need that collar height for board feel and stability.
I would not grab these for rainy sessions or grip-tape wear spots.
Canvas frays where suede scuffs, and the trade is deliberate: you lose some abrasion resistance for airflow and a lighter step. For skaters who want the HI silhouette without the heft, this is the configuration that makes sense.
The shape stays the same, the eyestay and toe cap pattern carry over, and the sole unit does not change, so the fit you expect from the VM001 line holds.
If your local park runs hot or you are on your feet between spots all afternoon, the canvas upper is the practical call here.
It will not outlast the suede version, but it will outlast your patience on a 90-degree day.
Last Resort AB VM002 Lo Cap
The VM002 Lo Cap sits lower than the VM001 series, with a cap toe that trims the silhouette without adding the bulk you might expect from reinforced stitching.
Where the VM001 carries a taller toe box and more vertical lines, this model stays closer to the foot and reads as cleaner under straight-leg pants or cropped denim.
Construction runs on the same vulcanized sole, so board feel stays immediate and the break-in period is short.
The cap itself is layered leather rather than rubber, which means it scuffs rather than peels, and it takes polish if you want to push the shoe toward evening use.
I would not call it a dress shoe, but it crosses further into that territory than any VM001 variant.
You give up some protection. The lower collar and reduced padding around the ankle give you less support on long pushes or rough ground.
For flat skating and casual wear, that freedom matters more than the missing foam. For park terrain or repeated impact, the VM001 Mid or Hi makes more sense.
Last Resort AB VM003 Low Canvas
The VM003 Low Canvas sits lower in the ankle than the VM001 LO CANVAS and trims away the padded collar that gives that model its sneaker-like feel.
I see this as Last Resort AB’s answer to someone who wants the vulcanized board feel of the VM001 but in a shape closer to a classic plimsoll or deck shoe.
The canvas here is lighter weight, the eyestay is cleaner with fewer rows of lacing, and the overall silhouette reads more casual off the board than the VM001’s slightly technical stance.
Where the VM001 LO CANVAS bridges skate function and everyday wear, the VM003 commits more fully to the everyday side.
The sole is still grippy enough for grip tape, but the thinner foxing tape and stripped-back upper suggest the design priority was walk-around comfort and heat relief rather than impact protection.
I would not choose this for serious skating; the ankle sits exposed and the insole looks minimal.
For grocery runs, travel days, or outfits that need a flatter, lower profile under cropped pants, it makes more sense than the bulkier VM001.
What you give up is real: the cushioned step-in feel and the security of that padded collar, and what you get is breathability and a shape that does not compete with the rest of your clothes.
Last Resort AB VM005 Loafer
The VM005 Loafer is where Last Resort AB drops the pretense that every shoe must earn its place on a skateboard.
It is a slip-on with no laces, no tongue to fuss with, and no padding meant to survive repeated griptape abrasion.
The silhouette reads casual office or weekend errand rather than kickflip test rig, and that seems to be the point.
Coverage of this model stays thin on performance specifics. Where the VM001 and VM002 get dissected for sole feel and break-in time, the VM005 gets noted mostly for how it looks on foot.
The leather or leather-like upper, the clean vamp, the low profile that sits closer to a traditional loafer than to any vulcanized skate shoe.
I would not reach for it if I needed a shoe I could actually skate in, but I would consider it for the days when I want something that pairs with trousers without looking like I gave up and wore sneakers.
What you give up is board feel, the reinforced stitching, and the credibility with skaters, and what you get is a shoe that does not announce itself as borrowed from a teenager’s wardrobe.
Whether that exchange is worth it depends on how much of your week is spent on pavement versus in rooms where people notice footwear.
Last Resort AB VM006 Moc
The VM006 Moc takes the same loafer-adjacent approach as the VM005 but pushes further from skate function into everyday wear. Its moccasin-influenced upper drops the laces entirely, swapping the VM001’s technical silhouette for something closer to driving-shoe territory.
I see this as Last Resort AB testing whether their vulcanized sole platform can travel outside skate shops, and the answer seems mixed.
The construction keeps the brand’s familiar board feel, which matters little if you are walking pavement in these rather than kickflipping.
What you gain is a clean profile that pairs with chinos or cropped denim without the bulk of a padded skate collar.
What you lose is the lockdown and impact protection that made the VM001 a working shoe in the first place.
For women already rotating between comfort sneakers and minimal flats, this sits in an odd middle: not supportive enough for long standing days, not sleek enough to replace a proper dress loafer.
I would skip it unless the aesthetic specifically fills a gap in your wardrobe, and even then, the VM005 keeps more of the brand’s useful DNA.
Sizing and Fit Across Models
The CM001 runs slightly small, so go half size up from your usual Last Resort AB vulcanized size. One reviewer took a US 9 in vulc models and a US 9.5 in the CM001, and that half-step solved the pinch.
