In this post in this piece, we’ll take you down the game of shoes by providing a brief overview of some of the accurate skateboarding footwear you can get your hands on. We’ll cover the enduring classics as well as some new and exciting styles to help in providing you with a clear understanding of the options. We’re also kicking the off by introducing Vans.
Best Overall: Vans Skate Old Skool
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UPPER MATERIAL:
OUTSOLE:Vulcanized Rubber
SIGNATURE TECH: Duracap, Popcush Insole
PRICE: $
Pros:Tried to be true. Classic. The benchmark.
Con: Popcush insole isn’t the best however it’s still a good option.
If you’ve never heard, Vans straight up invented the iconic skateboarding silhouettes along with shoe designs “philosophies” the late 70s. The very first Old Skool was just one which is still in use because of an reason.
It is possible to go down the track to demonstrate the reason why Old Skools are still the accurate skate shoes available.. The design is sleek and easy, making it a staple of skateboarding, that there is no other sub-sect to own the style. The materials are the same quality as they ought to be considering their value. Side panels made of canvas allow your feet to breathe as Vans retains suede while making it stronger and softer for the lacing holes.
A one-piece toecap can be a source of contention However, a toecap with a stitched seam is among the most frequent failing points. We believe that, despite personal preference, that the change makes the shoe more comfortable. Add the outsole that is vulcanized and the cushioned lower collar, and you’ll have one of the most popular footwear available.
Even the desirable skate shoes come with negatives. Old Skools offer a long-lasting durability because of the Duracap reinforcement. However, the Foxing tape (strip of the rubber sole which appears to wrap on the inside side of the footwear) will eventually break at the point that the shoe’s seams become wrinkled as you bend your feet. Thus, while they’re not the most durable, Old Skools don’t fall apart in a hurry, especially considering their price.
The feet of young people won’t bother you in the beginning, however, if you’re old and sagging in the skater’s the years (28 29, 29) the Popcush insole can be a improvement, yet leave a lot unsatisfactory. Its low-top style also implies the ankle support will be an enigmatic fantasies.
In reality, at its price for the quality, the Old Skool remains a solid price for a simple skate shoe that offers everything you want and nothing else you won’t need. It’s been around for years and for good reason.
Best Low Top: Nike SB Zoom Janoski OG+
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UPPER: Suede
OUTSOLE:Vulcanized Rubber
SIGNATURE TECH:Zoom Air Unit
PRICE: $$
BenefitsSo elegant, yet informal
CONS: Minimalism in skate shoes = ouch
The Janoski is back! Again. In the event that Nike and Stefan Janoski’s sneakers were released in 2009, it seemed that the entire fashion business was allowed to go back to the basics. It may sound odd coming directly from reading about the way Vans have been timeless and forever loved, but during the 90s, and into the mid-Aughts period, the maximalist skateboarding sneakers were in vogue. Designers attempted to squeeze a variety of features in a basketball shoe, however the original Janoski was a step towards sleek and basic skates.
The uppers of the model of this year are stunning, gorgeous suede, which breaks in easily with time as well. Of obviously, you’ll have the rubber outsole that is vulcanized to assure you are at ease with the board. This long, single-piece toecap ensures that it doesn’t break into pieces when you use it. Your griptape will have perform the job and tear it to the dust of the earth.
The sleek and stylish design is fashionable and useful whether in the water or not The acclaim of the shoe indicates that Nike continuously releases new colorways (and when it was at its height there were a myriad of uppers too).
However, since it’s a minimalist shoe your feet will endure a serious battering. The toecap is quite a long way across your foot. This when it is broken in makes up a large part of Janoski Magic. The fact that you have to start your laces this deep back, there’s not any space between the top of your foot and the skateboard that you’ve have sent spinning at speed.
The low top style means that your ankles will be on themselves and your protection can’t provide much more than the comfort of a collar. This Nike Zoom Air cushioning mitigates some of the force from the sole’s vulcanization, however you shouldn’t put those big gaps frequently.
In the end, the Janoski is a fantastic skate shoe that is great for chilling and skating as well. With a price tag of $95, it is fairly comfortably within “this is what skateboarding shoes cost” category and is able to be able to handle anything but the most strenuous skating.
