how to buy good skate shoes
Consider your needs when buying good skate shoes.
Published: 16 Apr 2025
summary
Learning About Skate Shoes
1 Clarify your skating style.
Finding a good pair of skating shoes is easier when you are clear about the type of board tricks you do. There are different types of board tricks such as ollies, aerials, grinding, and sliding. Let’s learn a little more in detail.
- An ollie is one of the most common board tricks. In it, the back of the skateboard is touched to the ground and jumped.
- Aerials are tricks in which a skateboarder’s four wheels lift off the ground and land in the air. These require shoes that provide adequate support from the soles of the feet to the ankles.
- Another great trick is grinding. Scraping along curbs, railings, or other surfaces is called grinding. This requires more control of the feet with the board. A flexible shoe can help with this.
- Sliding is a tailslide, a variant of a railslide. Sliding is when the bottom of the board’s nose slides along a steep surface, which is essentially a nose slide. However, a tailslide is the opposite; when the bottom of the skateboard’s tail slides along a lip, it is considered a tailslide. A railslide is when the bottom of the board slides along a railing.
- You can find the right skate shoes by explaining your skating style to a professional skate-shoe dealer. How to buy good skate shoes… Let’s read more.
2 There are 2 main types of skate shoes in the market.
You will find many types of skate shoes in the market; their functionality and appearance are different. However, the main ones are aerial (cupsole) and grinds (vulcanized). Aerial shoes are the best for protecting the feet against injuries. On the other hand, grinds (vulcanized) shoes are admirable for controlling more board tricks.
- Vulcanized shoes are thin, light, and flexible. These shoes provide enough support to your feet for tricks like grinding or sliding. However, these shoes are not well cushioned, so people with heel injuries may want to consider other styles with a heavier sole.
- Cupsole shoes are best for those who like to jump with the board because these shoes come with more cushioning and a thicker sole.
- Consider these two types of shoes when buying shoes for yourself. How to buy good skate shoes… let’s go further.
3 Consider the cushioning of the shoe.
Cushioning works to protect your feet from injury. Different skate shoes have different types of cushioning; this is determined by the type of foam the shoe’s midsole is made of. Most skate shoes have EVA foam in the midsole, which is very lightweight.
- Instead, you can consider shoes made of PU foam, which is more durable and long-lasting than EVA foam.
- Some skate shoes have dual heel cushioning, usually in vulcanized shoes.
- Many skate shoes have heel collars to prevent the shoe from slipping while skateboarding. These are great for extra stability.
4 Try to learn more about the durability of skate shoes.
Consider shoes with the following features:
Lace guards: Some skate shoes have this feature, which traps the lace loop between the tongue and the outer lip of the shoe.
Triple stitching: Most shoes wear out at the upper material during skateboarding. To prevent this, some shoes have triple stitching for extra durability.
Outer sole: This is the most important contact point between the skater and the board. Choose shoes with a flat outsole made of gum rubber. They grip the board better than other soles and last longer.
5 Be sure about the brand of skate shoes you want to buy.
Some reputable brands have been making skate shoes for decades and are constantly improving their shoes.
- These brands include Americka, Fallon, Decline, Circa, Duffs, and Etkins, which are well-known among skaters.
- If you want shoes with the best grip, wear, and flex, consider Vans, Adios, Globe, DC, Nike, LaCie, and DVS.
Picking Skate Shoes
1 Ask yourself, do you need skate shoes?
If you don’t skate much and just want to buy them for the style, consider casual-style sneakers. Casual-style sneakers are similar to skate shoes but are less expensive.
- Remember that skate shoes are more durable than casual-style sneakers, but casual shoes are more comfortable.
- Try to understand how much you need them before spending on skate shoes. Let’s see how to buy good skate shoes and what else to keep in mind.
2 Don’t be afraid to buy something more expensive.
If you skate often, an expensive, well-made shoe is much more durable and will last longer than a cheap option.
- Landing incorrectly while skating can lead to long-term injuries to your feet. A good pair of shoes can save you from foot injuries.
- Choose a pair of shoes that are the right size. The wrong size will not provide enough support for your feet and can actually harm them. So measure your feet before buying shoes. Make comfort a priority.
- If you don’t skate often, you might want to choose cheaper shoes, especially if you don’t do aerials or complex boarding tricks.
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About This Article
Co-authored by:Tyler Brooks
skateboard enthusiast
Co-authors: 11
Updated: April 16, 2025
Co-authored by:
Tyler Brooks
skateboard enthusiast
2025