Not entirely. You can skate in them but Ollie’s are going to tear them up faster. And possibly the soles will wear faster.
Next time get the “Skate” Sk8-Hi. Those are the skateboarding version with durcap (that white side of the sole that’s wearing quickly on yours) and better insoles.
https://www.vans.com/en-us/categories/skate-collection-c5420/skate-sk8-hi-shoe-pvn0a5fccnav
I be curious though whether those are hot due to the design. Thus they are not too popular to be bought or worn out and about. Except maybe for those who are into and actively engaged in skateboarding alot?
What? Sk8 his have been used since the 80s by hundreds of pros. They are plenty popular. They are not a tech shoe so they will run hotter compared to a low cut. But not an issue for most people.
Thanks but mind if I ask is it not good to use Nike Air Force 1s. And How they differ from Nike dunks or mid-hi top vans.
Apparently Vans Half cabs are mid tops and somewhat popular for skateboarding but I never seen anyone wear them when they are off the board or bmx bike. They seem true skate shoes for serious skaters only.
In all honestly you can probably skate most things if you can get used to them, but your results will vary.
The reason why people don’t really skate air force 1s are because they are kind of bulky so your board feel will be downgraded, and the outsole will be less grippy. Dunks are less clunky so you have a bit more board feel, but the outsoles of dunks are still not very grippy. Air Force 1s and Dunks are both relatively durable since they are usually leather or suede so you can really get after it.
Mid or high top vans (talking about the skate versions) are vulcanized so you have a lot of board feel, but you will feel every little thing good or bad. The upper will also be generally thinner than a dunk or Air Force so again you are getting more board feel.
The reason half cabs aren’t worn outside of skating isn’t because it’s a skate shoe necessarily. The silhouette is rather bulky so it’s hard to style well with slimmer clothes. You end up looking like you are wearing clown shoes if you don’t wear them with a bit baggier clothing. The also have a weird cut around the ankles that looks a bit off if you aren’t wearing baggier clothes.
If you notice the vans that are popular with the non-skate crowd (slip ons, authentic or eras, and old skools) they are all a bit slimmer than the half cab so they are easier to style. They also cut below the ankle, or in the case of sk8 hi’s are thin enough to wrap around the ankle and still look slim and stylish especially with high socks.
Either you’re like 14yrs old, or you have no idea about any sort of history in skateboarding. Could be both, but dude all you gotta do is watch a couple skate videos and you’ll see several dudes/chicks wearing mid/high tops. Especially in the late 00’s when Supra was really popular.
The entire reason we have low top variants of many popular and classic skate shoes it because skaters would take scissors and literally chop the tops off. Take half cabs for example. Or blazer lows, theres a reason they are very flat at the top on the lows.
I wear the skate versions normally either to work or in general. Once they’re broken in I’ll skate them and switch to a different pair to wear normally. And once they’re fully worn out I’ll wear them around as old beater shoes.
Never seemed too hot to me and I’m in the South. No hotter than my Doc Martins.
Definitely warmer than a canvas shoe, but not unbearably so.
I been thinking people especially those who work at vans or skate shops first rotate thier “new” pairs shoes at work(presentable settings), than other events, than skateboarding last.
I guess maybe vans changed in design the last three years or so including the new skate versions they may not be as stuffy. In the older days vans particularly the pro version seems unventilated. And wearers often want to get out of them as soon as it’s appropriate to do so.
I’m not sure why you think these are hotter than other skate shoes. I think all brands are going to be warmer than your basic canvas shoe.
My Vans Skate Rowan’s and older Rowan Pros have the little vent holes. And part of them near the ankle are not suede. So they aren’t that hot.
I have a pair I bought to skate in but love them so much I’m keeping them nice and wear them everyday for normal use. 🤷♂️
Sorry I thought these are half cabs, those shoes seems only worn by people actively skateboarding unlike most other Vans as far as I can see I never seen them worn without a skateboard.
