Video: Brandon Semenuk Rides New Namesake Etnies Pro Shoe in 'Amygdala'

Mar 29, 2021
by Sarah Moore  


bigquotesBrandon Semenuk’s first etnies pro shoe, the Semenuk Pro, launches globally today with his latest video project AMYGDALA. Located in the brain, a human’s amygdala literally represents their core fear system. This video makes viewers wonder if Semenuk chooses to ignore his amygdala or if he simply doesn’t have one.

Brandon worked closely with the etnies design team to incorporate all of the needs of his high-speed, technical downhill and trail riding into the Semenuk pro. The shoe features a Force Shield reinforced upper, with an Ankle Shield to protect from inboard ankle impacts, while standing up to daily abuse. The outsole features a reinforced board lasted Pedal Shank in the midsole to provide needed support and pedaling efficiency. Pins easily drop right into the outsole tread pattern maximizing grip on the pedal, the laces easily stuff into the tongue lace pocket and the tongue gussets shield moisture, dirt, and debris. 

The Semenuk Pro is available on etnies.com today.—Etnies

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126 Comments
  • 347 3
 Great development seeing all these outsiders coming into MTB, but first time we have a rally car racer trying to make it big on two wheels? Based on this edit I'd say this Semenuk guy has a real future here. Welcome to the sport.
  • 56 0
 between him and Travis the break time jibs in the subaru pits must be pretty insane!
  • 57 0
 This Brandon guy has potential.
  • 33 0
 @GumptionZA: I hear that the Travis guy has potential in freestyle motocross.
  • 7 246
flag CamLamson (Mar 29, 2021 at 6:34) (Below Threshold)
 dude this guy has been around for more than a decade. He is actually making more of a transfer from MTB to rally racing.
  • 110 1
 @CamLamson: Whoosh
  • 79 2
 @CamLamson: Face. Meet palm.
  • 78 0
 @CamLamson: you sure?
  • 37 0
 @CamLamson: Weird, never heard of him.
  • 28 3
 Looks like a session
  • 10 0
 @CamLamson: You just made Joe Biden fall down the sta....

Never mind
  • 7 0
 @CamLamson: oof. That noise you heard was OP going straight over your head. Everyone has their day. Maybe tomorrow is yours bud.
  • 5 0
 Looking forward to see if he progresses enough to ride over some rocks, roots, mud, and off camber lines
  • 2 23
flag CamLamson (Mar 29, 2021 at 16:36) (Below Threshold)
 @mi-bike: think so try googling him
  • 2 18
flag CamLamson (Mar 29, 2021 at 16:37) (Below Threshold)
 @MorganBH: ya musta been livin under a rock bub
  • 3 15
flag CamLamson (Mar 29, 2021 at 16:42) (Below Threshold)
 @Gibbsatron: i dont even understand. Brandon Semenuk was huge part of the FMBA world tour, and in the past couple years hasn't been riding much slope and doing more rally racing.
  • 22 0
 @CamLamson: So, this Semenuk guy you speak of must be some underground grass roots, privateer that has been doing self-edits for years. That's pretty cool.
  • 7 0
 @CamLamson: hasn't been riding much slope yet has been putting out huge edits. Mine blowing contradiction, isn't it? Whatever you do, don't drop out of school. It's where the cool kids are.
  • 3 15
flag CamLamson (Mar 29, 2021 at 17:22) (Below Threshold)
 @mi-bike: i think he just got too old for the rlly extreme slopestyle. so now he's into edits
  • 3 16
flag CamLamson (Mar 29, 2021 at 17:22) (Below Threshold)
 @tacklingdummy: google him
  • 30 0
 @CamLamson: I'm not sure if you need the situation here spelt out to you or not... but lets keep it going for just a bit longer
  • 18 1
 @CamLamson: I heard the same. He thought slopestyle was too much pressure so it looks like he's focusing on some underground competition in Utah where they have to dig their own course??? Do you know anything about this?
  • 2 8
flag CamLamson (Mar 29, 2021 at 19:09) (Below Threshold)
 @RXN059: also know as red bull rampage. Only the coolest thing evr
  • 35 1
 @aussiebiker13: hol up boiiss. Infinate IQ moment rn. maybe all this sarcasm. man mm i a chad or what?????
  • 9 0
 @CamLamson: I'm not up with the lingo, so I don't know what calling someone a 'chad' is, but sarcasm, oh yeah definitely that.
  • 6 0
 @CamLamson: I wonder how Brandon would do at rampage?
  • 2 0
 So this is how he gets his kicks....
  • 1 12
flag CamLamson (Mar 30, 2021 at 10:51) (Below Threshold)
 @aussiebiker13: A Chad, in internet slang, is generally a sexually active "alpha male". The term has a history of being used by incels and other manosphere groups, though it has also become a slang term across the internet and among adolescents in general to refer to particularly attractive or confident males.
  • 10 0
 @CamLamson: Hi Cam, internet pro (chad) with over 20 years of experience here.

