Skateboarding has been an elemental part of my life ever since I learned to use the skateboard. With the power of skateboarding comes the responsibility to own good shoes!
If you’re anything like me, addicted to skateboarding, it is something you’d want to do every day. So, it is essential to have the right shoes for your feet. In my opinion, the Etnies Jameson 2 Eco Skate Shoe (link to Amazon) is one of the best shoes available in the market. However, your choices aren’t limited to this.
So, to ease it up for you, I have compiled this comprehensive guide with over the 7 best shoes for skateboarding. Read on to know more, as I speak from experience with skateboarding.
Aspects of the Best Shoes for Skateboarding
Before you get into deciding which shoe to buy for skateboarding, there are some features you have to keep in mind. I’ve mentioned the most important aspects below:
1. Durability
The durability of the shoes plays a significant role in skateboarding. When you pay for your shoes, you need to ensure that they’re worth the amount paid. If your shoes are less durable, it simply means that they would get worn out very quickly.
Skateboarding involves a lot of footwork and exposure to various terrains. So, it is essential to look into some features that would keep you safe. The upper material should have an additional layer for protection. Shoes with triple stitching are an added bonus, as they ensure that seams don’t split.
Additionally, the outer sole needs to be solid. Since it is in constant contact with the board and base, it can get worn out very quickly.
2. Material
The ideal shoes for skateboarding should have any of the constituent materials – leather, synthetic materials, and suede.
Leather is a well-known material for its strength and flexibility. However, it has sub-types, providing different qualities – Nubuck has a better grip to offer, Full-grain is considered the most durable, and Action has the best longevity.
Synthetic materials are ideal since they’re a mix of the best materials. In addition, they’re comparatively on the cheaper side and can even take in all the pressure that comes with daily use.
Suede adds to the maneuverability, giving your feet the necessary control. It has a very exquisite appearance and looks very sleek. However, this comes with a fall in the aspect of durability since it isn’t the most durable of materials.
3. Protection
While durability keeps your shoes in good health, the shoes need to have some features that would keep your feet in good health, too. The features include but aren’t limited to a high-quality midsole, heel collars, and extra heel cushioning.
Most skateboard cleats have midsoles made of flexible EVA foam to help with the weight aspect. These foams are so designed that they’ve multiple gas bubbles in them to help with the landing. You can also explore shoes with PU foam. They’re much heavier and denser and would last longer.
Shoes need to have a heel collar of suitable thickness to ensure that the footwear doesn’t slip off your feet while maneuvering. It’s also usually preferred if the heels are dually cushioned to prevent injuries.
4. Comfort
Comfort is undoubtedly an important mental aspect. The more comfortable you feel in your shoes, the more you’ll look forward to skateboarding. Moreover, the shoes must ensure that they don’t produce any heat. Finally, they should withstand your skateboarding without distracting you in any manner.
5. Fit
It is without any doubt that your feet should perfectly fit into your shoes. If they’re too loose, they can slip off your feet. Contrastingly, if they’re too tight, they can affect your feet. Therefore, when you try the shoes on, make sure that you do so with socks. This will help you pick your perfect size.
6. Quality
It goes without saying that quality should be uncompromised upon. Quality comprises all of the aspects mentioned above and more. Make sure that the shoe pair of your choice needs to be more pleasing to your feet than to your eyes. This also means that your shoes should be of extremely good quality.
So, while it is necessary to look at the cost, I advise you not to be too stingy about it.
Best Shoes for Skateboarding
Keeping the aforementioned features in mind, let us now take a look at some of the shoes most suitable for skateboarding, available in the market at present.
1. Vans Style 112
Aptly designed by the top competitor in the market, Vans Style 112 shoes are specifically engineered for skateboarding. The aesthetic of these shoes isn’t something you can forget easily, either. A pair of minimalistic shoes that boast a retro appearance isn’t harmful to own.
This pair of shoes are highly versatile in their function and style. They can be used as one for daily use, too, apart from for skating and BMX. They also have a very comfortable toe box that satisfies wide-footed wearers.
They offer UltraCush HD insoles, which add additional cushioning and protection for your feet while skating.
Pros:
- Comfortable toe box
- Versatile usage
- Premium material
- Highly durable
Cons:
- Limited color options
- You will need to get used to the Duracap
You can purchase it here, on Amazon, for $39.95
2. Emerica Pillar Mid
The Emerica Pillar is a great skate shoe to own. It is pretty unique in the sense that it is a mid-top shoe that offers ankle support. It has an additional heel collar padding that helps support the heel better and reduces slipping.
Moreover, it has dually vulcanized soles that are taped with rubber, making it one of the most durable shoes out there.
It also features a gum bottom grip that gives great traction compared to its counterparts. Furthermore, it has different sole tread patterns that give you extra grip and allow you to skate well on various surfaces.
Pros:
- Good support for the heel
- Dually vulcanized soles
- Multiple sole tread patterns for grip
- Excellent traction
- Very durable
Cons:
- Quite heavy
- Suede material, which can heat the shoes
- Not suitable for arched feet
You can buy it here for $74.95
3. Adidas Originals Seeley Skate Shoe
The Adidas Seeley is a shoe for skateboarding with a simple design. This shoe is extremely sleek and modern, having a narrow fit.
There are different versions of this shoe with respect to its constituent materials – synthetic, suede, and canvas. This pair works well for any skater, irrespective of experience and terrain.
The shoes have a very thin construction, which made them lightweight and ideal for skating. Moreover, This pair gives an excellent board feel, helping keep your backside nosegrind locked.
