The day I started skating was memorable. Not because the day was very exciting but because my feet were sore. Later, I figured out it was due to the shoes I was wearing. Skaters need shoes that are comfortable inside and have excellent grip outside. And who doesn’t like a bit of style, huh?
Quick List: Best Skate Shoes 2024
- Etnies Shoes – Best Dedicated Skate Shoe for Skateboarding ($39-$89)
- Adidas Shoes – Best Seller Skate Shoe for Skateboarding ($49-$79)
- Vans Shoes – Best Classic Skate Shoe for Skateboarding ($49-$99)
- DC Shoes – Best Casual Low Top Skate Shoe ($39-$79)
- Globe Shoes – Best Leather Skateboarding Shoe ($49-$119)
- Osiris Shoes – Best High-Top Skate Shoe for Skateboarding ($49-$129)
After using a lot of different shoes, I picked the top 7 best skate shoes in 2024 that skaters will love. These shoes are durable, fit well, and give the support you need. Especially the Etnies and Adidas shoes are my favorites.
I will share my hands-on experience with these skate shoes and help you choose the right pair of skate shoes. Let’s get started.
7 Best Skateboarding Shoe Reviews
Besides fit, comfort, and grip, skaters need to know a lot more about these shoes before buying. So, here is the detailed discussion.
1. Etnies Fader Best Dedicated Skate Shoe for Skateboarding
Key Features
| What’s in the box | The pair of shoes |
| Size (US) | 5-15 |
| Weight | 1.9 pounds |
| Color | Black, White, Brown, Navy, Dark Gray, Charcoal, Fatigue |
| Material | Leather and synthetic |
| Age range | Adult |
| Price | Check on Amazon |
Let’s check all the aspects of this amazing pair of skateboarding shoes.
Insole: The insole of these shoes is made of PU foam. It is lightweight but still highly resistant to wear. So, you can wear these shoes for a long time. Besides, PU foam is moldable, so your feet will rest comfortably inside the shoes.
Midsole: I just love the egg-crate midsole of these shoes. You might have seen those egg crates with multiple peaks and creases. This structure makes the sole extremely lightweight.
Besides, it improves the overall cushioning of the shoes. When I wore these shoes, the weight distribution was great, and I felt no imbalance.
Outsole: The rubber outsole used in these shoes has a high abrasion resistance, 300 NBS, to be specific. As a result, the outsole will last for a long time and protect the shoes from abrasions. The patterned bottom of the outsole provides excellent grip, which is crucial for skaters.
Tongue and Collar: Both the tongue and collar are padded, so they add to the comfort. And you will feel the comfort all the way long you wear them.
Upper: The upper is made of nubuck, which is top-grain leather. As it has been buffed on the outside, it resembles suede.
Fit: I wear a size 9.5, and my pair was a bit tight to wear. It was my fault for ordering the size 9 mistakenly. But if someone wears a size 9, the fit would be good. I think choosing size 9.5 would be a better option for me.
Breathability and Durability: Due to the egg-crate midsole, the shoe was very breathable. I have been skating regularly with these best skateboarding shoes for about six months, and they are perfectly fine till now.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wide variety of designs and colors | Weather resistance isn’t great |
| Very lightweight | The colors look a bit faded |
| Comfortable insole | |
| Available in many sizes | |
| Highly durable |
2. Adidas 3.0 Best Seller Skate Shoe for Skateboarding
Key Features
| What’s in the box | Only the pair of shoes |
| Size (US) | 6.5-14 |
| Weight | 3.7 pounds |
| Color | Black, White, Royal Blue, Dark Gray, Charcoal, Carbon, Red |
| Material | Canvas |
| Age range | Adult |
| Price | Check on Amazon |
I love the contemporary look of these skate shoes. Let’s look into more details.
Insole: Ortholite insole is used in these skate shoes to keep your feet comfortable. Even if you skate for an extended period, these shoes are great.
Midsole: I didn’t find enough information about the midsole, but the shoe has a cushioned midsole. As a result, it protects your feet from getting hurt when you hit the road.
Outsole: The outsole is made of vulcanized rubber. As a result, it is highly durable. Plus, it provides excellent protection and flexibility. The grip of this outsole is also praiseworthy. I tried these shoes in different weather conditions, and the grip was satisfactory.
Tongue and Collar: The tongue and collar are lightly cushioned. Though the cushioning isn’t that bad and maintains a sleek look, I would love to get more cushioning.
Upper: Adidas used canvas upper in these skate shoes. The texture and quality of the canvas is amazing. Plus, you can easily clean the shoes. And the upper is quite durable.
Fit: I bought the size 9.5, and it was true to size. The fit was near perfect, and I felt very comfortable.
