What's The Best Skate Shoe Of All Time?

[@etnies]

The Sal 23. And it’s coming back at the end of this year. 👊

[@ameninsurgency]

Re-release ‘23 camber cranks while you’re at it plz

[@JonBonDonegan]

Make em expensive but great quality #sal23 #etnies

[@deestaples1059]

Finally, always wanted these back. Much prefer them to the accel

[@ghastlynavigator]

If this is true I just died and gone to skate heaven...I love you etnies!

[@Billiamkimber]

@@JonBonDoneganquality yes expensive suck my gooch

[@davidjaniszewski2370]

The vans Rawley XLT were the shoe when I was a kid I loved but I couldn’t afford. Parents didn’t have the money but loved so much. That shoe is legit pure skating to me.

[@Teraphix]

Vans actually re-released them recently on their website, I’m actually planning on snagging a pair or two when they have my size available.

[@boomerbri]

Had a pair of white with red stripe XLTs back in like 01, was very excited to see them rereleased recently.

[@timothee3446]

@@Teraphixthey cost more now than when they first came out. Vans got them listed for 110-130$ in store

[@Refr619]

Bro those are fuckin legendary

[@jeffrittenour8202]

came here to find someone mention the geoff rowley XLTs. my parents couldn't afford them. my friend that didn't even skate had them and i was so jealous lol. i rocked the shoe carnival buy one get one 50% off specials.

[@bradfoster8146]

Vans Cab 7, Emerica Ellington 1, Emerica Leo Romero mid and low, Etnies Arto, c1rca dagger, C1rca Appleyard, and finally Van's AVE rapidweld

[@kalanikaulukukui]

Personally I loved the Reynolds 2 & 3, the accel, and later the Gravis Filter and the Huf Sutter. Also Fallen had some gems. My friend Evan used to love the Kenny Anderson Adio shoe, he skated thru at least 3 pairs until they stopped making em.

[@ecadetroit]

Started in 98 and Kelly’s points about the strength of shoe teams during that time is spot on. Surprised no one is giving Storm-era Osiris more love. Smolik/Turner coming off Fulfill, early Hsu, Kanteen… team was stacked and killing it with the gear, at least in the Midwest. ;)

[@TinoR626]

I had a pair of the ods shoes and they were super heavy, my personal was Muskas CM802. loved those shoes, by the end of it I skated every colorways.

[@silkyjohnson5976]

All the classic Emericas are sick but the 1st Brian Hermans and the R2's were my favorite

[@soundsbitter]

There was a colorway for the Reynolds 2s that was a light grey suede with a white sole loved.

[@Nobodyimportant696]

@@soundsbitterI had those too.

[@Nobodyimportant696]

I liked all of the classic Emerica shoes. the Westgates were pretty epic too. I was bummed he left.

[@soundsbitter]

@@Nobodyimportant696 bro those were seriously so dope man… I love the way those looked with some white laces. They should bring those back. Fr

[@Nobodyimportant696]

@@soundsbitter yeah, they were great. I still have a pair in the box. I bought a couple pairs when he left.

[@2WheelsGood]

some favorites i had: the navy/gum Koston 1's, es Sal 23's in blue, white Muska 1's. all of those are top tier for me.

[@A.D.D.O.C.D.T]

They rereleased a lot of the great shoes recently. Got the Muskas ,Koston 1 and 2,Creagers,emerica og and Osiris d3.

[@ashleybrown4754]

Even now Sal 23’s look incredible

[@RubbelisPro]

i loved the etnies arto saari model in brown, really that whole era of etnies was goated.

[@RollForever88]

That was a great shoe my g

[@progpunk76]

The first Sal Barbier 23's were my faves

[@dthvlly]

💯

[@sk8125]

This

[@etnies]

Yup!

[@christophersawyer253]

The baby blue……mmmmm

[@jeremybartlett1706]

Even the early Globe rip-offs of those were treasure.

[@Americansikkunt]

Half-Cabs had a moment, right before skate shoes got super technical….. Great boardfeel, nice ankle padding, etc….

[@DynomiteSoul]

Es accel, koston 1, Muskas, DC lynx, Emerica MJ, Van's half cabs, Osiris D3s, 23s, Creagers ... those have the most impact still to this day. OK you also have sb dunks but haven't skated them yet.

