6 best shoe brands for skateboarding in 2021 (with pictures)
Need shoes for skateboarding? Good shoes are essential for skateboarders, as they rely on both grip, flexibility, safety, and durability. Here are the best skate shoes from the top skate shoe brands in 2020.
1: Etnies
Etnies started in 1986 in France and with the ownership of Pierre André Sénizergues, Etnies became the first shoe brand 100% owned by a skater. Etnies has always focused on quality and design, quickly making their shoes popular worldwide.
Etnies are also our favorite shoes, both as skate shoes, but also as shoes in other contexts. Of course, they are primarily skateboarding that is in the forefront, but since such high demands are placed on durability and functionality within skateboarding, Etnies just always delivers. Therefore, pretty much all of their shoes are superior when it comes to durability, comfort, but also when it comes to price. If you want to buy Etnies online, you are naturally free to use our online skate shop.
2: Vans
Vans is one of the oldest and most renowned skate shoe brands in the world. The company started in 1966 in Anaheim California, manufacturing shoes on-premise. In the early ’70s, local skaters embraced the shoe, because of Van’s rugged make-up and sticky sole. Soon others skaters followed, and Vans quickly became the leading shoe brand amongst skaters. Vans celebrated its 50’th anniversary on March 16, 2016.
Vans Authentic
The Authentic is by many considered the best skate shoe in the world. The original and now iconic Vans style, features a simple low top, lace-up profile with sturdy canvas uppers, metal eyelets, and signature rubber waffle outsoles. It’s a timeless classic, that helped shape today’s skate shoes. It’s a shoe that has passed the test of times, with its durability and comfort. Plus its a really good looking shoe that comes in many colors.
Gilbert Crocket Pro 2
The Gilbert Crocket Pro 2 is one of the coolest skate shoes.
Vans currently make the best skateboarding shoes, so they made a shoe line with world-renowned skater Gilbert Crocket, called Crocket Pro 2. These shoes are really made for hardcore skateboarding, as they are both rugged as a tank, but yet very flexible.
The shoe comes in various colors and uses the waffle cup technology for support and the stability from a cupsole, without sacrificing any of the board feel and grip.
UltraRange Pro
The UltraRange Pro series is a shoe optimized for skateboarding. It’s a solid shoe, with rubber reinforcements in ollie areas so the shoe holds up longer. The UltraRange Pro also has extra cushioning in the heel area for absorbing high impact. Finally, the shoe has a responsive fit, with an inner sock that stabilizes the foot, making it super responsive.
3: Adidas
Adidas was founded in 1949, but it wasn’t until the 90’s Adidas started getting into skateboarding. Now Adidas is considered one of the best skate shoe brands. Adidas Skateboarding produces shoes made specifically for skateboarding, including the redesign of previous models for skateboarding. The brand also releases signature models designed by team riders, such as our favorite Daewon Song. Today Adidas is one of the biggest skate brands in skateboarding.
Busenitz RX
Legendary skater Dennis Busenitz has his own signature Adidas shoe line. The shoe is inspired by the classic samba Copa Mundial, Samba, and Spezial. It’s Made with an all-leather upper including the brushed toe cap, these low tops provide great board feel with a flexible, low-profile vulc- outsole. Its a really cool shoe, that both feels and looks incredible. This is by many still considered the top skate shoe in 2020.
Matchcourt
Inspired by heritage court styles, the shoes are a stripped-down remix geared to the specs of skateboarding. Made from durable suede with a rubber toe cap to help resist abrasion, they have straps instead of laces. The shoe has a rubber toe cap and has molded PU sockliner for comfort and impact cushioning. The shoe comes both as a high top and a low top, and in many colors. It’s a no-nonsense shoe that is really comfortable to skate in.
Adiease
The Adiease is one of Adidas’ most popular shoes for skateboarding, and with good reason. Adidas Adiease Skate Shoes are built with a board-gripping vulcanized outsole and a clean-lined, lightweight upper. It was originally designed for soccer, but now the shoe is manufactured for skateboarding. The shoe is widely known as a rugged shoe, that can withstand the beatings from skating, plus its both comfortable and good looking.