Breathability and Durability: Due to the canvas upper and cushioned midsole, these shoes have great breathability. Both the canvas upper and the rubber outsole are highly durable, so you can use this best all-terrain skate shoe for a long time.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stunning color options | A bit heavy |
| Modern and decent design | Fewer size options than many other shoes |
| Highly comfortable and breathable | |
| Easy to clean | |
| Can be used as casual wear |
3. Vans Old Skool Best Classic Skate Shoe for Skateboarding
Key Features
| What’s in the box | The pair of shoes |
| Size (US) | 4-13 for men, 5.5-14.5 for women |
| Weight | 1 pound |
| Color | Black, White, Navy Blue, Misprint Red, Multi Checker Olive, Fired Brick, Dark Purple |
| Material | Synthetic |
| Age range | Adult |
| Price | Check on Amazon |
Though I am not a big fan of its shape, it is still the best classic-style skate shoe.
Insole: Vans skate shoes have a cushioned insole that increases the comfort level. Over time, the cushioning conforms to your feet’ shape. But it felt like the cushioning decreased after using the shoes for some time.
Midsole: The midsole is very thin here, which makes the shoes lightweight. But protection is compromised, in my opinion. If you hit a stair or rails, your heel can get hurt.
Outsole: With a waffle outsole, the shoe becomes lightweight. At the same time, this outsole is great for weight distribution. So, it will compensate for the low thickness of the midsole.
Tongue and Collar: Both the tongue and collar have heavy padding. So you will feel very comfortable near the shaft. The padding is beneficial if you are bending your feet a lot.
Upper: These shoes have a multi-paneled upper that looked like suede to me. The double stitching on the upper makes it more durable and creates a unique design that many users love. But I don’t prefer that stitching.
Fit: When I used these shoes for the first time, the fit was a bit tight. But after several uses, the fit got better.
Breathability and Durability: There is no doubt about the durability of these shoes. But breathability doesn’t seem to be excellent, especially after trying the above-mentioned two pairs.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely lightweight | The midsole isn’t that good |
| Excellent weight distribution | Lower breathability than other shoes |
| Durable outsole | |
| Cushioned insole for better comfort | |
| Thick padding at the tongue and collar |
4. DC Court Graffik Best Casual Low Top Skate Shoe
Key Features
| What’s in the box | The pair of shoes |
| Size (US) | 3-18 |
| Weight | 1.1 pounds |
| Color | Black, White, Wheat, Heather Gray, Camouflage, Multi colors |
| Material | Leather |
| Age range | Kids and Adults |
| Price | Check on Amazon |
If you want to avoid funky shoes, this pair can be suitable.
Insole: These shoes have a cushioned insole that provides great comfort. But the cushioning isn’t that thick, which reduces the weight. In fact, this is the best lightweight skate shoe I have ever used. I am currently using them as my casual wear, and the support they provide is exceptional.
Midsole: The midsole has medium cushioning as well. So, wearing these shoes keeps you from hurting your feet regardless of how hard you jump. The weight distribution is also great.
Outsole: Its outsole is different from the shoes I mentioned above. You get a cupsole instead of a vulcanized sole, so your feet and ankles get better support while skating or walking.
Tongue and Collar: The shoes have a padded tongue and collar, so your feet feel more composed. It almost feels like the padding is hugging your feet. But they aren’t suffocating at all.
Upper: I just love the texture of the leather upper. It is made of nubuck, which is a buffed leather. A little suede is also used, and the upper has the DC logo, which is a good thing if you are a DC fanboy.
Fit: Among the skate shoes I have bought for use and testing, this pair had the best fit. It felt like the shoes were parts of my feet. And they were extremely comfortable.
Breathability and Durability: The cushioned insole and midsole are highly breathable, thanks to the ventilated construction. With a highly breathable leather upper, this is the best budget skate shoe.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lightweight and durable | The grip is slightly low |
| Rubber cupsole design for better support | Prone to water damage |
| Thick padding | |
| Breathable insole and midsole | |
| Attractive graphics on the upper |
5. Globe Tilt Best Skateboarding Shoe
Key Features
| What’s in the box | The pair of shoes |
| Size (US) | 5-14 |
| Weight | 2.45 pounds |
| Color | Black, White, Antique, Lead Gum, Curry Wine, Dark Gray, Charcoal, Carbon, Red |
| Material | Leather |
| Age range | Adult |
| Price | Check on Amazon |
These are a bit bulkier than other shoes, but that means more protection and comfort. Let’s see what it has to offer.
Insole: The insole contributes to the weight of the shoe. So, you may understand the cushioning is quite thick. As a result, the shoe is very comfortable to wear.
Midsole: Globe skate shoes have a thick midsole that protects your feet from shocks while skating in rough and bumpy terrains. It felt a bit hard to press, but I think that is acceptable.
