While not all Converse shoes are ideal for skateboarding, the CONS line is a good choice as long as you stay away from the canvas models, suede is what you need. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2022, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Unisex Cons Louie Lopez Pro Low Top Black/Wolf Grey/White, Unisex Checkpoint Pro Ox Black/White 165265C, Men's Cons Louie Lopez Pro Ox Suede 165271C Jade Stone/White, ONE Star PRO OX Mens Skateboarding-Shoes 156698C, CTAS Ember Boot HI Mens Skateboarding-Shoes 557933, Fastbreak Pro Mid White/Deep Emerald/Gum 166247C 3 Men/Women 4.5, 155778C Breakpoint Low Men's Skateboarding Shoe (Grey/Black), Pro Leather Mid Mens Fashion-Sneakers 157691C, Unisex Cons Louie Lopez Pro Low Top Black Currant/Black Currant, Unisex Cons Louie Lopez Pro Low Top Saffron Lakeside/Black 3.5 Men/Women 5, Chuck Taylor All-Star 70s Ox Archive Print Flames, Unisex Cons Louie Lopez Pro Low Top Sunflower Gold/Enamel Red 168672C 10 Men/Women 11.5, Unisex Cons Louie Lopez Pro Low Top Dark Burgundy/White (3 Men//Women 4.5), Unisex Cons Louie Lopez Pro Low Top Amber Sepia/Black/Black 170713C, Unisex Cons Louie Lopez Pro Low Top Black Currant/Black Currant (13 Men//Women 15), Unisex Asylum Mid Black Monchrome 147009C. In the middle are mid-tops, which many skaters feel are a great compromise. Some have even greater needs, like skaters who are tall or skaters who are heavy. CONS models also have more cushioning inside the shoe for better shock absorption and distribution. Imagine trying to skateboard in a clunky boot. So what are the qualities that make a good skate shoe? Im sure you know the feeling. Check sales frequently, I once got a pair of Reynolds for only 30 bucks! Their lightweight skate shoes use their own proprietary rubber in the characteristic waffle-patterned sole, and have cushioned insoles. You may have to select a menu option or click a button. The Converse CONS line offers classic Converse style rebuilt with skateboarding in mind. 2022 SkateboardersHQ.com | Content protected by blockchain. Vans and Airwalk, two of the most popular skate shoes of the time, offered more durable shoes that took the good qualities of Converse shoes and introduced improvements, such as leather or suede instead of canvas, and more cushioning. Being barefoot allowed them to really feel the board, giving them a lot of control. The outer sole, which is the bottom layer of the shoe, must be durable against scrapes and scuffs, yet still offer flexibility and stability to the skater. Featuring an essential REACT HD insole. The grip tape on your deck will eat through the material, especially if its new tape. While many shoe brands make shoes that would work well for skateboarding, Converse are one of the classic brands and have been found on the feet of skateboarders for decades. A number of models are at, Converse Skate bestow the following signature model on Rune Glifberg for the 2010 spring, Converses previous vulcanized offerings had already made it a consistent choice for skaters in, Stay updated on the latest news with our carefully curated newsletters, Discover the latest news and more with instant updates, Shinpei Ueno Embroiders His Tattoo Onto Converse Skateboarding's Staple Footwear, Converse Skateboarding's CX-PRO SK CD OX Is Corduroy Heaven, Union and Converse Japan Team up for Skate-Geared Breakstar Ox, Converse Skateboarding Crafts Suede-Tinged Proride SK OX, Converse Skateboarding 2012 Fall Collection, Converse Skateboarding 2010 Holiday Collection. The shoes need to provide protection and comfort while more or less staying out of the way. While they wont totally prevent sprains or breaks, they do offer more protection from impact. Skateboarders feet are going to take a beating, so its important to have some level of shock absorption and distribution built into the sole. Many shoes in the CONS line offer other options ideal for skateboarding, such as an elasticated tongue, rubber toe-cap, and coming in mid- or high-top varieties for better ankle support and protection. You may have more than one ad-blocker installed. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue. It also would make it much harder to feel the board beneath your feet, which means youd have less control. I remember a time when Converse shoes were fashion and if you didnt have them you sucked. We test all products and try to offer an unbiased opinion. Additionally, Converse has been a subsidiary of Nike since 2003, so they definitely know a thing or two about skate shoes at this point. Support us by whitelisting our site. No worries, I got you covered. Youll need to weigh your individual needs to decide which style is right for you. But this protection means youll have reduced board feel (which isnt an issue for many riders). This is usually found in the middle and inner soles, where cushioning around the heel and various pads can be found. Arriving in two colorways, both equipped with duct-taped details. They also feel completely different, it might take some time to get used to but I really like the extra support my Vans Highs offer for example. I once skated my Nike runners because I got a nasty heel bruise but it felt very unstable. We charge advertisers instead of our readers. This rubber offers increased durability, grip, and flexibility, allowing the skater to feel the board beneath their feet. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Vans also offers a ton of styles, including the ability to design your own custom style. We tested them to the extreme unlike anyone else and the results are surprising. These shoes were made of canvas and rubber, which made them lightweight and flexible, while still providing grip and traction for basketball players on the court. Insta @skateboardershq. Your feet might get more sweaty since your feet wont be able to breathe as well. These days its not uncommon for shoe manufacturers to have their own proprietary rubber that has been engineered for durability, flexibility, and thinness. While the old-fashioned Chuck Taylor All-Stars were extremely thin, these newer models protect the foot better and offer increased comfort while still retaining the Converse style. To many skaters, the lighter weight and greater range of motion is a fair trade-off for the loss of ankle protection. Across the different models youll find a rubber backing and rubber soles made of Converses proprietary CONS Traction Rubber. There are many great skate shoes on the market, and Converse, which has been associated with skateboarding practically since the beginning of the sport, can be a great option. Unfortunately, it wont prevent rolled ankles. When it comes to skateboarding, you need a shoe that is lightweight, durable, flexible, support. Vans combine form and function, which is why theyve been associated with skateboarding since the 1980s. Does it Even Matter? Click the icon of the ad-blocker extension installed on your browser. Theyre stylish, lightweight, and comfortable, and they feature the iconic Nike swoop logo. Its when your razor tail hits your ankle or heel. Lots of support but no board feel. Follow the instructions for disabling the ad blocker on the site youre viewing. On the other end of the spectrum are high-tops, which completely surround and support the ankle. While you can certainly skateboard in any old tennis shoe, in order to maximize comfort and reduce the chance of injury, picking a shoe designed with skating in mind is recommended. Their (suede) CONS line, in particular, has many shoes that offer comfort, protection, and moderate durability, while adhering to the classic Converse style. In the very early days of skateboarding, skaters rode barefoot in an attempt to emulate surfing. Skateboarders have specific needs in a shoe that other sports may not. As an Amazon, Avantlink. Since you need to use your feet to control and steer the board, you also need a shoe that allows you to feel the board beneath you. Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. Converse has announced its Fall 2012 skateboarding footwear collection with the addition of, In collaboration with filmmaker Neil Chester, Converse and its skateboarding division release a UK, Originally presenting some of Converses flagship offerings on a new skate platform, the CONS, Converse Skateboardings 2010 holiday collection is presented here. Consider sharing this page & support my site. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in. Theres no way around it: skate shoes are going to wear out fairly quickly. Skateboard Insoles for Flat Feet Picking the Right One. What Makes Converse Shoes Good for Skateboarding? Converse shoes are a great skateboarding shoes. When the skateboarding boom of the 1980s happened, several shoe makers catered toward skaters specifically, and Converse fell out of fashion with skateboarders. As skateboarding gained popularity with non-surfers, skaters looked for a shoe that would allow them a similar degree of control. and GoaffPro Associate, SkateboardersHQ earns from qualifying purchases. Check out best skateboarding shoes article. You just need to find the right shoe for you and once you found it, stick with it. Converse got their start with basketball shoes. Low-tops offer the greatest range of motion, but provide little to no ankle protection. They borrowed the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star from basketball players, and found a shoe that fit the bill perfectly. Ankle Support: Low-tops, Mid-tops, or High-tops. Already whitelisted us? I started skateboarding 25 years ago but also love surfing, snowboarding, or anything that involves a board. A heavy shoe will slow the skater down, and can also contribute to fatigue in some degree. Click on the large blue power icon at the top. Ever hear of shark bite? There are so many great skate shoe brands like Emerica, Etnies, Lakai, DC, etc. Youll usually find this icon in the upper right-hand corner of your screen. While you may want the most durable shoe you can find, its important to consider the cost in relation to the durability. 