The VM001 is where sizing gets messy. Some wearers say it fits large and recommend going down a half size; others find the forefoot so narrow that normal-width feet get pinched even at true size.
The narrow cut seems to be the real variable here, not length alone.
If your feet are standard width or wider, I’d order true to size rather than down, since a too-small shoe in a narrow last only gets more painful as the suede breaks in.
The MID, HI, and HI-UP cuts share the same last, so the length stays consistent across heights.
The LO and HI versions of the suede VM001 behave the same way on foot, though the HI’s added collar changes how the heel sits, which matters more for board feel than for sizing.
The canvas versions are not covered in the fit notes I found, so I would treat them as unknown and plan to try before committing if possible.
Cupsole vs. Vulcanized Construction
Cupsole and vulcanized construction split the Last Resort AB lineup into two distinct camps, and cupsole is the choice if you take stairs, gaps, or repeated impact seriously.
The CM001 uses this method. Its sole pairs with an insole called Cloudy Cush, and the combination absorbs regular impact while the padded upper keeps the foot stable.
A skeleton pattern and foam wedge in the forefoot let the sole flex fresh out of the box, with thin material up front and flex grooves that mold onto griptape for surface contact.
The grip itself is balanced rather than sticky after a ten hour wear test, which can make foot placement feel more predictable than on aggressively tacky vulcs.
Vulcanized construction runs through every VM model. These soles are lighter, more flexible, and break in faster, but they trade away the impact protection and stability that the CM001’s cupsole provides.
What you get in return is board feel and less bulk, which matters if you value flexibility and ground sensitivity over cushioning. Most skaters know which side they fall on by what their ankles are already used to.
Durability and Materials
The CM001’s 10-hour wear test tells a clear story about where Last Resort AB puts its material budget.
The upper pairs leather for structure with suede at the ollie and kickflip zones, a combination that held up better than expected.
The suede placement is risky by design, right where the board scrapes hardest, yet abrasion stayed minimal and the seams never ripped. That leather-and-suede split gives you stability where you need it and grip where you flick.
The sole is thinner in the forefoot, so that area showed more wear at the 4–5 hour mark.
Seams connecting the upper to the eyelet reinforcement split around then too, though owners on Reddit note this reads as cosmetic rather than structural failure.
The VM001 doubles down on durability another way: double stitching around the lace stay resists grip-tape friction, and the suede upper avoids the canvas problem entirely.
One Reddit owner regretted their canvas purchase after a month of light non-skate use, with sole separation and water intrusion. Others confirm canvas rips fast regardless of brand, shoe goo or not.
For skating, suede and leather hold; canvas trades immediate comfort for shorter life.
Comfort and Ventilation Trade-Offs
The CM001 carries a bit more weight than you would expect from a slim shoe, and the leather upper does not breathe. I would not wear it on a humid day without expecting some moisture buildup inside.
What you get back is real stability: the high-cut heel, the reinforcements around it, and the rigid cupsole lock your foot in place even when the shoe gets damp.
The padding at heel and tongue still lands soft, though the loose tongue slides side to side and needs straightening now and then.
The VM001 sits at the opposite end. It is comfortable for a vulcanized shoe, which usually means thin and harsh underfoot, but the polyurethane collar and the suede break in fast.
The heel is where it gives ground. The low profile leaves almost no protection back there, so hard landings or long hours on your feet will remind you what a cupsole would have absorbed.
The canvas versions breathe better than suede and run cooler in summer, though canvas frays faster against grip tape and loses shape sooner.
If you skate daily, that trade is real. If you walk more than you skate, it is probably worth making.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key features of the Last Resort AB CM001?
The CM001 uses a cupsole construction with a leather upper and suede panels at the ollie and kickflip contact points for grip and durability.
A "Cloudy Cush" insole paired with the cupsole absorbs impact well for medium-impact skating, while the leather body keeps the shoe stable through repeated abuse.
What you give up is weight and heat; the leather and suede build runs warm, and sizing runs snug through the toe so most skaters should go a half size up.
How does the Last Resort AB VM001 fit?
The VM001 fits inconsistently enough that ordering blind is risky.
Multiple wearers report it runs large and narrow, with some recommending a half size down, while others find the forefoot so tight that normal-width feet get pinched even at true size.
If your feet are standard width or wider, stick with your usual size rather than sizing down, since a too-small shoe in a narrow last only gets more painful as the suede breaks in.
What materials are used in Last Resort AB shoes?
Last Resort AB builds its skate models with suede and leather for durability, and offers canvas on select versions for lighter weight and better airflow.
The CM001 pairs leather for structure with suede at high-wear flick points, while the VM001 line uses suede uppers with double stitching around the lace stay to resist grip-tape abrasion.
Canvas trades abrasion resistance for breathability and breaks in faster, but frays sooner at high-wear points and loses shape more quickly than suede or leather.