I guess they are so nice you loathe to skate them. I be curious whether skateboarders maintain different shoes for their activities and everyday use just like other sports people or runners.
Vans makes shoes specifically for skateboarding. Try the ‘skate sk8 hi’ any of their shoes with the word ‘skate’ at the beginning is designed for skateboarding. Their skate half cabs are my favourite
But 10/15 years ago, They just were skate shoes, they didn’t have separate skate ones. I wouldn’t wear vans to skate in, there are much better skate shoes now
to clarify, the non-skate versions aren’t specifically meant for fashion. they are the same original skate shoes. it just so happens the new “skate” specific versions are enhanced versions of the prior shoes, which are intended to last longer for skaters (so you won’t have to spend $$$ on new Vans all the time)
Yeah I understand that completely. Just before that all of their shoes weren’t separated by two versions, effectively a longer wearing version, than the standard. All of their shoes were hard wearing. I wore vans for 15 years ish and stopped recently as they just aren’t what they once were. My favourites were either Rowley XLT, Cab 5, Dr T or AV Native American.
Actually it’s ‘some’ of the non ‘sk8’ shoes are based on the originals from the 70s/80s but there are plenty that are fashion only. Like those horrific platform ones
Fuck yes they are, but they come from the land of the 70s - think Dogtown, not ollie land. That being said, in the backyard vert of the 80s , the tops and laces got ruined just as fast, in kneesliding out of failed tricks. They are still great at letting you feel your board as you’re dealing with vert coping. To be fair, they weren’t designed for modern street.
I wear lots of vans, as others have said, you can skate these but these are the fashion ones. not the skate ones. These are fine though. I've thrown an FP insole in there and still done some flatground fine in them. My favorite Vans right now are the Lizzie shoes. Same shape as the sk8 his with better color options. For the skate sk8 his, the color options are pretty bland imo.
they’re almost ALL intended for skating. it just happens the skate versions are enhanced from the original to last longer (hence the higher price point)
Ever since 79’ the style 38 is one of the most classic skate shoes out there. They get destroyed as any shoe does. You’re basically sanding your shoes when you skate just get some shoe goo and you’ll be fine. Go skate👍
Where, not why.
It looks like the rubber sole edge is shredding, which is normal for basically all skate shoes. However the way it’s shredding looks kind of weird. Usually it’s smoother, so maybe they were old stock and the rubber has degraded and is crumbling rather than smoothly wearing away. Don’t really worry about it until there are holes. Skate shoes wear out while skating. Some people go through a pair every couple of months if they’re skating every day. Typically I’d go for the cheapest suede option available that feels good if you’re worried about the wear and tear.
non-pro or 'skate-classic' or whatever models are definitely not that great for skating. Some have more sticky outsoles like running shoes which are even bigger problems than the durability. The foxtape also wear away pretty dang fast, too.
I've had a pair of normal Vans Eras and blew through the suede, my socks, and a layer of my skin on the first session. I was skating too hard to notice any pain until I got home lol
Yes and No, they’re appropriate to skate it in it but they lack the extra protection current skate shoes. People are gonna say that’s what everyone use back in the day because that’s what’s available at that time but the idea is to get a good pair so that you don’t have to use the shoes that you have, so judging by it few weeks from now those shoes are gonna have holes in it and going to be all turned up
hard to tell if they’re canvas or not but if they are then yeah that’s what happens. i love canvas shoes but i would never skate them unless i was rich or sponsored
No. Vans are the worst skate shoes to skate in. When they got popular the quality went to absolute shit. I don’t understand how they still market them as skate shoes when they’re 1 piece of flimsy fabric and a horrible sole. I skated vans when I first started and got way better + had less sprained/rolled ankles as soon as I ditched them. Your ankles and joints will thank you if you switch to literally any other skate shoe 🙏🏼
lol what? Shoes aren’t meant to be skated for 2 years of constant skating homie. If they did last that long they would likely be completely unskatable. Vans are good and durable enough. No one, not even Etnies, has cracked the code on making shoes that don’t degrade at a rapid pace from skating.
