Garage Skateshop is a Southern California skate shop, in business since 1995, that sells skate shoes from Vans, adidas, New Balance Numeric, Converse CONS, ASICS, Last Resort AB and Globe. Shop vulc and cupsole skate shoes, suede and canvas, low tops to high tops, shipped from Orange County, California.

Last updated: September 24, 2026

What is a skate shoe?

A skate shoe is a flat, grippy shoe built to survive skateboarding. It has a flat rubber sole so you can feel the board, a tough upper (usually suede or canvas) that holds up to grip tape, and a reinforced toe and side where your ollies and kickflips wear it down. Most skate shoes also have extra padding in the tongue and collar for impact.

Shop by style: low tops, mid tops, high tops and slip-ons.

Do skate shoes really make a difference?

Yes. Running shoes and regular sneakers have curved, cushioned soles that make it hard to feel the board, and thin mesh uppers that tear after a few sessions on grip tape. A skate shoe's flat sole grips the board, and its suede or reinforced canvas lasts far longer when you're doing flip tricks.

Vulc or cupsole: which skate shoe is better?

Neither is better. It depends on how you skate. Vulc shoes give more board feel, and cupsoles give more support and last longer.

Some shoes split the difference. The Vans Skate Half Cab Wafflecup uses a hybrid sole that combines cupsole support with vulc board feel.

Suede or canvas skate shoes?

Suede lasts longer for skating. Grip tape eats through canvas fast, especially on the side of your front shoe where you flick kickflips. Canvas is lighter, breaks in quicker and usually costs less, so it works for cruising or if you don't flip much. Many skate shoes use suede in the toe and ollie area and canvas elsewhere to get both.

Are Vans good for skating?

Yes, and the Vans Skate line is the version built for it. Vans Skate shoes, like the Skate Old Skool, Skate Half Cab, Skate Authentic and Skate Slip-On, add Duracap reinforcement in high-wear areas and PopCush insoles for impact. Vans Classics look the same but skip those upgrades, so they wear out faster on a board. Shop Vans skate shoes.

What shoes do pro skaters wear?

Most pros skate their own signature shoe. These are pro models you can get at Garage Skateshop:

• adidas: Tyshawn (Tyshawn Jones), Busenitz (Dennis Busenitz), Puig (Lucas Puig) and the Glenburn x Daewon (Daewon Song). Shop adidas.
• New Balance Numeric: 306 (Jamie Foy), 933 (Andrew Reynolds), 1010 (Tiago Lemos) and 417 (Franky Villani). Shop New Balance Numeric.
• Vans: Skate Curren Caples and Skate Rowan Z3 (Rowan Zorilla).
• Converse CONS: Louie Lopez Pro. Shop Converse CONS.
• Globe: Gillette (Austyn Gillette).

Garage Skateshop also carries ASICS skate shoes (Japan Pro, Gel-Vickka Pro) and Last Resort AB.

How long do skate shoes last?

Skate shoes last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months if you skate most days. The first thing to go is usually the side of the front shoe, where you flick kickflips on grip tape. Suede uppers, cupsoles and reinforced toes all add life. Many skaters patch holes with shoe glue to squeeze out a few more sessions.

Skate shoe FAQ

What are the best skate shoes for beginners?

Beginners do best in a flat, durable suede shoe with good board feel, like the Vans Skate Old Skool or Converse CONS CTAS Pro. A vulc sole helps you feel where your feet are on the board while you learn. Suede holds up while you're dragging your feet a lot.

How should skate shoes fit?

Skate shoes should fit snug, with your heel locked in and very little room at the toe. A loose shoe slides around on the board and makes flip tricks harder. Most skate shoes loosen up a little as they break in.

Can you wear skate shoes every day?

Yes. Most people who wear skate shoes never skate in them. They're comfortable for walking, though the flat sole has less arch support than a running shoe.

What is the difference between high tops and low tops for skating?

High tops cover your ankle, which adds a little protection from board hits. Low tops are lighter and give more ankle movement. Mid tops sit in between. It mostly comes down to what feels right.

How much do skate shoes cost?

Most skate shoes cost $60 to $135 at full price. Classic vulc shoes sit at the lower end, while cupsole and pro models from adidas, New Balance Numeric and ASICS usually land around $100.

What sizes do you carry?

Skate shoes at Garage Skateshop come in men's sizes, mostly 4 to 13, with the deepest range in 8 to 12. Some styles list women's size conversions on the product page.

Can I return skate shoes?

Yes, within 30 days of shipment, if the shoes are unworn and come back in the original, undamaged box. Try them on on carpet so the soles stay clean. Sale items are final sale.