The Best Skateboarding Shoes To Buy Right Now

Thanks to brands like Supreme and Vans, skateboarding has kickflipped its way into the mainstream, and skate fashion has found its way into the closets of people who wouldn’t know an ollie from a heelflip. And as skate-inspired streetwear has become the dominant force, legacy brands have taken notice. Louis Vuitton, the paragon of French fanciness, made a collaborative skate deck with Supreme. Upstart skate label Palace Skateboards landed a collaboration with Ralph Lauren, a brand better known for posh athletic endeavors like polo than anything you’d see at the X-Games.

In short, skateboarding is everywhere. That’s why if you’re looking for the best skate shoes, there’s a lot to choose from. You can choose shoes from brands like Emerica, Lakai and etnies, which are unmistakably skate brands. These shoes have technical details designed to add durability and meet the specific needs of skaters. On the other end are brands like Adidas, Nike and Converse. These brands are better known for making casual shoes or shoes for other sports, but they also offer their own skate-centric sub-labels like Adidas Skateboarding, Nike SB and Converse One Star. Right in the middle is Vans, which hasn’t shed its reputation as a skate shoe, but also has one foot (or shoe, rather) firmly planted in the world of fashion.

We rounded up some of our favorite skate shoes from these brands and beyond. Whether you’re looking for shoes to shred in, footwear for flexing on the gram, or just a casual shoe for walking, we’ve picked up some of the best options on Zappos. They’re all reasonably priced at under $100, and they’re stylish options for anyone — skater or not.

1. Nike SB Charge Solarsoft Canvas

BEST OVERALL

Nike SB is the Swoosh’s skateboarding sub-label, and the Charge features a simple design that makes it versatile for a variety of outfits, on the deck and off. It’s available in a range of colors, and the canvas shoes are reinforced at key points to improve longevity while skateboarding. The liners are designed to cushion your feet while walking as well.

2. Vans Classic Slip-On

THE OG ICON

From the Authentic to the Old Skool, Vans has produced a lot of iconic shoes. The classic slip-on might just be the most iconic of all. The laceless shoe is easy to put on and take off, and the checkerboard design is classic and eye-catching. It comes in a lot of stylish colors, including this olive-khaki color they call “cornstalk.”

3. Converse One Star Pro Ox Skate

THE COMEBACK

The iconic Chuck Taylor All-Star has always outshined Converse’s other offerings, but the One Star has grown in popularity, in part due to Tyler, The Creator’s revamp of the undersung style. These One Stars are finished in suede instead of canvas, giving them a more stylish look and adding durability. The padded footbed makes them more supportive than the standard Chucks.

4. Adidas Skateboarding 3MC

MONOCHROME DESIGN

Adidas is best known for soccer, running and fashion-forward collaborations, but the brand makes a slew of skate-inspired canvas shoes under its Skateboarding sub-label. For a minimal skate shoe, go for the 3MC. They feature a clean black and white colorway and a low-profile silhouette that looks great under slacks or slightly baggy chinos.

5. Lakai Cambridge

SKATE MEETS STYLE

Lakai’s sneakers combine performance and style to make for a shoe that you can wear on the deck and off. The upper combines sturdy suede with breathable mesh panels for greater comfort. The padded tongue and cushioned insole add extra support, while the vulcanized outsole is durable and grippy. The gum sole is also more unique and stylish than the standard white sole.

6. Vans ComfyCush SK8

BEST HIGH-TOPS

These Vans look like the classic SK8 shoe that’s seen a huge resurgence lately, but they actually have a few tricks up their sleeves for added comfort. The kicks feature a padded collar and footbed, a special ComfyCush sockliner, and a few other clever features to keep your feet from getting tired.

7. etnies Joslin

TECHNICAL FEATURES

From the sole up, etnies’ sneakers are designed to be hard-wearing and keep up with the rigorous wear that comes from skateboarding. The tongue is padded to keep the foot in place, there’s an interior toe cap that reinforces the front of the shoe, and the cushioned insole makes it comfortable for extended wearing. The outsole is made from Michelin performance rubber, the same brand that makes durable and trustworthy car tires.

8. New Balance Numeric NM212

BEST COLORS

New Balance isn’t primarily known as a skate brand, but their Numeric label brings the New England label’s tennis know-how to the world of skateboarding. The shoes are made from a mix of sturdy suede and comfortable canvas, with suede reinforcements at common pressure points. It comes in a few different colors, but we’re partial to this eye-catching yellow option.

9. Emerica Wino Standard

EVERYDAY STYLE

These sneakers from Emerica come in a stylish cream color and have a simple silhouette. They feature a cushioned footbed that lends all-day comfort, whether you’re skating or commuting. The sole is vulcanized for flexible movement.

10. Converse Skate Jack Purcell

CLASSIC DESIGN

The Jack Purcell from Converse is a preppy staple that originated as a tennis shoe (the shoe’s namesake was actually a badminton player). Some of the features that made it great for tennis also make it a good option for skateboarding, namely the flexible sole and reinforced toecap. This Jack Purcell model has been redesigned as a skate shoe, including a grippy sole and reinforced stitching.

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