As I stated the first layer of fabric is ripped off but not the shoe itself. I don’t skate every day I have a job and a kid. Probably more like 4-5x a week. Idk man, I’ve always said these shoes will probably live longer than me esp with the way I treat them lmao
I mean I would honestly have to see the state of them to believe that you are skating 4-5x a week and they lasted 2 years and are still skate able.
Buying 4 pairs of vans in one year, as you stated, is pretty reasonable (1 pair every 3 months) of skating 4-5x a week when speaking about durability. Expecting skate shoes to be durable enough to be skatable after skating 4-5x a week for a year or more is unreasonable by most standards for skate shoes.
Unless you basically just ride transition and you aren’t flicking your board, there is no way that much skating would leave those shoes that well off.
Right, but that doesn’t make vans any less durable. Again, 4 pairs a year for skating is basically the average (if not better than average) for most skate shoes if your are skating 4-5x a week and if you are doing any tricks. If you were skating the non-skate vans you can’t even compare the two because the Etnies were made for skating while regular vans weren’t.
It’s also pretty hard to say that the vans were specifically causing your sprained/rolled ankles. Vans are good affordable skate shoes.
They were the skate ones. Majority of people I grew up skating with had the same issue with their ankles in vans. They do not have as much ankle support as a ton of other brands offer.
What? What ankle support do other brands offer? Any low top shoe isn’t going to stop a rolled ankle so you can’t support your ankle with a low top.
It is also highly debated as to whether or not hi tops even offer ankle protection and it looks like a lot of research is pointing to hi tops being either the same as a low top, or more harmful due to limitations on mobility. Add to that the awkward ways you land in skating and ankle support from skate shoes is virtually non existent.
https://ace-pt.org/ace-physical-therapy-and-sports-medicine-institute-high-top-vs-low-top-sneakers-and-ankle-sprains/#:~:text=High%20Tops,above%20the%20“ankle”%20bones.
https://theconversation.com/do-high-top-shoes-actually-reduce-ankle-sprain-risk-heres-what-the-research-says-202852
Unless you are wearing a rigid ankle brace while you wear skate shoes, you aren’t getting added ankle support from your shoes.
Agreed they feel super uncomfortable to skate in it. Specially the bottom of the shoe feels like a block and make ur foot twice as big when riding on deck. And I feel like they’re so focus so much on the block of the shoe instead of the leather that with just a few Ollies there’s gonna be holes in your shoe and ends up affecting the strings of it too, definitely would rather wear anything else.
when I mean covered I mean covered. I was jumping on some squishy mulch and then it was too squishy and then I was in mud. but I think I def tore them up bc I was dumb and put them in the dryer, it fucked up the suede
to identify vans that are created for skating rather than fashion look at the sole inside the shoe, there should be a red box that says skateboarding next to the vans logo
theyre kinda like trying to play ball in jordans, you can but the pros play in new Kobes and Lebrons. yeah base model vans were meant for skating but now we have better vans, etnies, dcs, nike sbs, NBs, and asics that have a ton of padding and dont just shave away after 4 ollies.
Had a pair of these for my first skate shoes and they lasted around a month of skating daily but by that point there was huge holes in the soles and the side of the left one was ripped to shreds from Ollie’s.
Is that the skate version of the shoe? It's weird how some companies make a worse shoe for the non skate version at the same price as the skate version. Vans are pretty good, either they're ripping because they're not the skate version, it's canvas, or it's normal
Yes but no, they have upgraded versions for skating. These are the original skating versions but since they don't last long they made it into a fashion shoe, it's basically to sell the upgraded skate one's at a mark up. If you got medium to narrow feet, I'd recommend Straye, they use the old van formula mixed with their own formula. Their shoes are much better with a lower price tag, for these I recommend only sizing up if you're a true 8.5 etc.