Pros:
- Very thin and lightweight
- Versatile usage
- Very affordable
- Premium material
Cons :
- Not the best durability
- Lack of protection
You can buy it here for $56.98
4. DC Anvil TX SE Sneaker
The skateboard shoes by DC in the Anvil series are made of imported premium quality materials. The aesthetic is off-charts with the logo on the heel counter, side, and even on the tongue of the cleats.
These shoes are designed to be highly comfortable. Also, the collar has additional padding, which adds extra comfort and protection. Owing to their extreme comfort, these shoes are the newest game-changers in the market.
Moreover, these shoes are highly durable. They can live for years without tearing or getting damaged. Their style is also very versatile, and you can wear them for different purposes as well.
Pros:
- Extremely comfortable
- Great design
- Great durability
- Highly versatile
Cons:
- Narrow fit – not suitable for wide feet
You can buy it here on Amazon for $134.77
5. Lakai Carroll Skate Shoe
Lakai is well-known for the manufacturing of shoes with utmost comfort. This Carroll model offers durability, flexibility, and light-weightedness.
Fun fact, this model has been relaunched from the 2000s with upgraded facilities to match the current requirements. So go for this only if you’re serious about skating and want to get the most out of your riding session.
Moreover, it is an EVA sole (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) shoe, which absorbs shocks and helps protect your feet. It also comes with a guarantee against manufacturing defects.
Pros:
- Extremely comfortable
- Eva sole for shock absorbance
- Highly protective laces
- Guarantee against defects
Cons:
- Quite costly
- The sizing is often found to be an issue – you might have to buy a size larger than your standard size, to get the right fit.
You can buy it here on Amazon for $75.99
6. Etnies Swivel Skate Shoe
The shoes have an excellent design, much ahead of their time. The soles are built with lightweight MD. In addition, these soles exhibit a scratched design on purpose to help with slippage and abrasion.
The belt pulleys are an excellent addition to the shoes and are what make them stand out. They help with resistance against skidding by meting out precise kinetic movements under high pressure and even add to their flexibility.
Overall, if affordability is your concern, but you don’t want to compromise on features, this is the pair to go for!
Pros:
- Highly comfortable
- High skid resistance
- Great grip
- Good board feel
- Scratchless design
Cons:
- They have fewer sizes to offer.
You can buy it here for $65.00
7. Etnies Jameson 2 Eco Skate Shoe
Etnies is extremely well-known for the classy shoes they’ve been manufacturing. This is a highly recommended pair if you’re nature-conscious.
Etnies plants a tree for every pair they sell. Moreover, the shoes are made from natural canvas, recycled plastic bottles, and recycled rubber.
These shoes have a very minimalist structure. The canvas enhances the shoe’s texture and the logo on the footbed, tongue, and heels. The footbed also has a deep message written in favor of nature.
Pros:
- Great durability
- Nature-friendly
- Premium material
- Padded collar for more comfort
Cons:
- Slightly on the costlier side.
You can buy it here for $41.97
9. Reebok Work Soyay RB1910 Skate Style
If you plan on upping your skateboarding skills, the Reebok Soyay cleats are ideal. These premium shoes are slip-resistant and protective against metal clips and heat.
The insoles made of EVA are efficient at keeping the shoe moisture-free. In addition, the extra padding on the insoles absorbs the impacts of hard landings, thereby preventing bruises in your feet.
Moreover, The steel toe in these shoes gives you added protection against injuries. They even provide protection against electric hazards.
Pros:
- Imported, high-quality leather
- Very comfortable
- Rubber soles for enhancing the grip
- Steel toe for added protection
- Good durability
Cons:
- These shoes aren’t as lightweight as they’re advertised to be.
You can buy it here for $41.97
9. Globe Sabre Skate Shoe
The Globe Sabre Skate Shoe is the cleat of its kind and has really good aesthetics. The three-stripe plan of their shoes stands out. It might seem basic and has a low configuration, but its adaptability or execution are still perfect.
These, too, are made of Vulc, giving you the best grip possible. In addition, the build of these shoes is such that you don’t need any footing. However, these shoes might be a bit heavy, but that’s what delivers the performance you need.
Pros:
- Very soft and comfortable
- High-quality materials
- Excellent durability
- Protection against injuries
Cons:
- The shoes don’t provide enough ventilation.
You can buy it here for $41.97
Buyer’s Guide Chart
| Product | Where to Buy | Price |
| Vans Style 112 | Amazon Website | $39.95 |
| Emerica Pillar Mid | Amazon Website | $44.75 – $147.63 |
| Adidas Originals Seeley Skate Shoe | Amazon Website | $34.46 – $144.95 |
| DC Anvil TX SE Sneaker | Amazon Website | $54.04 – $67.30 |
| Lakai Carroll Skate Shoe | Amazon Website | $69.22 – $80.99 |
| Etnies Swivel Skate Shoe | Amazon Website | $65.00 |
| Etnies Jameson 2 Eco Skate Shoe | Amazon Website | $41.97 – $145.00 |
| Reebok Work Soyay RB1910 Skate Style | Amazon Website | $75.81 – $116.99 |
| Globe Sabre Skate Shoe | Amazon Website | $78.97 – $129.84 |
Final Thoughts
A good shoe for skateboarding is even more important than the skateboard itself, as the shoe is what will decide your protection, stability, and grip. So, keep in mind your requirements and a rough budget to find the right shoes.
Also, I hope the above list of some of the best skateboarding shoes helps you with your decision-making process. Happy and safe skateboarding!
