Skateboarding is fun but not much with the wrong pair of shoes. Selecting the right shoes are equally important to the efforts put in for filtering the right deck or right skate.
With the right sneakers on the feet, the stunts are delivered uniformly. In the following spaces, we will look at the leading brands dealing in Best Skateboard Shoes with the pros and cons of each.
In the end, we will surf through important aspects to consider while buying skateboard shoes.
Vans Skateboard Shoes
Vans have their history kicking off in 1976 when they introduced the first pair of shoes specific for Skateboarding.
Soon it got its name in among the skateboarders for the quality of material, padding, and grip.
We have conducted an extensive survey among the skateboard community and as 37.29% of the skateboarders prefer to use Vans Skateboarding Shoes.
This is a huge number that shows the trust riders have in this brand. Hence making it the best skateboard shoes brand of all time.
Vans Skateboard shoes are designed considering all aspects. The material is durable and there is a double-stitched canvas on the majority of the Vans Skateboard shoes.
Similarly, Padding has been considered in the design keeping in mind different users. It’s always recommended to try on the shoes when testing padding as it varied from person to person.
Vans has emphasized to big deal on the grip in their shoes. Most of the Vans shoes have the signature waffle grip outsole which ensures that the rider has sufficient grip even doing the toughest tricks.
Vans have introduced shoes for all age groups including men, women, and kids with major categories in the below shoe styles.
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Nike Skateboards Shoes
Nike has been in the skate business for long time but officially introduced the shoes around 2002 and since then it has a famous name especially for versatile designs.
The vibrant colors give Nike SB an edge over many other brands. As per our survey within the skateboard community, about 23.73% of the skateboard lovers prefer to use Nike Skateboard Shoes on their feet for skating. Making it the second most loved skateboard shoes.
Nike Skateboard Shoes comes in a variety of beautiful colors and designs. They are mostly very light as the canvas used is to feel very light on the shoes.
This design-build helpsto perform even the difficult of tricks keeping the comfort in place. Nike SB has introduced its signature Nike Zoom cushioning as well which is present in the shoes.
There are air pockets inside the sole that gives additional inner protection to the shoes. Nike SB has also provided enhanced comfort by focusing on protection in the strategic areas.
Stitching is especially given a focus for each pair to make the shoes durable and very strong. But this doesn’t add to the heaviness and the skateboarder can do fear freely any stunts and slides.
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Adidas Skateboard Shoes
Adidas has been in the Skateboard business for some years now and got its name on the top five shoe brands due to the quality and excellent marketing.
Since the beginning, Adidas has never compromised on the quality and is known to produce the shoes for very rough stunts.
As per our survey within the Skateboarders Community, about 11.02% of the skateboarders prefer to ride their skates through Adidas Shoes, Ranking 3rd in this list of best skateboard shoes.
Adidas Shoes have been built to provide the riders with strength, durability, vibrant designs, and comfort which is depicted in the performance. The graphics are amazing and designed to match the sporty nature of the game.
Durability is ensured by making touch soles that don’t get torn easily even with the rough stunts. On the comfort side, Adidas shoes are very comfortable and fit easy on the feet.
The lower part of the shoes is made up of a very tick mesh which makes them very much breathable. There are two cushions added on the inner walls of the shoes which keep the ankle in place and work as a support for it.
When comes to performance, Adidas offers an extremely efficient help for skateboarders. They help with the grip on the board along with being comfortable and durable.
In short, Adidas shoes offer a whole package for Skate lovers in the form of style, comfort, design, quality, durability, and grip.
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ES Skateboard Shoes
ES Skateboard came into the business around 1995 and has been a strong name in the action sports industry. In between, they have been quiet for some years but give a strong comeback this decade and have already made a strong impact especially in Skateboarding Shoes.
As per our research among the Skateboard Communities, about 5.93% of the skateboard riders love to have ES in their feet which makes them a part of the Top 5 in Shoes.
ES skateboard has become a brand with a rich heritage for the boarders. It has ensured to produce shoes as per the changing needs of the Skate lovers. Whether it’s a flip or a spin, you can trust on ES with your eyes closed.
One of the key aspects of ES skateboard shoes is the durable material used in manufacturing. The top and sole are both stitched multiple times to add to the long-lasting of the final product.
ES skateboard shoes have added extra grip for performing the riskiest of the stunts. There are protective lace loops and full-grained leather which helps in gripping all kinds of surfaces.
The skateboard riders can perform even the riskiest stunts in a very safe way because of sound grip even during spinning, flipping, or slipping. It is best made for all kinds of surfaces and arena where you will like to skate.
