Slip-on skate shoes have a lot of perks when it comes to general comfort and board feel. Wearing slip-ons is almost like skateboarding with socks on because the board feels so close to your feet, and with less stitching on the upper, they generally last longer too. Although many slip-ons look the same at first glance, there are some major differences that you won’t notice until you skate them.
So help make sure you don’t pick the wrong ones, let’s break down a handful of slips-on shoes that should be your only considerations. If you’re in a rush, though, here are our 3 top picks for slip-on skate shoes:
- Extremely durable
- Break in quickly
- Snug to the entire foot
- Great board feel
- Relatively cheap
- Best durability
- Well padded & supportive insoles
- Great board feel
- Narrow & snug to foot
- Best alternative to Vans Slip Ons
- Great for wider feet
- Extremely comfortable
- Great board feel
- Look great for skating & casual wear
- Most affordable
Best Slip-On Skateboard Shoes (Tested By Actual Skaters)
This list shares the best slip-on skate shoes that we know feel good to skate in after years of skating with some of these shoes and comparing them to other shoe models out there. Rather than giving you an endless list of choices, it really boils down to only 4 slip-on skate shoes that are worth your time.
Note: All the shoes in this list have vulcanized soles.
1. Vans Slip-On Pros
The Vans Slip-On Pros are some of the best overall slip-on shoes, with a classic Vans feel, incredible durability, and awesome insoles to match. These shoes are completely suede around all the major flick points and hold up well even after 15+ hours of skating in them. The heel is a mix of canvas and suede, making them slightly less durable for heelflips, but that shouldn’t be a deal breaker.
Compared to other Vans skate shoes, and other slip-ons on the market, these shoes have foxing tape that extends further up the shoe for improved durability. Rather than rubbing straight on the suede, your grip tape has to wear through this extra rubber, therefore improving the lifespan of these shoes.
The “Pro” version of these shoes is on a whole other level than the Classics, with a better overall construction. On the Classic models, the foxing tape starts to separate around the mid-foot where your shoe bends. Eventually, that separation worsens until the upper is fully detached. With the Pro version, the foxing tape stays glued to the upper without question, even after hours of skating.
Ultimately if you want the best comfort, durability, and insoles at a fair price, these should be your first pick.
Pros:
- Reinforced flick points with Vans DURACAP
- Awesome insole padding & protection with POPCUSH
- Low-profile design makes the tongue fit snugly to your foot
- Classic Vans grip you likely already know and love
- Suede flick points
Cons:
- Elastic can wear out from taking them on and off over time
- It can fit small. If you’re between sizes, get 1/2 size bigger than usual.
2. Cariuma Slip-On Skate Shoes
Cariuma’s are some of our favorite skate shoes at the Shred Tactic due to their insane comfort, durability, and unique board feel. The Slip-On Cariuma’s are extremely similar to the Cariuma Vallely’s with an extended rubber toe cap and a more narrow toe box. Because of that, if you have wider feet, these shoes may not be the most comfortable.
Besides the extended rubber overlay, the entire toe is also suede, making it extremely resilient against grip tape. After 10+ hours in these, you likely won’t even get through the rubber overlay, let alone the suede underneath. The middle of the shoe is made of a durable organic canvas which seems to hold up decently well but does fray when doing heelflips or ollies, depending on how you do them.
These shoes are extraordinarily grippy, and the insane amount of rubber on these can take some getting used to. Especially when doing kickflips, that extra rubber can make flicking feel a bit funny at first. However, you’ll likely enjoy that extra bit of grip as I did after some time.
The Cariuma insoles are super comfortable and offer good foot protection from impacts. If it weren’t for these being the most expensive slip-on on the list, these would be rated as number one.
Pros:
- Extended rubber overlay on toe for extra grip & durability
- Snug fit that holds onto your foot
- Great board feel
- Pull loop on heel to get them on easier
- Durable suede on all major flick points
- Fit true to size
Cons:
- More expensive than other slip-ons
- Has a narrow toe box that will feel squishy for wider feet
3. Emerica Wino G6 Slip-On Skate Shoes
The Wino G6s are the best slip-on for wide feet since there’s a noticeably wider toe box than the other shoes on the list and a bit less of a low-profile tongue. They have a pretty comparable grip, and board feel to other skate shoes you’ve likely tried but feel surprisingly easy to flick tricks with.
