The 24 Best Skateboard Shoes (Ultimate Buying Guide)

After 10+ years of skating, I’ve gone through a lot of different skateboard shoes. Some good, some bad, but all were a learning experience.

Even today trying to find the best skate shoes can be a bit overwhelming with how many options there are. But with the help of years of trial and error, I’ve learned what makes a skateboard shoe worthwhile, and what doesn’t.

So I compiled this mega list of the best skateboard shoes that are comfortable, durable, and feel awesome to skate in to help make your decision easy. I know firsthand how much second-guessing you can go through when choosing shoes, so this guide will help point you in the right direction.

Later in this post, you’ll learn the nitty-gritty details about skate shoes and what actually makes them good. That way you can confidently find your next pair of skate shoes, backed with years of experience riding skateboards from myself, and other skaters I spoke with.

Let’s get started!

Best Overall Skate Shoes

Regardless of your skill level or style of skating, this section has the best general-purpose skate shoes that I, and other people I skate with, recommend.

– Cariuma Vallely Skate Shoes

A newer shoe brand to the scene, the Cariuma Vallely skate shoes are one of the most comfortable, grippy, and durable skate shoes on this list. The other perk to these is that they’re made with vegan suede and recycled materials, so you can feel like you’re doing some good for the planet while you skate them.

The reason I love these shoes is mostly for their durability. With the vegan suede, it’s actually 2.5x stronger than standard suede making the shoe more robust out of the gate. The shoe also has a rubber overlay around the major flick points on the toe, making it a lot harder to wear through than others.

All of the skate shoes from Cariuma have incredible foot support and the insoles are awesome. Not having to swap out the thin, unsupportive insoles commonly seen in skate shoes is a huge plus. Despite how much support and comfort the shoes have, they still have great board feel and feel quite tactile to skate it.

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– Converse CONS Louie Lopez Pro Skate Shoes

These fully suede shoes take are among my favorite shoes of all time. The Converse CONS line is the skate-specific shoe from Converse with far more durability and cushioning than standard Converse. With CX Foam insoles, these shoes feel comfortable even after a session of skating drops. When you’re not a teenager anymore, this is something you definitely need when skating.

At least I do…

These shoes also have rubber-backed suede in all the high-wear areas such as around the toe. This adds extra durability to the toe and makes these shoes hard to get through even after dozens of hours skating them. Converse has been one of my favorite brands to skate in recently, and this shoe is one of their best.

Another nice upgrade to these shoes over other Converse models (particularly street shoes) is the traction rubber outsole. This makes the rubber in this shoe a lot tackier and sticks to your board better than a lot of other shoes.

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– Vans Gilbert Crockett Pro

Vans is one of my (and many others) favorite skate shoes simply because of how much board feel they have. The issue with this is that many Vans have a notoriously unsupportive and uncushioned sole. That means you feel every impact a little more than you’d like since there’s little absorption from the shoe. Luckily the Gilbert Crockett Pro models change that with their WAFFLECUP design.

Vans WAFFLECUP mixes the support and protection of a cupsole, with the playful feel of a vulcanized sole. Typically you need to choose one type of sole over another with skate shoes, but this shoe lets you have both. From friends of mine who have skated this shoe, they said they were surprised by how comfortable and padded it felt, while still having board feel. Not something you find very often in a shoe.

Besides this awesome sole design, this shoe also has rubber-backed suede in common flick points (such as the toe) and POPCUSH insoles. These insoles in particular offer great arch support and help a lot to prevent heel bruising from my experience.

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– Adidas Busenitz Pro Skate Shoes

This cupsole skate shoe is one of the most supportive and well-padded skate shoes on this list. Adidas is known for making very durable shoes that are great at making your feet feel comfortable and well protected no matter what you’re skating.

A big advantage to this shoe is that there is almost no stitching in the high-wear areas around the toe. In most other skate shoes I’ve used, those seams are often the first things to blow out in the shoe. So with this fully suede toe cap, the Busenitz Pro shoes don’t wear out as easily as other shoes.

What I’ve found great about Adidas skate shoes is the tread design on the bottom makes it slightly easier to pivot your foot on the board. When setting up for tricks this is a welcomed bonus that you may not have thought about much before. This shoe also has recessed eyelets around the laces which makes them harder to rip than in other shoe models.