Best Mid Top: Vans Skate Half Cab
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UPPER:Canvas, Suede
OUTSOLE:Vulcanized Rubber
SIGNATURE TECH: Duracap, Popcush Insole
PRICE: $$
BenefitsSolid Ankle Protection, softly padded tongue
Cons:Stitched top cap on the toe. the design may be too narrow for certain
Another timeless model brand from Vans which has stood the tests of time! Skate Half Cab Skate Half Cab is a classic Vans model with a story that’s so distinctly skateboarding that you cannot benefit to love the design. It was in the early 90s in the heyday of street skateboarding and the rise of skateboarding, people were purchasing the top of the line Caballero professional version (the Full Cab), taking off the collar with cutters to reduce the length and then patching it using the duct tape. Vans as well as Steve Caballero noticed and decided to cut out the hassle which is how boom! “The “Half” Cab was born.
What is it that has kept this Half Cab in the skate scene for so long? And why it is one of the excellent skateboarding footwear? The credit goes to what is believed like the Vans method: Everything is needed and nothing that is not needed without costing you a fortune.
An elegant upper made of suede and canvas, encased for high-wear zones and Vans trademark Duracap technology that keeps your shoes together. Outsoles made of vulcanized rubber are the most popular choice for board experience, but typically have the disadvantage that you have less space than your feet with the boards (who’d ever thought of that?). Its Vans Popcush insole helps out by providing more cushioning at the heel and thins towards the front in order to benefit in landings that are more difficult while still retaining the full benefits from the insole.
This Half Cab is more than simply the mid-top Old Skool but. Double foxing tapes to the sole allows an extra layer of rubber that wears away and blends the outsole with the upper to give more control. The outsole also features a distinct cushioned tongue that is a little more comfortable.
Similar to the majority of Vans models, this Half Cab gets you enough value in your pocket You’ll be hard pressed to find a professional skater that hasn’t worn one. Although competition can occasionally rise however none of them have surpassed the Half Cab the mid-top’s dominance. Absolutely one of the perfect.
Best High Top: Nike SB Zoom Blazer Mid
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UPPER: Suede
LOWER:Vulcanized
SIGNATURE TECH:Zoom Air Cushioning
PRICE: $$
PROSAnkle Support, thick ankle cushion
CONSSized thin, stiff enough to allow for break-in
If you’ve been at a place in public at all since the year 2020 You’ve likely had your fair share of Blazers. Nike can’t seem to crank the Blazers out in a hurry suitable to keep up with need: the most recent time that a brand took over in the manner that it has the Blazer has Blazer does could have been when the Janoski came out in the year 2009.
The Blazer is advertised as a mid-top and a mid top, the Blazer appears more of the high-top in actuality because the collar is just above the ankle. We love it, too. The thing that sets it apart from other high-tops is Zoom Blazer apart is how the padding on your ankles is. Although it’s not higher than other tops, you’ll get thick padding up to the point so that you’ll have the confidence to take on those moves that require an 540 or 360 shv thrown into.
The other features that make up the Blazer it comes with the typical common suspects of material and design of the excellent skateboard shoes with vulcanized rubber sole, completely suede uppers, and a solid innersole to help you land. For Nike, it’s the Zoom cushioning system, which uses fibers that are stretched and an air cushion to provide an extra bounce to your pushing and popping. The Zoom cushioning isn’t cheap, however it’s not a total loss neither. Spending a few money to secure your ankles isn’t a bad decision.
Best Indie: Last Resort AB CM001
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UPPER: Suede/Leather
LOWER: Rubber Cupsole
SIGNATURE TECH:Cloudy Cush Insole
PRICE: $$
Pros: Fantastic impact structure and support for impacts
CONSLess airflow and boardfeel
There are a lot of the most popular shoes listed in this list come of the major names in the world of shoes: Nike, Adidas, New Balance, and now Asics. Even Vans with the fact that they’re thought to be one of the biggest players. Through the the CM0001, Last Resort AB has begun to pave its own DIY pathway. It is what you would expect from the rival company Polar Skate Co., each of which is claiming (and doing their perfect to live up to) the concept that is “by skaters, for skaters”.