Outsole: The outsole is made of vulcanized rubber, and it is thicker than what you get in most other shoes. As a result, the flexibility of the outsole is a bit low. But you will get full protection while skating.
Tongue and Collar: With a dual-tone finish, the tongue looks stylish. And it has moderate cushioning to keep the laces from rubbing your feet. The collar is also heavily padded.
Upper: These shoes have 100% leather upper with perforation in the toe area. Double stitching is used throughout the upper, so the shoe is ready to withstand much abuse. And with a leather build, this is the best eco-friendly skate shoe.
Fit: I tried three different sizes, including two half sizes. Among them, size 9.5 was the best fit for me. You can expect the shoe to be true to size.
Breathability and Durability: Due to the high-quality cushioning and perforated leather, the shoe is highly breathable. So, your feet will remain dry even on hot summer days. The heel area has a TPR collar outside. So, this shoe is meant to be durable and the best-dedicated skate shoe.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Heavy-duty construction | Heavier than other shoes |
| Leather upper | Some models can be expensive |
| Highly breathable | |
| Premium finish | |
| Wide variety of design |
See also: Top 7 Best Shoes for Longboarding 2024: Unleash Your Style
6. Osiris Clone Best High-Top Skate Shoe for Skateboarding
Key Features
| What’s in the box | The pair of shoes only |
| Size (US) | 7-14 |
| Weight | 2.2 pounds |
| Color | Black, White, Navy, Neon, Tan, Pink, Cyan, Gray |
| Material | Synthetic leather or fabric |
| Age range | Adult |
| Price | Check on Amazon |
If you love high-top skate shoes, this pair is something to look for.
Insole: The shoe has a low profile at the front, and the insole is also thin. Still, the cushioning is suitable for regular skating or casual wear.
Midsole: With a focus on safety and comfort, the midsole has moderate cushioning. But it could be better with an egg-crate structure.
Outsole: The outsole is also thinner than the shoes you have seen so far. It is made of vulcanized rubber. Due to the low thickness, the outsole is pretty flexible and gives more confidence with a better grip.
Tongue and Collar: As this has a high-top design, the tongue has less cushioning than regular skate shoes. But that is good enough because the laces are positioned below the tongue. The collar is lightly padded.
Upper: Synthetic leather has been used in the upper. Though it makes the shoes lightweight, I am not satisfied with the overall comfort.
Fit: These shoes are true to size. I chose a pair of 9.5 online, and they turned out to be the exact fit for me.
Breathability and Durability: Due to the synthetic leather, the breathability isn’t that great. But I must praise the sturdy build because it has reinforcements in areas prone to abrasion.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| A lot of cool designs | The outsole and midsole are thin |
| True to size | |
| High-top design for extra protection | |
| Comfortable insole | |
| Easy to clean |
7. Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star High Top Sneaker
Key Features
| What’s in the box | The pair of shoes |
| Size (US) | 3-13 |
| Weight | 3 pounds |
| Color | Black, White, Brown, Yellow, Multi, Navy, Ultraviolet, Daisytan, Monochrome |
| Material | Canvas or suede |
| Age range | Kids and Adults |
| Price | Check on Amazon |
The last item on my list today is this high-top classic skate shoe.
Insole: The insole of these shoes has light cushioning that is enough to keep you comfortable. But I can’t say the protection is great.
Midsole: As these shoes have a low-profile bottom area, the midsole isn’t thick either. But the cushioning and weight distribution is good. It feels like you are stepping onto something fragile. But you get used to it over time.
Outsole: The outsole is made of rubber, and the shoe has a thick outsole. Besides providing protection to your feet, they have excellent grip. It will boost your confidence while skating.
Tongue and Collar: I am not satisfied with the tongue and collar at all. You get almost no padding in these areas. As laces go up to the collar area, padding was necessary. And the collar is also bare canvas.
Upper: The upper is made of canvas or suede, depending on the model. Though I don’t like canvas shoes that much, the quality and finish of these shoes are worth mentioning.
Fit: As there was very little padding, I wasn’t able to guess the correct fit. So, the size 9.5 was a bit loose for me. So, you need to be careful while ordering.
Breathability and Durability: The canvas upper isn’t highly breathable, but it is somewhat okay. Its cushioning is moderately breathable, and you have holes in the bottom area for ventilation. In terms of durability, these shoes will withstand moderate use.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Timeless design | Insufficient padding |
| A lot of style options | A bit heavy |
| Suitable for casual wear | |
| Easy to clean | |
| Breathable cushioning |
What to Consider When Purchasing the Best Skate Shoes? And How Do I Do It?
To bag the right pair of skate shoes, you need to consider a lot of things. Here are some factors that can help you choose the best skate shoes.
Purpose:
For casual wear or beginner-level skating, you don’t need highly protective shoes. Instead, you can look for something lightweight and comfortable. But if you skate regularly, then you need to focus on both comfort and protection. And if you are a skilled skateboarder, you need shoes that provide the right support in all aspects.
