The 30 best skateboarding shoes brands
VANS, Nike and adidas lead our ranking of 30 skateboarding shoes brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Skateboarding Shoes brands, ranked
TSCentral is reader-supported: we may earn a commission when you shop through links on this page. It does not affect the ranking.
-
1
VANS
Vans is one of the world’s largest footwear brands, popularly known for its skateboard shoes. They can never go out of trend as it has set a fashion statement among the youth. The brand recently launched the limited edition Stranger Things customized pairs of shoes that created hype. You can explore the classics by Vans on its website, including the new arrivals in footwear and apparel. The Vans and Anderson Paak collaboration has produced some unique designs with embellishments that make them exceptional and valuable.
Website: vans.com |Brands like VANS
Popularity 10.0/10
-
2
Nike
Blue Ribbon Sports was a sportswear company founded in 1964. After launching the Nike shoe brand, the company was rebranded as Nike in 1978. Its popularity exploded in the late 80s when it started acquiring numerous shoe companies and including a variety in its product line. In 1996, it opened a bar for extreme sports like mountain biking. Today, it is one of the most famous sports companies in the world.
Website: nike.com |Brands like Nike
Popularity 7.0/10
-
3
adidas
Adi Dassler had the goal to provide athletes with only the best. In 1949, he registered a shoe that later became one of the precursors of modern Adidas shoes. In 1954, he introduced the screw-in studs for lightweight football boots that propelled the German football team to victory in the World Cup. Adidas became a household name and gained the trust of athletes. Today, Adidas enjoys global acclaim as it continues to provide premium-quality equipment.
Website: adidas.com |Brands like adidas
Popularity 5.9/10
-
4
PUMA
The Dassler brothers had founded the Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik in Germany, which, unbeknownst to them, served as the set-up for PUMA. The brothers used their parents' factory as a base for operations and obtained a proper factory five years later. Despite facing considerable competition, they managed to provide high-quality shoes for people and registered the name PUMA as the company name a couple of decades later.
Website: us.puma.com |Brands like PUMA
Popularity 5.6/10
-
5
Converse
Sneakers? It’s Converse! The lifestyle footwear brand, widespread among the youth, is known for its skating shoes and apparel. Their latest DRKSHDW is the most iconic shoe and backpack collection, following Rick Owens’ signature skin palette. From high tops, low tops to platforms, their assorted collection can be bought from the brand website! They also encourage you to find your own Converse color, which means they support diversity and quirkiness. Owning a Converse is now the trend!
Website: converse.com |Brands like Converse
Popularity 5.3/10
-
6
DC Shoes
DC is a company that believes in the power of evolution. They are dedicated to the advancement, whether on skateboards or the world's streets. It all began in 1994 when they had an idea to design a new type of skateboard shoe and clothing for those who shared their desire to rip up the streets. Today, their purpose is more vital than ever: they are still committed to producing goods and experiences that inspire people via creative designs and breakthrough technology that advances sports.
Website: dcshoes.com |Brands like DC Shoes
Popularity 4.6/10
-
7
Lakai
Professional skateboarders Mike Carroll and Rick Howard founded Lakai in 1999. This footwear manufacturing company designs casual and shoes for skateboarding. They design high-performance shoes that are comfortable and also look fantastic. Lakai manufactures shoes for men and kids, and the company also has a wide range of clothing. Tops, tees, bottoms, and accessories like hats, socks, and cleaning kits are also available.
Website: lakai.com |Brands like Lakai
Popularity 3.3/10
-
8
British Knights
Bright Knight is a renounced shoe brand initially from New York City that provides the best editions to its customers. This brand is launched in the American market by a family-owned company. The inspiration behind creating this brand was comfort, classic designs, and sportsmanship. It’s been years since they have been serving its customers premium quality shoes. Nothing has changed but only evolved from generation to generation. The famous athletes wear out their collection and motivate the audience to get their hands on this brand. The brand is launching its apparel series, too, for men and women.
