Choosing the right skate shoes can significantly impact your performance and how often you need to replace them. After months of rigorous testing with the help of our local skateboarding community, we’ve compiled a list of the most durable skate shoes, focusing on those that truly stand the test of time and countless hours of shredding. While many brands offer great skate shoes, some simply wear out faster than others. This guide highlights the models that last the longest and provides tips on how to make your skate shoes endure your most intense sessions.
Top Picks for Durable Skate Shoes
Our extensive tests have shown that the type of shoe and the quality of materials play a vital role in durability. Canvas tends to be the least durable, while suede consistently proves to be superior. However, even within suede, quality varies significantly. Stitching and the placement of seams, along with the grit of your grip tape, also influence how quickly your shoes wear out. Here are our top picks for skate shoes that will last:
- Adidas Tyshawn: Known for its high-quality suede and robust construction, the Adidas Tyshawn stood out in our tests.
- New Balance Numeric 306: This vulcanized shoe is surprisingly durable, making it a great option if you prefer the feel of vulc soles.
- Etnies Marana: This shoe features a rubber toe cap and a tough outsole, which significantly increase its lifespan, even with heavy use.
Worn Etnies Joslin 2 Skate Shoes after intense use, showcasing typical wear patterns
It’s worth noting that some shoes lose their shape faster than others, which can affect your board feel even if the material itself is still in good condition.
Detailed Reviews of Long-Lasting Skate Shoes
We put several skate shoes to the test and tracked how long they lasted. Here’s a detailed look at our top choices:
1. Etnies Michelin Marana
The Etnies Michelin Marana is renowned for its durability. Its collaboration with tire manufacturer Michelin resulted in an outsole that’s exceptionally resistant to wear and tear. Chris Joslin’s endorsement is a strong indicator of this shoe’s high-quality build.
Key Details:
- PU rubberized toe cap
- STI Evolution foam
- Suede upper
- Pro Foam 1 insole
- 400 NBS gum rubber outsole
Durability: The rubber toe cap and quality suede make this shoe very durable. The Michelin soles are incredibly resilient to wear from pushing, and the shoe maintains its shape for a significant time. Our testing showed that the average skater can get between 120 and 150 hours of skate time before needing to replace the Marana, depending on the grip tape used.
How They Skate: The Marana provides excellent support but offers less board feel than vulcanized models. However, after a break-in period, they become quite flexible for a cupsole. The Michelin sole is designed to offer excellent grip and impact support. They are also suitable for daily wear, but you should consider breaking them in for a few days before skating.
Verdict: If you prioritize durability, the Etnies Michelin Marana is an excellent choice. Be aware that it takes some time to break in, and it doesn’t provide the same board feel as a vulc shoe.
Close-up of Etnies Marana Skate Shoes showing the Michelin outsole and durable construction
Etnies Marana Michelin sole showcasing its unique design and durability
2. Adidas 3st Tyshawn
The Adidas Tyshawn is a standout for its combination of flexibility, durability, and comfort. We skated this shoe for over 170 hours and could have gone further, but the shoe started to lose its shape after about 160 hours.
Key Details:
- Durable high-quality suede upper
- Paneled overlays and herringbone tread
- Geofit tongue with an S-curve heel clip
Durability: The Tyshawn impressed us with its exceptional durability. The high-quality suede showed minimal wear even after 80 hours of skating, with only minor wear in ollie and kickflip areas. After 130 hours, the wear became more noticeable but the shoes still lasted for another 40 hours. This impressive lifespan is likely due to the suede’s quality and the lack of stitching on the vamp and toe box.
How They Skate: While the Tyshawn has a low profile, it’s comfortable but can feel a bit tight for those with wider feet. It provides excellent board feel and impact absorption, enhancing confidence when skating. The elastic grip provides a stable feel, and the shoe’s performance was a pleasant surprise given its cupsole design.
Verdict: The Adidas 3ST.004 Tyshawn is our top recommendation for long-lasting skate shoes. It’s comfortable, sturdy, and flexible, with superior board feel. Those with wider feet should consider going a size up.
Side view of Adidas Tyshawn Skate Shoes highlighting the shoe's design and construction
Adidas 3st shoes wear after an extended period of skateboarding, showcasing the wear patterns and material resilience
Close-up of Adidas Tyshawn skate shoes wear pattern after long hours of use
Worn out Adidas 3st sole highlighting its durability and performance
3. New Balance Numeric 306
The New Balance Numeric 306 is a fantastic choice for those who prefer a vulcanized shoe without compromising durability.
Key Details:
- High-quality suede
- Reinforcement band on the side
Durability: The high-quality suede held up well after 25 hours of skating, with no signs of wear. The reinforcement band adds extra protection, and the strategically placed stitching helps prevent tearing on the upper toe box. The soles, though, do show wear after 60-70 hours of skating, particularly in the toe area. Despite this, the shoe maintains its shape well until about 80 hours, and it remains skateable until the 110-hour mark.
