As skateboarding and street culture have gained in popularity in recent years so have skate shoes.  

They have gone so mainstream that is not uncommon to see skateboard-style shoes worn regularly by people who have never ridden a skateboard in their lives.  

With so many large conventional shoe brands and remote underground skateboard brands in the market today there is a lot of noise and it’s hard to pick the winners and losers of the year.  

The purpose of this guide is to first explain what to look for and the factors to consider when choosing the best skate shoe for you, and then my list for the top skate shoes of the upcoming year.  

This list is made with actual skateboarders in mind, however many of the brands listed (especially Nike SB, Vans, and Adidas) are also very popular in streetwear and “sneakerhead” circles.

Importance of Wearing Skateboard Specific Shoes

Before we dive into what specific skateboard shoes and brands are the best for the year, I want to explain why you need skate shoes if you are skateboarding.

Why not just save some money and use whatever running or tennis shoes you already have?

The main issue with regular running shoes and other styles is the sole of the sneaker is uneven and usually segmented, which can get caught on the edge of a skateboard deck.

Running shoes are meant to support the foot while a person is moving forward, and not the lateral movement that happens when you’re skateboarding. 

This difference can lead to an increased risk of ankle sprains and other knee injuries.  

Regular sneakers are also not equipped to handle the frequent rubbing against rough skateboard grip tape, so they are much more prone to tearing than reinforced and specially designed skate shoes.  

If these reasons weren’t enough, athletic shoes typically have thick foam soles that will allow for absolutely no board feel and may even add additional instability when skateboarding.

Top Skate Shoe Comparison Chart

Best Skate Shoes +Reviews

Nike SB Janoski

Inspired by pro skater Stefan Janoski, the Nike SB Janoski was the first boat shoe-inspired skate shoe that lived up to the hype.  

A simple shoe with a vulcanized sole that both look and skate great.  

A great minimalist shoe that will definitely get compliments and attention wherever you go, especially if you choose one of the more vibrant colors.  

Janoski shoes really excel when it comes to the level of board feel and comfort they provide as the sole will begin to “mold” to your feet over time due to the vulcanized construction method.  

This shoe is available in a wide range of colors and limited editions, and there are suede, canvas, and leather options available.  

Due to the sleek style of this shoe, the one aspect it lacks is durability.  

If you skate aggressively, you can’t expect this shoe to last for years like some of the older and bulkier shoe options.  

One common complaint about this shoe is that it runs pretty narrow, which can cause significant discomfort if you have wide feet.  

They tend to loosen up after being worn for a week or so, but some can’t stand the discomfort and order a half size larger or a different shoe entirely.  

Overall a very stylish and comfortable shoe, that I’d recommend to skaters at any skill level as long as your feet aren’t super wide or you are looking for an indestructible bulky shoe that will last for years.

Adidas Skateboarding Adi-Ease

The Adidas Adi-Ease Skate shoe is a re-engineered version of Adidas’ legendary indoor soccer shoes made for skateboarders.  

This shoe offers the clean and classic look that Adidas is known for but has an added seamless toecap for smooth flip tricks, a vulcanized heel for increased board feel, and a heavy-duty leather heel cap to increase the durability of the shoe.  

The insoles in this shoe are also removable so they can be replaced if they get worn down or upgraded if you want more padding or a higher level of heel support.  

The Adi-Ease is available in both suede and canvas variations and features a grippy gum designed with skateboarding in mind.  

Definitely a great shoe for skaters of any skill level, who wants a shoe that looks great both on and off the skateboard.

Fallen Men’s Spirit Skate Shoe

Although Fallen is technically out of business, the Spirits are still readily available online and in local skate shops around the country.  

These shoes are a slim mid-top skate shoe that offers just enough ankle protection and support without immobilizing your ankle and restricting the foot’s movement like some high top shoes.   

These are 100% leather so while leather may not always be the best material for all shoes in every situation, we like it in the skate shoe since there are no readily obvious downsides to leather, but leather does have a feel about it that screams quality, comfort and (usually) high price!

The streamlined upper also includes a one-piece construction around the toe area, with a molded rubber underlay for increased toughness. 

The impact foam insole rounds out the notable features of this shoe as it provides impact cushioning for the toughest jumps and landings. 

Oh, and did we mention the vulcanized outsole!  That’s for toughness too.  All around, a good buy for which you very likely will not be sorry.

HUF Galaxy

The HUF Galaxy is a great-looking and clean shoe from the premium shoe and apparel company, HUF.  

This shoe is available in many colorways and made with either canvas, suede, or leather depending on the color or collaboration you chose.  

The Galaxy has a flexible vulcanized sole and offers a triple stitched top cap for added protection and durability.  

The tongue of this shoe is moderately padded to allow for some upper foot protection, but not too puffy that it keeps the minimalist and streamlined look.  

The sole has a consistent pattern in a gum material to give the wearer the maximum amount of grip possible.  

There have been reports of this shoe running a little small so you may consider buying a pair that is a half size larger than you usually wear.

Lakai Griffin

As with most Lakai skate shoes, the Griffin is a sleek and simple design with a low profile and vulcanized sole.  

This shoe is priced very reasonably and is made from suede and canvas.  

Many colors and styles of the Griffin are available depending on your personal preferences.  

The streamlined and reinforced top cap of this shoe prevents damages from being targeted at a specific point which is the primary reason you see so many skate shoes with holes around the toe from repeatedly sliding against the grip tape during flip tricks.  

This shoe also features a removable insole that can be customized and replaced based on your skating style and board preferences.

Overall the Lakai Griffin is perfect for any skateboarder who wants to support a grassroots skateboard brand, but still wants a clean shoe that performs extremely well.