Just thought I'd let you know that all of these guys are messing with you, "tugging your chain" if you will.

You can rest easy tonight knowing that most everyone in this comment section (www.pinkbike.com/news/video-brandon-semenuk-rides-new-namesake-etnies-pro-shoe-in-amygdala.html) knows who Brandon "El Jefe" Semenuk is!

Don't worry, you may thank me later.

Have a good day!
  • 52 1
 So sick! Amazing riding, building, and cinematography. That log ride gap at 1:36 looks like the same one Cam McCaul tailwhips in New World Disorder 6? It's at 0:29. Love seeing classic stunts get resurrected.
  • 65 23
 I prefer edits with a little less editing. At least a couple of seconds of continuous footage would be nice.
  • 67 15
 Well... Grab a cam, a laptop, some editing software, and get crackin' then.....
  • 36 2
 @OlSkoolJake: Fair point but I get what @Richridesmtb means : Semenuk riding style is incredible and it would be nice to see longer sequences on how he connect things rather than clips being bombarded one after the other
  • 12 28
flag OlSkoolJake (Mar 29, 2021 at 8:38) (Below Threshold)
 @nicolassherbrooke: well again... Pretty simple answer, if you wanting to see an edit more tuned to your flavours.... See above post....


Brandon is clearly at a point in his career, where he can pick and choose which projects to work on... He doesn't need to pander to the mtb crowd anymore... He earned his stripes... He obviously wants to do more art focused work... As opposed to "shredits" (which are old nf played out IMO)... Don't.like this style. Make your own or don't watch... Either way nobody cares...
  • 15 0
 @nicolassherbrooke: @Richridesmtb: Try the classic One Shot: youtu.be/5ud5T5I4XcA. Never gets old!
  • 10 0
 I'm in full agreement. A lot of videos are heavily focused on cuts, even mid trick. It makes it hard to even follow the riding and spot...
  • 10 0
 I think this is an ad and not a full edit....
  • 17 0
 This was good, but could have used a few more quick cuts. I almost saw an entire trick once in a single shot, and I'm afraid my brain would have exploded.
  • 3 2
 I'm with you @richridesmtb - I didn't enjoy this personally - the editing was way too quick and frantic, really distracted from the riding and made it hard to follow the flow. I also get bored of watching him squirm the bike about like a dog wagging his tail - just looks a bit crap and the opposite of smooth.

That all said, most peeps seem to like it so fair do's. His riding is obvs next level but just not my style visually.
  • 1 2
 @OrangeGoblin: it's called filmmaking in the trade, the editors all have a unique way of editing footage, perhaps this one specialised in add making.
  • 2 1
 @OrangeGoblin: ya the back and forth squirmy schralp stuff gets old really fast. But I'm sure all the kids get tickled by it.
  • 41 2
 10 outa 10 edit he throws that dh rig around like a bmx so easily. I swear this guys never gonna get old and frail.
  • 8 1
 It is interesting how a lot of pros ride smaller frames than what most of us weekend "warriors" run.
  • 5 0
 @rrolly: I think most of us weekend warriors are just struggling to hang on to our bikes a lot of the time. He clearly rides more than just weekends, and has mastered his craft and can use what he feels works best for him.
  • 5 2
 @rrolly: Freeriders/Slopestyle riders maybe. Smaller bikes=more trickable. Most WC DH'ers are running true to size, if not slightly larger.
  • 3 0
 @rrolly: that an 26inch
  • 19 0
 Wow! Did you see those shoes?!

But seriously, when I see his name I click before anything else.
  • 10 0
 Absolutely dope shoes, but Etnies needs to get a handle on Canadian distribution - at least for their biking shoes. I’ve purchased two of my pairs directly and ate the shipping and duties, and once from Amazon, which no one wants to do.

Right now if you google Etnies Canada, a scam site is a top result that’s been up for a while (but Etnies is aware of), and I was essentially shrugged off when I reached out to them to learn where I would find Canadian distribution for the Jameson Mid Crank.

