Skate shoes
Encyclopedia
Skate shoes are shoes specially designed and manufactured for use in skateboarding
. While some non-skaters choose to wear skate shoes, the design of the skate shoe includes many features designed for use in skateboarding. These features almost invariably include a flat sole made of rubber or polyurethane
, a suede or composition leather
, and double or triple stitching.
These include but are not limited to:
Many features of a skate shoe are designed to increase its durability. Skate shoes are subjected to the abrasiveness of a skateboard's grip tape on a regular basis when worn by skaters. This is why skaters tend to go through shoes quickly. Super suede, action leather, and plastic underlying the toe cap help to increase the durability of a skate shoe. Lace loops and protectors are designed to prevent laces from shredding by shielding the most common areas that contact with grip tape.
Other common features include: triple stitching with thicker treads to prevent ripping, more width so that there is more contact with the board with thicker tongues and sides to compensate, and deep sole patterns for grip.
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
. While some non-skaters choose to wear skate shoes, the design of the skate shoe includes many features designed for use in skateboarding. These features almost invariably include a flat sole made of rubber or polyurethane
Polyurethane
A polyurethane is any polymer composed of a chain of organic units joined by carbamate links. Polyurethane polymers are formed through step-growth polymerization, by reacting a monomer with another monomer in the presence of a catalyst.Polyurethanes are...
, a suede or composition leather
Composition leather
Composition leather is made from recycled leather off-cuts, trimmings and shavings that would normally be sent by the leather industry to landfill. The type of leather specifically used in the manufacture of composition leather is called ‘wet blue’. This raw material, which is duck-egg blue in...
, and double or triple stitching.
Features
Skate shoe companies have integrated a number of special features into their shoes. These innovations have a number of functions including preventing heel bruises, increasing "skateboard feel" through increased flexibility, and enhancing grip.These include but are not limited to:
- Cup Soles
- Vulcanized rubber soles
- Air pockets in the heels
- Canvas (Emerica)
- Shoelace protectors
- Dynamic Grip Technology (DGT) (DC ShoesDC ShoesDC Shoes is an American company that specializes in footwear for extreme sports, skateboarding, snowboarding as well as snowboards, shirts, jeans, hats, and jackets.The company was founded in 1993 by Ken Block and Damon Way, and is based in Vista, California...
) - Super Suede (DC ShoesDC ShoesDC Shoes is an American company that specializes in footwear for extreme sports, skateboarding, snowboarding as well as snowboards, shirts, jeans, hats, and jackets.The company was founded in 1993 by Ken Block and Damon Way, and is based in Vista, California...
) - System G2 Cushioning (etniesEtniesthumb|Picture of an etnies shoeEtnies is an American footwear brand based in Lake Forest, California, and owned by Sole Technology, Inc. In 2003, etnies, along with the city of Lake Forest, California opened etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest, the largest public skatepark in the state, with over of...
, Emerica, éS) - STI foam (etniesEtniesthumb|Picture of an etnies shoeEtnies is an American footwear brand based in Lake Forest, California, and owned by Sole Technology, Inc. In 2003, etnies, along with the city of Lake Forest, California opened etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest, the largest public skatepark in the state, with over of...
, Emerica, éS) - Lace Loops that "hide" shoelaces
- 'Action Leather'
- Thermoplastic Toe Box Reinforcement
- EVAEVAEva or EVA may refer to:* Eva , a given name for women** Eva , a list of people with the name EvaIt may also refer to:-In business and economics:* Earned Value Analysis, a measurement of project progress...
Mid Sole - Fusion Grip Rubber Outsole
- Asymmetric stabilizer
- Silicon Rubber makes shoes last longer (SiRC)
- Stash Pockets (under sole or tongue) (DVS[ [Ipath]]) and Supra Footwear Company)
- Shock-Absorbing insoles (Nike SB)
- Kevlar-reinforced laces (Nike SB)
- Cold Grip Technology (CGT) (DVS)
Many features of a skate shoe are designed to increase its durability. Skate shoes are subjected to the abrasiveness of a skateboard's grip tape on a regular basis when worn by skaters. This is why skaters tend to go through shoes quickly. Super suede, action leather, and plastic underlying the toe cap help to increase the durability of a skate shoe. Lace loops and protectors are designed to prevent laces from shredding by shielding the most common areas that contact with grip tape.