4: Lakai
Many skaters swear by Lakai, and it is a very beloved skate shoe brand. Since the brand is heavily skated- centered, it has gained trust all over the world, and many skaters claim that Lakai makes the best shoes for skateboarding.
Lakai was founded by professional skateboarders Mike Carroll and Rick Howard in 1999. The company is widely known for its badass team riders and epic videos. If you don’t know what I am talking about just watch the video Fully Flared.
The company is above all a company made by skateboarders, for skateboarders, and Lakai has maintained a unique level of integrity and respect within the skateboarding community since it’s inception.
The company promotes three specific technological features of its skate shoes under the overall name XLK – all designed with skateboarding in mind
Riley Hawk
If you saw the Fully Flared video, you would have noticed the skater that ended the mayhem, Riley Hawk. His Pro model is a blend of style and tech. The Riley Hawks come with: Lux Lite insoles for soft cushioning and superior board feel, a seamless suede ollie area, and herringbone tread for superior grip. The sole has a vulcanized construction and a suede upper with seamless toe. It’s a high-quality skate shoe, with a great fit and a nice look.
Griffin
The Lakai Griffin model is favored by many skaters and with good reason. The upper features Lakai’s popular clean toe construction with a seamless vamp and perf detail to increase breathability. Especially relevant is the hidden midsole crating adds a layer of shock absorption for comfort, while unique branding lends the finishing detail. It’s a real classic, both durable and beautiful.
5: éS
éS was founded by Pierre André Senizergues in 1995 and quickly became a success. éS wanted to push the limits of advanced footwear design and cater to the demands of the core, technical skateboarders.
éS made a really big splash in the skateboard industry, having some of the best skaters at the time riding for them. Especially Eric Koston and Tom Penny were high profile skaters riding éS. To this day éS has kept progressing, making stylish and durable shoes for skateboarding.
Accel
Accel is perhaps the most popular skate shoe of modern times, but today Accel is not just Accel. You have Accel OG, Accel Slim, and Acces SQ. The Accel OG skate shoe is the classic with the supportive Foam Lite 1 insole with internal elastic straps. The Slim is an update for today’s new generation of skateboarders. It has a centralized foot wrap for board control and natural rubber outsole design for maximum grip and flexibility.
Swift
The Swift is inspired by éS rich 90’s tech heritage and is fully loaded with functionality and style. The iconic silicone éS “Accent” on the ollie area connects deeply with a whole generation of skateboarders that understand the éS story of innovation, progression, and style. The Swift 1.5 will continue the éS legacy of taking shoes for skateboarding to the next level.
6: Nike
Nike officially entered into skateboarding in 2002 with the Nike SB brand, but skaters had been using Nikes for years prior.
Overall, Nike is a popular shoe brand, but now it is a prime skate shoe brand.
First, the Nike SB Dunk Low model was released, but it wasn’t a major success. In the years that followed Nike proved, that when it came to making shoes, Nike was the best in the business. Nike became very popular, and today the SB branch is the best selling shoe brand in skateboarding.
Stefan Janoski
Designed in cooperation with skateboarding legend, Nike SB Janoski skate shoes feature many benefits ranging from boardfeel to impact protection. His signature shoe has a low-profile, with a minimalist aesthetic look. It has autoclave construction for a classic, streamlined look and feel, and a rubber outsole with herringbone traction pattern for durability, superior grip and easy change of direction.
Essentials
The essentials line has everything you need for everyday skateboarding. Designed for comfort and exceptional boardfeel, the essentials features a durable construction and a sticky Gum Rubber sole for powerful traction. The Essentials has a wide variety of shoes in different shapes and colors. They all look and feel awesome, and they are all made of durable materials. In fact, Nike has a reputation for making shoes that are best able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage.
That’s our little list of the 5 best shoe brands for skateboarding. We hope you enjoyed it, and if you have any questions, we will be happy to answer any of your questions in the comment section below
