Skate shoe

Skate shoes or skateboard shoes are a type of footwear specifically designed and manufactured for use in skateboarding.[1] While numerous non-skaters choose to wear skate shoes as they are popular in fashion, the design of the skate shoe includes many features designed especially for use in skateboarding, including a vulcanized rubber or polyurethane sole with minimal tread pattern or no pattern, a composition leather or suede upper, and reinforced stitching to extend the life of the upper material.[2] A low, padded tongue is often included for comfort.[3][1] The most important aspect of skate shoes is that they have flat soles which allow the skater to have better board control.

This article is about skateboarding footwear. For shoes with wheels, see roller shoes.
A pair of Fallen skate shoes.

History

Skateboarding was originally denoted "sidewalk surfing" and early skaters emulated surfing style and performed barefoot. By the mid 1960s, skateboarders wore Keds and Chuck Taylor All-Stars, which had flat rubber soles that provided traction before griptape was common. Plimsoll-style boat shoes manufactured by the Randolph Rubber Company and Vans were developed as the sport became more widespread.[4][5]

As skateboarding focused on ollies in the 1980s, durability in footwear became more important. High-impact tricks resulted in the increased popularity of higher-cut shoes, and Vans, Vision Street Wear, and Etnies introduced high-cut models by the end of the decade. A popular shoe at the time was the Air Jordan 1, which was affordable and provided grip and protection. In the 1990s, low-top builds dominated the market as tricks became more flip-oriented.[5]

Features

Skate shoe companies have integrated a number of features into their shoes. These innovations include preventing "heel bruises" (damage to the heel area of the foot caused by harsh landings from high distances), enhancement of "skateboard feel" through increased flexibility, and increased grip traction allowing for more predictable handling.

Many features of a skate shoe are designed to increase its durability. Skate shoes are subjected to the abrasiveness of a skateboard's grip tape regularly; this is why skaters tend to go through shoes quickly. Super suede, action leather, and plastic underlying the toe cap help to extend the life of a skate shoe. Lace loops and protectors are designed to prevent laces from ripping by shielding the most common areas that come into contact with grip tape. Other common features include reinforced stitching to prevent ripping, and wider shoe width so that there is more contact with the board, with thicker tongues and sides to compensate.

Technical features include:

  • Ollie patch (Vision Street Wear/Airwalk - 1980s)
  • Cup soles
  • Vulcanized rubber soles
  • DURACAP (Vans)
  • Air pockets in the heels
  • Canvas
  • Shoelace protectors
  • Dynamic Grip Technology (DGT) (DC Shoes)[6]
  • Super Suede (DC Shoes)[7]
  • System G2 Cushioning (etnies, Emerica, éS)
  • STI foam (etnies, Emerica, éS)
  • Lace Loops that "hide" shoelaces
  • Action Leather
  • Thermoplastic toe box reinforcement
  • EVA Mid Sole[8]
  • Fusion Grip Rubber Outsole
  • Asymmetric stabilizer
  • Silicone Rubber makes shoes last longer (SiRC)
  • Stash Pockets (under sole or tongue) (DVS,[9] Ipath[10] and Supra[11])
  • Shock-Absorbing insoles (Nike SB)
  • Kevlar-reinforced laces (Nike SB)[12]
  • Cold Grip Technology (CGT) (DVS)[13]
  • Lunarlon (Nike SB)[14]

See also

List of skateboarding shoe brands

Further reading
  • Made for Skate: The Illustrated History of Skateboard Footwear, Jürgen Blümlein, Daniel Schmid & Dirk Vogel, Gingko Press (2008) ISBN 978-158423348-0

References
  1. Hvs Boardsport, HVS BOARDSPORT (29 November 2017). "Best shoe brands for Skateboarding". Hvsboardsport.com. Hvs Boardsport.
  2. "How to Choose Skate Shoes - Tips, Advice, & Selection — Athlete Audit". Athlete Audit. 2016-10-20. Retrieved 2017-07-24.
  3. John (2021-07-09). "Most Comfortable Skate Shoes (Most Popular with Arch Support)". Skatetownguide- Skateboard Reviews & Buyer Guide. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  4. Brooke, Michael (1999). The Concrete Wave: The History of Skateboarding. Warwick Publishing Inc. ISBN 1894020545.
  5. Souphanh, Boon Mark (October 31, 2019). "A Brief History: The Evolution of Skate Shoe Technology". Sneaker Freaker. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  6. ZapposGear (31 March 2011). "DC - Pro Spec 2.0 Mid 7816784". YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  7. bk (8 January 2005). "DC Super Suede Lynx Shoes". Skatedaily.net. No Comply Media. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  8. Max (29 August 2012). "The 10 Sickest Skate Shoes At Urbansurfer!". Urban Surfer Blog. WordPress. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  9. hurbangrower (12 January 2012). "Stash Pocket 420 by DVS". YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on 2021-12-12. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  10. BrotasticLaxer (4 August 2012). "CUSTOMER REVIEWS FOR IPATH GRASSHOPPER - MEN'S". CCS. CCS. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  11. Nice Kicks (2008). "SUPRA SKYTOP BLACK/PURPLE DETAILED LOOK". Nice Kicks. Complex Sneakers. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  12. "NIKE SB DUNK HIGH PREMIUM". revert. Revert.nl. 1995–2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  13. ZapposGear (10 November 2010). "DVS Shoe Company Militia Boot 7465598". YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  14. nikeskateboarding (7 July 2011). "Nike - Lunarlon Cushioning With Eric Koston". YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
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