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Crocs Skateboard Shoes
Crocs have been around in the actions sports industry for some years now and have earned a famous name among skateboarders.
As per our detailed market survey among the skateboarding communities about 4.24% of skate lovers like to have crocs n their feet while skating.
This a very good market share contained by Crocs considering the span they have spent in the business.
Crocs have produced the shoes on the idea that it is the most important connection between the skater and its board. It is like the gear of skateboarding.
Every trick and stunt done by the skateboarder goes through the shoes, so everything has been ensured right in the Crocs Skateboard shoes.
The Crocs shoes are very soft yet durable, not too big or small, and very comfortable to do any kind of spin, rollover, or flip.The grip provided by the Crocs skateboard shoes is amazing which helps a smooth landing for the skateboarders.
The insole is kept a bit thick to provide cushioning in this aspect which is very useful in falling from a high railing. In addition to grip, the durability is provided by Crocs through a quality canvas.
The canvas is stitched multiple times to provide long-lasting life even if used roughly.Crocs have also ensured that all their shoes are slip-resistant even on any kind of surface.
This helps a great deal while you are skating in different arenas and you don’t have to worry if you might slip away. No doubt Crocs is the first step towards a sensational start to skateboarding.
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DC Skateboard Shoes
DC started their entry into the shoe business after the mid of 1990s and soon become a famous brand in skateboarding, snowboarding, and other action sports.
Over the years, DC has continued its legacy to provide the skate lovers quality footwear which is proof of the large customer base it has.
As per our extensive survey with the skateboarders across different communities, about 3.39% of the skate lovers prefer to have DC Skateboard shoes because of their quality and grip.
DC Skateboard shoes offer everything from durability to style and comfort. Unlike some of the other brands which don’t offer many colors or graphics on the shies, DC Skateboard shoes have quite attractive drawings on the sides and soles.
The skateboarder's confidence is increased multiple times if the shoes offer a good grip, this concept has been very wisely utilized by DC in their skateboard shoes. The ultra-grippy outsole helps to provide stability while performing the riskiest of the feats.
DC skateboard shoes are not only about quality and attractiveness but it’s also about comfort. Most of the products are provided with the sole design for flex and extra ground contact.
This provides super comfort with an internal elastic tongue holder for inside gripping of the foot. Imagine you are performing a high action stunt with a fall and a slip or maybe flip and a roll, on your landing you need this mechanism for a safe fall.
On top of all these designs pros, durability has been provided on most of the DC shoes by a high-quality rubber cupsole with a heavy duty nubuck upper.
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Converse Skateboard Shoes
Converse the shoe brand has been in the business for decades starting around 1908. Initially famous with the basketball shoes but for a few many years they have been producing quite quality Skateboard shoes which have won the heart of many skaters.
As per our detailed survey with skaters in the skateboard communities, about 2.54% of the skate lovers prefer to be in Converse Skateboard shoes for their skating.
The converse is a brand with decades of experience in the footwear industry. It has seen the time changing and adapted as per the requirements and changing trends.
Converse skateboard shoes are durable, comfortable, and stylish. There are pretty a lot of options there to buy from, including light to heavyweight as per user need.
Converse has provided shoes that are quite durable. This has been ensured by using leather of outstanding quality and it lasts long.
The outside area at the toe of many shoes is designed with some creative graphics which adds to the attractiveness. The sole is quite deep to provide comfort and durability.
The stitching of Converse Skateboard shoes is very strong to hold the piece together even in rough use. There is multiple stitches pattern used to provide a good fit on the feet.
The support is great in the Converse shoes especially in the heel and the insole areas. The cushion in the insole is perfect to provide a feeling of safety during risky stunts.
Mostly Canvas shoes have 2 holes, which as allow for ventilation but can also be used for bar lacing to fit them better and tighter if needed, this is a useful addition in the Converse Skateboard shoes
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Emerica Skateboard Shoes
Emerica started its journey in the action sports industry in 1996 and has been a renowned name since then.
As per our detailed survey within the skateboarding community, about 2.54% of the skate lovers prefer to have Emerica skateboard shoes with them while skating.
Emericahas focused a lot on the build and durability of their shoes. Even after hours of continuous rough skating, the sole and the front remain to wear less which is a great proof of the durability of Emerica’s skateboard shoes.
Normally it’s noticed with some of the other brands that the main focus is only on the shoes and the laces normally lose their original shape after some days.
This is not the case with Emerica, where the laces are also quite durable.When it comes to Comfort, this has been considered specifically in all the shoes from Emerica.
Comfort has been ensured by extra layers of insole cushioning which gives a very sensational feeling on the foot and helps avoid injuries while skating.
