What shoe do you use?

Shorts, Shirts and Shoes

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Adam Trahan
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Post by Adam Trahan » Wed Sep 18, 2002 4:00 pm

I am an old pool skater as well as a slalom skateboard enthusiast (since 1978). I've had the odd pair of Vans but my shoe of choice has always been the black Coverse "Chuck Taylor" Hi-Top.

It's an easy choice for me for many reasons.

As I get older (I am 41) I am more prone to injury and my Converse have little in the way of support. I guess my question to this forum is "what sort of shoes do you wear for slalom?"

I don't like the new "PUFFY" skater shoes, I like to lace my shoes up for support. I do not mind low tops so long as the shoe will stay with my foot when I "crank" on the board.

Anyway, what do you use?

Leonardo Ojeda
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Post by Leonardo Ojeda » Wed Sep 18, 2002 4:56 pm

I only use high ankle shoes, they can save ur ankle of a luxation or even a fracure.

have anybody tried the new vans dogtown models? i want to get the new tony alva leather model, but want to know any reviews.

leo
"I`ll see you at the end of the hill"

Joachim Leonhardt
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Post by Joachim Leonhardt » Tue Oct 08, 2002 2:03 am

Yes, I have a pair of ERA Dogtown and a pair of the classic ones from the "early" years. Both do not have a high heel / ankle.
To my mind they work perfect - very gripy sole.

http://www.derkleineweinladen.de/skate/Vans1.jpg
(Hoping that the picture is visible.)

I did not think about high ankles, because I am coming from freestyle, where the feet have to move.
But, after thinking about safety - a high ankle shoe should be better.

Joe

Rene Carrasco
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Post by Rene Carrasco » Tue Nov 19, 2002 6:22 am

***Hello out there!

The topic of "what shoes do you wear?" is a good one.
It is very important to find and use a shoe that will be comfortable, yet snug and grippy, holding you down on that board during those long Giant Slalom arc's, or that fast static side to side quick action pumping, flying staight ahead thru those tight cone setups toward the finish line to victory!

I've talked to alot of riders and they seem to prefer a shoe that let's them "feel" the board. That usually means a shoe that probably has the gum rubber bottom- say, like Vans, or similar is also Converse.

I've tried the basketball type shoe with a thicker bottom, but I feel it's too tippy, and feels a little like your too high above the board, thereby not giving me the confidence I need to trust the shoe to help me attack that slalom course!

My personal preference is the Vans "old school" model shoe.

***Please check out my post concerning shoes AND what happened when I used BRAND X at the Morro Bay World Championships !!! It's a hoot! - - - BUT IT'S TRUE!!!
- on this website-
Go to - Races & Results
then- WestLA College USA
then- Nov. 24 WLAC
...you'll dig it!.....


Safe Skateboarding!
And...I'll see you at WLAC this Nov.24-

Thanks Adam- cool website!



............-Rene' -TEAM CARRASCO BROTHERS.
RENE CARRASCO for - SK8KINGS.COM - Abec 11 Wheels - Tracker Trucks - Khiro Skateboard Products - Nitro Racing Bearings - Vans Skate Shoes !

Glenn S
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Post by Glenn S » Tue Nov 19, 2002 4:08 pm

Rene,
That picture of you with the worn out shoes is a blast! :lol:

I'll repost it here because it is about shoes:

<img src=http://www.slalomskateboarder.com/Racer ... BrandX.jpg>

Thanks for posting that and making me smile. And also for the suggestion about the Vans shoes.
Glenn

Wes Eastridge
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Post by Wes Eastridge » Thu Nov 28, 2002 9:53 pm

I just started using a shoe from Target, Utility brand. They are navy-blue suede upper, silver plastic mesh side panels, and model name Hadley. The tread is deep with a wide-voided pattern. I don't know if that's condusive to foot dragging, but for $20 the shoes are worth trying out. The support however is excellent. The tongue has a 'low-medium' amount of padding (in relation to puffy shoes), which is soft and allows me to tie them on securely. The fit is great for me, with no heel-lift whatsoever. OldSkool Vans fans will probably consider the sole to be too thick, but I'm partial to them. I don't like dark colors for shoes because of the unneccessary heat that they absorb, but for Winter where I live, they will hopefully be OK. Other than a lighter color, all <b>I still need</b> are <b>lace-savers</b>. When I fall, I often end up in a knee slide, which destroys my laces. I would love to see Alan Sidlo or someone come up with some that can be easily added on to existing shoes.

