Skate shoes endure a lot of wear and tear. Grip tape, constant friction, and impact can quickly reduce their lifespan. As a long-time skateboarder, I remember the days of patching up shoes with anything I could find just to get a few more sessions. Luckily, there are now more effective and reliable methods to extend the life of your skate shoes. This guide provides practical tips and tricks to help you save money and keep your favorite shoes in action.
Understanding Skate Shoe Wear and Tear
Before diving into specific tips, it’s crucial to understand where and why skate shoes wear out. The main culprits are:
- Ollie Area: The side of the shoe where you perform ollies often takes the brunt of the abuse.
- Kickflip/Heelflip Area: The front of your shoe, specifically the toe box, experiences significant wear from kickflips and heelflips.
- Outsoles: Braking with your shoes wears down the soles quickly.
- Laces: Constant friction against the grip tape can cause laces to rip.
- Stitching: The stitching around the shoe, especially in high-contact areas, can fray and break.
10 Pro Tips to Extend Your Skate Shoe Lifespan
Here are ten actionable tips to help you get the most out of your skate shoes:
1. Reinforce High-Wear Areas
Marked areas on skate shoes that are wear out
Identifying and reinforcing vulnerable spots is key. Pay attention to areas like the toe box, ollie area, heel, and laces. Depending on your style, you might need to focus on specific areas more than others. For instance, if you do more heelflips, you’ll need to reinforce the collar area. Regularly inspect these areas for signs of wear and address them promptly.
2. Apply Super Glue to Stitches
Reinforce the stitching by applying super glue to the areas that contact your grip tape. Apply super glue to the nose, toe area, the side of the shoe (ollies) and the collar of your shoe (heelflips). This creates a protective layer that prevents the stitches from fraying and keeps the shoe together for longer. Reapply as needed for continued protection.
3. Opt for Suede, Avoid Canvas
Adidas Tyshawn skate shoes
When choosing skate shoes, opt for suede or leather uppers, especially in high-wear zones like the heel, toe, and ollie area. Suede provides a good balance of board feel and durability, while canvas tends to wear down faster. Brands such as Adidas, Emerica, Lakai, Etnies, and DC are known for producing skate shoes with robust stitching and durable materials. Cupsole constructions tend to be more durable than vulcanized soles, although vulcanized soles offer better board feel.
4. Use Suede Patches and Shoe Goo
Repairing skate shoes
When holes or tears appear, repair them using suede patches from old shoes or commercial products like Tricktape. Apply Shoe Goo or Ripcare to adhere the patches and reinforce the damaged areas. Allow the glue to dry completely, ideally for 24 hours, before skating in the repaired shoes. This method is effective for patching up common wear areas and extending the lifespan of your skate shoes.
5. Protect Your Laces
Ripped laces are a common issue for skateboarders. While many skate shoe brands have reinforced laces, you can extend their life further. Shoe Goo can be applied to the corners of your laces where they contact the grip tape, but this means they will no longer be adjustable. Lace protectors can offer added protection against wear. Consider using hidden lace loops or alternative lacing methods to minimize contact with the grip tape. You can also skip the bottom holes to keep the laces higher up the shoe and consider waxed hockey laces for their added durability.
6. Create Rubber Toe Caps with Plasti Dip
Plasti Dip is a liquid rubber spray that can be used to create custom rubber toe caps. Tape off the areas of your shoe you don’t want to cover to create a mask, then apply multiple layers of Plasti Dip to reinforce the toe box. This method is durable and looks better than traditional patches or glue repairs. It can be used on both suede and canvas shoes, providing enhanced protection against wear and tear.
7. Sand Down New Grip Tape
New grip tape is known for being extremely abrasive and can quickly wear out your shoes. Use scraps of grip tape to sand down the areas where your feet flick. This reduces friction and extends the life of your shoes. Only sand down the flick areas, not the entire grip tape surface.
8. Choose Less Abrasive Grip Tape
The type of grip tape you use significantly impacts the wear on your shoes. Consider using less abrasive options like DKL grip tape, which has a smoother surface. DKL grip tape is less likely to rip your shoes, however, it requires more time to apply, and may peel off easily. Ensure you trim the edges and sand it down thoroughly to prevent it from peeling. While it can save your shoes, some skaters find it too grippy, affecting their ability to execute certain tricks.
9. Avoid Hot Glue
Hot glue can damage canvas, suede, and leather. It is not durable and can quickly fall apart. When trying to repair your shoes, stay away from hot glue and opt for products like Shoe Goo instead.
10. Invest in Quality Skate Shoes
New Balance Numeric 306 wear after 25 hours
Choosing quality skate shoes from reputable brands like Adidas, Lakai, and New Balance can make a big difference in their durability. High-quality shoes are often made with better materials and more robust construction, resulting in a longer lifespan. Consider investing in a pair from a brand with a good reputation for durability. Some models are specifically designed for longevity and are worth the investment.
Conclusion
Extending the life of your skate shoes requires a proactive approach, including choosing durable materials, reinforcing vulnerable areas, and making repairs promptly. By applying these tips, you can reduce wear and tear, save money, and keep your favorite shoes in action. Remember, while there’s no way to completely prevent skate shoes from wearing out, these strategies can significantly prolong their lifespan, allowing you to skate longer and enjoy your sessions.
Now that you know how to keep your shoes in good condition, maybe you’ll want to learn more about the most durable skateboard decks.