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– New Balance Numeric 306 Jamie Foy Pro Models

Although a newer skate shoe brand, New Balance makes some mind-blowing skate shoes that merge support, protection, durability, and lightweight shoes into one. This shoe is probably one of the best shoes on this list since it is crazy durable and breathes better than most other shoes.

With a vulcanized sole, the shoe has pretty tacky rubber with a good board feel that’s playful to skate it. There’s a rubber underlay beneath the suede in all the high-wear areas that help to further reinforce the shoe. The nicest touch, however, is the mesh areas in the parts of the shoe that are rarely affected while skating. This allows the shoe to breathe a whole lot better than your typical skate shoe. A nice relief when skating in the heat.

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– Nike SB Shane Skate Shoes

With a low profile and clean design, this is one of my favorite Nike SB shoes since they seem to wear a bit better with fewer stitches in the high-abrasion areas. Similar to other low-profile designs from Nike SB shoes, this one fits snug around the midfoot and is relatively comfortable to skate in from day one. Usually, after your first session, the shoes will feel right at home.

With that said, the snug fit makes these shoes less than ideal if you have a wider foot so they probably won’t be as comfortable.

This shoe also has really good board feel with a vulcanized sole that strikes a nice balance between feeling thin and well protected. The insoles these shoes have are decent, but nothing too exceptional to write home about. Perhaps these shoes aren’t the most comfortable for skating drops all day but are one of the best technical shoes for skateboarding.

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– Cariuma Catiba Pro Skate Shoes

Making the list once again, Cariuma has another impressive skate shoe with the Catiba Pro. Despite what you may think at first glance, this shoe is super durable for skateboarding with triple stitching and a stitched outsole for added longevity. Especially as the outsole begins to wear down, this stitching works well to keep the shoe together.

With a cupsole design, the Catibas are very supportive but still have the decent board feel as you’d expect from any great skate shoe. With that said, they are noticeably thicker than some other shoes you might have skated such as Vans Originals.

What stands out to me about these shoes is the memory foam insole that helps a lot to keep your foot from moving around, as well as forms to your foot nicely. The shoes break in quite quickly but may feel a little stiff for your first few sessions.

Last, but not least, for every pair of Cariuma’s sold, they plant 10 trees on your behalf. This is a great shoe from one of my favorite eco-friendly companies.

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– Nike SB Zoom Stefan Janoski RM Skate Shoes

Possibly one of the most popular skate shoes in recent years, the Janoski’s are a low-profile and playful shoe that feels great to skate it. Although there are a lot of canvas models of this shoe, make sure to go with a suede version instead as it will last a lot longer for skating.

This shoe fits snug and has a thinner feel making it seem a lot more connected to your board in my opinion. The suede of this shoe is as durable as you would expect and holds up well even after 20+ hours of skating in them. The same thing goes for the sole, which remains grippy and relatively unphased after many hours in the shoe.

Although there is added cushioning in the heel to prevent heel bruising, this same padding is missing from the mid and front foot. Landing on the balls of your feet, for example, this shoe offers little in terms of impact absorption. I suppose this is the trade-off for top-tier board feel.

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Best Skate Shoes For Durability

Although I’ve made a point of finding only the most durable skate shoes to include in this list, the shoes within this section are exceptionally so. If durability is what you’re looking for, I also wrote a more extensive list of the most durable skate shoes here.

– Globe Surplus Skate Shoe

With some of the most rubber of any skate shoe, this one holds up exceptionally well for obvious reasons. With a similar feel to Vans or Converse, some skaters actually prefer these ones simply for the added lifespan. Besides the main rubber overlays around the toe, there is also a bumper on the outsole of the heel making it durable against heelflips as well.

These shoes have Globe Shockbed insoles which have pretty good impact absorption across the whole foot. If you want a low-profile shoe that skates well and lasts, this is one of the best!

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– Lakai Cambridge Skate Shoes

Lakai was one of the first skate shoe brands I ever skated and continue to love them today. The Cambridge skate shoes are one of my favorite pairs, mainly because of the durable suede toe cap, along with bumpers on the heels and toes.