Globe Motley Mid

The Globe Motley mid-top skate shoe is a durable, heavy hitter in the skateboard shoe market.  

It’s a great mid-top option for those who are tired of bruised ankles and want a little more protection.  

The Motley Mid is available in both canvas and suede varieties, and also offers a vulcanized gum sole that street skaters love.  

With its fair price point and long lifespan, this shoe has quickly become a favorite among casual and hardcore skateboarders alike.  

Although the insole of this sole is not technically made to be removable, it can be removed manually without too much damage to the shoe and replaced if you want more heel support and protection due to the vulcanized sole.  

They have a moderate width and run pretty true to size from what I have seen with Globe skate shoes in the past.

Nike SB Dunk High

The Nike SB Dunk High is one of the most sought-after shoes by both skateboarders and streetwear collectors.  

It gained a lot of popularity in the early 2000s when “Quickstrike” limited edition colors were being released and sold in a very small number of select locations.  

This exclusively created a culture when shoe collectors who pay very high premiums for certain limited colorways and people would camp out for hours or even days to get their hands on the newest release to quickly resell for a profit or hold as an investment for the future.  

Depending on the shoe color and specific theme the SB dunks are made from leather, suede, canvas, and even mesh and some other unique materials in a few of their limited-edition collaborations.  

Besides becoming a social and cultural icon, the Nike SB Dunk High is loved by skateboarders for this unprecedented comfort and protection with its “Zoom Air” insoles and high padded sides.  

This shoe offers a very supportive and sturdy cup sole, rather than the vulcanized construction that is beginning to be more popular today.  

The downside to all of this additional protection and support is the lack of board feel and the bulkiness of the shoe.  

For this reason, many technical street skaters prefer the low version of the shoe, whereas guys who frequently throw themselves down large gaps and stairs appreciate the protection this shoe provides.  

Whether you are a sneakerhead who wants to wear the most exclusive and expensive Nike shoes to the club or a hardcore skate rat, the Nike SB Dunk High is a great choice.

Vans Sk8-Hi

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

This statement sums up the idea behind the popularity of the Vans Sk8-Hi.  

This shoe has literally been around for decades and is still loved by skateboarders of all ages today.  

This shoe is all about function, plain and simple.  It has high-top sides to protect a skater’s ankles.  

The great thing about this shoe is the amount of ankle support and padding can be easily controlled by how high and tightly you lace up the shoes.  

Many street skaters who typically find such high shoes too restricting, simply wear the Van Sk8-Hi’s shoes loosely and leave the last three eyelets empty to allow for a wider range of ankle movement.  

This Vans shoe is classic and timeless with a simple logo and design.  

The shoe is made entirely from suede or canvas depending on the color you choose and the waffle-textured gum provides a ton of grip and support.  

Overall the Vans Sk8-Hi offers a legendary style and level of performance that has made this shoe popular among street, vert, and casual skaters for many, many years.

Adidas Originals Seeley Skate Shoe

The Adidas Originals Seeley Skate shoe is similar to the Adidas Adi-Ease in the fact that they both are based on the extremely popular Adidas indoor soccer shoe, The Gazelle.  

The Seeley’s are another classic-looking Adidas shoe that has been redesigned for skateboarding.  

However, this shoe has an abrasion-resistant canvas upper to prevent the shoe from tearing as easily as other models.  

Like many of the other shoes on this list and the current trend, this shoe is also vulcanized and allows you to feel and control your skateboard on a level that shoes with cup sole construction don’t allow.  

There is a colorway of this shoe for every style and this shoe is priced fairly making the Adidas Originals Seeley shoe a solid choice for a skater of any level.

Globe Tilt

The Globe Tilt is a perfect example of the old-school bulky skate shoe style I reference throughout this article.  

Ten years ago, the vast majority of skate shoes all looked very similar to this.  

They had a very thick, overstuffed tongue and triple stitched toecaps with multiple layers.  

It was not uncommon for skaters back in the day wearing this style of shoe to have two colored shoelaces and they would replace broken laces with the extras that came with the shoes.  

While it is easy to write this style of shoe off today by saying it isn’t stylish or modern, there is something to be said for how long this style of shoe lasts and the cushion and protection a heavy cup sole provides.  

On this specific shoe, the heel is more than 2 inches thick, which can easily withstand even the harshest of landings.  

Overall, the Globe Tilt is a great shoe for someone who doesn’t care much about style, but instead wants a study and functional skate shoe that will outlast the slimmer, trendier shoes.

Supra Skytop

Like many of the Nike SB’s on this list, the Supra Skytop has bridged the gap from only being known in the hardcore skateboarding community, to becoming mainstream and being referenced in pop culture and by social media influencers.  

Besides an eye-catching look and limited edition designs, the Supra Skytop is built to handle skateboarding.  

It features a vulcanized sole for the highest level of board feel and a leather-padded interior made to keep your feet and ankles comfortable and secure.  

There are over 100 different styles and colorways of the Skytop to chose from and these shoes will definitely get some attention when either walking around or skating.  

The one downside to this shoe used to be the very high price, but in recent years the price has become much more reasonable on many of the older colors, making it a great skate shoe for any budget and any skateboarding skill level.

Supra Stacks Vulc II

For those who want the look and style of that Supra shoe are known to offer but want a more functional and hardcore skate shoe, the Stacks Vulc II is a great choice.  

It has the same flexible vulcanized sole as a Skytop that allows for an optimal amount of control and precision when performing complex flip tricks but doesn’t have the high top design with many skaters’ claim limits their ankle mobility.  

The Vulc II fits as expected, so just get the size you normally wear in similar sho