[@spidermanfan2099]

Something tells me you're my age lol!

[@RByrne]

The Creagers were the best by far to me. Then the Adio and Circa Jamie Thomas models.

[@DynomiteSoul]

@RByrne man I'm still so stuck on lynx ogs that I haven't really skated anything else for the last few years but might give other brands or pairs a go. On the other hand I have another lynx pair coming in tomorrow so let's see ...

[@DynomiteSoul]

@spidermanfan2099 damn Sherlock what gave me away ...

[@robertblackmore703]

Loved my DC Stevie Williams, Also Jason Lee Airwalk, and the VIcs.

[@TRAVIESO_NA]

I had both of the DC stevie williams the first pair and the second. man they were amazing

[@craigh.5116]

Airwalk Enigmas and Sal 23s for me.

[@theramplocal]

Wow the enigmas. Were those the high tops w the velcro strap? Or was that the 540?

[@christophersawyer253]

Enigma were sooooo good. Loves the NTS and the Beyond as well.

[@rockerpirate]

Emerica reynolds 2,3, and the emerica leo Romero 1

[@filmbuff4]

Why not the Reynold's 1s?

[@jeremybarbee7331]

Reynolds 3 were hands down my favorite . Janoski a close 2nd

[@rockerpirate]

@@jeremybarbee7331 I never skated janoskis but they did look nice!

[@rockerpirate]

@@filmbuff4 I got mines used from a homie so I don’t count them. Also, ellingtons 1s we’re fire 🔥

[@Nobodyimportant696]

Romero’s shoes are very underrated. they’re great if you don’t jump down shit.

[@JoshDane-g2y]

Emerica Ed Templeton 1's. With the gel heel built in?? I've never once heard you guys even give an honorable mention. White and gum was amazing also white and navy.

[@Hardcastle83]

Gum soles > everything.

[@losadyos924]

Yesssirr had em

[@Nealatosis]

Loved my pair I had

[@DemzWon1]

Black and Gum Reynolds 1s. Most durable skate shoes of that era. Accels looked the coolest though

[@Mike_Cosentino]

ES Accel OGs and the Square Ones come in a close second. I love my DC Court Graffiks too, it feels like walking or skating on pillows.

[@rustino660]

I liked the Square Ones too. Always wanted the Krooked pair

[@Mike_Cosentino]

@jcstuurman2008 so much board feel! Learned fs flips and double kickflips in those!

[@Mike_Cosentino]

@@rustino660 yeah that one looked sickk, wish that collab/colorway was still available. Love Krooked Skateboards, they are such a rad company, 💯.

[@turbocateyeS475]

The best skate shoes of all time were either the Savier Brian Andersons lol. I skated the best in the Circa JT301 or the OG Emerica Reynolds. The Supra Hammers and Ellingtons are good too. Nike SB Zoom Tre and the first Rowley Vans still slap in 2024.

[@hogger123]

The Creager in ‘98 for me was 🔥

[@thomasulriksen5711]

Same! And the muska same year

[@A.D.D.O.C.D.T]

Es just dropped the Creager rerelease ,got them in a box now. They are even better than I remember.

[@pressureflipin1992]

THANK YOU! My number #1 favorite shoe of all time. Had them 3 times but never in the color I wanted 😅 the white with the blue outlines

[@domenplestenjak7302]

for me were best Etnies/Es black Sal 23 and 23.5 (2004)

[@domcagney2352]

Osiris D3s were my first skate shoe lol… And then once I really started skating, Vans TNTs, Reynolds 1s, Muskas, those early Nike SBs, Lakai’s…so think those Reynolds 1s were the ones I repurchased the most and skated the most

[@TRAVIESO_NA]

those original reynolds like 1s and 3s i think were so amazing!

[@juliangreenhalgh5965]

I kept the heel tag off my red vision street wear at 16; just made a haute couture training coat by glueing it on when the puma transfers finally fell off.