With the added rubber from the bumpers on the outsole, the shoe gets a lot more life than shoes without. After all, there is literally more rubber to go through. Lakai’s also have really impressive support and padding making them comfortable to wear during and after a skate session.

Besides the general comfort and durability of this shoe, it feels comfortable right out of the box and doesn’t require much of a break-in period.

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– Converse CONS CTAS Pro Skate Shoes

This is the shoe I am currently skating and really love how thin it is, without making my feet hurt. Since the Converse CONS line has better insoles with CX foam and a thicker shoe material overall, they’re significantly more comfortable than standard Converse.

One perk to this shoe is the toe cap is completely rubber. For your major flick points off the toe, they are surprisingly durable and have lasted me a while so far. Besides the rubber toe cap, the rest of the shoe is made of suede and holds up well against constant abuse from the grip tape.

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– Vans Suede Slip-Ons

Sometimes simplicity is best, and these suede slip-ons prove exactly that. With a fully suede toe reinforced with rubber backing (aka DURACAP), these shoes can take a serious beating. What I love in particular is the fact that there are no laces, making it impossible to shred them.

And ripped laces are probably my least favorite thing about any skate shoe, so these are a breath of fresh air.

Besides the reinforced suede, this shoe also has a POPCUSH insole that is super comfy and makes my feet feel less sore after a day of skating. Mixed with the elastic tongue that holds onto your foot really nicely, this is one of my top 5 favorite skate shoes.

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– Globe Mahalo Plus Skate Shoe

Especially as a beginner to intermediate skate who isn’t doing tons of flip tricks yet, this shoe is a great option. With an extended rubber patch on the most common abrasion areas for ollies, it makes all the difference to keep your shoe in decent shape.

Besides this rubber extension, the shoe rest of the shoe is made of suede and canvas. The suede is in most of the key areas, but the canvas around the ankle is prone to shredding depending on how far your foot rotates when you ollie. Similar to the other Globe shoe on this list, it has a Shockbed insole that’s awesome at absorbing impacts and helps you feel fresher by the end of a session.

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Best Skate Shoes For Beginners

Now if you’re just getting started with skateboarding or want a shoe for cruising around town, you don’t need as many specs in a shoe. Instead, you can get away with more basic shoes that are still comfortable and grippy, but perhaps a bit cheaper than some higher-end models. Here are some of my top picks for beginner skaters based on personal experience and intel from other skaters.

– Vans Skate Old Skool Skate Shoes

This is one of the most classic skate shoes around and you will see them everywhere. One of the more basic Vans models, it still skates well and is reasonably durable. The toe cap and heel are fully suede, with canvas in the middle sections of the shoe. Although most of the high-wear areas are covered in the more durable material, the canvas can still wear out depending on how you slide your foot.

With that said, this shoe feels great to skate in and has a ton of board feel. You can find fully suede versions from time to time, which I would suggest going with instead of the mixed material. Luckily the skate version of the shoe (mentioned here) has a DURACAP rubber backing to the suede in the toe and other high wear areas. So that adds some bonus points despite the canvas.

Unlike some other Vans skate shoes, the Old Skools use SICKSTICK rubber which is a bit tackier than Vans regular rubber. They also have those sweet, sweet POPCUSH insoles to keep your feet comfy all day while you skate.

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– Etnies Joslin Vulc Skate Shoes

With a similar feel to the Vans Old Skools, the Joslin Vulc skate shoe has some added durability in the outsole of the toe and heel. With the extended heel rubber, in particular, you will get a little more life out of these as you’re learning to heelflip.

This shoe strikes a nice balance between not feeling too thick, but still feeling supportive enough underfoot. Especially with the Pro Foam 1 insole, your feet feel right at home immediately after putting them on.

One of my favorite things about this shoe is that there are hidden lace loops that will help protect your laces from wear and tear. That way you can get a shoe that looks and feels like a Vans or DC, but without worrying about your laces.

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– Lakai Sheffield Skate Shoes

As one of my first pairs of skate shoes, these ones hold a special place in my heart. Being fully suede these shoes take quite a lot to get through, and even after weeks of skating in them you’ll be surprised by how well they hold up.

One thing I love about this shoe is that there is some elastic around the tongue that hugs your foot nicely. I found this made it feel a little snugger than other skate shoes I’ve worn (in a good way). It also has a lot of tread with a relatively deep grooved pattern so they stay quite grippy for most of their lifespan.

