Skate Shoes & Trainers
The Significance of Skate Shoes
Skate shoes are specifically crafted for high-impact activities such as skateboarding, longboarding, and scootering. Utilising these specialised shoes when skateboarding is crucial as they are designed to endure the forces and impacts involved in the sport. Moreover, their features boost performance by offering improved grip and board control. Simultaneously, skate shoes are designed for exceptional comfort, preventing your feet from tiring quickly.
While you can skate in ordinary shoes or trainers, you’re unlikely to achieve the same performance level as with skateboard shoes, which are intended to enhance your skating ability.
Attributes of Skateboard Shoes
Primarily made from leather, suede, or canvas, most skate shoes aim to deliver extra comfort while riding. They feature an extra-thick vulcanised rubber sole that reduces wear during tricks and enhances durability. Soles tend to be flat and exhibit tread patterns for superior grip. Additionally, these shoes excel in shock absorption, making them suited for impacts and heavy landings.
These attributes ensure skate shoes are as robust as possible, given they're subjected to rough treatment on skateboards. It's important to note that skateboard shoes typically wear out more quickly than regular shoes due to skateboard grip tape.
Despite the unique attributes that make skateboard shoes ideal for board sports, many select them purely for their stylish design and comfort.
Maintain Your Skate Shoes Well
Activities like skateboarding and longboarding can be quite demanding on your skate shoes; hence, it’s vital to maintain them to extend their longevity. If you frequently use your skate shoes for tricks, consider purchasing Shoe Goo or a similar silicone product to apply to the shoe's tip and sides. This is used to form a protective layer on the shoe’s most vulnerable areas.
There are also preventive care steps you can take. Applying super-glue to the stitching at the side and nose of your shoes can stop them from ripping apart during tricks. Opting for less abrasive grip tapes can further extend the life of your shoes by reducing friction.