How to Buy the Best Skate Shoes

Whether you’ve been skateboarding for years or are newer to the sport, you probably know that the right – or wrong – shoes can make or break your skating experience. Maybe you have a pair you’ve been wearing for years, but they’ve seen better days. Maybe you’ve been wearing a pair of running shoes or worn-out sneakers and don’t even own a pair of proper skate shoes. Keep reading to learn more about why it’s important that you invest in a pair and how to buy the best skate shoes for you!

What are skate shoes?

While they may look like everyday sneakers, skate shoes are designed specifically for skateboarding and are recommended for every level of skater, regardless of how often you skate or how experienced you may be. These shoes are durable and provide the comfort and stability you need to ride.

What to Consider

Skate shoes are available in a variety of different styles to suit the varying types of skating you may be doing—from cruising to riding the rails.

Ask yourself some of these questions as you’re starting your search for the best skate shoes:

• Where do you normally skateboard?
• What types of weather and temperatures will you be skateboarding in?
• What are your skateboarding goals?

After you’ve thought about these questions, check out this post to learn more about specific elements of a skate shoe, such as the sole and upper material, to consider when picking out the best skate shoes for you!

Best Skate Shoe Brands

When you’re looking to pick out your first pair, you’ll want to choose something that’s high quality, trusted, and will hold up to plenty of activity. Over time, you’ll learn exactly what style you like the most, and what will work best for your skate style.

There are a number of great brands out there that offer some of the best skate shoes that will last you years of use. If you’re not sure where to start, however, here are a few brands that we recommend checking out and carry in our skate shop:

Nike

A trusted brand since 1964, Nike offers a variety of footwear options that are designed not only with quality and athleticism in mind, but also creativity and style.

DC

From snowboarding to skating, DC has been creating footwear since 1994 and drawing influence from music, art, and extreme sports.

Emerica

Founded in 1996, Emerica is 100% dedicated to the skateboarding industry and focused solely on creating quality footwear and apparel for wearing to the skatepark. 

Vans

Another classic brand that’s been around for decades, Vans is focused on creating durable footwear and apparel specifically for skaters. They’ve also branched out into the world of snowboarding.

Globe

Last but not least, Globe is another legendary skateboarding-specific brand that creates quality footwear, skateboards, and other accessories so that you can skate to your fullest potential. They also craft quality longboards.

Top Options

Men’s Skate Shoes

Nike SB Shane Skate Shoes

These are the signature shoes of professional skateboarder Shane O’Neill. They are a lightweight option that provides all of the comfort and responsiveness you need to enjoy a great ride!

DC E. Tribeka Skate Shoes

Durable and ready for anything, this DC pair is constructed with a variety of upper materials and offers plenty of support.

Emerica Wino Standard Skate Shoes

If you’re looking for a flexible option, these low-top Emerica shoes are a great choice. They are durable and provide exceptional board feel.

Vans Classic Slip Ons

You can never go wrong with a pair of Vans slip ons! This low-profile, laceless option is flexible, breathable, and perfect for afternoons spent cruising around!

Women’s Skate Shoes

DC Court Graffik Skate Shoes

These classic style DC skate shoes are a solid choice! With plenty of ventilation and padding, your feet will stay comfortable and protected all day long.

Vans Era Skate Shoes

Another classic option, this pair of Vans is a great low-profile staple to have on hand! They are lightweight and durable for all of your skating as well as stylish so that you can look great wherever you cruise around.

Keeping Them Clean

Now that you’ve learned how to buy the best skate shoes, you’ll want to know how to keep them clean! Believe it or not, toothpaste can actually be an effective way to clean your sneakers. Use non-gel white paste on an old toothbrush and scrub the areas of your shoes that are dirty. Dish soap is another great option for cleaning off all of the dirt and grime. Just remember, never put your shoes in the dryer! You don’t want them to shrink or get damaged from the heat, just let them air dry.

Hopefully, this has been a helpful guide when it comes time to buy the best skate shoes for you! By taking some of these things into consideration, you should be able to narrow down the shoe style you are looking for. If you need any other skateboarding gear, our skate shop has got you covered so that you can cruise around in confidence!