The right shoes make a huge difference when skateboarding. They improve grip, shock absorption, and board feel. Skateboarders also use them to help them perform tricks.
Vulcanized Shoes
The outsole of a skateboard shoe comes in direct contact with the skateboard, so it needs to be durable and made from shock-absorbent material. It should also be able to grip the concrete or other surfaces and not slide away. It also helps if it’s flexible so you can perform all sorts of tricks. Vulcanized shoes are baked for elasticity and strength before being fused to the shoe’s top, giving them more flexibility than regular sneakers. This makes them better suited for street skating moves and technical flip tricks. However, they’re less durable than their cupsole counterparts and tend to wear down faster.
Cupsole Shoes
Choosing between a vulcanized shoe and a cupsole skate shoe is more than a personal preference. Vulcanized shoes are loved for their lightness, flexibility, and speedy break-in time, but they don’t offer the same foot and ankle support that a cupsole provides.
If you often skate stairs, rails, and other big features, then a cupsole shoe is a wise investment. They can provide greater foot and ankle protection than a vulcanized shoe, as they create a thicker barrier between your feet and the ground. This also helps reduce the impact when you ollie large drops, stairs, and other features.
They can take a little longer to break in than vulcanized shoes as they’re typically stiffer, but skateboarding will help them stretch out and become more flexible. However, picking a pair of shoes that fit your feet well and don’t have too much wiggle room is essential, as this can lead to blisters and other foot pain.
While it’s possible to find cheap skate shoes that are surprisingly comfortable, most experienced skaters know that the best skate shoes tend to be slightly expensive as companies invest in quality materials and design, it’s not unusual for a pair of shoes to last over a year or more, so it makes sense to buy a quality pair that will last and feel great while you’re skating.
When looking for skate shoes, it’s worth checking out all the brands that produce them. Skate shoe manufacturers have all produced a range of models that offer varying levels of comfort. However, it’s a good idea to check out the reviews from skaters who have worn the shoes you’re interested in before handing over your money. You can use Vans coupons to purchase great finds.
It’s also a good idea to consider the height of your skate shoes. Low tops offer the most flexibility but no ankle protection. In contrast, high tops give you the most ankle protection (the amount of protection varies depending on how thick the high top is) but may restrict your ankle movement slightly. A mid-top offers a happy medium between the two and is popular with most skaters.
Cupsole shoes are popular among skaters because they provide more protection than vulcanized shoes. The bottom and top parts of a cupsole are separate pieces that get sewn together before application. This makes it easy for different companies to add all sorts of features. The downside is that they can be less flexible and offer less board feel than a vulcanized shoe. However, they can be easier to break in and are much more comfortable doing repetitive footwork like grinding a rail or walking downstairs.
Reinforced Soles
When performing skateboarding tricks, it would be best to have friction between your shoes and the board. Without this, your feet can slip and fall off, causing severe injury. This is why it’s vital to get shoes that are well-made with high-quality materials. The best skate shoes are made from durable leather and suede, which are also comfortable. They should also have a reinforced sole. This will make them more stable and grippy so that you can ride longer. If you’re not ready to spend a lot of money on a pair of skate shoes, you can still find some that are affordable.
Adding a padded tongue is another way to make your skateboard shoes more comfortable. This will help prevent your feet from rubbing against the foot tape on your board. It’s also essential to have a good heel cup to prevent your shoe from sliding around. This is especially important if you’re doing jumps and flips, which can cause your shoe to slide backward.
A padded tongue can also help protect your feet from bruises and sprains. The padded tongue will absorb the impact of your landing and help prevent injuries caused by falling off your skateboard. Choosing a skateboard shoe with high-rebound foam in the heel is also a good idea to keep your foot from feeling tired after skating all day.
Unlike running shoes that are built with cushioning and support in mind, most skateboard shoes are designed for performance rather than comfort. This is because skaters need to feel the surface of their boards to perform tricks correctly. However, some brands offer more comfortable options.