The shoes that you wear while longboarding are almost as important as your longboard setup. Shoes affect your ability to perform tricks, grip your board, and maintain stamina while riding. Longboarding shoes aren’t always cheap, so the last thing you want to do is play trial and error with several. So, what are the best longboard shoes?
The best longboard shoes are Vans Half Cabs, DC Men’s Cure Casual High Tops, and Lakai Griffins. Women’s longboard shoes such as the Adidas Futurvulc and Osiris NYC 83 feature comfortable insoles. Etnies Faders, Vans Old Skools, and New Balance Foy 306s are among the best skate and longboard shoes right now.
It’s important to consider your longboarding style and habits when you buy shoes. Wide and heavy longboard shoes will hinder your performance if you ride downhill, but they’re perfect for cruising. Luckily, we have compiled a list of the best longboarding shoes based on style, design, and performance. Follow along as we explore the 10 best longboarding shoes.
What to Consider When Buying Longboard Shoes?
Style
Style is one of the biggest selling factors of longboarding shoes. Some longboarders prefer high tops whereas some want shoes that stop at the ankle. Brands like Vans and Osiris offer skate shoes in a wide range of colors and styles.
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Your riding style also affects which longboard shoes are the best option for you. For example, heavy and wide longboarding shoes aren’t necessarily ideal for downhill riders, racers, and longboard dancers. However, they are perfect for cruising and or transportation.
Downhill longboarders can benefit from low-to-mid-top skate shoes that are lightweight. Longboarders that perform tricks need to pick shoes that support their style. For example, thinner shoes are great for carving bowls whereas heavier shoes protect your feet when you land flip tricks.
Comfort
Comfort directly affects your longboarding experience. You aren’t going to want to spend a full day longboarding if your shoes are uncomfortable. The insoles of longboarding shoes are the most important factor when it comes to comfort. Pay attention to the listing or try on longboarding shoes before you buy them to make sure the insole is soft and supportive.
The fact is many skate shoes value function over comfort. That’s why it’s important to find out what material a brand uses for the insoles. Gel and foam insoles typically provide the most comfort, but leather insoles can be great as well.
Durability
The materials that longboarding shoes are made of determine how durable they are. Materials like suede and leather are considered the most durable. Look for shoes made of either material to ensure that your longboarding shoes will stand the test of time.
Most seasoned skaters and longboarders will tell you that canvas shoes are the least comfortable. That is especially true if you perform tricks or skate bowls and ramps. Canvas isn’t always durable enough to withstand the beating that a heavy longboard or cruiser can provide. Super suede and action leather are the best options for longboard shoes.
Size
Finally, you need to make sure that you get longboard shoes that are your size. There was a trend where skaters purposefully wore shoes that were a size too big. I cannot recommend this, however. Instead, you should get shoes in your size and simply lace them loosely if you don’t want your feet to be restricted.
Look for wide longboard shoes if you are worried about your feet getting cramped. Brands like eS, Osiris, and Etnies offer roomy skate shoes in particular.
10 Best Longboarding Shoes
1. DC Men’s Cure Casual High-Top
DC is one of the top skate shoe brands with professional ambassadors like Rob Dyrdek. The DC Men’s Cure Casual High-Tops are a great example of how the brand focuses on style as much as comfort. They come in 12 colors so you have plenty of options to match your style.
The highlight of these shoes is the comfortable outsoles. It’s important to have strong outsoles, especially if you plan to ride your longboard for a long time. They are also well-ventilated which is essential for longboarding on hot days.
2. Vans Half Cab
Vans has a long history of producing some of the best skate shoes on the market. However, none have made as big of an impression as Half Cabs. Vans Half Cabs offer the snug comfort of low tops with the weight and style of high tops.
They feature the same comfortable and supportive rubber soles as most skate shoes that Vans offers. Vans Half Cabs are perfect for longboarding because they are just as good for skating as they are for walking casually. They are quite athletic for longboarding shoes, and Half Cabs are timeless.
3. Osiris Women’s NYC 83
Arguably the most vibrant skate shoe brand, Osiris longboarding shoes are easy to spot. Look no further than the Osiris Women’s NYC 83 shoes to understand what I’m talking about. Colorful, unique, and comfortable, these longboarding shoes make a statement.
