As important as choosing the best board choosing a good skate shoe is the most important part of gainign control over your skateboard whilst minimizing injury to your feet. There are various designs of shoe and sole, but in my many years of skating there are still some general features that I have always taken into consideration when looking for a suitable pair (which will be discussed later in this article) These are my top suggestions in detail, based on personal experience, to help you say goodbye to confusion when choosing shoes. See Also:
- Top 24 Best Skateboards For Beginners Reviews In 2020: Selected By Me
- Top 18 Best Longboard For Beginners Reviews In 2020 [NEW LIST]
- How to Choose Best Beginner Skateboard for Kids: The Definitive Guide [2020 Update]
Table of Contents
Top 26 Best Skateboard Shoes Reviews in 2020
DC Court Graffik Skateboard Shoes
(Best Overall)
- Comfortable and breathable
- Best for doing tricks
- Good grip
- Great support
- Lightweight mesh tongue
- Good choice of colors
- Full-size chart
- Need time to break in
- Should choose half to one size smaller than stated
Adidas Seeley Skateboard Shoes
(Animal-friendly Design)
- Synthetic material is the best for eco-friendly skateboarders
- Good mobility
- Extra padded foam at ankle area for better protection
- Comfortable and grippy
- Socks don’s slip off feet
- Durable
- Stylish
- Smooth, anti-abrasion upper
- Give precise board feel
- Take a long time to break in
- A bit stiff
DC Trase TX Skateboard Shoes
(Low Maintenance)
- Highly flexible
- Break-in quickly
- Good grip and board-feel for transition skating and casual cruising
- Lightweight and breathable
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Versatile. Easy to change from a skater to a stylish boy for a family outing
- Not best for flicks
- Lack of arch support
- Not very durable
- You need to go one size bigger than quoted size
Vans Old Skool Skateboard Shoes
(Best For Performing Tricks)
- Lightweight and breathable
- High-quality material
- Good support to heels
- Cool, classic and old-school look
- Size quoted is correct
- Good board-feel and good grip
- Comfortable
- Little time to break in
- Best for performing tricks
- Not durable
Etnies Jameson 2 Skateboard Shoes
(Durable)
- Awesome control
- Stylish and cool
- Lightweight, breathable and durable
- Waffle outsole for good grip
- Low price
- Eco-friendly
- Good, thick sole
- Padded collar for extra protection
- Absorb impact well
- Not good in terms of board-feel and flexibility
- Few color options in some sizes
- Take a longer time to break in
Etnies Marana Skateboard Shoes
(Comfortable)
- Grippy and sturdy sole
- Great padding
- Best for kickflips and scoop tricks
- Enable great flicks
- Very durable
- Good impact absorption and heel support
- True to size
- Comfortable thanks to the STI evolution foam in the insole and midsole
- Feel stiff and not flexible
- Need time to break in
Emerica Romero Skate Shoes
(Good Grip)
- Eco-friendly material
- One-piece toecap to reduce tear and stitching issues
- No tongue creeping down the inside
- Trademarked, unique triangle outsole tread with the customized sole -> Bring durability, extra protection, and good grip
- Affordable price
- Feel stiffer and less flexible
- Need time to break in
C1RCA AL50 Skate Shoes
(Best For Kickflips)
- Durable and breathable
- Extra protection thanks to toe bumper and triple-stitched toe reinforcement
- Comfortable due to the additional collar and tongue padding
- Good ankle support compared to other low-top skate shoes
- Versatile
- Affordable price for real leather shoes
- Great fit and tread
- Best for doing tricks and kickflips
- Need time to break in
VANS Sk8-Hi Reissue Skate Shoes
(Break-In Quickly)
- Good fit
- High-top shoe for ultimate protection
- Good board-feel and grip
- Flexible and comfortable
- Break-in quickly
- Synthetic material is lightweight and animal-friendly
- Various color options
- Annoying squeak while walking
- Reduced mobility
- For wide feet choose a half size bigger
NIKE Zoom Stefan Janoski Skate Shoes
(Great Board-Feel)
- Durable and long-lasting material
- Lightweight Max Air unit and Phylon midsole for good heel support
- EVA foam sock-liner for extra comfort
- Great board-feel and grip
- Versatile enough to dress up or dress down
- Need time to break in
- With wide feet should you need one size larger
HUF Soto Skate Shoes
(Affordable)
- Value for money with 100% made from genuine leather
- Mesh lining for better breathability
- Removable insole to freely insert your customized insole for better heel support if desired
- One-piece vamp to prevent tear and stitching issues
- Break in fast
- Durable outsole
- Deliver good flicks
- Comfortable
- No collar padding
Supra Vaider Skate Shoe
(Flexible)
- High-quality, durable leather
- High-top design to optimize protection for your feet
- Extra mesh padding on tongue and collar for comfort and more protection
- Breathable
- Affordable
- Flexible
- Good grip and board-feel
- Takes time for the leather to break in
New Balance 331v1
(Great Mobility)
- High-quality material for durability and breathability
- Low-top design provides great mobility
- Extra foam inserts for added comfort
- High flexibility with a decent board-feel
- Herringbone tread for good grip
- Break-in fast
- Lack of heel support
Supra Method Skate Shoe
(Lightweight)
- Affordable price
- Diverse color options
- Durable less wears and tears
- Optimal protection and heel support
- Great impact absorption
- Lightweight
- Best for casual cruising
- Sleek look
- Low mobility
Fallen Men’s D O A
(Soft)
- Super affordable price yet made from durable, high-quality material
- Comfortable and breathable
- Good board-feel and herringbone tread for better grip
- Seamless one-piece toecap to reduce stitching issues whilst increasing its durability
- Better protection than the low-top and more mobility than the high-top
- Smoother rubber finish
- Soft feel
- Very flexible
- Insoles should be replaced for better comfort
- Lack of heel support
Globe The Eagle Skate Shoes
(Stylish)
- High-quality and durable material, as it’s suede -> no shrink
- Great heel support
- Good impact absorption
- Breathable and comfortable
- Affordable price in a long-term
- Brown outsole to prevent dirt efficiently
- Stylish and clean cut
- Shallow in the toe area
- Less flexibility and board-feel
DC Wes Kremer 2 Skate Shoes
(Supportive)
- Soft, flexible and comfortable
- Durable in material and high impact absorption when skating
- Stylish and fashionable look
- Good grip
- Additional lacing for more support
- Take more time to break in than other vulcanized skate shoes
Emerica Reynolds G6 Skate Shoes
(Precise Fit)
- Decent board-feel and flexible
- Precise fit
- Durable
- Great support and elegant look
- Great mobility
- G6 PU midsole and EVA insole for extra comfort
- Triangle tread outsole for better grip
- Signature G6 technology
- Top-notch aesthetics
- Those with wide feet should select one size larger
Osiris Men’s Clone Skate Shoes
(Breathable)
- Lightweight and high-quality
- Snazzy look
- Durable and long-lasting
- Full coverage and protection, yet very breathable and comfort
- Good heel support
- Should go one size smaller
- Laces too long
Lakai Fremont-M Skate Shoes
(Various Colors)
- 100% suede but no time to break in
- Lots of heel support
- Affordable price
- Full size and various colorways
- Excellent board feel
- Flexible and good grip
- Poor heel lock
Vans VANS X SPITFIRE SLIP-ON Skate Shoes