[@vsc_ww]

Started skating in the 2010’s. Would’ve loved to skate the puffy shoes from the 90s like the DVS or eS shoes but in my age I skated and loved the Etnies Jameson. Skating Evan Smith DCs right now and I love DCs I’m also looking forward to skating Shell Toes just for the nostalgic feel but I’m a sucker for the old classic puffy shoes. Honourable mention would be the DC Lynx, eS Accel, I can’t get those in my area but would love a pair. Also, Louie pro model is also such a modern classic silhouette for chilling and skating 🤝

[@enrapturevox]

I would just skate whatever I got, but I remember being jealous of the Axions, or the és. Then I got Chet iv’s for a birthday and I felt like an elite skater 😂😂

[@joshuasmith6346]

When axions were out I was so poor at the time. Before I had a job. I wanted axions sooooo badly. By the time I was 16 axion went outta business. I started rocking a lot of Lakai around that time

[@A.D.D.O.C.D.T]

Chet 4s are up there for the title. They were elite

[@mtgguiltfeeder4111]

Chet iv is my absolute favorite.

[@thenarrativeandwhyyouloveit]

I love the nappy-suede vulc Cons one-stars. Wear them all the time when I’m not in Vans - half cab, authentics, slips, any vault old skools or vault stuff in general. I graduated HS in 2008 so growing up my favorites very the first Rowley pro, the rowley XLT, most of the Muska Circas - really a lot of Circas in general. The éS accel of course. Some globe shoes - I liked how the ones I had (forget the model) had a thin outsole so the board feel was amazing.

[@thenarrativeandwhyyouloveit]

Also really liked some Axion stuff like the Campbell “kick”. Obv the éS muskas.

[@Top.Shelf.Tangents]

Vans Era, Vans Sk8-Hi, Emerica G-Code (Herman), Gilbert Crocket Vans Wafflecups lows and mids were both fire, now the Vans Wayvee, just got the AVE 2.0’s havent skated them yet.

[@Top.Shelf.Tangents]

Had Nike koston 1’s those were fire too

[@Jose-rq1ig]

As someone who was born in 2000 and grew up skating in Kansas, as well as Florida for the majority, Janoskis were the literal best shoe for skating for that time. Before they were just overly sold in zumiez and mainly just skaters had them. That was a sick time

[@gabriellaforce2041]

Dunk low! Not even the SB! Just Dunk. The size is perfect! Not to big, not to narrow. Last enough long. Good board feel and looks good.

[@juliangreenhalgh5965]

Thrilled to find grip on a cupsole with the one nine 7. Bit of a boardsnapper boxfresh. ❤❤❤

[@Bobchaco]

Es Acel ❤ was good

[@christmasham4312]

I was gonna write this 😅

[@bruceleemuhammadali]

One of the best forsure 💪

[@yoyoz333]

the es 23's had the brown rubber toe cap on them

[@garyvoigt321]

I went through so many airwalks and converse back in the day. My mom would get so mad at how often they got shredded. I did become the local Shoe-Goo expert though. 🤣

[@PeterInPonderland]

Fallen Rippers changed everything for me when I found them, I was extremely picky with shoes but those did everything incredibly. They were ironically easy to rip, but they were so good and decently priced, I skated them until the entire side was ripped off and got another when I could. Couldn’t wear anything else after finding those, they were amazing.

[@j.pesquera]

Vans Half Cab's Black and White were mine, best skate shoes I've ever had, and I had 3 pairs of them. They were just meant for skateboarding, and I never had to "break them in" just straight out of the box they were skateable and easy to do tricks with.

[@NickRage.]

I'm on like my 100th pair. I'm 35 now been skateing them since I was 14 lol

[@jeremybartlett1706]

Rob's Korrekt, the Kostons feature in summa the best clips and lines. They stand out, literally and figuratively. They can even step off AND step to this.

[@Love4boost]

Circa JT 301 and Accel were my favorites growing up. I did skate Dunks in 04 because my friend made me buy them for an outfit I had and they looked enough like a skate shoe so I started skating in them. I currently ride Busenitz vulcs and I love them. Also shoutout the Etnies Vallely because they were tanks. When money was tight and I needed something to last forever, they were my go to.

[@KG66610]

Also Koston 3 basketball shoe looking

[@KowaiYatsura]

I really loved Mike Vallely 1 and 2 Etnies, both the look and the way they skated

[@highginx]

I started skating in 07, my favorties were the Emerica Herman No slip desert grip, G-Codes,Reynolds 3's Romeroes, Vans ChuckaLows, Es Square ones, Nike SB Bruins,Globe encores and others I forgot about ..