They are low tops which some skates prefer because they don’t obstruct your ankles. The durable rubber sole makes it easy to keep your footing on your longboard’s grip tape. Osiris shoes are also somewhat heavy which is useful for controlling your board.
4. Lakai Griffin
Lakai was founded by Mike Carroll and Rick Howard who are among the best professional skateboarders of all time. Their experience and expertise are reflected in shoes like the Lakai Griffins. Available in 20 colors, these low tops feature a simple and practical design.
The insoles are comfortable, but the outsoles are where this shoe signs. You won’t have to worry about damaging the outsoles with the grip tape on your longboard. These are also a great option if you want longboard shoes that you can also wear for everyday use.
5. New Balance Foy 306
Jamie Foy is one of the best modern professional skateboarders, so it’s no surprise that his pro-model shoes are top-notch. New Balance Foy 306s combine the athleticism of standard New Balance shoes with the design and style of a skate shoe. The suede and rubber construction provides the best of both worlds between comfort and durability.
They are snug and comfortable featuring a small tongue. The wavy design on the soles makes it easy to grip your longboard beneath your feet.
6. Etnies Fader
Etnies Fader Skate Shoes are instantly recognizable. Similar to Osiris shoes, Etnies Faders are thick and wide. They have a noticeable weight to them which is what I typically look for in longboarding shoes.
Available in over 30 colors, you aren’t limited to one particular style. While they are thick and heavy, these shoes are quite breathable so you don’t have to worry about hot and humid days.
7. Emerica Romero
Emerica Romero longboarding shoes offer the best of both worlds between comfort and practicality. They have a classic skate-shoe look but aren’t quite as bold as Osiris and Etnies. This appeals to longboarders that don’t necessarily want to draw eyes with vibrant shoes.
Made of suede, these shoes can withstand heavy use, water, and prolonged exposure to sunlight. These are a great option if you are a fan of classic Vans shoes but want to mix things up. Emerica has kept these shoes in rotation since 2014, and there is no sign that the Romeros will leave the roster anytime soon.
8. Vans Old Skool
Trends come and go, but Vans Old Skools are timeless. As the name suggests, they feature an appearance that harkens back to the early days of skateboarding. These shoes are great for longboarding, especially if you ride a cruiser, but they are great for any deck and style.
The classic waffle-style bottom of these shoes makes it comfortable to plant your feet on the grip tape. I can vouch for these shoes as I have two pairs of them. One pair is relegated to skating, and I use the other pair for walking and everyday life.
However, I recommend breaking your Vans in for a few days before riding too heavily. In my experience, Vans take a little longer to break in than the average longboarding shoe, but it’s worth the wait.
9. Adidas Women’s Futurevulc
Adidas makes some of the best longboarding shoes on the market. The Women’s Futurevulc skate shoes are a perfect example of how Adidas focuses on practicality and comfort. While the soles solidify them as skate shoes, the Futurevulcs have a distinctly athletic feel.
This makes them the perfect hybrid shoe that you can wear casually or on a longboard. They don’t look much different than standard Adidas running shoes, but the insoles and outsoles make them perfect for longboarding. It also helps that the soles are similar to the soles on Vans shoes so the grip is excellent.
10. eS Men’s Accel OG
Check out the eS Men’s Accel OGs if you like longboarding shoes that are thick and heavy. This brand has always stood out for its unique and immediately recognizable designs. I am one of the many skaters in the world who was thrilled when eS came back into the business in 2016.
The Men’s Accel OGs are a perfect example of their post-comeback skate shoes. Perfect for longboarding, these cozy shoes are well-padded on the inside. They are also perfect for longboarders that want a little extra wiggle room for their feet.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right shoes for longboarding is essential for comfort, safety, and performance when ridinig. Longboarding puts a lot of stress on your feet, and wearing shoes that are not designed for it can cause discomfort, injuries, and overall a poor riding experience.
When selecting shoes for longboarding, look for ones that provide great support, cushioning, grip, and flexibility. Also, make sure they fit properly and are comfortable to wear for extended periods of riding time. With the right skate shoes, you can enjoy a smoother and more comfortable ride, improve your control and balance, and reduce the risk of injuries.
Nick Durante is a professional writer that primarily focused on action sports. Skateboarding and Longboarding are his particular areas of expertise. When he isn’t writing about action sports, he is catching up on the world of skateboarding and spending time outside.