- Free shipping and returns
- Go true size and great fitting
- Versatile, comfortable, durable and wear resistant
- Better board-feel, more control and better for keeping balance
- Good grip
- Impact cushioning
- No small sizes
Globe Men’s Sprout Skate Shoe
(Protective)
- Nice looking
- Great grip and control
- Well-constructed shoe
- Affordable price
- Smooth, protective and durable suede
- Flexible
- Not very durable will get some small kickflip holes on the toecap after 3-4 months of use
DC Men’s Tiago S Skate Shoes
(Wear Resistance)
- Lightweight yet durable and high-quality
- Superb Balance
- Versatile and multifunctional
- Wear well without tearing
- Stylish and cool
- Various colors
- Should go one size bigger
NIKE SB 819673 Skate Shoes
(Good Impact Absorption)
- The material blend of synthetics and textiles delivers super lightness
- Delivers better control and board-feel to help maintain perfect balance
- Breathable and comfortable
- Ultra-protection to your feet and ankles yet keeps great mobility
- Absorb impact efficiently
- Great heel support
- Fewer color options
Adidas Matchcourt High RX2 Skate Shoes
(Best Leather Skateboard Shoes)
- Premium full-grain leather to excel in durability
- Smoother rubber finish
- Good board feel and flexibility
- Great at protection and support
- Good grip
- Stylish and elegant look
- Breathable
- Need more time to break in than other vulcanized shoes
NIKE Men’s SB Zoom Dunk Skate Shoes
(Best Classic Skate Shoes)
- High-quality, lightweight and durable material
- Low-profile yet great in support
- Good mobility
- Breathable and comfortable
- Sturdy and lightweight
- A bit costly
How to Choose The Best Skate Shoes In 2019