2022 Hypebeast Limited. The ankle is completely exposed, and with no direct support. For this reason, many skate shoe manufacturers use vulcanized rubber, which improves the durability of the sole. If a shoe costs twice as much but will only last another month or two, it may be smarter to go for the more affordable shoe, even though youll need to replace it sooner. Serving luxurious velvet takes on the CS Slip-On SK and CK Pro SK Hi. Though not usually associated with skateboarding, Nike actually makes a great skate shoe as a part of their Nike SB brand, which launched in 2002. When choosing a skate shoe, ankle protection could on yourlist of considerations. Vans are a mainstay in skateboarding and have been on skaters feet for decades. Why do Skateboard Wheels Turn Yellow? Using vulcanized rubber can also reduce the amount if rubber needed, resulting in a lighter, thinner sole. They started to become a more popular option for skateboarding in the 1990s when skate fashion began to collide with hip-hop fashion (where Adidas had been popular for many years). SkateboardersHQ is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The CONS line was actually resurrected, as the original CONS were basketball shoes Converse produced in the 1980s. Adidas offers a wide range of athletic shoes tailored to almost any sport you can imagine. There are three options to choose from when it comes to how the ankle will be protected: low-tops, mid-tops, and high-tops. Im an aged skateboarder and I still shred responsibly. Often times extra cushioning is included for added protection. Canvas is fine for the less demanding cruiser rider but technical skaters will rip it apart on day one. The same qualities that made the Chuck Taylor a good basketball shoe made it a good skateboard shoe. These shoes are designed specifically for skateboarding, with many features that make them a perfect choice. Youd likely trip over your own feet repeatedly! Like Converse, they now have a line of shoes specifically for skateboarding that include a vulcanized rubber sole and lightweight cushioning in the sole. In 2009, Converse finally introduced a skate-specific line, known as Converse CONS. When it comes to skateboarding, you need a shoe that is lightweight, durable, flexible, support. Canvas is likely to rip after a few ollies and holes will start to form sooner than later. Lets take a look at what converse has to offer and if they are solid skate shoes. Refresh page. Comfort and foot protection must go hand-in-hand, so that impact is absorbed, but you still need to feel the board beneath their feet. But since there is literally less shoe, low-tops are going to be the lightest option. A well-cushioned insole is especially important for skaters with flat feet, who will need more support than those with higher arches. In addition, flexibility makes it easier for the skater to stay on their feet when they do slip. They offer some degree of ankle protection, yet still have a decent range of motion as well. Keep this in mind when shopping for shoes. When it comes to skateboarding, you need a shoe that is lightweight, durable, and flexible. All offer great skate shoes which makes it even harder to make a choice. Bruises and abrasions from the board slamming into your ankle while doing tricks are more likely. Converse has a wide range of shoes on the market, and they have an entire line dedicated to skate shoes, Converse CONS. All Rights Reserved. History of Converse Shoes in Skateboarding. When it turns gray, click the refresh icon that has appeared next to it or click the button below to continue. Affordability is another key factor when deciding on a skate shoe. We need a shoe that is durable, yet lightweight and flexible. HYPEBEAST is a registered trademark of Hypebeast Hong Kong Ltd. Gain access to exclusive interviews with industry creatives, think pieces, trend forecasts, guides and more. The new CONS have the style associated with classic Converse shoes, but with many features that makes them a much better skateboarding shoe than the classic Chuck Taylor All-Stars. If interested, follow me on Instagram or subscribe to my Youtube Channel, SkateboardersHQ is an independent blog run by real skaters, snowboarders, and surfers.