Top 10 Best Skateboard Shoe Brands

The Top Ten
1 Vans

Vans is the #1 skate shoe in the world. It's a fact, not just some random guy talking! They are the original and first skate shoe ever made. The HalfCab isn't only the longest existing skate performance shoe in the world. It's also the most sold, making it the best skate shoe, period. Vans is sold in over 170 countries, and all other skate brands take after the original styles that Vans has brought to the table since 1966. Know your facts, people.

Vans are awesome! I just started skating, and I needed a shoe. After lots of research, I settled on Vans. These shoes are very comfortable and have the best arch support a skate shoe could have. I have flat feet, so I needed comfy shoes with good arch support. I love Vans and always will! They also have a great grip with the waffle bottoms. Buy these. They are inexpensive and worth every penny of my $50!

I have skated with Nike and Converse, but I must say that Vans are the best around. They are the original and the greatest. I'm skating the Old Skool model, and they have amazing board feel, shocking comfort, and awesome cushioning for doing gaps and drops. My only criticism with this shoe is the canvas in the middle. Skater-owned brands really know what they are doing!

2 Fallen

I've skated for Fallen for over 2 years now, and they've never let me down. They're super durable and solid. When you're not skating, they make some sick kicks. Vans aren't what they used to be. They are now cheap and, like DC, use low-grade glue and material to make their shoes. Fallen should be the #1 shoe.

I love the board feel, the way they flick, and the durability. The soles of them last very well, seeing as they usually die first when I get new shoes. The one bad thing is that the insoles are kind of crappy, but I took them out and whacked some FP's in, and it's all good. Highly recommended!

Awesome skate shoes. They hold up for a long time and feel great on your feet. I got a pair of Fallen X Saint Archer, and they are the greatest shoes I have ever worn.

3 Lakai

Despite having bought only 2 pairs until now, it was enough to become my favorite skating shoe. They are comfortable with this awesome fitting feature, and they look awesome while not being so mainstream and poser-like like DC's. Last but not least, they are super durable and last more than 2 months even with hardcore skateboarding.

I have had the Carroll Selects and they were amazing, but the only problem is I have rolled my ankle many times with those shoes. I highly recommend them. I have had the Reynolds Emerica Low, and they skate nice and last long. It's just they're a little heavy and don't really have as much board feel.

Just got a pair of the Manchesters, and may I say, the suede is second to none. Plus, the feel is so nice. It may be because I haven't owned a pair of shoes in like 2 years. Before I got these, I ordered a pair of Adidas Silas SLR, boy was I disappointed. The grip on the heel sticks out like a nose, and they were tight as heck, so I returned them for these bad boys, the old Manchesters. I am very satisfied.

4 Emerica

This is the first pair of real skate shoes I have owned. I bought my first pair, which were the Reynolds 3 Low Vulc. They lasted me around 6 months and started falling to pieces around 4 months but have finally given up on me. I am now considering getting either Emerica, Lakai, or Fallen and will probably wear the same brands until I die unless some crazy shoe comes out.

I want Herman G6 *without vulc*, but I can't seem to find any in my size. I am from the UK, so it's harder to get them.

I may end up getting Lakai Brea, Manchester, Fura, or The Herman G6 Vulc version instead, as they have them in my size.

Love Emerica Shoes. Don't know why people always go for stupidly expensive and not well-made shoes.

Just switched from Vans to Emerica. Emerica shoes are very small-looking, contrary to my Vans, which were very wide and somewhat blocky. The Emerica shoes are very light, and it doesn't feel like I am walking on a block of wood. In my opinion, these are the best shoes to skate in. The style is amazing, comfort is beyond that of any other shoe I have worn, and "Skate Effectiveness" is unmatched. Thank you to a close friend who advised me to go with Emerica shoes.

