The Perfect Pair: Selecting The Right Shoes for your Ride

When it comes to gear, one of the most important pieces of equipment for any skateboarder is their shoes. But with so many options out there, how do you choose the the perfect pair for your board?

Brands

There's plenty of brands out there making Skateboard safe shoes, how do you choose the right one?

The most trusted brands are ones skateboarders have been thrashing for years. We'd recommend these:

Lakai

Osiris

Vans

Globe

DC

Construction

There are two key shoe construction styles in Skate Shoes: Vulcanized or Cup Soles

Vulcanized:

Vulcanized shoes—often called “vulcs”—are slim, lightweight, and quick to break in. The sole is fused to the upper by wrapping and heat-curing a rubber foxing strip, giving the shoe a lot of flexibility.

This construction helps skaters feel more connected to their board, which is ideal for flip tricks and technical ledge skating. However, they offer less impact protection and tend to wear out faster than a Cup Sole. 

Cup Soles

Cupsole shoes use a single, thicker rubber outsole that’s stitched and glued to the upper. They’re stronger, last longer, and provide way more impact protection. If you’re skating big gaps, rails, or anything where hard landings are part of the game, cupsoles will keep your feet happier.

Cup Soles take longer to break in, and you have a minimized board feel, however they offer more impact protection, making them the preferred option for rail & trick skating. 

Highs VS Lows

High Tops:

High Tops offer more ankle protection, however they are heavy, and often bulky. Not the best choice for technical skating. 

Mid Tops:

Mids cover your ankle but don't go as high as the traditional High Top, offering the mid range in terms of support. 

Low Tops:

Lows are the most common style Skaters wear. They offer max flexibility and lightweight compared to the higher styles. They're perfect for movement, but they don't offer the best ankle protection. 

Breaking Them In

Even your fave pair needs breaking in! Keep it simple, start slow and ease into the tricks. This lets the shoe mold to your foot, without those pesky blisters popping up. 

Shoe Maintenance

It's important to keep your shoes in their best condition by keeping them dry & clean where possible. Starting to see holes? Grab a container of Shoe Goo & they'll last a few more weeks. 

We recommend rotating your shoes, to minimize wear and give the material time to rebound. 

Your perfect shoe is one that works for you. Don't worry about keeping up with the trends, or what everyone else is wearing. Don't be afraid to try out different styles until you find the best one for your skating. 

Don't want to break the bank doing so? Check out our Sale Footwear