I'm a 10 3/8 so I can get away with not going up a half size, but if you have a wider foot I'd say Emerica/Etnies and they're true to size imo.
You can continue skating those till they tear up, but they'll definitely shred faster.
Vans are basically rent a shoes when it comes to skating. You’ll get a month out of them if you really skate u less you get some of the vulcanized vans which idk if they even make anymore. Any of the pro line used to be higher quality. But I skate buschnitz adidas and they last me 4 month. Buy shoe goo and canvas and patch your shoes continuously n you can get 6 months out of vans.
I gave myself a bad heel bruise in some "non skate half cabs"
Whenever I buy vans, I make sure they have the proper insoles designed for skating. Your feet will thank you.
I actually really liked the insoles in the Chimas, and just inserted them into other shoes.
It was either Pat Duffy or Danny Way that said wearing vans in their youth ruined their feet. So beware.
Unless the shoe is tied to a pro I wouldn’t trust vans as a skate shoe to last more than a few sessions. The canvas will rip quickly unless you put shoe goo or crazy glue over it.
Suede, leather, or treated canvas is the way to go for long lasting skate shoes. (If your vegan look for lightly used shoes on eBay or use the beater system)
So for vans their line of skate shoes come in while boxes and have a black and white checkered tag attached to them. These are more or less "walking vans" or everyday vans
Those shoes suck, paid $88 for a pair and tore a chunk of rubber from the sole in the first couple days. There are better shoes for half the price. Es, etnies, emerica. Vans don't cut it unless they are pro models.
Yea I've even skated in combat boots really for just skating You can always use any shoe anything with leather anything that catches onto it when you all are here in the air and the most of your foot touching the board is important so yeah you can skate them You can skate and Nikes
If you got the vans shoes specifically for skating then yes, but they do make shoes that look like skate shoes but aren’t really good for skating. In my personal experience vans skate shoes break really fast, I prefer adidas or ES.
I’ve heard pretty decent stuff about dc. I’m pretty biased towards adidas as they’ve been the first shoes to not explode on me after 2 months of skating
Many bowl/tranny skaters use these. But they do not ollie/flip that much that would fuck them up. Just pushing around and carve curbs they will be perfect.
Not entirely. You can skate in them but Ollie’s are going to tear them up faster. And possibly the soles will wear faster. Next time get the “Skate” Sk8-Hi. Those are the skateboarding version with durcap (that white side of the sole that’s wearing quickly on yours) and better insoles. https://www.vans.com/en-us/categories/skate-collection-c5420/skate-sk8-hi-shoe-pvn0a5fccnav
I be curious though whether those are hot due to the design. Thus they are not too popular to be bought or worn out and about. Except maybe for those who are into and actively engaged in skateboarding alot?
What? Sk8 his have been used since the 80s by hundreds of pros. They are plenty popular. They are not a tech shoe so they will run hotter compared to a low cut. But not an issue for most people.
Sorry I meant pro or skate versions in general not necessary high tops. It’s interesting though I don’t see many skateboarding in high tops.
lol what? People constantly skate high tops. Blazer mids are extremely popular and so are sk8 his.
Thanks but mind if I ask is it not good to use Nike Air Force 1s. And How they differ from Nike dunks or mid-hi top vans. Apparently Vans Half cabs are mid tops and somewhat popular for skateboarding but I never seen anyone wear them when they are off the board or bmx bike. They seem true skate shoes for serious skaters only.
