Brands of Skater Shoes

Skateboarding, both an action sport and a means of transportation, can be done wearing most types of shoes, but several different brands and shoe types are made specifically for skateboarding. Skater shoes are typically low- or mid-cut with a wide, flat sole, but higher tops are becoming more common. The durable shoes are designed with the right amount of cushion and surface area for optimum foot placement and maneuvering on a skateboard. Non-skateboarders may also wear skater shoes, choosing them for their comfort and style.

  1. Vans Shoes

    • Paul Van Doren and three partners opened up their first store in Anaheim, California, in 1966. Starting out as the Van Doren Rubber Co., it was the first skater shoe store that manufactured its shoes and sold them directly to the public. The company originally made different types of athletic shoes, but it focused on skaters and BMX riders in the 1970s by introducing the highly popular Vans Slip-On. Vans is the largest skateboarding shoe company and sponsors several action sports series and contests such as the Vans Triple Crown, and music events such as the Vans Warped Tour.

    DC Shoes

    • DC Shoes is one of the largest skateboarding shoe companies in the world; its origin is traced back to 1989 when snowboarder Ken Block started creating T-shirts for skaters. Block teamed up with skateboarder and schoolmate Damon Way to expand the original Eightball T-shirt brand to Droors jeans. The business was incorporated as Circus Distribution, and DC Shoes launched in 1994. While its main and original focus was skate shoes, DC Shoes' explosive popularity enabled it to launch pro teams in skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX, motocross and rallycross. The company maintains a huge clothing and accessories line, and it sponsors the biggest names in action sports. Legendary skateboarder and celebrity Rob Dyrdek is a team member and business partner. He designed the company's first technical skate shoe.

    Etnies

    • Etnies debuted the first-ever pro-model skate shoe and credits itself as the first skateboarder-owned-and-operated global action sports footwear and apparel company. The brand was established in 1986 under its parent company, Sole Technology, founded by French skater Pierre Andre Senizergues. The brand began as Etnics, derived from the word "ethnic," to represent the lifestyle and subculture of skateboarders who travel in small tribes. It changed its name to Etnies in 1987. It sponsors a large pro team and releases products for skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, BMX, motocross and rallycross. The brand itself began making durable high-top shoes for the European skate and surf market under French skater Alain "Platoon" Montagnet, and made it to the United States in 1989.

    éS Footwear

    • Also under the Sole Technology company, éS Footwear launched in 1995. The brand name came from the last two letters of Etnies. Headed by Don Brown, éS gained popularity by signing legendary skater Eric Koston to its pro team. Its early mid-top model, Accel, was the first skater shoe with a kevlar ollie pad and remains the brand's most popular shoe. The brand creates a more athletic skate shoe styled for the street, sometimes using Air Technology.

    Emerica

    • Another Sole Technology brand headed by Don Brown, Emerica launched in 1996 to create simple skate shoes designed to meet skateboarding demands. Emerica established itself as a top skate shoe brand by signing some of skateboarding's top pros. The Heritic model, released in 2001, became one of the brand's top sellers due to its basic functional style and durability via a rubber toe cap. In 2002, Emerica released a limited 600 pairs of Ed Templeton signature model shoes that were spray-painted gold by hand. The brand produces innovative skater shoes fueled by Sole Technology's developments, such as System G2 gel, which uses dual-cushioning comfort and protection to absorb the large impact skaters put on their heels, and System Flo2, which incorporates high air flow breathable tongues to keep feet cool.

    Adio

    • Based out of Solana Beach, California, Adio Footwear sponsors a small team of pro skaters, who are encouraged to design and release signature shoes. Legendary skateboarder Chris Miller founded the company in 1998. Adio focuses on the development of skateboard specific technology, and it also releases models for women and kids.

    Osiris

    • Osiris Shoes launched in 1996 and is based in Carlsbad, California. Tony Chen, Brian Reid, Tony Magnusson, Laura Kim and Doug Weston founded the brand to focus on creating innovative, skater-designed footwear. Osiris has expanded to sponsor pro teams and release products for skateboarding, BMX and motocross, and it also has a kids' team and a girls' team.

    DVS

    • Kevin Dunlap and Tim Gavin founded DVS Shoe Co. in 1995. DVS stands for "devious," and it produces shoes and clothing for skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding and motocross. Based out of Torrance, California, the brand is owned by Podium Distribution. It's patented shoe technologies include Bruise Control cushioning, CGT Technology for optimum grip in cold weather and ECOTRUE Technology, which allows shoes to be made from 100 percent recyclable material.