How They Skate: The Numeric 306 has a classic vulc feel, with a thin sole that provides great board feel, especially for kickflips. The shoe is flexible with good grip, and the high cut provides ankle stability. However, the insoles offer minimal protection.
Verdict: Jamie Foy’s New Balance Numeric 306 pro model is excellent for durability, stability, and board feel, making it a top choice for those who prefer vulc shoes.
New Balance Numeric 306 Skate Shoes on a skateboard, demonstrating their fit and performance
New Balance Numeric 306 wear after 25 hours of skating, showcasing its early resistance to wear and tear
Worn New Balance skate shoes, showing sole wear and tear after extended use
4. eS Accel Slim
The eS Accel Slim is a surprising performer, offering good durability despite its stitched toe box.
Durability: We tested these shoes for over 90 hours, noting that wear and fading on the ollie area started to appear after 40 hours. After 60 hours of skating, ollie holes started to develop, and the shape began to lose its form. The shoes started to rip at the 80-90-hour mark, which is remarkable for a shoe with a stitched toe box.
How They Skate: The Accel Slim provides a good balance of board feel and flexibility, although it requires a break-in period. It provides a decent amount of padding to prevent impact injuries. The shoes maintain their shape well for the first 50 hours, but they start to stretch out afterward.
Verdict: The eS Accel Slim is a solid option that won’t break the bank while providing good durability. It is suitable for flat-ground skating but less suitable for technical tricks.
eS Accel Slim Skate Shoes on a skateboard, demonstrating their sleek design and performance
eS Accel Slim skate shoes wear patterns after heavy use, highlighting the durability of the material
Choosing The Right Skate Shoes for You
Your choice of skate shoes should align with your specific needs and preferences. Consider these factors:
- Impact Protection: If you’re skating big stairs or gaps, opt for shoes that provide ample impact protection, like cupsoles.
- Board Feel: Vulcanized shoes are typically preferred for better board feel, while cupsole shoes offer more support and durability.
- Foot Shape: Consider whether you have flat feet or need arc support when choosing between cupsoles and vulcs.
- Body Size: Taller or heavier riders usually need extra support from their shoes.
- Budget: Don’t hesitate to buy shoes on sale. You can often find great deals that can save you a significant amount of money.
Skate Shoe Brands That Are Built to Last
Lakai, eS, Adidas, and Etnies are brands that often provide long-lasting shoes. However, this isn’t true for every shoe they produce. It is better to evaluate the shoe model itself rather than relying solely on the brand.
Least Durable Skate Shoes
Vulcanized shoes generally wear faster than cupsoles. Our tests showed that the DVS Commanche 2.0 was the least durable, becoming unskateable after only 40 hours. Nike Stefan Janoski shoes and other Nike vulc models also didn’t last beyond 60 hours. While many like Vans for their style and feel, they typically don’t last very long.
How to Repair Skate Shoes
Even the most durable skate shoes will eventually wear out. Knowing how to repair them can save you money.
A visual representation of repairing skate shoes with various materials and methods
Basic Repair Techniques
- Cardboard and Tape: A cheap, temporary fix using cardboard and tape to cover tears.
- Shoe-Goo/Hot Glue and Suede: A more robust method using glue and suede patches cut from old shoes.
Skate shoes and a repair kit
- Adhesive Shoe Patches: Convenient, pre-made patches, some of which are specifically designed for skateboarding.
Repaired skate shoe using a combination of suede patch and glue
Repairing Specific Types of Holes
- Kickflip Holes: Easily patched with glue and suede or adhesive patches.
- Heelflip Holes: Harder to patch due to the location, requiring careful application of shoe-goo and suede.
- Sole Holes: Can be temporarily fixed with cardboard or permanently repaired with glue and a patch on the inside of the shoe.
Using Duck Tape
Duck tape is a quick and cheap fix for covering holes. You can either wrap the tape around the shoe or create a more durable patch by carefully layering pieces of tape.
Using duct tape to repair skate shoes, showcasing a quick and easy temporary fix
How to Prevent Rips
Taking preemptive measures can significantly increase the lifespan of your skate shoes.
Reinforce the Laces
Use shoe-goo or hot glue on each eyelet to protect the laces from tearing.
Pre-Patch Areas
Apply shoe-goo, glue, or adhesive patches to high-wear areas to add extra protection.
Final Thoughts
Durable skate shoes are an investment for serious skaters. While they may sacrifice some board feel, the increased lifespan and durability make them worth it. Shop smart, visit local skate shops, and be aware of your grip tape’s impact on your shoes. By understanding these factors, you can choose the best skate shoes for your needs and keep shredding longer.