Website: britishknights.com |Brands like British Knights
Popularity 3.2/10
-
9
AIRWALK
Shoes are an essential aspect of any outfit. They can turn an outfit around, and it's like stepping on clouds when paired with comfort. Somewhere along the way, the importance of proper shoes was lost in translation but not with...
Website: airwalk.com |Brands like AIRWALK
Popularity 2.8/10
-
10
HUF
HUF, which was formed in 2002 in San Francisco, works to convey state, streetwear, and shoe companies together on one floor. The clothes are easygoing and confident, with dreamy, quirky tones and calming sage hues in some of our favorite...
Website: hufworldwide.com |Brands like HUF
Popularity 2.3/10
-
11
Emerica
With years of shoemaking experience, Emerica has merged the comfort of sports shoes with the crisp and attractive look of a dress and casual styles. They pay attention to every detail because they are ultimately driven to create and discover....
Website: emerica.com |Brands like Emerica
Popularity 1.8/10
-
12
etnies
Etnies was laid out in France in 1986, fully intent on planning the best and most commonsense shoes for skating. Designed by skateboarders for skateboarders, Etnies offer an immense scope of practical footwear and clothing for skaters of all capacities...
Website: etnies.com |Brands like etnies
Popularity 1.8/10
-
13
DVS
DVS is one of the famous hubs of skate shoe production. It has been on the market for ten years or more. Their designs and patterns are sport, edgy, comfortable, and stylish. They aim to put forward sportsmanship in style...
Website: dvsshoes.com |Brands like DVS
Popularity 1.6/10
-
14
Industrie
Founded in 1999, Industrie is an Australian clothing brand providing modern comfort wear for men and kids. They sell their clothes through multiple retailers and wholesale shops in Australia and New Zealand. Aiming to be a pioneer of affordable fashion,...
Website: industrie.com.au |Brands like Industrie
Popularity 1.6/10
-
15
Diamond Supply Co.
Diamond Supply Co. offers everything skateboard-related. Skateboarding has become a lifestyle for a skateboarder and enthusiasts. The products by Diamond Supply Co. provide fresh design and chic patterns to express the customers' personality and style through them. The company is...
Website: diamondsupplyco.com |Brands like Diamond Supply Co.
Popularity 1.4/10
-
16
T.U.K.
Whether it's about designing heeled footwear or sneakers, TUK does it all for us. It is a giant retail store that believes in setting a benchmark for footwear designs and style. They look up to what's trendy in the market....
Website: tukshoes.com |Brands like T.U.K.
Popularity 1.1/10
-
17
Lacoste
Lacoste is close to achieving its goal of becoming a casual luxury brand. Its professionalism is unmatched, and highly dedicated to creating premium products. Founded in 1933, it sells various apparel that embodies the elegance befitting its French origins. It...
Website: lacoste.com |Brands like Lacoste
Popularity 1.0/10
-
18
New Balance
As people are getting healthier daily, the concept of workout is evolving simultaneously. Most people now opt for extreme workouts using the gym or within the comfort of their homes. To do a comfortable Workout session, people need proper accessories...
Website: newbalance.com |Brands like New Balance
Popularity 1.0/10
-
19
Olympus
Olympus Medicals is a widely renowned medical equipment manufacturing company whose products are used in performing various medical procedures. They make innovative technology and use their years of experience and professional knowledge in designing high-quality products. Urology and Gastroenterology are...
Website: olympusmedical.co.in |Brands like Olympus
Popularity 1.0/10
-
20
Nike Sb
Nike is a trendy brand across the globe. The company mainly focuses on shoes for av=ctive life, but they also sell clothing to help the adventurer in you. Nike has mastered creating comfortable yet trendy products in sync with modern...
Website: nike.com |Brands like Nike Sb
Popularity 0.8/10
-
21
Blade
Blade is a digital media company that provides news, sports, and entertainment content to readers in Toledo and northwest Ohio. They are dedicated to giving their readers the most recent data on people, events, and projects most significant to them....