[@zmullaney]

The Accel OG, no doubt in my mind.

[@kenosabi]

Vans TNT trujillos were my absolute favorite. I'd love to have a few more pairs.

[@KavaKavana]

Had these. Second favorite pair

[@DamnationVII]

Which chuck Taylor’s are those? Looked online and I can’t find one with the same stitching on the heal or one made for skating

[@technodrome]

JT301 is an all time historical favorite, very cushiony. Reynolds 3s skated so good too. Herman G-Code was solid as fk, and so was the Emerica Hsu mid-too. Adidas Chewy was amazing, as But the very best skate shoe I ever skated in was the original 1st edition Fallen Chief.

[@TinoR626]

The CM802's were by far my favorite and the only thing I've found that have that feel has been the Nyjah 3. I loved those 802 so much i had a pair of the slip on versions the CM802A that were my chill shoes.

[@simonmucchiut1469]

started in 1990/1991 with some Nike Flights cuz Airwalks were too expensive. Then Vans OTW Skate Hi, Pumas & Adidas cuz of the EMB, Vans #36, Converse Dr.J Lows, Airwalk One, Half Cabs, KCKs, Cobbnobblers, Dyrdek1, DVS Keenan 1, Axion Sport, Kicks & Mariano 1+2, Kalis 1, Adidas Forum Lows, Stevie Williams 1, Adidas Forum Lows & IPath Cats. But my absolute Favorite is the Vans Mike Carroll (still have it)

[@DroidsR_Us]

Man. My favorite skating shoes growing up were mid/late 2000s Nike sb dunks/blazers. Got into skating b/c of them. Skated my Old Spices, Unheavens gate, Lebanon blazer etc

[@KG66610]

Black suede es Accel, then Koston 1s

[@TRAVIESO_NA]

for me those koston 1s and the koston 2s were my favs.

[@infinidominion]

Accels, Reynolds 1, Herman 1, MJ1, Skytop 1, 2, and 3, Skylow, Suprano low, Ellington Emerica 1, and 2, Ellington Supra Double E

[@Mike_Cosentino]

I remember having Ellington’s shoe from Supra, very durable and I got a ton of compliments over it . Had this newspaper-like graphic color to it black/white, it looked sickkk. Held up well while skating, too. The skylows were comfy as well, but I had the canvas one not made of suede, so doing a single Kickflip or few would cause an easy scuff, scratch, rip, etc. I love the Accel OGs or all though, hands down the best skate shoe..

[@TheGhostOfFredZeppelin]

Among my all time favorites are the Emerica G-Code, éS Accels were my main shoe throughout the mid 2000s, Koston's first Nike shoe was great, loved the Lakai Riley Hawk too but these days Emerica's Wino slip on is my go to. Honorable mention to Torey's shoe on Diamond though, skated perfectly right out of the box and I had the best switch 360 flips of my life in those shoes but they ripped really fast.

[@asking4mebartender630]

I remember at the end of a 311 video it showed someone's grandmother wearing a pair of greensway Pumas with the white stripe. The next month you could tell who's mom folded 😂

[@TheSPARTANusm]

I skated a lot of great shoes growing up skating more heavily in the late 90’s/early 00’s up until now, but my personal favorite shoes were the Chad Muska CM902’s from Circa. I could kickflip like a dream in those shoes everytime whenever I wanted. I had 2 pairs of the red/grey/white. If I could find them in my size somewhere today, man that would be awesome.

[@PiriakaTrackwrecker]

My answer is always DC Syntax, with the Etnies Sal 23 a close second, but those late 90s DVS' were the biz, made me think of the Etnies Cyprus, still a banger.

[@shaneturner9336]

Vision Street wear were fun too !

[@Doobiusphantom]

My personal favorites are converse cons I’m skating the Sean Pablo’s currently. Vans just wear out too fast for me and the pair of Es’s I had the sole just popped out after one slam and I hated them

[@ACTHdan]

Lakai Telford , black/white mid tops: I learned some of the best tricks id done at that time. It was partly progression , but that shoe just felt right.

