Choosing the Right Shoes for Skateboarding, Scooter Riding, and Biking
When you’re in to any type of sport, having the proper equipment and clothing is very important. When you perform on your feet, the shoes that you choose to wear are particularly important. Although at first glance it might seem like any shoe will do for X-games-type sports like skateboarding, scooter riding, and biking, it’s important to consider your choices carefully. Some people might be prone to choose shoes based solely on the brand name. While there are plenty of brands that make a quality skater shoe, you really need to consider the makeup of the shoe to determine what will work best for you.
Material
If you’re serious about your skating or riding, then you need a shoe made of leather. Canvas shoes are great for the casual rider, but aggressive riders will need something more durable. Your shoe should be thick with a few layers of leather, preferably treated. You can find synthetic leather skate shoes, but make sure they are of good quality.
Durability
Since you are doing a bit more than just walking or running in these shoes, they need to be reinforced to keep from breaking. Thin shoes made of cheap material are likely to fall apart quickly under aggressive use. You should accept that skating and riding are really hard on shoes, so you need something with extra layers, especially around the toe and on the side. Padding around the heel and lacing is also recommended.
Grip
With all of the tricks you plan on doing, you need shoes that are going to help you grip the surface of your board, scooter, or bike. Regular shoe rubber is still likely to be a bit slippery, so choose a sole with a gummy grip. You might need to try out a few different brands to see which gives you the best overall grip.
Stitch
If your shoes are glued together, they will fall apart. The best skateboarding, scooter riding, and biking shoes are going to be stitched together with either a double or triple stitch. If the shoes are properly stitched, they will hold together better for longer.
Lace Holes
When you’re so focused on the other qualities of your skate shoes, it’s easy to overlook the laces. Your laces need to be protected. It’s all too easy when flipping your skateboard, scooter, or bike around to catch a lace and rip it out of your shoe. The eyelets ought to be reinforced with metal. If you can, look for shoes that also provide cover flaps for your laces to protect them getting caught.
Weight
The weight of your shoes will also affect your performance. You need shoes that fit the qualities listed above while still remaining as light as possible. Heavy shoes will make it more difficult to do tricks, so try to avoid shoes that feel like cement blocks strapped to your feet.
Padding, style, and brand are all things that you might also consider, though they are not quite as important as the other areas listed above. When you skate and ride, you’re bound to go through shoes quickly. The best shoes for skating and riding will be properly reinforced, made of durable material, and have soles with good grip. In the end, however, it comes down to your personal preference and riding style.