Emerica Skateboard shoes also provide the riders with a solid grip on the feet. There is a special insole grip unit that offers a strong grip while flipping or spinning.
Normally it’s seen that with some of the other brands, the grip is loosened with time but this is not the case with Emerica’s skateboard shoes. The shoes are well balanced from all aspects and this gives equilibrium to the skateboarder.
Emerica has categorized its shoes in numerous divisions as enlisted below for the ease of the buyers.
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New Balance Skateboard Shoes
New Balance is one of the oldest names in the shoe industry going back to 1906. Being the pioneer, they carry a legacy with them which is honored by its users.
New Balance has adapted well to the changing demands of the skateboarders and kept on providing the latest designs.
As per our detailed survey within the Skateboard community, about 1.69% of the skateboard lovers prefer to ride on New balance Shoes than any other brand.
Being the owner of a long-lasting legacy, New Balance has been very focused on the quality of its products. New Balance best Skateboard shoes are quite durable and long-lasting.
This has been ensured by using mostly the Suede and Canvas material with classic vulcanized rubber on the outsole.
Even after days of skating the riders don’t feel any wear of the upper or lower toe which is not the case with some of the low-quality brands.
There is an internal cushioning system with layered mesh panels which helps to provide comfort to the users. This design also helps to reduce any impact of injuries while performing some risky stunts.
The grip is amazing and it helps to perform flipping with very ease and the best thing is that the gripping don’t lose away too soon. This is due to the long-lasting aspect of the product.
The combination of insole and outsole provides a great broad feel which helps to balance the body while landing. In short New Balance, Skateboard Shoes provide a complete package with all the necessary features needed to rock the skating.
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Buying Guide for Skateboard Shoes
The skate shoes are equally important for a skateboarder as selecting a suitable board, even shoes might be regarded as more important being a bridge between the rider and the skateboard.
It is very important to select skateboard shoes for your feet that will help you perform the activity with comfort and is durable to last long for years.
The following aspects are important to consider while buying skateboard shoes.
Durability
This is the most important aspect to consider while buying shoes as you will fell millions of times doing stunts and shoes will be exposed to concrete. Certain design features can ensure that the surface doesn’t wear and tear soon.
Upper Material
Selecting an upper material with layers and having multiple stitching can help to select a durable product. There are the following Upper materials available and their Pros and Cons.
Canvas:
- Pros: Light Weight and Breathability
- Cons: Lacks Durability
Leather:
- Pros: Most Durable
- Cons: More Rigid
Suede:
- Pros: Durability, Break in well
- Cons: Less Breathable
Textile:
- Pros: Light Weight, Durable
- Cons: Typically Bulky
Outer Sole
The outer sole is a critical part of being the contact with the board. The flat profile is very important for this part to maximize the contact which gives a better grip and lasts longer. Following the best sole materials are available with respective Pros and Cons.
Cup sole:
- Pros: Durable and Protected
- Cons: Less Broad Feel
Vulcanized:
- Pros: Light Weight, Good Broad Feel
- Cons: Less Protection
Lace Guards:
The sliding tricks inevitably impacts the laces because of the contact on the shoelace and the grip tape. If a certain guard feature is not provided on the shoes, then the laces will be eaten up too quickly. It’s necessary to select a pair of shoes that provide a lace guard.
Protection & Comfort
Protection and Inner Comfort is another important aspect to consider while buying skating shoes. Following are different parts of the shoes necessary to be part of your pair for ultimate comfort and protection against injuries.
- Midsole: Midsole provides you a very comfortable feel inside. It’s lightweight and normally has thousands of bubbles that fill in as the foot leaves the ground. EVA and PU foam both are available, while PU is denser and heavy but more durable than EVA.
- Dual Heel Cushioning: Another important aspect to consider for inner comfort and protection is dual heel cushioning. Many shoes provide this to provide a smooth landing while there are few with thin heels available as well. The weight increases with dual heel cushioning.
- Heel Collar: The heel collar is though an optional but very important part to consider while buying a shoe. This is thick padding around the heels that are like collar protection which adds to the durability of the heels.
- Toe Caps: Similarly to Heel Collars, there are toe caps that are to protect the Toes of the shoes. It’s very important to consider these while buying the shoes.
Styles
The following style of shoes are available and can be selected as per the requirement.
- High Top:
Pros: Provides Ankle protection
Cons: Bulky
- Low Top:
Pros: Ankle Mobility
Cons: Less Ankle Protection
- Mid Top:
Pros: Good Ankle Protection and Mobility
Cons: Bulky
- Slip-On:
Pros: Light Weight with Ankle mobility
Cons: Least Ankle Protection
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