Having the wrong skate shoes can do more than just effect your skateboarding ... it can make you look lame. Well, more lame than maybe you did barefoot. Sort of. The point is, it can be tough to know which skate shoes to buy - you walk into a skate shop, and there's this huge wall of colors and styles and brands, and sure this one shoe looks cool, but will it fall apart in a month? Will you get laughed at because it isn't really a cool brand? Will it explode and take your foot off the first time you try and ollie? Well, have no fear - read over the Top 10 Skateboarding Shoes list to get some sweet ideas for your next pair of skateboarding shoes.
Not see some shoes you like on the list? Think the list is wrong? Leave a comment below and tell the world! While you're at it, read some of the other comments, start some arguments, and share the love. I'm getting ready to update the list again - I'd like to hear what you guys think. I'm getting ready to update the list again, and would like to hear some opinions!
Looking for some new skateboarding shoes? When buying skate shoes, you can get lost in the sea of brands, colors, gimmicks and prices. Collected here is a list of the top 10 skateboarding shoes out there, for one reason or another. The list isn't in order of best to worst - all of these shoes are top quality. Many of these skate shoes have reviews on the site, to find out more about the shoe - and all have links to the manufacturer's site to read more. You can also Share your Own Top 10 List!
You can also Share your Own Top 10 List!
Fallen Footwear
Fallen FootwearFallen makes incredible skate shoes. Jamie Thomas owns the company, and has made it clear that he doesn't want to simply make more skateboarding shoes - he want to make high quality premium skate shoes that look great and provide everything you need. Plus, for you planet-conscious skaters out there, Fallen makes shoes free of animal products. Take a look at the Fallen Troopers - easily the coolest looking skate shoes I've tested to date. And they skate well, too! Fallens are some of my favorite skate shoes to wear.
Vans Skateboarding Shoes
Vans FootwearVans has been around since the beginning, and along the way they've learned how to make great skate shoes. Vans skateboarding shoes are some of the best, easily. From the classic canvas Vans classic slip ons (which I don't recommend for skating unless you know what you're doing, or don't mind replacing them soon) to Vans beefier models, like Geoff Rowley's Rowley XL2s or Dustin Dollin's No Skools. Vans is a core skateboarding company - you can rest comfortably knowing you are buying quality when you buy Vans.
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.Globe Shoes
Globe ShoesGlobe is an Australian skateboarding shoe company that creates great skateboarding shoes with innovative features. Honestly, these top 3 skate shoe companies each make great shoes - it's hard to rank between these top 3. My favorite is the now outdated Globe CT IV - Chet Thomas signature model, if you can find 'em. Recently, they've come out with models like the Vagrant (looks sweet, with a pre-worn style but built to last), or the Finale (in classic and a more sporty look). Gallaz, skateboarding shoes made for girls and women skateboarders.
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.DC Skateboarding Shoes
DC Shoe Co USADC Shoe Co USA makes some good shoes, though over the last few years I've heard a lot of complaints about them being too mainstream, or that the quality of DC has gone down. The mainstream problem is up to you, but I haven't seen a drop in quality at all. With , "Super Suede", and years of making excellent skate shoes, they know what they are doing. DC also has an H2Zero line - shoes treated to block out water, snow and slush, with extra tread. Perfect for snowskates and snow days. Check out the DC H2Zero Alias.
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.etnies
Etnies ShoesEtnies have a bright, quick, sleek look, and a skate team with riders like Rune Glifberg, Ryan Sheckler and Elissa Steamer. Etnies do tend to come with wimpy laces, but that's not a good enough reason to not get a pair. Mostly, Etnies skate shoes work well and last long enough to not tick off your parents or wife when you need to replace 'em. Etnies also has great girl's skateboarding shoes, and etnies dumps a lot of money back into the community, giving away tons of shoes every year to the homeless in Southern California.
.Osiris
Osiris ShoesOsiris. Osiris skate shoes aren't my favorites so much lately, but they do make some of the best puffy-style skateboarding shoes you can get. Plus, they have their "private reserve" line, which are regular models, the most popular ones, made with better materials and some insole art. If you want Osiris skateboarding shoes, I recommend paying the extra for the private reserve shoes (though really, it's not that much more). The Ruger is pretty nice, and so is the Chino Low.
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.Emerica
Emerica ShoesEmerica makes good skate shoes, and runs a strong skat