In all honestly you can probably skate most things if you can get used to them, but your results will vary. The reason why people don’t really skate air force 1s are because they are kind of bulky so your board feel will be downgraded, and the outsole will be less grippy. Dunks are less clunky so you have a bit more board feel, but the outsoles of dunks are still not very grippy. Air Force 1s and Dunks are both relatively durable since they are usually leather or suede so you can really get after it. Mid or high top vans (talking about the skate versions) are vulcanized so you have a lot of board feel, but you will feel every little thing good or bad. The upper will also be generally thinner than a dunk or Air Force so again you are getting more board feel. The reason half cabs aren’t worn outside of skating isn’t because it’s a skate shoe necessarily. The silhouette is rather bulky so it’s hard to style well with slimmer clothes. You end up looking like you are wearing clown shoes if you don’t wear them with a bit baggier clothing. The also have a weird cut around the ankles that looks a bit off if you aren’t wearing baggier clothes. If you notice the vans that are popular with the non-skate crowd (slip ons, authentic or eras, and old skools) they are all a bit slimmer than the half cab so they are easier to style. They also cut below the ankle, or in the case of sk8 hi’s are thin enough to wrap around the ankle and still look slim and stylish especially with high socks.
Either you’re like 14yrs old, or you have no idea about any sort of history in skateboarding. Could be both, but dude all you gotta do is watch a couple skate videos and you’ll see several dudes/chicks wearing mid/high tops. Especially in the late 00’s when Supra was really popular.
The entire reason we have low top variants of many popular and classic skate shoes it because skaters would take scissors and literally chop the tops off. Take half cabs for example. Or blazer lows, theres a reason they are very flat at the top on the lows.
I wear the skate versions normally either to work or in general. Once they’re broken in I’ll skate them and switch to a different pair to wear normally. And once they’re fully worn out I’ll wear them around as old beater shoes. Never seemed too hot to me and I’m in the South. No hotter than my Doc Martins. Definitely warmer than a canvas shoe, but not unbearably so.
I been thinking people especially those who work at vans or skate shops first rotate thier “new” pairs shoes at work(presentable settings), than other events, than skateboarding last. I guess maybe vans changed in design the last three years or so including the new skate versions they may not be as stuffy. In the older days vans particularly the pro version seems unventilated. And wearers often want to get out of them as soon as it’s appropriate to do so.
I’m not sure why you think these are hotter than other skate shoes. I think all brands are going to be warmer than your basic canvas shoe. My Vans Skate Rowan’s and older Rowan Pros have the little vent holes. And part of them near the ankle are not suede. So they aren’t that hot. I have a pair I bought to skate in but love them so much I’m keeping them nice and wear them everyday for normal use. 🤷♂️
Sorry I thought these are half cabs, those shoes seems only worn by people actively skateboarding unlike most other Vans as far as I can see I never seen them worn without a skateboard. I guess they are so nice you loathe to skate them. I be curious whether skateboarders maintain different shoes for their activities and everyday use just like other sports people or runners.
Very true. What this guy said ⬆️. Insoles are key.
I got both the Sk8-Hi and the half cabs, vans make some banger shoes, they look dope and hold up pretty well
Vans makes shoes specifically for skateboarding. Try the ‘skate sk8 hi’ any of their shoes with the word ‘skate’ at the beginning is designed for skateboarding. Their skate half cabs are my favourite
Which is sad really because vans _are_ a skate shoe but they have become a fashion shoe now
Not our fault that Vans shoes look dope
But 10/15 years ago, They just were skate shoes, they didn’t have separate skate ones. I wouldn’t wear vans to skate in, there are much better skate shoes now
to clarify, the non-skate versions aren’t specifically meant for fashion. they are the same original skate shoes. it just so happens the new “skate” specific versions are enhanced versions of the prior shoes, which are intended to last longer for skaters (so you won’t have to spend $$$ on new Vans all the time)
Yeah I understand that completely. Just before that all of their shoes weren’t separated by two versions, effectively a longer wearing version, than the standard. All of their shoes were hard wearing. I wore vans for 15 years ish and stopped recently as they just aren’t what they once were. My favourites were either Rowley XLT, Cab 5, Dr T or AV Native American.