Don’t make it so hard to buy your shit. I’m sick of spending way too much on Five Tens for casual shoes but at least they’re available locally
  • 9 0
 1:
amygdala - amygdalae - from Greek ἀμυγδαλή,
Because they have the shape of almonds !
letmegooglethat.com/?q=Amygdala

2:
The almond (Prunus dulcis, syn. Prunus amygdalus)
from Greek αμύγδαλα !
letmegooglethat.com/?q=Almonds
  • 7 0
 Why is he so good at riding bike? I mean like seriously there has to be some paranormal activity involved. Also its funny that his shoes are named after nuts. (the brain part is named after almonds because it looks like almonds)
  • 10 0
 Great to see Semenuk on the downhill bike and in the loam
  • 5 0
 Another edit that makes me want to see some kind of Rampage in the Loamy Woods. I know spectating and filming would be a nightmare, but damn I think it'd be cool.
  • 19 9
 That was anticlimactic
  • 11 3
 When the videos private :/
  • 6 0
 And in the meantime I've found out what an amygdala is.
  • 1 0
 @DeeWheelson: Do tell
  • 11 0
 @nicob1235: It's the part of your brain that makes you say and do stupid things when you're stressed. Basically the monkey part of your brain.
  • 5 0
 It seems to be fixed now!
  • 43 0
 @rawmouth: @friendlyfoe mine isn't, I still do stupid things
  • 5 0
 It was nice to see allot of footwork on the video, no foots ect... to show that the shoes can grip when you need them the most. Great idea to show that!
  • 2 0
 I might grab a pair of these tbh, I like the crush support they have and a mid would probably be nice as I keep nailing the inside of my ankles against my cranks rocking lows.

Just hate spending $100+ on a shoe that’s going to look and smell like shit 2 weeks after I buy them. That’s like 4 pairs of sale Stefan Janowskis at the Nike outlet. Mainly why they’ve always been my go to. Cheap and consistent
  • 3 1
 Semenuk is one of the most raw talented, smoothest, fastest and most precise free riders in the world, and in the world of rallying, driving for Subaru he’s taking the fight to Pastrana and Block. He just nails any extreme sport
  • 4 0
 These are my favorite type of Semenuk videos. Crazy speed and style on trails most of us can ride and somewhat relate to lol
  • 4 0
 The DON!!!!!!! That log ride to backy?!?! I mean come on! Thanks B for always sending
  • 1 0
 Now... watch the video again and imagine Remy following Brandon... Add some narration in too. Brandon is going to hit this jump, go upside down, I cant do that. I would like to follow Brandon but he has antigravity on his skills list, created by elfs and delivered by a wizard spell.
  • 3 0
 In order to try and ride like he does I'd think I'd need my own personal trainer.
  • 3 0
 Even when he's getting rowdy, he's ridiculously smooth and controlled. wow.
  • 7 7
 Ok, WHY CAN'T MTB SHOE COMPANIES MAKE GOOD LOOKING SHOES?!?!

I struggle with this so much. Most 510s, RCs, Bontragers, these ... they are all chunky, ugly shoes ... in my most humble opinion. I have been wearing Vans for years, the pro models provide protection, they are comfy, and they look RAD ... again, to me. I'd love to support MTB shoe companies, they have great tech ... but I can't handle the asthetics!
  • 3 0
 I already wear TLD, drink Red Bull, and ride Trek because of Brandon. Now I have to get new shoes!
  • 3 0
 But you can't have the blood spatter kit to go with them. Why bother?
  • 1 0
 What a statement for Etnies! Also...I had no idea a back-flipped toboggan could look so good! I might have missed it in an earlier comment but does anyone out there know the music track used for this vid? I didn't see it
  • 3 0
 So thats what I9s sound like at a 1000 mph
  • 5 2
 Why even post a private video? So teasy..
  • 3 0
 How many times is too many times to watch this on repeat?
  • 2 0
 A Semenuk video without 'Must Watch' - must be no riding in it at all... Oh!
  • 2 0
 I'm not going to buy it. I don't care about the product. I'm just here to watch the vídeo.
  • 3 0
 BIG stoke on the skinny-logride to step down!
  • 3 0
 I just threw coffee grounds on my face
  • 2 0
 The aesthetic of the burnt forest is quite rad. Semenuk loves a good gloomy vibe.
  • 3 0
 the log ride to flip...yes.
  • 3 0
 Στάσου μύγδαλα!
  • 1 0
 Χα χα χα !
  • 2 0
 Αυτο μου ηρθε στο μυαλο μολις ειδα το αρθρο!!!
  • 1 0
 Good gracious. Semenuk's like "Ok, you Etnies marketers, get the camera ready, I'm only gonna do this once" as he tears up the trail on-sight.
  • 2 0
 Loved the riding, filming and the Weval track. The slowmo shot through the trees was magic
  • 2 0
 Fast and talented. Where do you reckon he'd come in a World Cup DH? Top 20?
  • 2 0
 Interesting name choice. Part of the reptilian brain. No emotion, just action. Ok, i get it.
  • 1 0
 A lot of people will disagree , but for a Semenuk edit this didn't have the "wow what" factor I usually get, even though it's a big bike.
  • 2 2
 Will if there as inhumanly narrow as the other etnies not sure this will do a lot of good. I have normal width feet and wear an 11.5 and even a 12.5 felt narrow.
  • 3 0
 Ultra rad
  • 1 0
 I wonder if he is nervous at all throwing those shapes around those giant trees?