Vlad Popov
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Post by Vlad Popov » Fri Nov 29, 2002 8:22 pm

It is unknown why WesE (short for Wes-the-Luca-kill-E-r) is not sponsored by any skateboard shoe company. I see what Wes rides and I try to follow the trend. So, every 2 months or so I go to a Target store and pick up a new pair of B.U.M. shoes. They are almost the same shoes that Wes rides, only they suit my foot better, and their sole is softer. Chris Chaput rides in the same shoes, and their cost is $20-24 depending on the season. Because I wear out the rear-foot sole in about 4-8 weeks, my laces don’t need any protection. However, I wash and iron them often, as I believe one is what his laces are.
Wes also told me about the Harbinger safety gear as being the best for slalom, and I’ve been using it since August 2002. And so has Slappy Mix-Starbucks-Well. Thanks Wes!
Vlad.

Wes Eastridge
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Post by Wes Eastridge » Fri Feb 28, 2003 12:06 am

So far, these shoes from Target have been excellent performers, good for all the types of riding I do (slalom, park/bank/bowl/pre-popsiclestick-'street', cruising, nearly anything except downhill race shoe-smoking and Mullen/Welinder-freestyle). I will go so far as to say the best shoes I ever had for skateboarding. I know what problems puffy shoes have regarding comfort and stay-on security. I've been publicly complaining about that for years. I also recently bought a few pairs of new-oldstock Airwalk Vics in 3 different sizes and was reminded that these oldschool shoes are uncomfortable in the heel (the footbed and back of the shoe meet at a 90 degree angle rather than cupping your heel). The Target shoes have no problems that I can gather (except a lack of lace protection). They pretty much truly are just simple shoes that fit well and are good for skateboarding! I urge everyone that has to buy their own shoes to try a pair, as they’re only $20 (I don’t want Target to stop producing them due to lack of interest). The sizes seem to run large, so expect to try on several sizes that you might not normally wear.

Vlad Popov
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Post by Vlad Popov » Fri Feb 28, 2003 12:11 am

Target no longer carries my favorite BUM model. BUMmer!

Wes Eastridge
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Post by Wes Eastridge » Fri Feb 28, 2003 2:13 am

Crap! I hate it when good things come to an end. Looks like I better stock up on the ones that I like. I'll let you know if my store has any of the ones you wear, Vlad.

Leonardo Ojeda
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Post by Leonardo Ojeda » Fri Feb 28, 2003 7:51 pm

I was looking for high top shoes that would be comfortable for skating, as i use my skate shoes to do slalom, speedboard and pool riding i needed to find a durable light and comfy shoe, i bought some Vans high cab, but they were too light and i would trust a fall or a footdrag at 50mph, so i usually bought hiking boots to feel safe with them.
the main issue its that the sole of this boots arent flat and that was causing me a lot of pain in the heel.
I didnt liked the new skating shoes cause they were low top and too bulky, but yesterday i saw some Circa model: JT301HT, very nice, and they are high top and not bulky at all, also very comfortable sn they feel pretty nice on the skate.

check them out if u want.
http://www.circafootwear.cm

leo
"I`ll see you at the end of the hill"

Wes Eastridge
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Post by Wes Eastridge » Sat Mar 29, 2003 3:33 pm

Vlad, the Manassas Target has one B.U.M shoe remaining, a right one in size 9.5. Isn't that exactly what you need? Maybe they will sell it to you for half the price of a pair.

Chris Barker
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Post by Chris Barker » Sat Mar 29, 2003 4:49 pm

I like the $20 Gum Rubber sole specials at Payless Shoe Source. They are padded nice and the price is right for those foot-braking sessions.

RL

Vans the only skate shoe!

Post by RL » Thu Nov 06, 2003 4:59 am


VANS HIGH TOPS! since 76 Ive always had a pair

Rich Stephens
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Post by Rich Stephens » Thu Nov 06, 2003 5:55 am

for me it's always been the vans hightops or the look-alike low tops that they now call "old school". but recently i'm getting pain in my heels when i run out of stuff on vert. i'd go to my knees but they are in even worse condition that i don't want to pound them too much either. so i'm thinking of getting some of those gel inserts for the heels. hopefully it won't ruin the feel the vans give me for the board.

-Slim

John Gilmour
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DCSHOECOUSA

Post by John Gilmour » Thu Nov 06, 2003 3:40 pm

My best results have been with shoes. I-path Cats. (look like black Clarke wallabees)

I skate with DC Shoes Manteca Model in suede. Size 9.5 or 10.
One good turn deserves another
john gilmour

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Post by Ron Barbagallo » Fri Sep 16, 2005 6:42 pm

Chuck Taylors or old school Vans






of course with my perscription orthotics and a little help from Dr Scholl
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Bosco
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Post by Bosco » Thu Oct 13, 2005 4:37 am

Almost every company makes a vulcanized shoe that resembles old school Vans or Chuck Taylors. I like the look of those kinds of shoes but most of them wear out quickly and are constructed poorly. I recently discovered Dekline shoes. They're killer. Their vulcanized construction is amazing and the insoles are made from injection molded polyurethane. They're super springy, offer a load of support in the arch and keep your feet from hurting or getting too tired. I love them but to be very upfront about it, I also have a personal/professional bias towards them because I now work for the company. That said, I would wear them even if I didnt and everyone I know who gets them loves them.

http://www.dekline.com

Bosco
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Marion Karr
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Post by Marion Karr » Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:38 pm

Dang old topic but since I got back into skateboarding I have worn nothing but I-Path Grasshoppers. They list at $79 which is too expensive for shoes to foot brake in but if you watch the I-Path website and some others you can get them for almost half price.