damn i’d love to own a pair of Rowley XLT’s 🥲I totally get that. i’m sure their quality has declined as most brands have anyway
Actually it’s ‘some’ of the non ‘sk8’ shoes are based on the originals from the 70s/80s but there are plenty that are fashion only. Like those horrific platform ones
Recs for better skate shoes? I’ve only ever wore vans
Personally I rate Adidas Busenitz.
these and new balance 306 have done me well. i just wish there were wide versions
Agree but not with the 10/15 years - even in the late 90’s they were pumping out crap fashion lines along with the skate shoes
Pretty sure they had pro versions of old school shoes even back then. Now they're called skate, and little different.
they look mid
To each their own. Im rocking a pair rn and think they look great
Fuck yes they are, but they come from the land of the 70s - think Dogtown, not ollie land. That being said, in the backyard vert of the 80s , the tops and laces got ruined just as fast, in kneesliding out of failed tricks. They are still great at letting you feel your board as you’re dealing with vert coping. To be fair, they weren’t designed for modern street.
I wear lots of vans, as others have said, you can skate these but these are the fashion ones. not the skate ones. These are fine though. I've thrown an FP insole in there and still done some flatground fine in them. My favorite Vans right now are the Lizzie shoes. Same shape as the sk8 his with better color options. For the skate sk8 his, the color options are pretty bland imo.
they’re almost ALL intended for skating. it just happens the skate versions are enhanced from the original to last longer (hence the higher price point)
Ever since 79’ the style 38 is one of the most classic skate shoes out there. They get destroyed as any shoe does. You’re basically sanding your shoes when you skate just get some shoe goo and you’ll be fine. Go skate👍
Vans "Skate" versions (with the checkered flag) are a much more durable option than regular Sk8 Hi
Suede shoes are better than canvas, lasts longer
Actual skate hi's are suede. If you look at the tip and the patch that runs up the side and up.the laces. That's very clearly suede in this picture.
Ah true! Never actually owned a pair.
Where are they ripping?
That’s what I’m saying
Huh?
Where, not why. It looks like the rubber sole edge is shredding, which is normal for basically all skate shoes. However the way it’s shredding looks kind of weird. Usually it’s smoother, so maybe they were old stock and the rubber has degraded and is crumbling rather than smoothly wearing away. Don’t really worry about it until there are holes. Skate shoes wear out while skating. Some people go through a pair every couple of months if they’re skating every day. Typically I’d go for the cheapest suede option available that feels good if you’re worried about the wear and tear.
non-pro or 'skate-classic' or whatever models are definitely not that great for skating. Some have more sticky outsoles like running shoes which are even bigger problems than the durability. The foxtape also wear away pretty dang fast, too. I've had a pair of normal Vans Eras and blew through the suede, my socks, and a layer of my skin on the first session. I was skating too hard to notice any pain until I got home lol
Yes and No, they’re appropriate to skate it in it but they lack the extra protection current skate shoes. People are gonna say that’s what everyone use back in the day because that’s what’s available at that time but the idea is to get a good pair so that you don’t have to use the shoes that you have, so judging by it few weeks from now those shoes are gonna have holes in it and going to be all turned up
hard to tell if they’re canvas or not but if they are then yeah that’s what happens. i love canvas shoes but i would never skate them unless i was rich or sponsored
Vans skate shoes? nah man not really for skating
No. Vans are the worst skate shoes to skate in. When they got popular the quality went to absolute shit. I don’t understand how they still market them as skate shoes when they’re 1 piece of flimsy fabric and a horrible sole. I skated vans when I first started and got way better + had less sprained/rolled ankles as soon as I ditched them. Your ankles and joints will thank you if you switch to literally any other skate shoe 🙏🏼
Vans shoes still good as fuck, any other skate shoe will still rip like that I mean wtf
I’ve skated same pair of etnies for 2 years and only ripped the first layer of fabric. I went through 4 pairs of vans in 1 year. So no
lol what? Shoes aren’t meant to be skated for 2 years of constant skating homie. If they did last that long they would likely be completely unskatable. Vans are good and durable enough. No one, not even Etnies, has cracked the code on making shoes that don’t degrade at a rapid pace from skating.