Also clipless version?
  • 1 0
 Clipless are in the woks, slayersxc17
  • 1 0
 Was that a chrome session?
Etnies? At $134 they must be banking on this Semenuk kid to save the company!
  • 2 0
 What rear hub is he running? Sounds like an I9.
  • 2 0
 Yup. I9 hydra
  • 1 1
 Disappointing edit. There’s a clip where Brandon grabs a touch too much brake. I expect better!!!!



Just kidding of course. Amazing riding from one of the best
  • 1 0
 With that sound track I was just waiting for Chris’s akrigg to pop up and start climbing the trail.
  • 2 0
 So you're saying that if I buy these I can ride like that?
  • 1 0
 Omg, I have Etnies MTB shoes, and they're awesome. Can't even imagine these ones. GSOAT lifetime achievement award.
  • 2 0
 I never want his edits end
  • 1 0
 Please don't show this to my biology teacher, we just finished going over body systems Frown
  • 1 0
 Didn't see that backflip off the log coming, that jump isn't 100% designed for that one trick. Good edit.
  • 1 0
 paid $45 for my 2020 pair of a similar mid top etnie. they are dope!
  • 1 0
 Amygdala also known as lizardbrain????
  • 1 1
 anyone know why the shoe has a thinsulate lining and how many grams of insulation there is?
  • 1 0
 Someone has been playing Blolodborne
  • 1 0
 best riding shoes on the market, i'll say this again and again and again.
  • 2 2
 Insane work boys!! @isaacwallen @jp-831 Sick to see ya guys create this masterpiece
  • 1 2
 There wasn't enough enduroing in this edit. Like do Sessions even have room for a bottle cage? Can Semenuk even really Enduro?
  • 1 0
 Those shoes are pretty sweet
  • 1 0
 Kenny Smith should take Brandon on his next adventure.
  • 1 0
 Killing it like always!
  • 1 0
 Schralp.
  • 1 0
 Bravo Brandon!
  • 1 2
 I think there is spot left on the elbow where there are no adds !
  • 2 2
 Those shoes are ugleeeee
  • 4 7
 Anyone else here surprised to see Etnies is still in business?
  • 1 0
 $134/pr... ouch
  • 5 0
 @330ci: Nope, certainly better than the last pair of DC's I had.
  • 5 0
 Bro...where you been? The Etnies Marana has been my go to shoe for years.
  • 1 0
 @chriskneeland: been rockin Stefan Janowskis for everything since I was like 14 lmfao.

Etnies used to be the shoe to have and it felt like they dropped off the planet overnight. I had a few pairs of their higher end leather skate shoes in highschool and they definitely were great quality. I believe they were the first or one of the first skateboard shoes to double stitch their toe portions.

Lots of love for the brand; just haven’t seen a pair in close to 10 years it feels like.
  • 1 0
 @fatduke: Haven’t seen DCs in ages either. Damn this is like a trip down memory lane. I hade some sick black DCs with the big white emblems on the heel when I was in middle school. Probably was one of the few pairs of shoes in life I paid retail for.
  • 3 0
 @330ci: The Crank series Marana, Culvert, Jamison's and now the Semenuk's are their bike shoes. Love the Michelin rubber for my DJ's and DH bike.
  • 1 0
 Not at all. Been personally more true to the Reynolds over the years - I mean Emerica, other Sole Tech brand - due to their durability, yet both of these share the same feel and they don't fall into pieces after a single year regardless of what you put them into, be it skating, riding, hiking, or pushing mileage across muddy festival venue on a week-long shooting assignment.
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