The only downside I found to this shoe was that the laces started to wear out and shred pretty quickly. The logo on the side also began to peel off as it got worn out. The overall shoe was still in great condition otherwise for skating, so it was just a few cosmetic issues really.

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– Emerica Wino G6 Slip-On Skate Shoe

Although a simple shoe without any unique features, it’s a comfortable and reasonably padded one. That along with the lower price tag makes these a great starter shoe for beginner skaters. Since it is made out of suede alone, without any rubber backing, this shoe does wear down faster than others. However, it makes up for it in Emericas polyurethane foam insoles that are thinner than most shoes, without sacrificing padding.

What that means is while skating them you get some of the best board feel of any shoe on this list, while still getting protection from a nasty heel bruise. I like to think of these as a decent second option to the Vans slip-on, although admittedly a bit less durable.

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– DC Kalis Skate Shoe

With a more running-shoe look compared to other skate shoes, this gives you a slightly different style option. This shoe has a fully suede toe and a higher outsole around the ollie point of the shoe which is a nice touch, especially as a beginner. When you’re practicing ollies for hours on end, this part of the shoe really takes a beating.

The one thing I am not a huge fan of with this shoe is the grip. I find it wears out quite quickly since it’s not very deep to begin with. As for the insoles of this shoe, they have DC Unilite to help protect your feet from impacts, however, it’s not quite as cushy as other insoles.

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Best Skate Shoe For Skaters With Wide Feet

Here are a few pairs of shoes that I’d recommend going with if you struggle with narrow shoes.

– Etnies Marana

This skate shoe is super durable and is spacious in the midsole giving lots of room for wider feet. Especially with the rubber overlay around the toe, this shoe proves to be quite durable as well. Although bulkier looking than other shoes, it’s still a great shoe to in with some of the best grip of any shoe.

This shoe actually partnered with Michelin (the tire company) and created some seriously grippy tread. Even with 15+ hours of skating these, it seemed like the tread still stands strong. Although this shoe has a cupsole, it still has good board feel and doesn’t feel weird if you’re used to wearing vulcs. The break-in period is minimal, and the STI Evolution Foam in the midsole really helps with impact absorption.

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– Emerica Low Vulc Skate Shoe

Similar to other Emerica shoes, this one is simple and to the point. Although it doesn’t have any added reinforcements around the shoe, it’s still relatively durable being fully suede and having a toe bumper on the outsole. Unlike many other skate shoes, this one is much wider around the midsole and toe giving some much-needed room if you have wide feet.

This shoe is pretty affordable as far as skate shoes go and is a great option if you’ve been dealing with foot cramps in other shoes. With a vulcanized sole it feels playful to skate in and tricks feel natural to pop and flick. There are also Emerica’s G6 Polyurethane insoles that are pretty comfortable for a stock shoe insole.

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– Supra Stacks Vulc II Skate Shoe

Another one of my early skate shoes, the Supra Stacks Vulc II is a lightweight skate shoe that looks great to skate in or wear casually. This shoe is admittedly quite basic and doesn’t offer much in terms of reinforcements, but if you want a reasonably lasting shoe that’s comfortable for wide feet, this is a good option.

These shoes have really nice board feel and are nice to skate in. They had little to no break-in period, and look quite low profile considering how roomy they feel. The grip and tread are nothing to write home about, but they will get you by. Considering how affordable these are, you can’t go wrong.

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Best Skate Shoes For Skating Bowl (Mid & High Tops)

If you find yourself skating more bowl than street, going with a mid or high-top skate shoe has a lot of advantages. In the bowl, it’s a lot more likely for a board to roll back into your ankle when you bail or cut up your ankles when knee sliding. With a slightly higher-cut shoe, you get some added ankle protection that’s always nice to have.

– Vans Skate Half-Cabs

One of my favorite shoes to wear when skating bowl, the half cabs give you some added angle protection without feeling like you’re wearing a boot. Since this shoe is fully suede, it lasts for a while and holds up fine when knee sliding. Just like all of Vans skate-specific shoes, these have DURACAP rubber-backed suede, POPCUSH insoles for added comfort, along with SICKSTICK rubber that holds onto your grip tape for dear life.