Website: toledoblade.com |Brands like Blade
Popularity 0.8/10
-
22
Tony Hawk
Legendary skateboarders, entrepreneur, and founder of the Skatepark Project, Tony Hawk is truly an inspiration in the skating world. One of the youngest pros in the industry at age 14, he began competitive skating at age 16 and maintained a...
Website: tonyhawk.com |Brands like Tony Hawk
Popularity 0.6/10
-
23
Harley-Davidson
In 1903, four young men began a fierce social blaze that would spread over topographies and ages from a humble shed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Their inventiveness for what was conceivable on two wheels roused a transportation insurgency and way of...
Website: harley-davidson.com |Brands like Harley-Davidson
Popularity 0.5/10
-
24
Quiksilver
Quicksilver has believed in keeping things real since 1969. They bring a perfect wave to your life with their original and authentic clothing line. They recently collaborated with Stranger Things to bring the global fans merchandise of the very popular...
Website: quiksilver.my |Brands like Quiksilver
Popularity 0.5/10
-
25
Sanuk
Sanuk is a fashion brand that designs comfortable and chic footwear for men, women, and kids. They have flip-flops, sandals, yoga slings, shoes, and more. The brand aims to create footwear that keeps your feet happy. High-quality materials ensure that...
Website: sanuk.com |Brands like Sanuk
Popularity 0.5/10
-
26
CLAE
People are currently obsessed with sneakers. With time the popularity of sneakers is increasing, with people going above and beyond their means to buy them. With one of the vintage collections that can elevate the game of sneakers in your...
Website: clae.com |Brands like CLAE
Popularity 0.4/10
-
27
Fallen
Fallen is a brand of shoes for men and kids. Along with the shoes, they also provide jackets, sweatshirts, t-shirts, watches, hats, stickers, and backpacks. The best-selling products are the shoes from their website. They are of the best quality...
Website: fallenfootwear.us |Brands like Fallen
Popularity 0.4/10
-
28
Gravis
With snowboarding being a large part of modern culture, apparel brands have slowly started including some aspects of it in their product lines. Gravitas has been creating building shoes that have been influenced by snowoarding. Its products have seen the...
Website: gravisfootwear.com |Brands like Gravis
Popularity 0.4/10
-
29
Anvil
Anvil is a marketplace for artists, fans, and creative works. They support connecting artists, companies, and multinational corporations of all sizes with their audience, fans, and clients. They achieve this by creating technological platforms and offering innovative, beneficial services to...
Website: anvil.nyc |Brands like Anvil
Popularity 0.4/10
-
30
Zoo York
The 1970s in New York saw the rise of a particular gang of skateboarding graffiti artists going by the name ‘The Soul Artists of Zoo York.’ They spray-painted subways and other public structures. In 1993, their Californian successors made the...
Website: zooyork.com |Brands like Zoo York
Popularity 0.4/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VANS | vans.com | /VANS | vans | @VANS_66 | VansShoes66 |
| Nike | nike.com | – | – | – | – |
| adidas | adidas.com | – | – | – | – |
| PUMA | us.puma.com | /PUMA | puma | @PUMA | featured |
| Converse | converse.com | – | – | – | – |
| DC Shoes | dcshoes.com | – | – | – | – |
| Lakai | lakai.com | /lakailtd | lakailtd | @lakaiLTD | lakaiweb |
| British Knights | britishknights.com | /BritishKnights | britishknights | @britishknights | British Knights |
| AIRWALK | airwalk.com | /airwalk | airwalk | @airwalk_online | AirwalkOnline |
| HUF | hufworldwide.com | /hufworldwide | hufworldwide | @hufworldwide | – |
Skateboarding Shoes Buying Guide
If you're into skateboarding or just thinking about trying it out, you may have heard that the right pair of shoes can make all the difference. But what makes a shoe good for skateboarding? In this buying guide, we'll cover the key features to look for when shopping for skate shoes.