- No heel lifts
- Not too loose or too tight. The shoe should fit snugly to your feet
- No discomfort or pain, at least no loss of circulation
The best way to find out your size to go to a nearby footwear store and trying some shoes. Remember to shop in the afternoon. Then, head home and search for online pricing to find the best deal. Usually, the official brand website or on the large e-commercial sites like eBay and Amazon will have a lot of discount offers. Whether you want textile, synthetic or leather few pairs are ready out of the box. In other words, it takes a few days to weeks to break them in. During this time, if your feet are painful, thick socks will be a life-saver.
- Need less time to break in
- Good at flexibility
- Provide great board-feel and grip
- Not as durable as the cupsole
- Lack of heel support
- The insoles are usually replaced

- More durable
- Absorb impact better
- Give more heel support
- Usually, take a week to break in
- Not as flexible as the vulcanized
- Not provide much board-feel


Top Picks
So many options provided might overwhelm you, that’s why this extra information may help you group some popular top picks for specific areas in which the skate shoes excel.
1. Top 3 Most Comfortable Skate Shoes

2. Top 3 Most Durable Skate Shoes
If durability in the shoes is what you’re all about then the Adidas Men’s Seeley, the Etnies Jameson 2 Eco, and the Etnies Marana are the clear winners. Despite the differences in material, you can see that these three are made well with durable construction, strong stitching, tough soles, and treads. A solid design plays a huge role in this case.
3. Best Skateboard Shoes for Beginners and New Riders

4. Best Option for Women
The Vans Old Skool Unisex Adults’ Low-Top Trainers would be the best bet for ladies who love skating as, on top of its good performance for tricks, this shoe also focusses on the fitting, feeling and style, things that women take note of.
5. Best Option for Kids

6. Most Affordable Option
My picks are the Emerica Romero Laced Skate Shoe, the C1RCA AL50 Adrian Lopez Lightweight Insole Skate Shoe, and the New Balance Men’s 331v1 Skate Shoe. However, their competitive price tags don’t mean poor quality or a lack of comfort, which really satisfies me.
7. Best High Top Skate Shoes

8. Best Mid Top Skate Shoes
The Fallen Men’s D O A is my favorite pick out of the bunch because other than taking advantage of a mid-top skateboard shoe, there no compromise in sturdiness, flexibility, weight, and versatility. The good fit and high-quality suede-canvas materials are a plus.
9. Best Low Top Skate Shoes

10. Best Slip-On Skate Shoes
My pick of all the time as well as the one and only slip-on in this collection. The Adidas Men’s Seeley is perfect with a great fit without them slipping off unnecessarily. Along with this, is the impressive lightness and great performance make for happy a ride or a flip.
11. Best Vulcanized Skate Shoes

12. Best Cupsole Skate Shoes
Though there is an avalanche of cupsole skate shoes in this collection, the NIKE Men’s Zoom Stefan Janoski is my top choice because of the great construction that shows off all of its features, especially the stability, and heel support.
13. Best Option for Wide Feet

14. Best Option for Flat Feet
Having flat feet means you have to look for a better form-fitting and supportive skate shoe, which is why I suggest the Nike Men’s SB Zoom Dunk Low Pro due to its EVA cushioning insole and flexible sole.
15. Best Option for Ankle Support

16. Best Option for Arch Support
If you intend to be a serious skateboarder, the arch support of skate shoes should be taken into consideration. The best option in this field is the Emerica Men’s Reynolds G6, especially when you start to practice tricks.
17. Best Option for Flip Tricks

Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do you need special shoes for skateboarding?
In Conclusion
An undeniable fact that the best skateboard shoes will definitely deliver the most joyful skating moments for you. Whether you’re going to make a purchase online or offline, always keep in mind the five key elements that I’ve mentioned above. Besides, don’t forget to consider your budget, preference and any warranty policy of the manufacturer. Hope this article is helpful for you. Thanks for reading!
Carlos Juan
Thanks for the great sharing. This is a very helpful post for Skateboarding lovers. Adidas Seeley Skateboard Shoes is the most recommended.
Admin
Thanks, great information about skating shoes
Thibaud
Hi great article, thanks for it :-)
Just wondering why the Nike SB Hyperfeel Koston are ‘only’ rated 7/10 whereas you say they’re the best high shoes? Some other high shoes are rated 8/10.
They seem the best ones for me: I want high shoes to prevent ankle break and sprain, and you describe them as having ultra protection to feet and ankles + super lightness, great control and board-feel, breathable and comfortable, great mobility, absorb impact efficiently, great heel support. The only cons is the lack of colors…
That should almost be rated 10/10 then!
Nethan Paul
Thanks for sharing such article with comparative lists of best-branded skate shoes. For a person who is new in the skating field is not much experience in the selection of skate shoe. This article is very helpful for a beginner like me. I am practicing electric skateboard, I need the best skate shoes for proper grip on board. As per this chart, I will select Nike brand skate shoe for its low top, rubber sole, lightweightness, and material used. All these parameters are critical for a good skate shoe and I have decided to buy Nike branded shoe.