[@wrongmoney]

the nike zoom tre had a hidden message in the fiberglass layer

[@Dracula_sb]

Need these back

[@joshseppala1003]

As a big Nike sb collector, I’ve never heard or seen this. And back when they were released I skated the shit out of tre’s and never saw a hidden message

[@christophersawyer253]

What was the message?

[@cammcdonald9866]

The Rowley Classic Pro. Glad to see them re-issue this model again

[@sonofyah_chosen1950]

Es acel slims, Nike sb blazer hi and low, koston 1s and adidas busenitz are my faves

[@bob8776]

OG DC Kalis, first eS Koston, eS Ronnie Creager, Sal 23, Emerica Chris Senn, Rudy Johnson DC, there was an Axion I really liked but I don’t remember what it was called

[@Riz2336]

Out of the shoes you guys mentioned. I'm going to say Es Accel and Koston 1 are mad iconic shoes and also considered the best to skate in

[@jmcg2313]

My first legit skate shoe was the eS Sal 23 in brown, which I loved. Then in got the Duffs Kareem KCK's in white leather and gum sole. Both amazing!

[@PAPPADASH]

Number 1 for me Sal 23 Had many pairs in the 90s and a few years ago I got a pair of the OG 23's on ebay that are in great shape I've worn them like 2 twice in 2 or 4 years they are the white ones. Favorite shoe by far.

[@247420Maniaxe]

Grasshoppers from Ipath!

[@Noastamper]

they’re back

[@Adrian-rn1ym]

Fist pair of “ skate shoes “ I had were adidas gazelle. We didn’t have a skate shop back then so we got what we could. I really liked adio back in the day. And now I like fallen. I also had some evol shoes, at least I think that’s what they were called but can’t find much about them now. Was back in the 90s

[@keithjohnson1830]

The original Jordans were awesome for skating. This mom and pop sports store sold them cheap in my neighborhood and they were awesome. My friends mom also used tobuy allus neighborhood kids Pro Keds and that ruled

[@termikes174]

I loved those Emerica MJs with the “M” on the side. I liked the look and loved the M because it’s the first letter of my name. Looks like I could buy a reissue. Sweet

[@ThomasWake1]

Globes and Emericas were my first shoes that I loved. Then strictly wore vans old skools for years in the late 00s

[@jasonhowell9589]

Definitely had a lot of favorites skate shoes but when I had to break it down to like the best ones I would have to say the old school airwalks with the flap I think those things lasted the longest out of any pair of shoe I had

[@805vaughn]

Lakai Cambridge is up there

[@MS-lo1le]

You guys mentioned the Kenny rogers by Audio… One step beyond also carried audio and in my opinion one of the greatest vids to exist. Shoe wise I was a huge fan of Savier…and the Rowley XLT

[@jessedeville]

CT's looked great but had all the support of a sheet of paper and you'd wear through the sole in a matter of weeks. Vision DV8's were great. Airwalks of course, and Half-Cabs were fantastic all-rounders. AJ 1's were great but out of reach financially for most kids.

[@Dopeanthony]

Osiris' PeterSmolik shoes were my favorites. Shape and feel made it fun and comfy.

[@atypical_blk_guy]

Stevie Williams DGK Reeboks were dope.

[@DJTraps]

again can we start measuiring sole hardness like wheels? some skate shoes be the flyest designs but can’t deal with hard soles

[@IsSpencer]

Vans TNT 2 in green , vans rowley squares, Jon allie circa , Adrian Lopez circa , Reynolds’s 3 , emerica ellingtons , OG fallen rivals with the strap , Nike sb dunk mid with the strap ,

[@hugh_manatee]

Osiris South Bronx Drunk (the ones with the banana on the side) had a pair of these been searching for another ever since. Best shoes ever made.

[@caleymoore]

Sean Pablo had a ctas colorway and Lance Mountain had a colorway of the Jordan 1’s

[@TheBillMurrray]

Ellington 2. Straight up

[@haroldcampos9661]

Some shoes are addicting, you keep wearing them and buying them. I think the accel slim is that shoe for me. Some are not bad and they're cool while they last. While some are like you put them on the first time, go outside and skate for 5 minutes, then you're like, nah.