Each and every detail of the CM0001 has an intention, and the style tells the tale. Leather uppers provide greater structure than pure canvas or suede however, suede is present in key wear points on the toe, heel and eyelets. Additionally it comes with all the comfort of a cushioned cupsole as well as a padded tongue and collar. It also comes with the iconic Cloudy Cush insole (which thins toward the toe, as does Vans Popcush).
We love this model of the last CM0001 was the fact that Last Resort bucked the prevailing fashion of cupsoles being bulky and poorly designed simple and skateable. It’s not that their vulcanized footwear don’t look simple and skate-able however to present an easy-to-use, nimble cupsole is a great and enlightening move.
There are only a few minor issues. One is the fact that it’s not designed to breathe well while, despite reducing the overall design, the shoe is still quite weighty for the amount it’s. The quality of the shoe and build quality overall is more than compensate for the slight drawbacks. The Hot Take: For similar price the shoe could actually be receiving more shoes in return than if you bought an Nike Blazer.
Best Chunky: Adidas Busenitz
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UPPER: Suede Outer, Textile Inner
LOWER: Rubber Cupsole
SIGNATURE TECH: Adiprene Cushioning, Pivot-Point Cupsole
PRICE: $$
BenefitsComprehensive cushioning of the heel, excellent boardfeel to the heel
Cons:Very unique feel won’t be for everybody, and tongue may be weird
When Nike had been reducing the pace while spicing things up 2009 with the Janoski, Adidas had perfected techniques on the more maximalist aspect of the spectrum through Busenitz. Busenitz.. This is logical, since Dennis Busenitz and the Adidas team took about one period of time (!) to develop the shoe. Was it a success however? Starting with the standard Copa Mundial soccer shoe and including special features specifically designed for skates. The outcome was a big skate shoe, which still offers an incredible control.
The first thing you’ll be able to notice after putting on the Adidas Busenitz is probably how comfy your foot is. Also, you’ll notice that your heel sits in a somewhat cushioned position, which is slightly more elevated than your toe that’s less cushioned. This is a little unusual and the thinner area on the top of your toe is a great help to control the board while providing structure and cushioning due to the Adiprene foam. For the heel it could provide the best protection available from a lower top.
The suede upper is full and is well-integrated, and the inner textile helps to let the shoes breathe. The style points are derived in the form of three stripes as well as the oversized tongue. If this isn’t for you but, the tongue does have an extremely handy line how to trim it off and keep it looking in good shape.
The Busenitz is able to overcome enough your typical cupsole’s shortcomings and clunky design with its design that has stood against the tests of time with a price that is surprisingly low cost. If you’re looking for a shoe that can fill large gaps, this is your shoe.
Best Supershoe: Asics Gel-Flexkee
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UPPER: Suede, Synthetic
LOWER: Cupsole, Vulcanized Styling
SIGNATURE TECH:Honestly, the Whole Design
PRICE: $$$
Pros:Very abrasion-resistant toe, secured laces, a flexy frontfoot section
CONS: Asymmetrical design, outsole loses tread quickly
You’re searching for something distinctive. Skate shoes all look identical, so you tell us. The supershoes that were popular in the early 2000s. ASICS responded to that request or perhaps they just accepted their own need to create something completely different. They offered us the wildly unique gel-flexkee design in their summer 2023 release.
This Gel-Flexkee is a sketch of the book of Adidas, and is rooted in the style of a soccer shoe like the Busenitz and then does it. It’s hard to tell that the shoe borrows heavily on vulcanized style, it’s really a cupsole! We love the way it inserts the rubber onto the sides close to the heel for better flexibility.
The upper has a distinct look as well. The durable, abrasion-resistant material that is positioned the mid-foot area does not fail The laces are kept away from the foot as they bend towards the inner part of the shoe. The eyelets that tie the lacing can be rethought they are secured safely on the bottom of suede flaps. In case that wasn’t enough the tongue flap folds inwards to secure the knot as well.
