Gone are the days when skateboarding was a sport from the past. From year to year, the number of Australians involved in skateboarding is increasing, and the great climate and conditions are only here to increase the need for skating, especially among young people. But aside from having the right skateboard and clothes, you shouldn’t forget about shoes for skating to pull off a trendy skater look. While complementing your look is one of the main reasons to buy them, the greatest reason of all for investing in them is the improved performance.
What Shoes Are Good for Skating?
The truth is that they are reinforced in all the right areas, so it isn’t strange to know that shoes for skating can enhance durability. Given the fact that they are designed for being used on the board, they have good insoles and cushioning in order to improve your comfort while helping you withstand all the impact put on your feet.
Nowadays, the choice for skate shoes is huge, and they are available in a selection of styles, types, models, colours, soles and patterns, so there really isn’t a right or wrong type of shoe. All of them have the same purpose: to improve your performance without putting any additional pressure on your feet. Ideally, you should try different models and choose the ones that best meet your needs.
How to Select Skating Shoes?
Types of Shoes
Generally speaking, you can choose from low tops, mid tops and high tops, so understanding their purpose and benefits will help you get a clear picture of what’s the right one for you.
Low Tops
As the name suggests, these shoes are designed to sit below the ankle, which explains their minimalist look and design. One thing is certain, these shoes are all about offering flexibility and mobility without compromising comfort and cushioning.
The thing that makes these shoes offer more freedom of movement is the lack of ankle coverage, and this is the main reason why they are so popular among skaters. These shoes also seem to feel lighter when wearing, a lot lighter when compared to high tops. However, keep in mind that having zero ankle coverage may lead to some accidents/injuries when performing some more challenging things. In case you are one of those who deal with ankle injuries quite often, you will certainly find that low tops don’t offer the needed stability, otherwise, you can enjoy their minimalism and freedom of movement.
Mid Tops
The truth is that mid-top shoes for skate offer better stability than the low-top models. These shoes provide a certain support to the ankles without covering them entirely, which makes them a more convenient option for skaters who love the look of low tops but want a bit more support and stability.
Practice shows that these shoes can give you lots of flexibility and board control, without compromising your ankles. In other words, these shoes seem to help you get the best of both worlds, which isn’t something that you will obtain from low-top or high-top shoes. Comfort, protection, flexibility and confidence go hand in hand when investing in such shoes, so if this is what you look for in a shoe, then this should be your choice.
High Tops
The last option for shoes you have on the market is high-top shoes. As you can assume by now, these shows are known for their ankle-high design that is perfect for providing extra coverage and support.
Although high-top shoes are mainly worn by basketball players as they put a lot of pressure on the feet and ankle part, still, they are also popular among skateboarders. These shoes are known for their added protection and classic style, and this is what makes them a common choice among many skateboarders.
Despite having more limited movement because of the high top, this will still provide ultimate ankle protection, which makes them the best option for those who are prone to ankle injuries. Thanks to the high top, your ankles will feel stable and in place while having the needed support and protection.
Material
When in the search for the right shoes, you also shouldn’t forget about their material, as this is closely related to the overall performance and longevity. Generally speaking, you can choose from:
- Canvas – a lightweight and breathable material that can easily wear down when subjected to some rougher tricks.
- Leather – Incredibly durable and natural material that can withstand wear and tear. Keep in mind that leather isn’t as breathable as canvas, which will make your feet sweatier.
- Suede – This material is stronger than canvas but less durable than leather. They are extremely appealing but less breathable than canvas.
- Textile – The most popular choice for beginners because it’s lightweight, breathable and with pretty decent durability.
Out of all types of materials, the suede ones seem to be the most popular choice for these shoes.