Top 10 Best Skate Shoes | The Guide to Highly Skateable Shoes

The New Balance Numeric 306 skate shoes are a fantastic option for anyone in the market for high-quality skate shoes. These shoes boast several features that make them a great addition to any skateboarder's collection. 

The shoe's upper is made from durable materials, ensuring flexibility and longevity. The rubber outsole provides excellent grip and traction on the board, and the shoe's reinforced toe cap adds extra protection for your feet.

The New Balance Numeric 306 skate shoes are sleek and modern, with the New Balance logo displayed prominently on the side. These shoes are versatile and reliable, making them a good choice for a range of skaters' styles. With a perfect combination of durability, grip, and cushioning, they are an excellent option for anyone seeking a top-quality skate shoe.

Overall, we highly recommend the New Balance Numeric 306 skate shoes to any skateboarder looking for a comfortable, performance skate shoe.

• Cut: Low
• Key Features: Elastic Gusseted Tongue

The Vans Half Cab is widely recognized as one of the premier skate shoes available today, and we've included it on our top 10 list for a good reason.

Its long-standing reputation for quality and performance is well-deserved, thanks to its vulcanized sole construction, reinforced suede and canvas upper, and waffle outsole that provides exceptional foot protection and board feel.

Overall, the Half Cab's enduring popularity among skateboarders of all levels is a testament to its quality and performance. It is a reliable choice for anyone who wants a skate shoe to keep up with the wear and tear.

• Cut: Mid
• Key Features: Duracap™ & SickStick™

Watch our review of the Vans Half Cab here.

The Samba ADV not only pays homage to Adidas' rich soccer legacy but also earns its place on our best skate shoes list. Featuring a timeless T-Toe design reminiscent of the original style that made its debut over 50 years ago, these shoes blend classic aesthetics with modern skateboarding functionality.

The molded sockliner ensures a snug, glove-like fit, enhancing comfort and responsiveness for optimal performance on the board. The lightweight cupsole, with its directional herringbone tread pattern, guarantees lasting grip and precise board control.

While rooted in soccer heritage, the Samba ADV stands out as a top choice for skaters, earning its well-deserved spot on our list of the best skate shoes.

• Cut: Low
• Key Feature: T-Toe Design

Nike SB & Ishod Wair seamlessly merge skate shoe essentials with elements inspired by the Air Max legacy in the creation of the Nike SB Air Max Ishod skate shoes. Crafted from a combination of suede, leather, and mesh in a unique multi-layered upper construction, these shoes exude both style and functionality. Featuring the iconic Air Max unit and an air-sole unit, they offer superior impact protection for intense skate sessions.

Breathable mesh panels and a ventilated toe box ensure optimal airflow, enhancing overall comfort during wear. The Herringbone tread pattern on the outsole provides exceptional grip and precise board feel for maximum control. Signature details include Ishod Wair's embroidery on the tongue and eye stay, adding a personal touch to the design, while the Nike SB embroidered logo on the heel counter adds a final flourish. It's no surprise that the Nike SB Air Max Ishod skate shoes have earned their place among our top selections for skate footwear.

• Cut: Mid
• Key Features: Nike Zoom Air Unit

Watch our review of the Air Max Ishod here.

The Nike SB Stefan Janoski was originally released in 2009, and disrupted the skate shoe market with Nike’s thinnest, most board-feel focused silhouette ever produced. It rapidly became the best selling skate shoe and even broke out into mainstream fashion. They were briefly discontinued but reissued in 2024 with a revamped design to keep up with the current demands of skateboarders. This low-profile cupsole is built with a soft and durable leather upper with perforations at the vamp for air flow and zoom air cushioning for increased impact protection. Finished with a rubber outsole and herringbone tread providing effective board feel and optimum traction.

• Cut: Mid
• Key Feature: Zoom Air Unit

Watch our review of the Nike SB Zoom Janoski OG here.

First made in 1977, the Vans Slip-on quickly gained popularity quickly amongst skateboarders. As the limits of skateboarding kept advancing further, Vans needed to develop new footwear technology to keep up with the needs of skateboarders. As part of Vans’ “Skate Classics” line-up, the Skate Slip-Ons feature the best Vans has to offer, along with a snug comfortable fit and no laces to break. The thin vulcanized construction gives the shoe the classic Vans boardfeel, and the PopCush™ insole protects your feet from heavy impacts and heel bruises. Underneath the toe box is the DURACAP™ underlay for durability, and the classic waffle outsole is made of Vans’ SickStick™ rubber for lasting traction. This shoe is a classic for a reason!

• Cut: Low
• Key Features: PopCush™ Insole

The Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star Pro High Skate Shoes are a classic, iconic skate shoe that combines vintage design with modern skateboarding performance.

The Chuck Taylor All-Star Pro High Skate Shoes have been designed for comfort and style with a vulcanized sole construction and canvas upper. Paired with the classic high-top design and iconic Converse branding, add a touch of timeless style; you can't go wrong.

Overall, the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star Pro High Skate Shoes are a must-have for anyone serious about skateboarding. Their blend of classic design and modern performance features offers unbeatable durability, ankle support, comfort, and style.

• Cut: High-Top
• Key Features: Hightops = No ankle bites

The Vans Skate Old Skool Shoes are classic skate shoes that are both stylish and functional. Made with a durable suede and canvas upper, the shoe is built to withstand the wear and tear of skateboarding. The shoe's padded collar and footbed offer additional support and cushioning, while the signature Vans waffle outsole provides excellent grip and board feel.

These shoes have earned their place on our list of the top 10 best skate shoes due to their iconic design, durability, and superior performance. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced skater, the Vans Skate Old Skool is a reliable choice to keep your feet looking and feeling great.

Overall, the Vans Skate Old Skool Shoes is a classic that offers both style and function. This durable skate shoe construction, comfortable fit, and excellent grip make them a must-have for any skateboarder.

• Cut: Low
• Key Features: Timeless style

Watch our review of the Vans Old Skool Here

For Tom Knox’s pro model, New Balance dove into their archives to develop these '90s-inspired skate shoes. Packed with features to protect your feet, these shoes are made with plenty of padding and New Balance’s FantomFit tech to make them light and comfortable. The toe box is reinforced with a rubber underlay, and the outsole is made of their NDurance rubber that holds up well against your griptape. Inside the shoe is the FuelCell midsole along with an OrthoLite® insole for plenty of impact protection. The Numeric 600 is a great and dependable shoe for impact skating and all day long sessions.

• Cut: Low
• Key Features: Durable NDurance™ outsole with Reinforced Toe Box.

Watch our review of the New Balance 600 here.

Nora Vasconcellos’ pro model for Adidas brings vintage tennis vibes and great durability in this sleek compact silhouette. High foxing on the toe box and AdiTuff reinforcement make this shoe ideal for tech skating and dialing in your flip tricks. The slim yet sturdy profile makes them flexible with plenty of boardfeel, along with a grippy rubber outsole, this shoe is a solid choice for any skateboarder.

• Cut: Low
• Key Features: Vulcanized construction

Watch our review of the Adidas Nora here.