5 Nike Nike, Inc. is an American multinational corporation that is engaged in the design, development, manufacturing, and worldwide marketing and sales of footwear, apparel, equipment, accessories, and services. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, in the Portland metropolitan area. It is the world's largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel and a major manufacturer of sports equipment,... read more

The best skate shoe I've had. Just slightly better than Adidas, which has better grip, but better than Emerica, DC, Osiris, Supra, and Vans. And definitely better than Lakai, which lasted 3 days. They may seem corporate to some people, but they make some of the best shoes on the market, worn by some of the world's best skaters.

I skated in Nike SBs and, being honest, they felt great. They are also cushioned at the bottom. So, when you're jumping off a ledge or something like that, it doesn't really hurt. Plus, I didn't get any holes in them, and I had them for well over a year. My opinion is that Nike SBs should be at the top of the list because I think they are the best.

I'm going to try out the newest P-Rod pro model for Christmas. I trust Nike to make good, light, flexible, and stylish skate shoes. And I mean, if Paul Rodriguez skates in them, then they have to be good!

6 DC

I think DC Shoes makes a lot of good products, and they will always be cool. They also make very good skateboarding shoes that look awesome. I think Nike SB is cool too. Their new Omar Salazar shoe is sick! What I don't understand is how Supra Footwear didn't get into the top ten. I mean, it is the most durable skateboarding shoe of all and looks stylish too.

I've had my DC skateboarding shoes for about a year and I am rough with them. They haven't even started to fall apart yet. I think DC shoes are great: comfortable, affordable, durable shoes you can get.

Other shoes like Vans and Nikes, I tried using them but when you're actually skateboarding a lot, they start falling apart. So, those don't last as long as DCs do.

Best skate shoes ever, comfortable, reliable, they catch on the skate's grips really well. Their thickness allows them to endure tons of tricks, and they endure any weather, whether it's rain, snow, or sunshine (obviously), and they look good. What's not to love about them?

7 Etnies

Etnies are simply the best skate shoe out there. I have been skating Etnies for a while now and I have never skated a better shoe, and I have skated many shoes (Vans, World Industries, Nike SB, DC, DVS, Osiris, Fallen). Etnies have a great grippy, long-lasting grip. They're very durable, have a bunch of board feel, flexibility, and durability. They also have a wide variety of shoes, unlike other brands. So, if you are going to get skating shoes, get Etnies.

I got a pair today and so far, I can see I will put holes in them quickly. But then again, I was practicing heel flips all day. I got some heavily hard canvas, which wasn't the best choice, but it should do the same duty. I'll admit they look amazing, though! Apart from that, Shoe Goo will solve my problems.

Every skate shoe looks the same, but hey, try Etnies when you land. Price, durability, and the feeling after landing - comfy. All are scored high. Perhaps it is not the best, but surely it is the one you love most.

8 Supra

I've had my Supra Stacks 1 for 4 years now. Skated plenty and decided to buy another pair. From day 1, they have been the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned. There is zero break-in time, and they are still just as comfortable as ever. I will never buy another pair of Vans. They are incredibly uncomfortable, flat, and painful.

SUPRAS are the best. They are so good, it's unbelievable. I have the Amigo, Skytop I, and the Passion. They have such good cushioning. Nikes aren't that good. They last 2 weeks but are comfortable. But what I want to know is how DC is in 3rd place. That's BS. DCs last a week. They suck. Meanwhile, Supras last 3 to 2 months, and I'm a pretty hard skater. Overall, get SUPRA!

I got a pair of Muskas 2 months ago... honestly, they're like six times better than my Vans, which wore out within a month. My Janoskis were the only shoes that lasted nearly as long, and they still wore out in about two months. My Supras are still going strong, and they have crazy good grip that only Nike could ever compare to. Vans sucks. Keep them on the wall, please.

9 Circa

I recently bought a pair, as I'm a new skater. They are so comfy, and I'm hoping they last long. They have really great grip. I know they rank between 7-10 on the list!

I have a pair of Gallants I skate with. They are so sick. I can bend them any which way. They're so comfy I bought another pair, haha.

