They also feel completely different, it might take some time to get used to but I really like the extra support my Vans Highs offer for example. Im sure you know the feeling. When it comes to skateboarding, you need a shoe that is lightweight, durable, and flexible. Click on the large blue power icon at the top. If a shoe costs twice as much but will only last another month or two, it may be smarter to go for the more affordable shoe, even though youll need to replace it sooner. Canvas is fine for the less demanding cruiser rider but technical skaters will rip it apart on day one. The new CONS have the style associated with classic Converse shoes, but with many features that makes them a much better skateboarding shoe than the classic Chuck Taylor All-Stars. All offer great skate shoes which makes it even harder to make a choice. HYPEBEAST is a registered trademark of Hypebeast Hong Kong Ltd. Gain access to exclusive interviews with industry creatives, think pieces, trend forecasts, guides and more. In the very early days of skateboarding, skaters rode barefoot in an attempt to emulate surfing. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in. Im an aged skateboarder and I still shred responsibly. Skateboarders feet are going to take a beating, so its important to have some level of shock absorption and distribution built into the sole. As an Amazon, Avantlink. Adidas offers a wide range of athletic shoes tailored to almost any sport you can imagine. While they wont totally prevent sprains or breaks, they do offer more protection from impact. While you may want the most durable shoe you can find, its important to consider the cost in relation to the durability. Their (suede) CONS line, in particular, has many shoes that offer comfort, protection, and moderate durability, while adhering to the classic Converse style. Its when your razor tail hits your ankle or heel. Follow the instructions for disabling the ad blocker on the site youre viewing. Converse got their start with basketball shoes. These days its not uncommon for shoe manufacturers to have their own proprietary rubber that has been engineered for durability, flexibility, and thinness. While the old-fashioned Chuck Taylor All-Stars were extremely thin, these newer models protect the foot better and offer increased comfort while still retaining the Converse style. No worries, I got you covered. Affordability is another key factor when deciding on a skate shoe. Vans and Airwalk, two of the most popular skate shoes of the time, offered more durable shoes that took the good qualities of Converse shoes and introduced improvements, such as leather or suede instead of canvas, and more cushioning. Lots of support but no board feel. Some have even greater needs, like skaters who are tall or skaters who are heavy. When choosing a skate shoe, ankle protection could on yourlist of considerations. Youll need to weigh your individual needs to decide which style is right for you. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Refresh page. Check out best skateboarding shoes article. Youd likely trip over your own feet repeatedly! Skateboarders have specific needs in a shoe that other sports may not. There are so many great skate shoe brands like Emerica, Etnies, Lakai, DC, etc. We charge advertisers instead of our readers. But since there is literally less shoe, low-tops are going to be the lightest option. The same qualities that made the Chuck Taylor a good basketball shoe made it a good skateboard shoe. A number of models are at, Converse Skate bestow the following signature model on Rune Glifberg for the 2010 spring, Converses previous vulcanized offerings had already made it a consistent choice for skaters in, Stay updated on the latest news with our carefully curated newsletters, Discover the latest news and more with instant updates, Shinpei Ueno Embroiders His Tattoo Onto Converse Skateboarding's Staple Footwear, Converse Skateboarding's CX-PRO SK CD OX Is Corduroy Heaven, Union and Converse Japan Team up for Skate-Geared Breakstar Ox, Converse Skateboarding Crafts Suede-Tinged Proride SK OX, Converse Skateboarding 2012 Fall Collection, Converse Skateboarding 2010 Holiday Collection. 