[@SAELIOSMUSIC]

there were so many, Etnies Kingpin, Vans Y2K Models, OG Circa Lopez, Airwalks Verts, DVS Kerry Gets 3s, Emerica Heretics, Osiris D3s, DC TENS, iPath Cats, Fallen Footwear Rival Lo-Fis were the last brand I really hung onto...

[@SkateboarderOnTheInternet]

Started skating in 2007 and reynolds 3s were everywhere and I had a couple of pairs too, and lakai manchesters

[@danouski]

Adidas Torrent very difficult to bruise your heel, sturdiness and consistent grip throughout the life of the shoe. Elissa Steamer Eties, also a very stable shoe and even more grip, super nice design

[@tophfingerboards]

my favorite shoes got discontinued. i skated in Supra Skytops forever. i've had dozens of pairs. i still have a few and i have an unused fresh pair in the box still. favorite shoe of all time. now that i'm old i skate in vans skate slip ons. i'm a slip-on maximalist now.

[@MrWhatever1234567]

I like my mom’s pumps but that’s kinda irrelevant for this subject. Just saying. Heels are sexy. And cariuma’s with the arrow are fire. I think Ipath in purple panties go great together.

[@chrhadden]

what do you need attention marbie?

[@fuddelux]

I had a pair of white with burgundy stitching Emerica Heretics which stand out for me..maybe..2005? Got them in tk maxx carlisle UK for 15 quid. Lovely. X

[@Frank7489]

My favorite were always Emerica Reynolds 3. A close second was Heath Kirchart 3 (also by Emerica)

[@gilgzz]

Crob hates being specific but is so specific as well LOL

[@londonwooldridge1607]

The vans Rowley Squares were the dopest and most comfy skate shoe I ever skated. 💯💯

[@soundsbitter]

The Reynolds ones for sure, Accel OGs, and accel slims and nb numeric 440s.

[@rioterism]

Emerica Figgy Dose, Emerica Spanky G6, Vans Crockett Pro, Vans Kyle Walkers, Lakai old Koston pro models, Etnies Marana.

[@kushwild7380]

Circa muska and the 301s or globe Rodney Mullen S3 were my favorite

[@chrhadden]

i have been using nike dunks high tops. i was skating back when airwalks first came out and they were really good. i was learning to ollie and i was going through shoes like crazy the airwalks lasted a good while. skating since 85 and i have never owned a pair of vans. to trendy

[@stephenwelsch4728]

To me it's the Nyjahs nikeSB shoes. Those shoes were designed solely for skating and I love them. They are light and super comfortable

[@Trinadon]

I tried to skate as a kid, although i was never really able to pull off any tricks I always loved the culture and I was lucky enough that the skater kids in my area happened to be the nicest most accepting group of people I've ever met so yeah I'm one of those people who doesn't skate but buys the shoes even to this day lol

[@gh0stm0nst3r6]

Vans Romeo I haven't been able to even find a photo of these on the internet, at least in the colorway I had (Brown/blue). I skated them to nubs when I first started, then cut the tongues out and put them in my Salomon st9 skates. They made me feel things. Pillow tongues fr Second is 2015 janoski max Black & White tech ones. I bought three pair and wore them into the effin' ground. Last pair died in 2019.

[@RevanMartinez]

The Original Reynolds 3 (og version was more slim). What id give for a new pair to skate in

[@haroldcampos9661]

"The shoe has an earring!" what a classic.

[@RevanMartinez]

@@haroldcampos9661 I still have a pack of unopened earrings haha

[@haroldcampos9661]

@@RevanMartinez Amazing! Hahaha ...I had a pair in double black (black upper with black outsole) I wore them as my nice shoes for a while. They weren't cheap even back then!

[@RevanMartinez]

@@haroldcampos9661 they definitely werent! I had 2 pairs of the solid brown/cream color

[@talonmathis8397]

Bam dark lights, Kenny Anderson v1-v2, Rowley xL2, vans old skools 🤘🏻😎💜

[@alexkh8774]

The M on the side is a really good structural shape to support the foot while cutting out some excess material / weight

[@eybx9530]

Etnies Michelin Marana best cup sole shoe and Nike Blazer Low Pro GT vulc. Honourable mentions. Janoski, Figgy G6 & SB shane

[@blackLodgeskateboards]

3 years ago I went to Straye, they last 2x longer than other shoes for my type of skating. However half cabs take the spot.