11 Best Skate Shoes of 2022

Skateboarding has come a long way from the chunky DC Shoes, Globe and Etnies silhouettes of the late 90s and early 2000s. Nowadays, most skaters prefer to pair both style and comfort, and with a variety of silhouettes on offer it can be tough to find exactly what you're looking for! Because of this, we've decided to give our thoughts and break down what exactly we think are some of the best skate shoes available on the market right now.

From new age Nike SB and adidas styles to classic and timeless Vans silhouettes, we've trawled the internet to bring you the best skateboarding shoes available online! Check out our list below before you go ahead and make your next purchase!

Starting out with a classic, we have the Vans SK8 HI Reissue. First introduced back in the pool days of 1978, the SK8 Hi has since undergone a transformation to make the design as ideal for skateboarding as possible. This high-top shoe sports a fully revised upper, moulded heel counter, locked-in tongue straps, and a recut of the DURACAP™ underlay which thickens the area around the toe cap. The result is a shoe that simply breathes both classic style and functionality.

Thanks to the heel counter, this shoe offers a snug and comfortable fit where it matters giving the user increased board feel and mobility. If that wasn't enough, the design also features POPCUSH™ sock liners ideal for cushioning up any impact and protecting against heel bruising. The Vans SK8 Hi is a shoe that every skateboarder should try at least once in their life because it's unlikely that they're going to regret it.

Introducing the first Nike model on this list we have the Nike SB Bruin React T. The Nike Bruin model first debuted back in 1972 as a basketball shoe and quickly garnered success following its appearance in the 80s film, Back to The Future. In 2009 the shoe was reborn by Nike SB and has since gone on to be a favourite amongst skaters due to its low profile and somewhat retro appearance.

The shoe itself sports exceptional breathability and comfort due to its lightweight and flexible construction. A Nike SB react insole is also featured for impact protection against heavy landings and heel bruising. To top things off, the cupsole design offers more flexibility adding both durability and traction to the shoe. If you're looking for a classic shoe that won't let you down then you'll want to consider a pair of these.

Arriving as part of adidas' ongoing collaboration with professional skateboarder Dennis Busenitz, the adidas Busenitz Pro is one durable skate shoe you won't want to miss. This low-top model arrives with a durable textile and synthetic upper that is built to resist tears from flip tricks and more. In addition, this model features custom recessed eyelets to avoid lace splitting. Alongside this, a customisable tongue can be cut to fit your preference and style.

A pivotal-point rubber cupsole provides exceptional arch support backed up by a comfortable and stylish midsole for total comfort. With all these good qualities, the only thing we can't guarantee with this shoe is that you will shred as hard as Busenitz after purchasing.

Next up we have the Nike SB Nyjah Free 2. This one is one of the newer silhouettes on this list that draws inspiration from the 1997 Nike Air Zoom Spiridon. The upper features a 360-degree rubber construction with added mesh panels for breathability and style, perfect for those hectic skate sessions.

Elsewhere we see a robust rubber outsole and a ghillie loop lacing system, both designed with durability and style in mind. A foam sock liner borders the interior of the shoe and is designed to combat high impact absorption. Overall this high-quality shoe is a must cop for anyone looking to get serious at the skatepark because if it's good enough for Nyjah Houston, chances are it's going to be good enough for us.

Second on the list from adidas, we have the adidas Tyshawn Low, a stylish model inspired by court classics. Formed from durable materials such as premium leather, quality suede and cloudfoam plus memory lining, this model is guaranteed to keep you hitting those big tricks all day long without issue.

An abrasion-resistant Aditough toe box adorns the front of the shoe to fight against those pesky splits, perfect for anyone who finds themselves doing lots of kickflip, varial flip and treflip variations. To top it all off, a moulded Adiprene sock liner ensures the user has protection against impact alongside an exceptional board feel.