Durability:
As you may mostly traverse through concrete or asphalt surfaces, your skate shoes should be durable enough to last for a long time. Select shoes that have reinforcements on the upper to prevent abrasion. Also, the outsole, midsole, and linings should be durable.
Grip and Traction:
To be in control of what you are doing, a good grip is a must. Rubber outsoles usually provide a very good grip.
But if the bottom has patterns, the grip will be even better. So, check for these patterns. Without enough traction, you may fall off the skateboard at high speed.
Board Feel:
This may not be crucial for beginners, but pro skateboarders need to get the board feel for better control. If the sole of your skate shoes is too thick, it may provide extra protection. But that will reduce the board feel. Cupsole is better to ensure you get the right board feel.
Support and Cushioning:
Your feet bend in various directions while skateboarding. Unless your skate shoes provide support while bending, you may lose control. Proper cushioning in the tongue and collar area ensures your feet stay comfortable, even at high-speed maneuvers.
Fit and Comfort:
Though all shoes should fit perfectly, this is even more necessary for skate shoes. As you need to perform different tricks that need full control, the shoes should fit perfectly. Your feet should comfortably rest inside the shoes for satisfactory performance.
Style and Design:
Skate shoes come in a wide variety of colors and design options. I prefer dark-colored shoes with a minimal design.
But this factor is totally up to you. If you like something colorful and funky, you’re most welcome.
Materials:
Most skate shoes have similar insoles, midsoles, and outsoles. But the upper is what makes the difference. You may get skate shoes made of pure leather, synthetic leather, suede, canvas, etc.
Among these materials, leather is better in terms of breathability and durability. Canvas shoes can be cleaned easily.
Suede and synthetic leather are also good, but leather would be the best if you want the most premium feel.
Breathability:
Shoes with perforated uppers are better because they keep your feet cool. So your feet won’t sweat much while skating. It also prevents mold from growing inside your shoes when you store them.
Ankle Support:
Cupsole provides better support for your ankle area, but vulcanized rubber soles aren’t also bad. You need to make sure the midsole is designed to absorb the shock from the ground. A midsole with an egg crate or sandwich structure is better for support.
Brand Reputation:
Though I am not so much of a brand guy, I think it is important to check the overall reputation of the brand. In that case, you have fewer things to worry about. And reputed brands continuously try to improve their products.
Price:
I want to leave it to you because everyone has their own budget. If you are a beginner and have a low budget, start with something in the mid-range.
I don’t suggest going for the cheapest one, as it will give you a bad experience in the beginning. And if you have no budget issues, then you can choose whatever you like.
Check Reviews:
Before making the final decision, it is important to know what other users say. I like to search for authentic customer reviews and check if all the aspects match what manufacturers claim. If more than 80% of users are positive about the product, you can rely on it.
FAQs Regarding Skate Shoes
Check answers to some frequently asked questions about skate shoes.
Can I use regular sneakers for skateboarding?
Regular sneakers may come in many variations. As long as the sneakers have a durable outsole and comfortable insole, you can use them for skateboarding. But that is possible as long as you are learning skateboarding or at the beginner level.
I don’t mean to disappoint you, but these sneakers aren’t dedicated to skateboarding. So, they won’t provide the ultimate comfort, support, and protection. Skate shoes are specially designed to provide better ankle support, high breathability, and better grip.
How often should I replace my skate shoes?
It depends on multiple factors. First of all, a durable pair of skate shoes should last at least 6-8 months. But if you buy a normal pair, it may start to wear after three months.
On the other hand, if you are a beginner and practice a little, your skate shoes will have a longer lifespan. In that case, they may last for more than one year.
But if you are a pro skateboarder and the shoes have to withstand more torture, you can expect them to last a maximum of six months. Small signs of wear aren’t a problem. But if there are larger tears, you need to replace them.
Are high-top skate shoes better for ankle support?
The answer isn’t that simple. As the shoes are laced higher, they provide slightly better support. But if you are using high-top skate shoes for the first time, they can feel a bit uncomfortable. You will feel hindrance while bending your feet.
But pro skateboarders may benefit from high-top skate shoes. Especially when someone is experiencing force from the sides, high-top shoes can reduce the stress on the ankle bone. Remember, they won’t prevent sprains.
Conclusion
When it comes to preparing for skateboarding, buying the best skate shoes is probably the first priority after buying skateboards. You need shoes that are built with skateboarding in mind. These shoes have a better build quality. Plus, they provide excellent comfort and support.
As I have used many different skate shoes, I thought to make a list of the best skate shoes out there. The shoes on this list are comfy and durable. They have rubber soles for better grip. The cushioning is great for support and protection. You will also love these shoes, especially the first and second ones.