When skating these shoes in the bowl, I always feel very secure and planted on the board, without feeling restricted in the ankle. If you love Vans but also love to skate bowl, this would be my first pick of shoe.

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– Cariuma Catiba Pro High-Top Skate Shoes

Similar to the Catiba Pro shoes I mentioned earlier in this list, this is the exact same shoe but in high-top form. With a cupsole it’s a bit more supportive and rugged feeling which offers a nice sense of security when skating fast in the bowl. With a higher top than the half cabs mentioned previously, you get way more ankle protection. So whether your foot goes weird on a knee slide or your board decides to roll back into your ankle, these shoes will keep your ankles safe.

Just like the Catiba Pro low tops, this shoe also has triple stitching on the seams to make them more robust against abrasion. Perhaps my favorite part of the shoe, however, is the memory foam insole that forms to your feet and feels like clouds to skate in.

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– Vans Sk8-Hi Shoes

Last but not least, the Vans Sk8-Hi shoes are one of the most classic skate shoes around. Very comparable in feel to the half cabs, this shoe just offers a higher ankle with better protection. If you have never tried on a pair of these before, be aware that they do feel quite tall and can take some getting used to. Especially when you first start skating, they feel a little bit restricting.

With that said, this shoe has everything that’s great about skating in Vans. Durability, great board feel, comfortable insoles, and a sticky rubber that feels super secure.

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How To Choose The Best Skate Shoes

With those recommendations for the best skate shoes, you may have been left wondering about a few terms and features mentioned. To help clear the air about exactly what makes a good skate shoe, let’s break it down. By understanding these basic things, you can better identify whether a skate shoe will work for you or not next time you’re looking.

Cupsole VS. Vulcanized Sole

Cupsoles and Vulcanized soles are two different sole designs used in skate shoes. Each has its pros and cons, so it’s a good idea to figure out which one better fits your style.

Sole	Advantage	Disadvantage	Best For
Vulcanized Sole	– Best Board Feel – Little To No Break-In Period – Lightweight	– Lacks Support – Less Impact Protection	– Skateparks – Flatground Tricks – Cruising
Cupsole	– Better Support – Best Impact Protection – More Durable	– Less Board Feel – Needs Time To Break In	– Drops – Stairs – Down Rails & Hubbas

A vulcanized sole feels a little bit “thinner” to skate in with a much better board feel and flexibility. If you’ve ever worn a pair of Vans, this is a prime example of a vulcanized sole in action. When this type of sole is made, the rubber is heated then placed on the shoe, creating a stronger bond than regular glue. 

Despite feeling awesome to skate in, vulcanized soles have a lot less support and feel very flat. For skating flat ground, flat rails, or ledges, this will be totally fine. However, if you skate a lot of drops, vulcanized shoes are probably not the best choice.

Now comparing this to a cupsole, you get the complete opposite. With cupsole shoes, the top and bottom parts of the shoe are sewn together, allowing brands more options with what gets added to the shoe. It’s common for cupsole’s to have added heel support for example since it’s easy to add during the construction of the shoe. 

While wearing cupsole shoes you immediately notice an added sense of security. These shoes often fit around your foot better and have a thicker sole than vulcanized shoes. The trade-off to this added support and protection is less board feel and a more stiff shoe. If you skate stairs and drops, a cupsole is the obvious choice. If you are only skating flat, the lack of board feel might not be what you hoped for. 

How To Tell A Cupsole From A Vulcanized Sole

Looking at any skate shoe, you can easily tell which type of sole it has by looking at the outsole. With a cupsole, the rubber running along the outer edge of the shoe will have a seam along the top. This is how the bottom and top part of the shoe was put together and a stand-out sign of a cupsole.

As for vulcanized soles, you’re looking for essentially any outsole that doesn’t have a seam. Commonly these shoes will have a colored line around the top, making them easy to spot. If you see this outsole, that means the shoe will have a better board feel, but less support.

Materials

The material of a skate shoe directly impacts how long it will last. Canvas shoes, for example, tend to wear out faster than suede or leather simply because the material is less robust. 

Since suede is made of animal hyde, it’s a lot stronger than canvas and holds up better against grip tape. Leather is similar to suede, also coming from animal hyde, but comes from the outside of the hide and is typically thinner. That makes suede the most ideal material for skate shoes.