Another from Vans, this time we have the slightly older brother of the SK8 HI. The Vans Classic Slip On first debuted in 1977 and has since gone on to be wildly popular in both skate and high street fashion. This lightweight and comfortable model was one of Van's first products to feature the well-known waffle sole, which in turn made it very popular for skateboarding.

The extra grip the waffle sole supplies offers both exceptional board feel as well as less abrasion. From a comfort perspective, the Slip On performs very well due to its robust and well-shaped build. The only downside to this model is it doesn't offer much protection in comparison to its counterpart. If you're just looking for a shoe to cruise in, it's perfect! However, you might want to watch those ankles if you're going to be trying any flip tricks.

Arriving just a year after the Bruin, the Nike SB Blazer was released in 1973 and also quickly became extremely successful on and off the court. Arriving in high-top, mid-top and low-top silhouettes, this versatile shoe quickly became a favourite among skaters after being adopted by Nike SB in 2005.

Currently, the Nike SB Zoom Blazer Mid boasts a heritage design and caters directly to skateboarders with its many quality features. Often boasting a suede upper alongside a mid-top collar, this shoe will offer more ankle protection than some of the previously mentioned silhouettes on this list. Alongside this, a vulc construction fuses the sole and upper for a broken-in feel from the minute you put them on. To top it all off, a multidirectional rubber sole gives ultimate traction on top of your grip tape.

Next up we have the highly sought after middle ground from Vans' offerings. The Vans Old Skool made its debut in the same year as the Slip On and quickly became a long-lasting favourite amongst skaters around the world. With a low top construction, the Vans Old Skool offers slightly more protection against those pesky board bashes than the Slip On due to its slightly raised uppers and style.

This shoe sports both padded collars and lining to limit bruising on the sides and top of your feet. Alongside this, reinforced toe caps line the front of the shoe to combat repeated wear from kickflips and other pesky flip tricks. Just like the other models this model sports the waffle rubber outsole so your grip tape will stay near glued to your feet.

Offering a revamped take on Dennis' signature shoe, the adidas Busenitz Vulc II should be on the radar for any serious skateboarder. This particular model offers exceptional cushioning and durability thanks to a vulcanized rubber outsole, quality suede uppers and a stabilised heel counter.

Like many other adidas skateboarding models, this shoe boasts an abrasion-resistant toe box to ensure protection against general wear and tear.

While they're certainly not the most affordable option on this list, the "LA to Chicago" Jordan 1 is a completely viable skate shoe. Featuring signature Nike SB technology and tested by the legendary Lance Mountain himself, these Jordans provide an exceptional board feel while oozing unmatched style. If that wasn't enough for you, the LA Lakers colour way gradually rubs away to reveal a Chicago Bulls set making these sneakers perfect for gradually beating up.

The Jordan 1 used to be the skate shoe of back in the 1980s and 90s due to the amount of technology and design which went into them so it is only right that they get a shout out on this list.

After seemingly taking over the mainstream sneaker game in recent times, it can be easy to forget the Nike SB Dunk is actually a skate shoe. With each model featuring a padded tongue, a Nike zoom airbag in the sock liner and puffy laces, these models are built to shred everything from vert to bowl to street. With an abundance of colourways and styles on offer, the Nike SB Dunk is a shoe every skater needs to try once in their life.

There are a lot of factors to look for in a good skate shoe but for this guide we used three main criteria for our choices. First is durability, skating takes a constant toll on your shoes so they need to be able to hold up. Next is board-feel; chunkier shoes may last longer but you lose some of the feel for your board. Lastly is style, skating is as much about expression as it is about learning new tricks and progressing.

While they won't make your ability on the board immediately improve, a great pair of skate shoes will give you everything you need to perform your best and also reduce injury. The cushioning, support, and choice of materials which goes into making a skate shoe is much different to your ordinary trainer.

Whilst a high-top shoe will provide added support and stability, they aren't necessarily better than low-cut shoes. It all comes down to personal preference and what makes you feel comfortable on the board.