Whether you’re at your local park or watching skateboard videos, it’s almost a guarantee that you’ll see someone skating vans; but are they any good?
I’ve gone through many different shoe brands for skating, and Vans are one brand that I constantly come back to. They strike a nice balance between comfort, board feel, durability, and, most importantly, price.
From beginner to pro, there are a few awesome shoe models from Vans that are perfect for skateboarding. However, there are a few Vans styles that are not as ideal.
If you’re in the market for some new skate shoes and have Vans on your mind, this post will help you identify the pros, cons, and which shoe model is right for you. Let’s dive in!
Are Vans Good For Skateboarding?
Vans are good skateboarding shoes since they strike a balance between durability, comfort, and price. The best Vans shoes for skateboarding are any Pro Models since they offer better reinforcement in high-wear areas and better-padded insoles with Vans POPCUSH.
What makes Vans stand out, in particular, is a few key design features known as DURACAP, POPCUSH, and of course, the famous waffle tread. Let’s break down each of these factors one by one.
– Durability
One stand-out feature of Vans is the DURACAP feature on many of the higher-end skate shoes they offer. DURACAP is essentially a rubber underlay found in high-wear areas of the shoe, particularly around the toecap.
This area is what typically wears out the fastest in shoes. However, you may notice some spots wear out faster than others, depending on the tricks you do. Luckily, you are covered in all directions with Vans, so you get unrivaled durability in many of their pro models.
Keep in mind that DURACAP is not found within all skate shoes Vans sells. Although it does bump up the shoe price, it’s well worth it from my experience.
– Insoles & Padding
A second great feature about Vans for skateboarding is the POPCUSH insoles most of their pro-model or higher-end skate shoes have. These insoles are incredible for absorbing impacts and taking a bit of the strain off your legs.
If you’ve ever skated shoes with thinner soles and got a heel bruise, POPCUSH would have solved all your problems.
Most cheaper Vans models don’t have POPCUSH insoles, so make sure to keep an eye out for that before purchasing. It might not seem like a big deal, but it makes a huge difference after a long day of skating. My feet feel noticeably less tired, and my legs don’t feel as sore afterward.
Especially as I am no longer in my teens, these insoles are a breath of fresh air for my joints.
Besides this extra padding, these types of insoles also have cupped heels to ensure your foot stays in place. Sometimes your heel can shift around in weird ways when you skate, but this insole design keeps your foot perfectly snug.
– Grip
The last feature that makes Vans a viable skate shoe is their world-famous waffle grip design. Constructed originally by Paul Van Doren, who was trying to find a balance between grip and durability, it provides the perfect recipe for grip without sacrificing board feel.
In Vans pro-models, you’ll find WAFFLECUP soles that merge the strength of a cup sole with the flexibility of a vulcanized sole. In a nutshell, this sole type is made of solid polyurethane around the outer edges, with more soft and flexible rubber in the middle. This creates that much-needed stability with an exceptional board feel that you can expect from Vans.
Styles Of Vans For Skateboarding
Besides the actual specs of the shoes, there are also a variety of shoe styles and fabrics to consider with Vans. So let’s break down the different options.
– Old Skool Vans
The Old Skool style shoe has a lower cut ankle and is great for all-around use. In addition, they have a lower profile than the high or mid-top shoes leaving your ankles free to breathe if that’s your type of thing.
This style is the most common Vans you see people skating in, and it has a similar look to many of the Pro Models. However, some models of these shoes only come in canvas material which is worth noting before buying.
I’d recommend going with something like these shoes which have suede on the toes. This way, most of the high-wear areas will have longer-lasting material.
– Sk8 Hi Vans
The Sk8 Hi style is the high-top version of Vans that also comes in various styles and materials. Once again, you can find them in canvas and suede materials.
If you find your ankles getting beat up while you skate, these shoes will add some extra protection and support. Especially for bowl skating or doing knee slides, a higher top shoe adds some extra peace of mind.
Trust me, I’ve gotten road rash on my ankles from taking a weird slide, and it’s not fun. But I guess that’s what I get for wearing low-cut shoes and socks.
If you’re interested in this shoe style, this pair is one of my favorites since it has suede in all the high-contact areas.
– Half-Cab Vans
If the Sk8 Hi models are a little too much for you, the Half-Cabs split the difference. Rising just above your ankle bone, they feel like more of a shoe than a boot (like the Sk8 Hi’s do). I skated these Half-Cabs for a few years and really enjoyed them. However, they can take some getting used to with the mid-height cut.
These shoes come in suede and canvas versions; however, I found the mixed material ones to shred up quickly around the ankle, especially if you tend to do a lot of heelflips.