And luckily every skate shoe I mentioned in this list has suede in high-contact areas!

Recently there have been more skate shoes using vegan suede which is made of synthetic materials. Some versions of this synthetic suede are said to be 2.5x stronger than regular suede, as seen in the Cariuma Vallely’s. Unfortunately vegan suede is hard to come by at the time of writing this, so you don’t have a lot of options there.

Style

Style	Pros	Cons
Low Tops	– Great ankle mobility – Comfortable on warm days – Lightweight	– Little ankle protection
Mid Tops	– More protection – Good ankle mobility	– Can get warm – Bulkier
High Tops	– Best ankle protection – Added ankle support	– Heavy – Take time to get used to
Slip-Ons	– Best board feel – Can’t rip laces	– No ankle protection – Lack support

– Low Tops

Low tops give you the most range of motion in the shoe and are the most common style of skate shoe. The trade-off to this added ankle mobility is a lack of protection. Something you’ll wish you had when a board rolls into your ankle.

– Mid Tops

Mid Tops meet in the middle and give you a little bit more protection, without giving up too much ankle mobility. For skating bowl, these are a popular choice, but they can feel unnecessarily bulky for street skating.

– High Tops

If you want the best ankle protection and a bit of ankle support, high-tops are the way to go. These shoes will take some getting used to, especially since they’re usually heavier. These shoes aren’t as widely skated but can be good if you want to feel more secure in a shoe.

– Slip Ons

Although slip-ons offer zero ankle protection, they have some of the best board feel of any shoe. I know a few people who rightly summarized their slip-ons as “slippers” because they’re so comfortable. The best part about these shoes is that you can never shred a shoe lace, because they have none!

Foot Protection (Insoles)

Besides the material and how much of your ankle is covered, the bottom of your feet need some protection too. When jumping off drops, landing funny off a rail, or just landing primo, your feet can get bruised pretty easily while skating. That’s why it’s important to consider what insoles a shoe has.

Most pro-model skate shoes will have added materials in the sole such as thicker foam, air cushioning, or gel pockets. Lower-end shoes often have very basic insoles but with slightly more padding in the heel. 

You may think that having the cushiest insole is best, but a thicker insole does hinder board feel. That’s why vulcanized shoes are so popular to skate in despite having a lack of support. It’s a trade-off most people are willing to give up if tricks feel easier to land.

Some vulcanized shoes do have good insoles from the start, such as Vans, but it’s not very common. Luckily you can always get new insoles for cheap down the road if you feel it’s necessary.

Other Features To Look For In A Skate Shoe

– Reinforced In High-Abrasion Areas

Any good skate shoe has a reinforced toe and outsole to help make the shoe more durable. There are a few different ways these reinforcements are added, but here are some of the most common:

• Toe Caps: Cover the toe of the shoe with a rubber lining to protect the primary shoe material from wearing out as quickly.
• Bumpers & Ollie Patches: These are an added lining of rubber around the toe making it hard to wear through the outsole.
• Rubber-Backed Suede: This lines the inside of the high-wear areas of the shoe with rubber, making it harder to blow a hole. Vans DURACAP and Adidas Adituff are prime examples of this.
• Extra Stitching: Most skate shoes have double stitching around the seams making it harder to blow through them. Other shoes have triple stitching to make the seams even more long-lasting; a more ideal choice.

– Lace Protectors

Lace protectors appear as recessed laces, metal eyelets, or even hidden laces that thread beneath the shoe material. These are a nice feature to have in a skate shoe as it’s not uncommon to rip your laces in a week or two of skating new shoes.

– Gusseted Tongue

Gusseted Tongues have an elastic band on either side of the tongue, giving your foot a more secure feel and keeping the tongue in place. I find this adds a bit of extra comfort to the shoe while making it feel snugger overall.

Now with all that said, if you’re still unsure which skate shoe to choose, I would suggest the Cairuma Vallely’s. They are super comfortable and more durable than most other shoes. Best of all, they plant 10 trees for every pair of shoes sold, and this particular model is made of crazy durable synthetic suede. So you can save the planet and skate some dope new shoes.

Happy Shredding!

Brendan 🙂