Where to find skate shoes

However, many skate shoe models can also be seen in everyday life and away from skate parks, as they are simply comfortable and stylish. The difference between sneakers and sports shoes is that skate shoes are characterized by special soles and materials that are designed for skating.

Over the years, numerous skate shoe brands such as Emerica , Vans , etnies or DC Shoes have cropped up. But also big sports shoe manufacturers like Nike , adidas or New Balance have enriched the skate shoe assortment with their first-class models. By the way: they're called skate shoes and not skater shoes! They're shoes for skating and the name refers to the function. Therefore, the "r" in the word is omitted and they're called skate shoes.

Skateboarding is not only about riding your board, but also about tricks. These are primarily performed or controlled with the feet. Therefore, it is extremely important that the shoes allow the best possible interaction of skater and skateboard. Skate shoes therefore need special properties:. The soles of skate shoes shouldn't be too thick in order to ensure optimal control over the skateboard. However, cushioning properties are also important.

The profile of skate shoe soles has special patterns that make them more grippy. Generally, skate shoes distinguish between vulcanized soles and cup soles.

In addition, there are intermediate forms that combine elements of vulc and cup soles. In case you've always wondered why skate shoes have such thick soles: the high sole portion on the side of skate shoes is more of an extension of the outsole that provides durability. The actual sole that you stand on is much flatter. In vulc sole shoes, the outsole and intermediate elements are welded to the upper material of the skate shoe by a lateral rubber strip foxing tape.

The insoles or the footbed of vulc skate shoes provide the main cushioning. Vulcanized sole shoes score high on board feel and their flexibility. The break-in period for vulcanized skate shoes is very short. However, these shoes offer less cushioning compared to shoes with cup soles. In cup sole shoes, the outsole and the sidewall of the sole are made of one piece.

You can imagine it like a flat cup - hence the name. Upper, cushioning midsoles and cup outsole are glued and usually additionally stitched together in these skate shoes.

Cup sole skate shoes normally have good cushioning properties and last quite a long time. The cupsole construction also provides good stability. On the other hand, these shoes must be worn in longer, as they are less flexible than vulc shoes. Due to the constant contact with the griptape, skateboard shoes must be very durable. If you want to buy new skate shoes, you should think about the durability of the shoes accordingly. The following materials are most commonly used in skate shoes:.

Suede skate shoes are very popular among skaters. Because of its durable and flexible properties suede is used in most skate shoes. Skate shoes made of smooth leather are usually treated with an application of dye and additional layers to ensure long durability. With nubuck, the leather is slightly roughened. Both uppers provide a clean look to the skate shoes. Canvas is a thick cotton fabric used in skate shoes for its breathability and light weight.

Many skate shoes therefore have canvas in less stressed areas. For vegan skaters canvas skate shoes without leather are a good alternative. For details on each technology and even more info on skate shoes to help you order your new pair, check out our skate shoe wiki.

You can pay attention to other things besides sole and upper material when choosing your skate shoes. We have a few tips for you. The basic idea is to choose your shoes based on how or where you skate the most. Of course, these are only recommendations and not guidelines.

Almost all shoes in our shop are suitable for any kind of skateboarding. For technical maneuvers and trick combinations you need skate shoes with a lot of board feel and control. Vulcanized soles can give you an advantage here. Low-top skate shoes and light padding that doesn't constrict you are also recommended. If you frequently skate spots where impact is high, you need skate shoes with good cushioning. Cupsole shoes with a foam midsole are ideal for this.

The cushioning can be a bit more generous in this case. Pleaseenable JavaScript in your browser; it's quick and easy! Get instructions now. When you need a comfortable, yet stylish option to enhance your on-deck look, shop our selection of skate shoes for men and find items that will provide all the features you need to enjoy some time at the skate park and in the halfpipe.

Get all the men's gear you're looking for at Kohl's! Skate shoes stand apart from other footwear options, mostly due to the construction of the shoe.

A popular feature of skate shoes is the vulcanized sole. This feature allows the shoes to be more flexible, lightweight, and easier to break in. Many skate shoes also offer canvas uppers, adding to the flexibility and durability of the footwear.

Skate shoes for men also offer various style options, in terms of the height of the shoe and how it goes on your feet. High-top skate shoes offer the most ankle support, but have more bulk. Mid-tops provide a bit less ankle support that high-tops, but have less material. So the question becomes what makes a shoe skate friendly or "skateable"? Just as a complete skateboard needs every component to be a skateboard, skate shoes need a few key features to be skateable. At the most basic level, a shoe needs a durable upper design and a grippy, rubber outsole to be considered skateable.

Popular skate shoes like the Nike SB Dunk, Adidas Samba, and the Converse Chuck Taylor all filled these basic requirements well before they were marketed as "skate shoes. Skate Shoe design has always been in response to the type of skateboarding that was popular at the time. But, the biggest shift in skateboarding came when skateboarding took to the streets.

Since then, skateboarders have opted for the balance of boardfeel and durability. Simple shoe designs made with durable suede like the Vans Kyle Walker Pro, Nike Zoom Stefan Janoski, and the Adidas Busenitz are excellent examples of shoes that are both durable and have great boardfeel.