Here are the features I like about them:

1. High top with both laces and a velcro top strap for snug fit.
2. Durability is premium. Even with heavy foot braking they hold up.
3. Soles accept and hold Shoe Goo for repair better than other shoes I've tried.
4. They are wider than the other shoes on the market and accept my arch supports easily.
5. Uppers don't wear out...either in the suede version or the full on leather version.
6. Bottoms are firm yet grippy. Makes the occassional bale/run out better than a softer bottom shoe.

I know they are targeted to new school skaters but I find these are just great for slalom, downhilling, park, and what have you skating.

My 2 cents....total waste of my time typing this while on hold waiting on a client to finish some stupid task....
Marion Karr DHB
DHB WORLD HEADQUARTERS
Sk8sville, North Carolina

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Justin Pannulla
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Post by Justin Pannulla » Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:54 pm

I-Path Grasshoppers
That is a great shoe, i had ones made from hemp that literally last forever, i still have them, but i dont wear them much (they are now a work shoe) because they got stinky after getting stuck in a flood, but after years of use they still have much tread, and little to no rips or tears, just a little abrasion here and there.
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Brian Peck
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Post by Brian Peck » Sun Sep 24, 2006 6:23 pm

Around New England, I go by the nickname "loafer," for this simple reason:
Image

Boy are they comfy.

Curt Chapman
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Shoes again...

Post by Curt Chapman » Mon May 07, 2007 8:55 pm

Anyone ever tried these?

Vox Hewitt


Image

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Post by YOYO SHULTZ » Tue May 08, 2007 10:43 am

Bosco wrote:Almost every company makes a vulcanized shoe that resembles old school Vans or Chuck Taylors. I like the look of those kinds of shoes but most of them wear out quickly and are constructed poorly. I recently discovered Dekline shoes. They're killer. Their vulcanized construction is amazing and the insoles are made from injection molded polyurethane. They're super springy, offer a load of support in the arch and keep your feet from hurting or getting too tired. I love them but to be very upfront about it, I also have a personal/professional bias towards them because I now work for the company. That said, I would wear them even if I didnt and everyone I know who gets them loves them.

http://www.dekline.com

Bosco
I agree 100%
So far I have been using the Shun Mids for Freestyle/ allround skating and they last VERY long.
The internal lacing systems protects the shoe laces, so I am still using the first laces after more than a year, all that doing casper tricks and even doing knee slides riding parks and ramps.
I do not like bulky shoes, but the insoles offer great board feel and good shock absorbtion too.
5 out of 5 stars rating from me!
Image

Tony Peters
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a new find

Post by Tony Peters » Mon Jul 02, 2007 8:16 pm

was looking around Va Beach while down here for work, the heavy pushing in my motel parking lot wore the last of the sole away on my Rowley XLT's. I couldn't find a shoe that I was willing to shell out the serious green for in any of the Surf/Skate stores but in http://www.steveandbarrys.com/ I discovered Stephan Marrbury's cheap shoe line http://www.starbury.com/ the SXM Trainer is a perfect skate shoe and stick well to my Fullbag. the great thing about these shoes it that they are $14.98 so even if they wear out fast they are cheap enough to replace
turns are fun....

Robert Gaisek
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Post by Robert Gaisek » Tue Sep 25, 2007 4:49 pm

Vans forever!
Image
Image

Chris Iversen
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Post by Chris Iversen » Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:23 am

I just got the new Vans TNT 3/4 highs. Haven't tried them for slalom, but they felt pretty good last session at the indoor bowl. Leather upper, with the same look as the old schools, and the thin waffle sole kicks ass as always!
Live to skate, SKATE OR DIE!!!

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Post by Spike Taylor » Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:21 pm

Vox Hewitts baby, all the way! Street or slaom they are wicked.

Spike
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Stephen Lavin
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Post by Stephen Lavin » Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:45 pm

There are only two shoes on the planet worth skating with IMO. First...

<img src="http://a175.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/im ... e3f026.jpg">

Second...

<img src="http://a742.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/im ... 14611d.jpg">

LAVIN
LAVIN

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