Skate Shoes: Why Everyone Loves Them?
Skate shoes – the link between you and your skateboard, therefore the most reliable part of your skateboarding experience. Skate shoe design has always been following the type of skateboarding that was popular at the time and Vans was one of the first brands to bring some great innovations in the 60s. Since then, there was a constant stream of new shoes being released all the time and always in response to the type of skateboarding that was popular at the time, meeting skaters’ needs in protection, durability and comfort.
Today, it’s all about finding a balance between boardfeel and durability. Boardfeel has everything to do with the construction of a shoe, which refers to how the sole is attached to the upper of the shoe. If you’re just starting to wear or buying online skate shoes, the best way to determine how a shoe skate is to check the shoe’s description and find out more about boardfeel and durability, as well as flexibility, support, the material used, construction and more.
What’s So Special about Skate Shoes?
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Skate shoes are not just any shoes you put on your feet. They’re purpose-built pieces of skateboarding equipment, designed for riding skateboards in parks or the streets. Wearing the right shoes for skating can make all the difference because they’ll increase your grip and board feel, but also absorb shocks and prevent injuries while performing some skateboarding tricks.
Good quality skate shoe offers the best protection for your feet, don’t compromise on flexibility and freedom of movement and can withstand even the toughest landings. Whether you’re a beginner or trying to level up your skateboarding experience, here are some of the most important features and characteristics to look for when you buy online skate shoes.
Material
Canvas
Canvas shoes have been a staple in skateboarding because they’re lightweight and breathable. You can choose canvas skate shoes if you like to cruise around, carve on transition and do some flip tricks. One of their greatest advantages is that they allow your feet to breath well and sweat less.
Suede
Suede offers abrasion resistance and is a durable material and the easiest to repair once you get holes in them caused by wear and tear. They’re a very good choice if you like to flips and ollies.
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Leather
Leather skate shoes are ultra-durable and abrasion resistant. If you want to do a lot of tricks without inflicting damage to the flick area of your shoes. They take a beating and still stay in one piece, which makes them a solid option for skateboarders.
Style
Low-Tops
This type of skate shoes is the flat standard model in the world of skate sneakers and shoes. They’re comfortable and provide full mobility of your ankle. Just be careful as they won’t provide much ankle protection when the board smacks you in the ankle.
Mid-Tops
This type of skate shoes allows great mobility and offers slight ankle protection. Mis top shoes are a good choice for any skater as they offer stability and padding.
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High-Tops
If you need extra protection and stability at your ankle, then high top skate shoes are your best choice. They can provide a rigid feel, which can be good or bad, it’s all up to the way you skate.
Slip-Ons
These are classic and stylish and set you free of the worry about broken laces. They’re the lowest profile skate shoes available, providing ultimate boardfeel.
Soles
Cupsole Shoes
The sole of these shoes consists of multiple layers, a solid layer, cushioning and a rubber layer sprinkling. They’re durable and shock absorbing, so they offer great impact protection against hard landings. The extra cushion protects your feet and makes them a good choice if you like to jump down stairs or off large.
Vulcanised Shoes
Also referred to as vulc shoes, these skate shoes are lightweight, flexible and break in easily. They’re constructed by connecting the upper to the outsole with foxing tape wrapped around the perimeter shoe and it’s baked in an oven to meld the pieces together into one. This process degrades the rubbers and makes them softer, therefore the shoes are more flexible and thinner as well. Vulc shoes offer a good boardfeel and are your best choice if you like to cruise around, skate transition or do flip tricks on flat ground.
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Features
Every skater needs shoes that will keep him/her comfortable while skating for hours. And sometimes the smallest features can make a big impact on skate shoes, such as the following.
Toe Caps
Toe caps are rubber strips that protect high-wear areas of skate shoes. Some shoes have external toe caps, while others use the rubber below the uppers. So, holes that develop in the upper material expose rubber instead of your feet and keep you protected. They’re an ideal choice if you’re more of a heelflip skater.
Heel Protection
Injuries such as heel bruises can and your session early. To prevent it from happening, many shoe manufacturers have created various heel-saving technologies to add to their shoes. The main idea is to create a thicker barrier between your heel and the ground and provide highly effective protection to your heels. Highly recommended for heavy skaters or if you suffered heel injuries in the past.
How to Take Proper Care of Your Skate Shoes?
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To extend the lifespan of your skate shoes, you’ll need to take proper care of them. Clean them with a soft brush or damp cloth, so you won’t put too much strain on the material. Don’t try to scrub, but dab with a rag instead. Clean the outer sole with clear water or a light detergent and remove daily street dust and dirt with standard wet wipes.