– Slip-On Vans
Slip-on Vans are some of the most comfortable skate shoes around, with almost zero break-in period. I know a lot of people who skate these shoes religiously and swear by them for all types of skating (this is the pair everyone I know raves about). One thing I like about slip-ons is the fact that there are no laces. If you’ve been skating for a while, you probably know how annoying it is to shred through (yet another) pair of laces. Slip-on Vans solve this problem by just getting rid of them altogether.
The suede slip-on is arguably one of the most long-lasting Vans shoes around for a couple of reasons. The first is simply the suede material that takes longer to shred through than canvas. The second is the point I just mentioned which is no shoelaces; a huge perk, especially for doing knee slides in the bowl.
The only downside to this style of Vans is that you can’t tighten them the same without laces. That’s why it’s important to make sure they fit snug before buying. There is an elastic around the shoe’s tongue that goes a great job of holding onto your foot, but only if they fit correctly.
– Authentic Vans
The Authentic style of Vans is a similar look to the slip-ons, except they are entirely canvas. These are probably the worst type of Vans to skate with since they have the least support, the thinnest material, and don’t last very long. Especially if you’re skating a lot, you’ll rip through the canvas in a few sessions.
With that said, if you are the kind of person who just cruises around on a skateboard without popping many tricks, these will do just fine. They still have a super excellent grip and exceptional board feel; the material is just less robust.
If you are sold on this style of shoe over the others, go with this one since it has a suede toe cap to help it last a bit longer.
How Long Do Vans Last For Skateboarding?
The length of time Vans will last will solely depend on how you skate. How often you skate, along with what tricks you are doing, will all play a factor. Not to mention if you’re skating old or fresh grip tape since new grip will wear down a pair of shoes much faster than old.
Regardless of which shoe you are using, all skate shoes will see some wear and tear rather quickly—sliding them along grip tape (which is essentially sandpaper) for days on end is bound to do some damage.
So when buying any pair of skate shoes, don’t expect one pair to last for years on end.
Going through shoes is just a part of skating.
For the average intermediate skater skating in the park a few times a week, you can expect your shoes to last around 5-7 months. With that said, the more ollies and flip tricks you do, you might find yourself wearing through certain areas faster than others.
For a more beginner skater who is just riding their board and not popping many tricks, a pair of vans could easily last 12 months or longer. Since the only part of the shoe that would really get worn down is the bottom, it will take quite a bit of time to go through that.
Lastly, more advanced skaters skating all day and popping huge tricks can expect a pair of Vans to last 1-3 months at the max.
Which Vans Shoes Should You Buy For Skateboarding?
Now that you know the different options and why Vans are worth skating on, here are the top 3 pairs of Vans I recommend for skateboarding.
1. Gilbert Crockett Pro Models
Quick Specs:
- Best For: Intermediate To Advanced Skaters
- Materials: Suede toe and heel, canvas at side of foot, leather around heel.
- Features: POPCUSH, WAFFLECUP, and DURACAP
If you don’t mind spending a few extra bucks, the Gilbert Crockett Pro Models are a great shoe for intermediate to advanced skaters. It has all the best things Vans offers, like POPCUSH insoles, DURACAP reinforced toes, and WAFFLECUP soles for supportive shoes with an incredible board feel.
2. Vans Old Skool (Suede)
Quick Specs:
- Best For: Beginner To Advanced Skaters
- Materials: Suede
- Features: POPCUSH, SICKSTICK, and DURACAP
If you want classic skate shoes perfect for any type of skating, you can’t go wrong with these Old Skool shoes. With suede toe caps and heels, you’re protected in the most high-contact areas. That means these shoes are built to last, especially with the help of DURACAP.
The particular style I’ve recommended is fully suede with POPCUSH insoles which isn’t available in all Old Skool styles. These shoes offer the advantages of a pro model shoe but in the style of the Old Skools.
3. Vans Skate Slip-Ons (Suede)
Quick Specs:
- Best For: Beginner To Advanced Skaters
- Materials: Suede toe and heel, canvas at side of foot.
- Features: POPCUSH, SICKSTICK, and DURACAP
If laces aren’t your thing and you want a casual, yet kick-butt, skate shoe, I can’t recommend the Vans suede slip-on shoe enough. They need hardly any break-in time and feel snug on your foot despite the lack of laces.
Although a more basic design than the pro-model shoes, these offer outstanding durability at a more affordable pricetag. For beginners to advanced skaters, these shoes are perfect for everyone.
Whether you’re just starting to skateboard or are looking for your 100th pair of skate shoes, you can’t go wrong with Vans. This shoe brand is the main one I’ve skated for most of my life and have zero complaints about them. Just remember, if you want your shoes to last a bit longer, make sure to go for the suede!
Happy Shredding!
Brendan