Circa's are the best shoes ever. They last very long, and when they are worn out, you can still use them because they feel comfortable and grip the skateboard very well.

10 Globe

I like all the padding around the ankle that Globe has. I find that it offers a snug yet flexible fit. I also like how the tongue is attached so it can't slide down or off to one side. I love the secret pocket that most Globes have.

The most durable, comfortable, and best-looking. The best sole. I love their designs. I have had Adidas and Lakai, and Adidas was good but not durable and less comfortable. Lakai is very durable but not comfortable.

In my opinion, Globe is the best. Even though it doesn't look the best, it has really good grip if you look at them. They are great for skating and look cool.

The Contenders
11 eS

I voted for eS because a lot of the other brands like Vans, DC, Etnies, etc., are also worn by people who have no interest in skating and just wear them for fashion, especially Vans. I don't want to see Miley Cyrus in a pair of Vans who probably doesn't care about the history of the shoe. I don't have grudges for people who skate in Vans like Geoff Rowley, who comes from my home country, the UK. I am also fine with fans of skating wearing the shoes if they don't skate themselves. I just hate celebrities showing off in their Vans Off The Wall as if they know a bit about the culture of where it started.

That is why eS shoes are good because they are comfy to wear outside of skating too. Whereas I find Vans rub at your heels and don't give good heel support. Es shoes feel like you are wearing a normal fashionable trainer, but it has the grip for skating.

If eS was still in business, I would definitely still rock their shoes. I had two pairs of the Square Twos, and each pair lasted me around two and a half months. Yeah, their shoes were sick.

12 Converse Converse is an American shoe company that designs, distributes, and licenses sneakers, skating shoes, lifestyle brand footwear, apparel, and accessories. Founded in 1908, it has been a subsidiary of Nike, Inc. since 2003.

During World War II, Converse shifted its manufacturing to make footwear for the military. It was one of the few producers of athletic shoes, and for over a half century the... read more

I own a pair of the latest Aero S shoes from Converse Cons. They haven't ripped yet, and I have skated in them for a month now! I saw previous comments saying they suck? No, they don't! If you're talking about the canvas Chuck Taylor's, then of course they are going to suck. They're not meant for skating! But Cons are. The Aero S has great comfort and impact. If you don't have much money and need new kicks, I'd get these. They don't rip and they ARE meant for skating!

I've had a pair of Converse for almost a year, and I've only worn those because I have no other shoes, so I wear them for everything, even skating, and they're still holding up, no holes, tears, or anything like that.

I have the regular Converse (not the skate model), and the cap on the toes makes the shoe extra durable. The high tops are a bit uncomfortable but last long.

13 Adio

I love Adios, but I also like Fallens and Vans too. They're long-lasting and comfortable. I also wear Adidas and Nikes, haha.

Long-lasting, and wicked sweet looking!

14 Dekline

Great shoes! They look great, but they don't have too many sizes. They need more.

15 Adidas Adidas AG (stylized as adidas since 1949) is a German multinational corporation, founded and headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, that designs and manufactures shoes, clothing and accessories. It is the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe, and the second largest in the world, after Nike. It is the holding company for the Adidas Group, which consists 8.33% stake of the football club Bayern... read more

I have the Busenitz, and they are extremely comfortable and have amazing board feel. They are pretty durable. I've had them for months now, and I skate a lot like every day. I also wear them casually, so at school and stuff, and they haven't ripped, or the bottom has only worn a tiny bit, hardly noticeable. I've had Nikes and Vans, and I like Adidas a ton better, although the Nikes aren't too bad.

And look at their team. It's so dope! I would recommend these to any skater. I don't know why they are so far back on the list right now! Again, they are super comfortable. It's like heaven when you put them on. Plus, they don't need any breaking in because honestly, they come broken in straight out of the box! Trust me, guys, you want Adidas.

I just got my new Adidas Busenitz yesterday. They feel amazing, look amazing, and fit amazingly. When I put them on, it was a different feeling than any other shoe I've ever put on, but in a good way. They are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. They are super padded, so they fit a little smaller than the normal shoe, but not small enough to get a different size. They look amazing in every way and color. They absorb impact pretty well.