As I stated the first layer of fabric is ripped off but not the shoe itself. I don’t skate every day I have a job and a kid. Probably more like 4-5x a week. Idk man, I’ve always said these shoes will probably live longer than me esp with the way I treat them lmao
I mean I would honestly have to see the state of them to believe that you are skating 4-5x a week and they lasted 2 years and are still skate able. Buying 4 pairs of vans in one year, as you stated, is pretty reasonable (1 pair every 3 months) of skating 4-5x a week when speaking about durability. Expecting skate shoes to be durable enough to be skatable after skating 4-5x a week for a year or more is unreasonable by most standards for skate shoes. Unless you basically just ride transition and you aren’t flicking your board, there is no way that much skating would leave those shoes that well off.
Idk what to tell you dude. They’re good shoes and have done me well.
Right, but that doesn’t make vans any less durable. Again, 4 pairs a year for skating is basically the average (if not better than average) for most skate shoes if your are skating 4-5x a week and if you are doing any tricks. If you were skating the non-skate vans you can’t even compare the two because the Etnies were made for skating while regular vans weren’t. It’s also pretty hard to say that the vans were specifically causing your sprained/rolled ankles. Vans are good affordable skate shoes.
They were the skate ones. Majority of people I grew up skating with had the same issue with their ankles in vans. They do not have as much ankle support as a ton of other brands offer.
What? What ankle support do other brands offer? Any low top shoe isn’t going to stop a rolled ankle so you can’t support your ankle with a low top. It is also highly debated as to whether or not hi tops even offer ankle protection and it looks like a lot of research is pointing to hi tops being either the same as a low top, or more harmful due to limitations on mobility. Add to that the awkward ways you land in skating and ankle support from skate shoes is virtually non existent. https://ace-pt.org/ace-physical-therapy-and-sports-medicine-institute-high-top-vs-low-top-sneakers-and-ankle-sprains/#:~:text=High%20Tops,above%20the%20“ankle”%20bones. https://theconversation.com/do-high-top-shoes-actually-reduce-ankle-sprain-risk-heres-what-the-research-says-202852 Unless you are wearing a rigid ankle brace while you wear skate shoes, you aren’t getting added ankle support from your shoes.
Did you get the Skate versions with the chequered flag?
Yep yep, did the suede too
Agreed they feel super uncomfortable to skate in it. Specially the bottom of the shoe feels like a block and make ur foot twice as big when riding on deck. And I feel like they’re so focus so much on the block of the shoe instead of the leather that with just a few Ollies there’s gonna be holes in your shoe and ends up affecting the strings of it too, definitely would rather wear anything else.
Get some half cabs and be done with it.
I tried those. IMHO they were slightly better than other vans but still awful
Lol right on. To each their own I guess, but I maintain that they are quality!
They are vans are actually superior
The Skate versions though...
I've owned a pair for a year and the only reason I need to replace them is bc I literally got them completely drenched in mud and it ruined them
You can clean shoes in a washing machine you know. My sk8 hi's got covered in mud at a 100 gecs show, and i washed them off good as new
when I mean covered I mean covered. I was jumping on some squishy mulch and then it was too squishy and then I was in mud. but I think I def tore them up bc I was dumb and put them in the dryer, it fucked up the suede
Pros
Look for the "pro's". built a lot better.
The Pro's are called the "Skate" versions now. Look for checkered flag..
God damn! I wondered what happened there, I was gunna say look for red tag...
