Skate shoes take a beating that regular sneakers just aren't built for. The ollie zone wears through, the toe cap blows out, the sole delaminates — usually within weeks if the shoe isn't designed for it. A proper skate shoe is built to handle all of that while still giving you the board feel and grip you need to skate well.

We stock skate shoes from the brands that actually know skating — Globe and others that have been building skate-specific footwear for decades.

Vulcanised vs cupsole — which is right for you?

• Vulcanised — thin, flexible sole that sits closer to the board. Better board feel and flip tricks. The choice for most street and technical skaters. Wears faster but skates better.
• Cupsole — thicker, more cushioned sole with better impact protection. Great for skating transition, big drops, and anyone who skates hard and needs their knees to last. Slightly less board feel but more forgiving.

What else to look for

• Reinforced toe cap — the first thing to blow out on a skate shoe. Double or triple stitching here extends the life significantly.
• Padded collar and tongue — keeps your ankles comfortable during long sessions
• Grippy rubber outsole — waffle or herringbone patterns give the best grip on grip tape

Complete your skate setup

Shoes sorted — now get the rest of your kit dialled. Browse our street & park completes, trucks, griptape, and helmets. Or check out the full skate range and Former and Volcom for skate apparel.