2022 Hypebeast Limited. Using vulcanized rubber can also reduce the amount if rubber needed, resulting in a lighter, thinner sole. A heavy shoe will slow the skater down, and can also contribute to fatigue in some degree. I once skated my Nike runners because I got a nasty heel bruise but it felt very unstable. When it comes to skateboarding, you need a shoe that is lightweight, durable, flexible, support. There are many great skate shoes on the market, and Converse, which has been associated with skateboarding practically since the beginning of the sport, can be a great option. When it turns gray, click the refresh icon that has appeared next to it or click the button below to continue. They started to become a more popular option for skateboarding in the 1990s when skate fashion began to collide with hip-hop fashion (where Adidas had been popular for many years). Why do Skateboard Wheels Turn Yellow? Unisex Cons Louie Lopez Pro Low Top Black/Wolf Grey/White, Unisex Checkpoint Pro Ox Black/White 165265C, Men's Cons Louie Lopez Pro Ox Suede 165271C Jade Stone/White, ONE Star PRO OX Mens Skateboarding-Shoes 156698C, CTAS Ember Boot HI Mens Skateboarding-Shoes 557933, Fastbreak Pro Mid White/Deep Emerald/Gum 166247C 3 Men/Women 4.5, 155778C Breakpoint Low Men's Skateboarding Shoe (Grey/Black), Pro Leather Mid Mens Fashion-Sneakers 157691C, Unisex Cons Louie Lopez Pro Low Top Black Currant/Black Currant, Unisex Cons Louie Lopez Pro Low Top Saffron Lakeside/Black 3.5 Men/Women 5, Chuck Taylor All-Star 70s Ox Archive Print Flames, Unisex Cons Louie Lopez Pro Low Top Sunflower Gold/Enamel Red 168672C 10 Men/Women 11.5, Unisex Cons Louie Lopez Pro Low Top Dark Burgundy/White (3 Men//Women 4.5), Unisex Cons Louie Lopez Pro Low Top Amber Sepia/Black/Black 170713C, Unisex Cons Louie Lopez Pro Low Top Black Currant/Black Currant (13 Men//Women 15), Unisex Asylum Mid Black Monchrome 147009C. You may have more than one ad-blocker installed. Many shoes in the CONS line offer other options ideal for skateboarding, such as an elasticated tongue, rubber toe-cap, and coming in mid- or high-top varieties for better ankle support and protection. Insta @skateboardershq. You just need to find the right shoe for you and once you found it, stick with it. I remember a time when Converse shoes were fashion and if you didnt have them you sucked. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue. As skateboarding gained popularity with non-surfers, skaters looked for a shoe that would allow them a similar degree of control. We tested them to the extreme unlike anyone else and the results are surprising. Additionally, Converse has been a subsidiary of Nike since 2003, so they definitely know a thing or two about skate shoes at this point. So what are the qualities that make a good skate shoe? It also would make it much harder to feel the board beneath your feet, which means youd have less control. Since you need to use your feet to control and steer the board, you also need a shoe that allows you to feel the board beneath you. Youll usually find this icon in the upper right-hand corner of your screen. Often times extra cushioning is included for added protection. Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. Ever hear of shark bite? Ankle Support: Low-tops, Mid-tops, or High-tops. The ankle is completely exposed, and with no direct support. CONS models also have more cushioning inside the shoe for better shock absorption and distribution. Already whitelisted us? Click the icon of the ad-blocker extension installed on your browser. Converse has announced its Fall 2012 skateboarding footwear collection with the addition of, In collaboration with filmmaker Neil Chester, Converse and its skateboarding division release a UK, Originally presenting some of Converses flagship offerings on a new skate platform, the CONS, Converse Skateboardings 2010 holiday collection is presented here. Unfortunately, it wont prevent rolled ankles. The CONS line was actually resurrected, as the original CONS were basketball shoes Converse produced in the 1980s. For this reason, many skate shoe manufacturers use vulcanized rubber, which improves the durability of the sole. They borrowed the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star from basketball players, and found a shoe that fit the bill perfectly. They offer some degree of ankle protection, yet still have a decent range of motion as well. While you can certainly skateboard in any old tennis shoe, in order to maximize comfort and reduce the chance of injury, picking a shoe designed with skating in mind is recommended. On the other end of the spectrum are high-tops, which completely surround and support the ankle. Their lightweight skate shoes use their own proprietary rubber in the characteristic waffle-patterned sole, and have cushioned insoles. What Makes Converse Shoes Good for Skateboarding? While not all Converse shoes are ideal for skateboarding, the CONS line is a good choice as long as you stay away from the canvas models, suede is what you need. Skateboard Insoles for Flat Feet Picking the Right One. This rubber offers increased durability, grip, and flexibility, allowing the skater to feel the board beneath their feet. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2022, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Featuring an essential REACT HD insole. Lets take a look at what converse has to offer and if they are solid skate shoes. Vans also offers a ton of styles, including the ability to design your own custom style. Being barefoot allowed them to really feel the board, giving them a lot of control. In the middle are mid-tops, which many skaters feel are a great compromise. Serving luxurious velvet takes on the CS Slip-On SK and CK Pro SK Hi. In 2009, Converse finally introduced a skate-specific line, known as Converse CONS. While many shoe brands make shoes that would work well for skateboarding, Converse are one of the classic brands and have been found on the feet of skateboarders for decades. The Converse CONS line offers classic Converse style rebuilt with skateboarding in mind. Across the different models youll find a rubber backing and rubber soles made of Converses proprietary CONS Traction Rubber. Though not usually associated with skateboarding, Nike actually makes a great skate shoe as a part of their Nike SB brand, which launched in 2002. Vans combine form and function, which is why theyve been associated with skateboarding since the 1980s. When the skateboarding boom of the 1980s happened, several shoe makers catered toward skaters specifically, and Converse fell out of fashion with skateboarders. Arriving in two colorways, both equipped with duct-taped details. Your feet might get more sweaty since your feet wont be able to breathe as well. SkateboardersHQ is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If interested, follow me on Instagram or subscribe to my Youtube Channel, SkateboardersHQ is an independent blog run by real skaters, snowboarders, and surfers. Bruises and abrasions from the board slamming into your ankle while doing tricks are more likely. We need a shoe that is durable, yet lightweight and flexible. A well-cushioned insole is especially important for skaters with flat feet, who will need more support than those with higher arches. Canvas is likely to rip after a few ollies and holes will start to form sooner than later. Check sales frequently, I once got a pair of Reynolds for only 30 bucks! You may have to select a menu option or click a button. The shoes need to provide protection and comfort while more or less staying out of the way. To many skaters, the lighter weight and greater range of motion is a fair trade-off for the loss of ankle protection. Theres no way around it: skate shoes are going to wear out fairly quickly. We test all products and try to offer an unbiased opinion. The grip tape on your deck will eat through the material, especially if its new tape. Comfort and foot protection must go hand-in-hand, so that impact is absorbed, but you still need to feel the board beneath their feet. Does it Even Matter? Converse shoes are a great skateboarding shoes. The outer sole, which is the bottom layer of the shoe, must be durable against scrapes and scuffs, yet still offer flexibility and stability to the skater. When it comes to skateboarding, you need a shoe that is lightweight, durable, flexible, support. Converse has a wide range of shoes on the market, and they have an entire line dedicated to skate shoes, Converse CONS. Vans are a mainstay in skateboarding and have been on skaters feet for decades. Keep this in mind when shopping for shoes. In addition, flexibility makes it easier for the skater to stay on their feet when they do slip. These shoes were made of canvas and rubber, which made them lightweight and flexible, while still providing grip and traction for basketball players on the court. I started skateboarding 25 years ago but also love surfing, snowboarding, or anything that involves a board. and GoaffPro Associate, SkateboardersHQ earns from qualifying purchases. This is usually found in the middle and inner soles, where cushioning around the heel and various pads can be found. Like Converse, they now have a line of shoes specifically for skateboarding that include a vulcanized rubber sole and lightweight cushioning in the sole. These shoes are designed specifically for skateboarding, with many features that make them a perfect choice. All Rights Reserved. Imagine trying to skateboard in a clunky boot. Low-tops offer the greatest range of motion, but provide little to no ankle protection. Consider sharing this page & support my site. Theyre stylish, lightweight, and comfortable, and they feature the iconic Nike swoop logo. There are three options to choose from when it comes to how the ankle will be protected: low-tops, mid-tops, and high-tops. History of Converse Shoes in Skateboarding. Support us by whitelisting our site. 2022 SkateboardersHQ.com | Content protected by blockchain. But this protection means youll have reduced board feel (which isnt an issue for many riders).