The Skate Shoe Anatomy
First things first, let's take a look at the basic parts of a skate shoe:
- Upper: The top part of the shoe that covers the foot.
- Sole: The bottom of the shoe that comes into contact with the ground. The sole is typically made of rubber.
- Insole: The part of the shoe that the foot rests on. Insoles can be removable or built-in.
- Midsole: Some shoes have a layer of material between the insole and outsole called the midsole. This can provide additional cushioning.
- Toe Cap: Some shoes have a reinforced layer of material over the toe area to protect against wear and tear.
- Collar: The part of the shoe that goes around the ankle. A padded collar can provide extra comfort and support.
- Lacing System: There are several types of lacing systems, including traditional laces, velcro straps, and slip-on designs.
Key Features to Look For
Now that we know what the parts of a skate shoe are, let's talk about what features to look for when shopping for skate shoes. These features can help make a shoe more durable, comfortable, and supportive:
Sole
The sole of a skate shoe is one of the most important features to consider. Skate shoes need to have a strong, durable sole that can withstand the wear and tear of skateboarding. The sole should also provide good grip so that you don't slip while skating.
Look for shoes with a rubber sole that is at least 3mm thick. Thicker soles can provide more durability, but they can also be heavier, so it's a tradeoff. Some shoes have a special type of rubber called "Vulcanized Rubber" which is specifically designed for skateboarding. This material is heat-treated to make it more durable and provide better grip on the board.
Upper
The upper of a skate shoe should be made of a durable material that can withstand scrapes and abrasions from the grip tape on your skateboard. Look for shoes made with suede, leather, or synthetic materials. Canvas shoes are also popular, but they may not be as durable as other materials.
The upper should also provide good support for your feet. Look for shoes with a padded collar and tongue, as well as a reinforced toe cap for added durability.
Insole
The insole of a skate shoe should provide good cushioning and support for your feet. Some shoes come with a removable insole, which allows you to customize the fit and feel of the shoe. Look for shoes with a high-quality insole made of materials like EVA foam or polyurethane.
Midsole
The midsole of a skate shoe can provide additional cushioning and support. Look for shoes with a thick midsole made of a high-quality material like EVA foam or polyurethane. Some shoes have a "cupsole" construction, which means that the midsole wraps up around the sides of the shoe for added support and durability.
Lacing System
The lacing system of a skate shoe is important for both comfort and support. Traditional laces are popular because they allow you to adjust the tightness of the shoe for a custom fit. Some shoes have a "hidden lacing" design, which means that the laces are hidden underneath a flap of material. This can provide added protection for the laces and prevent them from getting caught on the grip tape.
Other types of lacing systems include velcro straps and slip-on designs. Velcro straps can provide added support and stability, while slip-on designs are convenient and easy to put on and take off.
Top Skate Shoes Brands to Consider
There are many skate shoe brands on the market, but some stand out as the most popular and highly rated. Here are a few top brands to consider:
Vans
Vans is one of the most well-known skate shoe brands. They offer a wide range of styles and colors, and their shoes are known for their durability and comfort. The Vans Old Skool and Sk8-Hi are two of the most popular styles.
DC Shoes
DC Shoes is another popular skate shoe brand. They offer a variety of styles, from classic skate shoes to more modern designs. The DC Pure and Court Graffik are two popular styles.
Emerica
Emerica is a skate shoe brand that focuses on quality and durability. Their shoes are known for their "cupsole" construction, which provides added support and durability. The Emerica Reynolds and Wino are two popular styles.
Nike SB
Nike SB is Nike's skateboarding line. They offer a variety of styles and colors, and their shoes are known for their comfort and performance. The Nike SB Dunk and Janoski are two popular styles.
Conclusion
When shopping for skate shoes, it's important to look for shoes that are designed specifically for skateboarding. The right shoes can provide added support, durability, and grip, which can help improve your performance and keep your feet comfortable while skating. Consider the key features we discussed above, and be sure to choose a brand that is well-known for its quality and durability. Happy skating!