A big advantage to these shoes is they’re a bit more aesthetically pleasing than other skate slip-ons. So if you’re looking for a skate shoe that you can also rock casually, these would be one of the better options. They are also extremely affordable, making them an awesome option if you’re on a budget.
With that said, the major downside to these shoes comes with the elastic. Since the elastic connecting the tongue isn’t inset like other slip-ons, it can get damaged and even rip quickly, depending on how you pop tricks. If you tend to slide the middle of your shoe more than the toe while popping, these shoes probably won’t last as long as other shoes. However, if you primarily wear out your shoes around the toe, this won’t be a problem.
Pros:
- Best slip-on for wide feet
- Very affordable
- Good grip and tread pattern
- Break in quickly
- Fully suede around major flick points
Cons:
- Elastic is prone to ripping depending on how you pop tricks
- The edge of the heel easily folds inwards, which gets annoying
4. Lakai Owen VLK Slip On
If you prefer a snugger fit, the Lakai Owen VLK shoes are an awesome option. They fit about 1/2 size smaller than your normal shoe size, so upping your size will prevent the shoe from feeling too tight. This shoe is one of the best-looking skate slip-ons, with a full suede toe and a leather heel. Unlike the canvas mid-shoe and heel of other slip-ons, the leather will hold up better and won’t rip as easily.
These shoes have a noticeable thicker sole than the other slip-ons on the list, but it helps to improve the shoe’s overall foot protection. The elastic holding the tongue of this shoe is also well protected, with it being inset between two pieces of suede. So no matter how you pop tricks, you don’t need to worry about the elastic coming apart.
Ultimately these shoes feel like a typical vulcanized skate shoe with some added sole improvements over your regular slip-on. If you want a classic-looking skate shoe that will last without costing you a fortune, this should be your pick.
Pros:
- Fully suede flick points with reinforced toe
- Inset tongue elastic to reduce wear
- Leather heel
- Thicker sole for added foot protection
- Classic skate shoe style
Cons:
- It can feel too tight if you are between sizes. If between two sizes, go up 1/2 size.
What Are The Best Slip-Ons For Wide Feet?
The Emerica Wino G6 slip-on skate shoes are by far the best option for wider feet. The toe box is noticeably wider than other slip-on skate shoes, along with more room around the tongue to prevent your feet from feeling suffocated.
Are Vans Slip-Ons Good For Skating?
Yes, Vans slip-ons are amazing for skating; however, the Vans Slip-On Pros and significantly better than the Classics. The Pros are made with reinforced flick points and have more padded insoles for foot protection. Likewise, the foxing tape of the Pros tends to last longer without separating compared to the Classics. With the Classic slip-ons, you’ll notice the foxing tape will start to separate after a bit of use and deteriorate the overall shoe faster.
You can tell the difference between the Pro and the Classics by looking at the Vans logo tag on the side of the shoe. The Pro versions will say “PRO” in red on the opposite side of the logo tag.
Are Slip-Ons Or Laces Better For Skateboarding?
The big advantage of slip-on skate shoes is that they offer more board feel and are more durable overall. Since there is less stitching around the toe and no laces anywhere on the shoe, there is less to wear out against your grip tape. Likewise, with the thinner overall construction of the shoe, you get a completely different board feel that you won’t find with laces.
However, laced shoes tend to offer more foot protection. If you are regularly skating large drops or going for long sessions, your feet will generally feel less tired with laced shoes.
It’s ultimately a trade-off, and it comes down to personal preference. If you want the best board feel and improved durability, go for the slip-on. However, if you want more style options and better foot protection, go with laced skate shoes.
Which Slip-On Should You Choose?
That was a lot of info to take in, so let’s make your choice easier with this ranked list of slip-ons from our most to least favorite.
| Shoe | Specs | Our Rating | Where To Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Check Price On Amazon | |
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| Check Price On Cariuma.com | |
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| Check Price On Amazon | |
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| Check Price On Amazon |
Now, after all that, if you still aren’t sure if slip-ons are right for you, check out these 24 best skate shoes with both laced and slip-on options to consider.
Happy Shredding!