Other common features include: triple stitching with thicker treads to prevent ripping, more width so that there is more contact with the board with thicker tongues and sides to compensate, and deep sole patterns for grip.
Skate shoe brands
- AdioAdioAdio Footwear is a skateboarding footwear and clothing company, founded by skater Chris Miller in 1999. It was later acquired by K2, based in Carlsbad, California. K2 was acquired by the Jarden Corporation in 2007....
- AdidasAdidasAdidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
- AirwalkAirwalkThe airwalk is a skateboarding trick invented in 1983 by Tony Hawk, who performed it on ramps and half pipes. In 1986, Rodney Mullen invented the Ollie Airwalk, a flatground version of the Airwalk. The name Ollie Airwalk is often mistaken by the Ollie Airwalk trick in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater...
- Circa
- ConverseConverseConverse is an American shoe company that has been making shoes, lifestyle fashion and athletic apparel since the early 20th century. Converse is one of the earliest pioneers in the sneaker and sporting good industry founded in 1908.- 1908–1941: Early days :...
- DC ShoesDC ShoesDC Shoes is an American company that specializes in footwear for extreme sports, skateboarding, snowboarding as well as snowboards, shirts, jeans, hats, and jackets.The company was founded in 1993 by Ken Block and Damon Way, and is based in Vista, California...
- DVS Shoe Company
- Emerica
- Element SkateboardsElement SkateboardsElement Skateboards is a skateboard manufacturer and surfwear retailer based in Irvine, California. It is a subsidiary of Australian clothing giants Billabong International....
- éS Footwear
- EtniesEtniesthumb|Picture of an etnies shoeEtnies is an American footwear brand based in Lake Forest, California, and owned by Sole Technology, Inc. In 2003, etnies, along with the city of Lake Forest, California opened etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest, the largest public skatepark in the state, with over of...
- Fallen FootwearFallen FootwearFallen Footwear is a skateboarding footwear brand started by a professional skateboarder Jamie Thomas.-History:In 2003, it was announced that Fallen Footwear would be manufactured and distributed by DC Shoes under license from Thomas....
- Globe International
- Gravis Footwear
- Habitat Footwear
- IpathIPathIn finance, the iPath refer to a family of exchange-traded notes .The iPath combine the investment aspects of bonds and exchange-traded funds...
- Lakai Limited FootwearLakai Limited FootwearLakai Footwear Limited is a footwear company based in Torrance, California that creates shoes designed for and inspired by skateboarding. Lakai was founded by professional skateboarders and Girl Skateboards co-founders Mike Carroll and Rick Howard in 1999...
- Nike SkateboardingNike SkateboardingNike Skateboarding, also known as Nike SB, is the Nike brand for its line of shoes, clothing, and equipment for skateboarding.-History:...
- Osiris ShoesOsiris ShoesOsiris Shoes is a skate shoe company that was founded in 1996 by Tony Chen, Tony Magnusson, Brian Reid, Doug Weston and Laura Kim. They created the company when they saw a void in the skateboard industry for pro designed and endorsed footwear. -History:...
- Servant Footwear
- Supra Footwear
- VansVansVans is an American based manufacturer of sneakers, skateboarding shoes, BMX shoes, snowboarding boots and other shoe types.- History :On March 16, 1966, at 704 E. Broadway, in Anaheim, California, brothers Paul Van Doren, James Van Doren, and three other partners opened up their first store...
- Vox Footwear
- World IndustriesWorld IndustriesWorld Industries is a skateboarding company that offers skateboarding products, accessories and apparel. The company was founded by Steve Rocco in 1987. In 1988, Rocco was joined by skaters Rodney Mullen then Mike Vallely in 1989....
- Zoo York
External links
- 15 Things You Didn't Know About Skate Shoes, Salo, Adam, Skateboarder Magazine.
- Choosing The Right Skateboard Shoes, Dean Cook, Fist4Fashion.