The best skate shoes are versatile tools that can be used for more than just kickflips. Skate culture has long since reached the pinnacle of high fashion (remember when Vogue launched their very own "Skate Week" in 2016?). thousands of people who don't subscribe to Thrasher now wear classic skate shoe brands like Vans, Converse, and Adidas on a regular basis. Skateboarding has become so popular that it is officially recognized as an Olympic sport. As such, now is a great time to get acquainted with the most stylish footwear the hobby has to offer.
DC Shoes, Emerica, and Lakai, once reliable stalwarts of the scene, may not be in the mix as much now, but their influence is still deeply felt. Before he thankfully adopted a far more enviable take on skate rat style, Justin Bieber wore garish Supras with skintight jeans and an impish grin. Forget 'em However, the oversized Etnies you remember seeing on skateboarders back in the day Perhaps this is something to keep in mind. (They provide an excellent aesthetic precedent for many of the massive sneaker styles that are currently trendy.) )
In order to help you master the art of the tre flip (or ollie), we have compiled a list of the top skate shoes currently available, chosen for their prowess on the skateboard as much as for their classic good looks. They shouldn't be worn in place of running shoes on the track, but you can confidently do so pretty much anywhere else.
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One of the most popular pairs of shoes in the world right now is Adidas's iconic Samba indoor soccer shoe. The Seely is essentially a skate-ready version of the Vans Authentic, featuring the same stylish gum sole but upgraded with extra cushioning and ultra-durable uppers for maximum skate performance. And unlike the Samba, these skate shoes won't break the bank when you trash them.
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The Nike Blazer debuted in 1973 as one of the company's earliest basketball models. However, they became so popular among skateboarders that Nike eventually released a model tailored to the needs of those who would rather skate than walk. The SB version looks almost the same, but it has a thicker midsole and a board-ready, cushioned outsole.
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The Converse Fastbreak Pro is a basketball classic with a few upgrades that set it apart from the original and have helped it gain popularity in the skateboarding community. Sage Elsesser, one of the best skaters and best dressed men of the last decade, collaborated on the design of the retro-inspired two-tone upper.
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Though it was originally conceived as a "deck shoe," in the nautical sense, the Vans Authentic has become one of the most iconic skate shoes in history. but designers are still coming up with ways to make them feel new, even if it means making them appear beaten to hell in the box. Since skateboarders aren't exactly known for taking good care of their shoes, these Vans with celebrity designs were created in collaboration with Alex Olsen's lesser-known label Bianca Chandon and purposefully have worn treads and skid marks.
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The 212 Pro Court shows that New Balance is capable of producing more subdued footwear when the situation calls for it, despite the brand's reputation for genre-defining big-is-better dad shoes. The white one is acceptable for Wimbledon, but we recommend the black and orange one because it will last through months of skating or, you know, just plain hard living.
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Skaters were chopping the uppers off the original Caballero to make them more flexible, and Vans took notice, so they released the Vans Half Cab. The Half Cab is still the most popular of the two decades later because its boxy silhouette is the ideal match for a pair of wide-legged, skater-approved khakis.
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Lakai's retro sneakers will have you feeling all kinds of Y2K nostalgia if you're currently embracing the fashion trend of the early 2000s. But the Telford is about as authentic a skate shoe as it gets, unlike the bulbous behemoths you scooped up at the mall to wear with your bootcuts, puka shells, and frosted tips.
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Skaters liked the Forum's durable construction and adopted it as a replacement for the Nike Dunk. The sneaker, originally released by the Three Stripes in the early '80s and re-released with gusto in 2020, still features all the shock-absorbing, impact-protecting powers you need to hit the ramps hard, wrapped in a silhouette that competes with the Air Force 1 in terms of sheer wearability.
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The Cambridge is a throwback in the best way, with a sleeker-than-it-should-be silhouette and grippy, vulcanized outsoles that were popular when Lakai first "dropped" onto the scene in the late '90s. The California-based sneaker shop focuses on providing high-quality footwear for professionals so that they don't feel like a fool if they forget their board and have to walk to the store.
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The second sneaker from Nike's ongoing partnership with Nyjah Huston takes inspiration from the Spiridon, the brand's cult-favorite running shoe from the early 2000s, and turns it up to 11. The minimal design may not seem like much at first glance (hell, it barely resembles a skate shoe), but that's kind of the point. The original rubber panels have been replaced with mesh for maximum breathability and a broken-in feel right out of the box without sacrificing the cushioned performance grooves that have made this model famous.
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Nike SB Dunks and other Dunks are arguably the most popular sneakers currently available. The Sashiko is a low-key low-top powered by the Swoosh's signature Zoom Air cushioning, and it comes in white with a gum outsole. captures the line's unique appeal among skateboarding amateurs and aficionados alike while paying homage to a denim stitching technique that's nearly 500 years old
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Although Cariuma has yet to achieve the same level of brand recognition as its larger rivals, that may soon change. Three of the eight Olympic finalists wore sneakers by the sustainability-focused brand, including U.S. skater Jagger Eaton. Other shoe companies would probably sacrifice an intern for such publicity. The Catiba is constructed in a signature style from a breathable combination of suede and organic cotton canvas fit for Olympic greatness.
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Adidas has had a 16-year contract with Dennis Busenitz, a long-legged skater from Munich. Extra padding, vulcanized outsoles, and abrasion-resistant toe boxes are just a few of the new features on his signature kicks.
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With nearly two decades under Jason Dill's leadership, Fucking Awesome doesn't have to prove that it's a legitimate skateboarding company. Hence, it's possible that Dill and company have, for their latest collaboration with Adidas, eschewed the usual references in favor of the kind of retro basketball sneakers the kicks-loving masses can't get enough of right now. The end result is a sturdy, skate-ready silhouette that can be worn with anything from baggy jeans to tailored slacks.