I haven't put them through more than jumping over stuff at school, but so far they are great. I can't wait to skate in them after my current skate shoes wear out. (I skate in slightly older, broken-in shoes until they wear out, then swap them out with the newer pair. They last longer that way.)

16 HUF

HUF is a good shoe brand, but Nikes are way more comfortable.

Super! Long-lasting. All of the footbeds are made of impact gel. They took me a year to wear down!

Boy, these shoes are the best, super comfy!

17 Osiris

They look amazing. However, they aren't the most durable as far as actual skateboarding goes (this varies from shoe to shoe, though). Another huge upside to the brand is the variety. You can get almost any kind of skate shoe from Osiris: high tops, low tops, net, running, and plenty of colors are released all the time to fit anyone's choice of style. Osiris is renowned for the NYC 83 shoe, which is an excellent choice for style, comfort, and practicality. Probably not the best, but definitely a great choice.

Osiris are probably #2 because they look really awesome and they have really good grip. They are expensive because they are great for skating.

Good shoes. They skate well. But they offer no padding, so don't try high-impact stuff because your feet won't like it.

18 DVS

DVS has its ups and downs. But overall, it's a really great shoe. Really durable. Nice board feel, and some of their models have ollie area lace protection. My shoes are DVS Munitions, and they skate really well. It has a triple-stitched toe cap also.

Love these. Supra makes good shoes, but they're turning into just a celebrity popstar gimmick. DVS are original skate shoes, durable as can be, and comfy on those steep drop-ins. Absolutely recommend. Osiris are decent, but I can now see daylight through my pair.

In the last year and a half, I have worn nothing but my one pair of DVS shoes. They look worn out, but the sole and everything else is still together. And the bonus is I picked them up for $40.

DVS, keep making the good stuff!

19 New Balance New Balance Athletics, Inc. (NB), best known as simply New Balance, is one of the world's major sports footwear and apparel manufacturers. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the multinational corporation was founded in 1906 as the New Balance Arch Support Company.

A shoe company you would never think to make a skate shoe pulled it off fabulously. New to the skate scene, but the quality and efficiency of these shoes will make you think they've been around for a long time. Not to mention they're comfortable and look great! Definitely take a close look at these the next time you buy your next pair of skate shoes. If you decide to buy, you won't be disappointed. Oh, and if anything, these shoes will last you a long time.

These shoes are amazing, extremely durable, comfortable, and offer great board feel. They also come at a decent price for the technology you're getting out of the shoe.

20 Zoo York

Really a good brand, and the progress is really great for a new brand! The shoes are perfect, and the balance is great.

21 Airwalk

These shoes have inspired skateboarding style. Just got some Mike V Brooklyn Banks. They are great for skating.

Yes, that skate brand does make shoes, and they aren't that bad. No, they are really cool, comfortable, etc. They just need to be more popular.

22 Element

I don't have any Element, and I never really wanted an Element shoe, but my friend has Element, and I tried them and wanted them! They are great for skating and have good grip on the board.

Great comfortable shoe, and they last forever for doing tricks! If you are wondering which ones I have, they are the Element Tacomas.

Element is the best! No competition.

23 World Industries
24 IPath

Best shoes I ever had in my life! I've tried many other shoes, but this lasts forever. Great quality, really comfortable for long walks, and can be used in rain, snow, and such. Other shoes that you can buy don't have seams (stitches) which are seamed through the whole side of the shoe sole. I must say that I suggest IPath to everyone who wants awesomely made comfortable everyday shoes! I suggest the Grasshopper model.

It's sad that they don't produce new models anymore, no Grasshopper or XT!

25 Vox

Very appealing design, can be used for skating, BMX, or casual use. I own a pair of the Savey and Deuce, both also very comfortable. The construction is much better than Vans.

They're really good for tricks because they're not so heavy like all skate shoes.

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