It’s not perfect, but. They are cut low and the lacing that is symmetrical can cause them to disintegrate during routines, until they break within a week more. The tread at the bottom of the shoe is a little shallow and slippery against the tape once it’s worn away. It’s not a bad thing regarding a skateboarding shoe which has a sole that is lost before breaking around the sole, but.
Asics are working on making inroads into the primary skateboarding market. As so, you’ll find it difficult to locate these shoes outside of the city’s skateshops. When we first published them, they weren’t accessible on the Asics site. It’s the Gel-Flexkee is the only shoe in our top 10 list that breaks the $100 mark, however if you have sufficient money there’s no other model like this available today, and is sure to draw people’s attention.
BUYING ADVICE FOR SKATEBOARDING SHOES
Upper Construction
SUEDESuede (or suede) can be described as the top sought-after material used for uppers of skate shoes since it’s durable and flexible when it’s broken inside. A majority of the perfect skateboard shoes have suede at least around the areas of high wear like the heel and toe and even the exterior part of the upper. Suede can be described as soft or slightly fuzzy sensation and a slight fuzzy feel.
Leather:Leather (or patent leather) offers a bit larger structure than suede however, it is shiny and a slightly slick it is also susceptible to wrinkles and cracks. It is a gorgeous look at first, but can fade in appearance fast. Because of its more sturdy construction than suede, it can be utilized for sides in the middle of the foot, or even on top of the foot.
Canvas:Canvas is light, comfortable, breathable, affordable and is often vegan. Its disadvantage is that it wears out quickly and does not have the same support or structure that leather does, particularly when worn into. It is a good material to add as a supplement. is a viable alternative to leather. But being able to put it on the swiveling portions of your shoe indicates that you must have Shoe Goo prepared to patch the issue.
Outsole Construction
VULCANIZED RUBBBERVulcanized rubber soles have become the most popular choice to make skate shoe outsoles. They’re basically (we’re simplifying it but not any means) rubber that’s glued to the sole of the shoe. Then, it is connected to the upper using an elastic strip known as “foxing tape” wrapped around the shoe and then overlapping. Imagine a sandwich with additional crust that joined the two bread slices.
Vulcanized outsoles are adored because of their board-like feel, however it is often with the cost of cushioning.
CUPSOLECupsoles aren’t as popular, but they remain popular in iconic brands such as Nike SB Dunks as well as Adidas Busenitz. An engineered outsole is developed (generally by together some specific technology) before being stitched on the upper.
Cupsoles last longer and provide your feet with additional support. This comes but they also put more cushioning between your feet as well as the surface.
Low, Mid, Or High Top
If you’re searching for the excellent skateboarding footwear that you can locate then you’ll want to be aware of whether you’d prefer the collar to rest more or less on your ankle. At the very least, you need to be aware of the advantages to benefit you make an informed choice.
Many people opt for lowers as it’s the norm to wear a shoe these days however a bit of thought could benefit to find a pair that can enhance and complement your skating. The main benefits are gained from a more elevated shoe collar is increased ankle support, and protection from the spinning piece of metal and wood.
A disadvantage of a high collar would be that it could reduce the agility that your ankle has. However, a top that is high will not stop the ability of your ankle to accomplish anything that you would accomplish in a lower but there’s a reason that people would cut the tops of their Full Caballeros into mid-top Half Cabs in the 1990s.
Imagine it as an incline scale. The larger the collar higher, the better ankle support and as a result, less flexibility in mobility.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What is foxing on skateboard shoes? The foxing tape is the stripe of rubber on the heel of the shoe, which connects the upper with the lower part of the outsoles that are vulcanized.
Do skateboarding shoes have to be the like my regular footwear? In general, the answer is yes. Certain people like buying the suede shoes with a slightly larger size before breaking it in, however this isn’t typical.
Are all canvas footwear are vegan? Although canvas is generally vegan, in some cases the glue may not be. Check out the finer points, but the company will usually make clear that a product does not contain animal products.
Do I need to microwave my footwear for a quicker break-in? The myth of this has been around for some time, but recently we’ve heard it popping up across social media. Microwaves are designed to cook food. Don’t heat your skateboards. Please.
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