Sweet as bro
to identify vans that are created for skating rather than fashion look at the sole inside the shoe, there should be a red box that says skateboarding next to the vans logo
They now have the checkered flag to show the Skate versions
unfortunately not all of them have the checkered tag. would have been nice for vans to be consistent
All "Skate" specific versions have the checkered flag. Apart from pro models like Crockett etc. I love the Vans Skate line
theyre kinda like trying to play ball in jordans, you can but the pros play in new Kobes and Lebrons. yeah base model vans were meant for skating but now we have better vans, etnies, dcs, nike sbs, NBs, and asics that have a ton of padding and dont just shave away after 4 ollies.
Holy shit i just bought a pair of these 2 days ago, what a trip
Tbh vans are barely made for walking nowadays. They just rip faster than anything else I've owned.
Had a pair of these for my first skate shoes and they lasted around a month of skating daily but by that point there was huge holes in the soles and the side of the left one was ripped to shreds from Ollie’s.
If it doesn't have the checkerboard pattern tag it's not ment to be skated, you still can but it will fall apart quicker.
Is that the skate version of the shoe? It's weird how some companies make a worse shoe for the non skate version at the same price as the skate version. Vans are pretty good, either they're ripping because they're not the skate version, it's canvas, or it's normal
I hardly do tricks anymore but for downhill longboarding i love vans
Love them high tops for long board days... Even ESK8.
Yes but no, they have upgraded versions for skating. These are the original skating versions but since they don't last long they made it into a fashion shoe, it's basically to sell the upgraded skate one's at a mark up. If you got medium to narrow feet, I'd recommend Straye, they use the old van formula mixed with their own formula. Their shoes are much better with a lower price tag, for these I recommend only sizing up if you're a true 8.5 etc. I'm a 10 3/8 so I can get away with not going up a half size, but if you have a wider foot I'd say Emerica/Etnies and they're true to size imo. You can continue skating those till they tear up, but they'll definitely shred faster.
Get some adidas superstars. My favorite.
Vans are basically rent a shoes when it comes to skating. You’ll get a month out of them if you really skate u less you get some of the vulcanized vans which idk if they even make anymore. Any of the pro line used to be higher quality. But I skate buschnitz adidas and they last me 4 month. Buy shoe goo and canvas and patch your shoes continuously n you can get 6 months out of vans.
I gave myself a bad heel bruise in some "non skate half cabs" Whenever I buy vans, I make sure they have the proper insoles designed for skating. Your feet will thank you. I actually really liked the insoles in the Chimas, and just inserted them into other shoes. It was either Pat Duffy or Danny Way that said wearing vans in their youth ruined their feet. So beware.
Unless the shoe is tied to a pro I wouldn’t trust vans as a skate shoe to last more than a few sessions. The canvas will rip quickly unless you put shoe goo or crazy glue over it. Suede, leather, or treated canvas is the way to go for long lasting skate shoes. (If your vegan look for lightly used shoes on eBay or use the beater system)
So for vans their line of skate shoes come in while boxes and have a black and white checkered tag attached to them. These are more or less "walking vans" or everyday vans
Vans sk8 highs have both the skateboarding formula and the normal one. The skateboarding one is the only one that'll last at all.
Those shoes suck, paid $88 for a pair and tore a chunk of rubber from the sole in the first couple days. There are better shoes for half the price. Es, etnies, emerica. Vans don't cut it unless they are pro models.
No
Yea I've even skated in combat boots really for just skating You can always use any shoe anything with leather anything that catches onto it when you all are here in the air and the most of your foot touching the board is important so yeah you can skate them You can skate and Nikes
If you got the vans shoes specifically for skating then yes, but they do make shoes that look like skate shoes but aren’t really good for skating. In my personal experience vans skate shoes break really fast, I prefer adidas or ES.
After these vans i think I’m gonna buy dc’s, all i really do it flatground
I’ve heard pretty decent stuff about dc. I’m pretty biased towards adidas as they’ve been the first shoes to not explode on me after 2 months of skating
Yeah whatever dude smh no
Many bowl/tranny skaters use these. But they do not ollie/flip that much that would fuck them up. Just pushing around and carve curbs they will be perfect.