Nike entered the skateboarding scene in 2002 with Nike Skateboarding (Nike SB). Despite a shaky start, the brand quickly gained traction by establishing a pro team and partnering with skateboarding legends like Paul Rodriguez (2004) and Eric Koston (2009). This strategic move, combined with Nike’s extensive marketing resources, propelled Nike SB to the forefront of the skate shoe market. Today, Nike SB continues to innovate with new technologies and sponsors a large number of skaters.
Nike SB shoes are generally well-regarded for skateboarding. While some models, excluding the pro lines, may lack substantial padding, they provide excellent board feel and come at a reasonable price point. This makes them a popular choice among both street skaters and beginners.
Having personally skated in around 30 pairs of Nike SB shoes, including various models like Dunks, Blazers, Janoskis, and Charges, I’m sharing my honest take on their performance.
Nike SB Skate Shoe Review
used nike skateboarding shoes
Nike SB has released numerous models since 2002, some of which are no longer in production. This review focuses on currently available models. If you’re interested in older Nike SB shoes, keep an eye out for upcoming sections.
1. Nike SB Dunk: Superior Comfort and Protection
The Nike SB Dunk, introduced in 2002, had a rocky beginning, but it was redesigned in 2004 specifically for skaters. It quickly became a staple in the skateboarding line. The Dunk Low is an ideal blend of the classic, padded style of older skate shoes with the responsiveness required for modern skateboarding. They offer a great balance between thickness and thinness, offering solid protection against truck impacts and are also known for their durability.
2. Nike SB Charge: Budget-Friendly and Lightweight
The Nike SB Charge is a great alternative if you appreciate the design of the Janoski but are on a tighter budget. Featuring reinforced toe and heel pads, along with a decent sole, the suede versions make excellent entry-level skate shoes. They provide the quality expected from Nike at a price point similar to other skate shoes in retail stores. For skaters who like big gaps or handrails, I suggest switching out the stock insoles for thicker ones. I’ve personally used two insoles in each shoe for better impact protection.
3. Nike SB Zoom Stefan Janoski: Enhanced Board Feel and Style
The Stefan Janoski model stands out as a stylish sneaker that also excels as a skate shoe. It features a thick sole and Zoom Air technology insoles. The original leather laces also offered superior resistance to griptape wear. The Janoski’s success revolutionized the skate shoe industry, ushering in a new era of thinner skate shoes that appealed to both skaters and non-skaters alike. It became a must-have item for skaters and fashion enthusiasts.
Are Nike SB Stefan Janoski Shoes Good for Skating?
Nike Janoski skate shoes
The Stefan Janoski pro model is a point of contention among skaters. Some praise its enhanced board feel and responsiveness, while others dislike its lack of padding. However, this doesn’t deter the new generation of skaters from tackling huge gaps while wearing Janoskis. Many Nike SB pros, including Cory Kennedy, Luan Oliveira, Aurelien Giraud, Ishod Wair, Shane O’Neill, and Nyjah Huston, have skated in Janoskis at some point in their careers.
Should You Choose Low or Mid Nike SB Skate Shoes?
Nike Skateboarding hasn’t released high-top shoes this year, but some models, like the Blazers and Janoskis, are available in mid-top versions. The Zoom Stefan Janoski Mid offers extra cushioning around the ankle to safeguard against board impacts. The Mid Blazers, including the Premium, Edge, and Classic models, are similar in height to Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars.
Low-top shoes give your ankles more freedom, which maximizes mobility and flexibility. Mid-top shoes offer more protection than low tops by supporting the Malleolus, which can help in preventing mild ankle sprains. Ultimately, it’s up to the skater to decide whether they value more ankle mobility or greater protection.
Exploring Different Types of Nike SB Skate Shoes
Not all Nike SB shoes are designed exclusively for skateboarding. Following the success of the Stefan Janoski model, Nike SB expanded its sneaker collection for general wear, maintaining the designs while removing unnecessary padding. This review will only cover models designed for skateboarding.
Nike SB Blazers
The Blazer is a timeless design that has been around for over a decade. It features a vulcanized sole and a suede upper, providing flexibility, stability, and durability. While the Blazers Mid is more popular among general consumers, the Blazers Low is my personal favorite for skating. It provides the same thickness as the Mid, but with the mobility of a low-top shoe.
Nike SB Alleyoop
The Alleyoop is often considered a successor to the Nike SB Dunk and is among Nike’s best-selling shoes. This is one of the more padded models in the Nike SB line, incorporating suede and foam fabrics, and includes extra padding in the heel and toe for increased durability. The padded tongue also helps to keep your feet secure while skating. Overall, the Nike SB Alleyoop feels like riding your board in comfortable slippers.
Nike SB Nyjah Free 1 & 2
Named after street skateboarding legend Nyjah Huston, the Nyjah Free has seen two releases in two years. The Nyjah Free 1 is a slip-on design that feels like skating in socks, while the second version takes design cues from the Nike Air Zoom Spiridon, featuring laces, special ghillie loops for increased lace durability, and a breathable mesh upper. The rubber sole is very responsive and feels broken-in from the first kickflip.
Nike SB Shane
Designed by tech skater Shane O’Neill, the Shane is his first pro model, taking cues from the Stefan Janoski. It includes two types of lace loops to prevent ripping the laces, and it has thicker padding than the Janoski.
How Good are Nike SB Soles and Insoles?
nike janoski insoles
In the past, most Nike SB shoes, apart from pro models, had poor stock insoles. For example, I’ve skated in Charge and Blazer models that had extremely thin insoles, offering zero impact reduction. It felt like skating barefoot. Now, every Nike SB shoe comes with Zoom Air Technology insoles, designed to reduce vibration and impact. Although they are a significant improvement over previous versions, they don’t match the high-end skateboarding insoles found in other brands.
How Long Do Nike SB Shoes Typically Last?
ripped nike skate shoe
Nike SB shoes generally last 2 to 3 months before showing signs of wear and tear. This can vary based on the specific model, the condition of your grip tape, how often you skate, and the type of skateboarding you do. If you only skate occasionally and don’t do flip tricks, they may last for years. However, if you skate hard daily, they might only last a week. Avoid skating in Nike SB sneakers that are not made of suede, as they will likely not survive more than a few sessions.
Tips to Extend the Life of Your Nike SB Skate Shoes
Like any skate shoes, your Nikes will eventually wear out and develop holes. To extend their lifespan, try these tricks:
- Protect your laces: If your shoes aren’t slip-on, use a drop of glue on each eyelet to prevent laces from ripping when doing flip tricks.
- Reinforce flick areas: Cover the main flick areas with a layer of glue or shoe goo, adding more as needed. Keep in mind that this may alter the feel of your flick.
- Add black tape padding: Apply black tape padding to prevent holes from forming.
Final Thoughts
If you have a Nike Factory store nearby, check out their skateboarding section frequently. You might be able to find some great deals. Be aware that some “core” skaters may criticize you for wearing Nike, as skateboarding is about supporting local businesses and skater-owned brands. Nike, Adidas, and Reebok are often viewed as outsiders. If you are looking for the best skate shoes, explore my article on tested options. Despite this, Nike SB has become a major presence in skate parks and is worn by skaters across all disciplines.
