The slip-on has long been heralded as one of skateboarding’s classic shoes. Brilliant in its simplicity, the low-cut design and vulcanized sole resonated with skateboarders the world over and stands as a testament to the “less-is-more” mindset that skateboarding has embraced for most of its existence.
However, as skateboarding progresses, the needs of skateboarders change and footwear technologies need to advance accordingly.
Best Slip On Shoes For Skateboarding
Slip-ons can be a good option for skateboarding, but it ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific features and construction of the shoe. It’s always a good idea to try on different types of skate shoes and experiment with different styles to find the shoe that works best for you.
As such, the classic slip-on is constantly being tweaked, upgraded, or flat-out redesigned to appeal to a new generation. Here are a few slip-ons to ponder next time you visit your local skate shop.
Vans Checkboard Slip-On Shoe
It’s no surprise that these shoes are so popular, as they are based of the classic Vans #98 design from 1977. However, the modern rendition is much more durable than back then. The shoe sports a low-profile canvas uppers, supportive padded collars, elastic side accents, and signature rubber waffle outsoles.
Relative to some other more advanced slip-on designs, this shoe does wear out slightly faster than some others. However, it is an instantly recognizable classic, that outclasses many other designs with regard to comfortablity. This may also not be the most suitable for high impact skateboarding, however the outsoles are grippy, and the insoles provide good boardfeel.
Nike SB Chron 2 Slip
The Nike SB Chron 2 Slip is a skate shoe that offers both style and functionality. Its slip-on design makes it convenient for skaters who want a shoe that is easy to put on and take off. The shoe features a durable canvas upper and a rubber outsole that provides excellent grip and traction on the board.
One of the unique features of the Chron 2 Slip is its toe cap design, which adds extra durability and protection to the shoe. The Zoom Air unit in the sockliner provides responsive cushioning for high-impact landings and added comfort during long skate sessions. Additionally, the low profile design of the shoe gives the wearer better board feel and control.
The Chron 2 Slip has a clean and simple look that can be dressed up or down depending on your personal style. It is available in various colorways to suit your preferences.
Overall, the Nike SB Chron 2 Slip is a solid skate shoe that offers comfort, durability, and style. Its slip-on design and responsive cushioning make it a great choice for skaters of all levels.
Emerica Wino G6 Slip-On
The Wino G6 Slip-On has a sexy, sleak black design, with multiple performance upgrades from your average slip-on skate shoe. Firstly, the slip-on alternative to the regular Wino G6 shoe, is infused with the same G6 foam insoles for superb impact cushioning.
Moreover, the Wino G6 slip-ons have a desert grip tread outsole, which provides extra grip to the board. This shoe also boasts a double fox wrapped vulcanized construction. This means that when the sole is glued to the upper portion of the shoe, it is then wrapped with two layers of fox tape for extra durability. The Wino G6 Slip-Ons are also vegan! The only downside to this shoe is the comfortability. The toe cap portion of the shoe is slightly tight, seemingly the only design flaw of the shoe.
Etnies Marana Slip XLT Shoes
These performance-focused shoes, the Marana SLP XLTs, boast a Michelin rubber outsole, with rubberised toe and heel caps for durability. They also have an impressive removable and moulded Pro Foam 2 footbed.
The Pro Foam insoles are both durable and highly impact resistant. The design also has perforations in the exterior walls to make the shoe lightweight and offer some breathability. The shoe is as good as any other skate shoe in terms of performance, and even more comfortable than some, due to its padding designs.
Lugz Clipper Sneaker
The Lugz Clippers are yet another simply black design. However, they are slightly bulkier with a padded collar, providing great durability and comfortability. The best feature of this skate shoe is, surprisingly, their breathable canvas design for the uppers.
The bulkier nature to the shoe is fixed with a lighter canvas design. This shoe is therefore highly versatile for a slip-on skate shoe. The vulc sole is thick, but balances this with good board feel. One downside to these shoes, however, is the insole durability.
These shoes are reported to have been glued inadequately to keep the insoles in place and in tact.
Nike SB Sneaker Zoom Verona Slip
The Zoom Verona Slips are also a highly versatile skate shoe, and are the first slip-on shoes on our list to have a suede upper. This suede upper represents the potential of a slip on skate shoe. A suede upper is more durable, provides more boardfeel, and is generally the preferred upper material for skate shoes.
The Zoom Verona’s also have a removable and moulded footbed from Zoom Air unit insoles, as well as a padded collar and reinforced heel area. In addition, these shoes have a herringbone thread pattern for the vulcanised rubber outsoles – great for grip.
There’s only one downside to this shoe, and that is its weight. It is a little heavier due to the suede, however by all accounts this is not super noticeable when skating. Currently not widely available.
Vans Slip On Pros
The Slip On Pros by Vans are another great overal design for a skate shoe. These shoes have great board feel with a thin suede upper design. They are light, as they have a suede canvas mix for the heel portion of the shoe’s upper.
This does provide a little less durability for heelflips. The foxing tape for this shoe is also superior to many others, as it goes up an extra layer, improving durability across the shoe. This shoe also has reinforced flick points in the suede upper via Vans’ DuraCap technology.
However, the shoe does wear a little easier over time than some other shoes on this list. Also, it can sometimes be a bit tight all-around. If you are between sizes, you might want to go a size up.
The Vans slip on offers all the benefits of their regular classics while maintaining their iconic look. The durability of the shoes has been significantly improved through the implementation of Duracap. Meaning it comes with reinforced materials, as well as deeper knurl textures on the toe bumpers, and higher sidewall heights.
The uppers have been fully redesigned with a molded heel counter and internal tongue straps to provide a secure, locked-in fit and improved board control.
The grip of the shoes is legendary, thanks to the new proprietary SickStick™ gum rubber compound, which is their stickiest rubber yet. The PopCush is supposed to improve impact protection which allows for longer skate sessions with less leg fatigue. though this enritely depends on your style of skateboarding.
Cariuma Slip-On Pro
The Cariumas have an incredibly unique board feel. They implemented high tech insole technology to perfectly balance impact absorption with comfortability. Furthermore, the upper is fully suede with an added rubber overlay, making it well-resistant to even the grippiest of grip tapes.
The middle of the shoe is made of a very durable organic canvas material which holds up very well also. Conveniently, they also have a pull-loop on the heel to make them even easier to get on. One thing to consider, however, is that the grippyness of these shoes does take some getting used to.
Note that they have an extended toe cap and narrow toe box, meaning they may be uncomfortable for people with wider feet.
Lakai Owen VLK Slip On
The Owen VLK Slip Ons from Lakai have fully suede flick points for a truly high-performance slip-on skate shoe. These shoes have a noticeably thicker sole than others on the list, making them great shoes for more high impact tricks, and for overall foot protection.
The leather heel also adds to the superior foot protection of the shoe, as well as its high durability. The shoe also has an elastic inset tongue to reduce wear.
This shoe provides a classic skate shoe feel, while adding the comfort and convenience of a slip-on. They are a little too snug for some, so going up a ½ size or a full size may be necessary.
Overall, the Lakai Owen VLK slip-on skate shoe is an excellent option for skaters who want a shoe that is both stylish and functional. Its slip-on design, robust construction, and responsive cushioning make it an ideal choice for skaters of all levels.
The standout characteristic of the new OWEN is its VLK performance sole – a contemporary take on traditional vulcanization. The all-suede upper is snug and durable, making it perfect for both daily wear and skateboarding.
Additionally, the crafted midsole with lux-lite insole delivers exceptional cushioning and comfort. Notable details include a striped, nylon webbed hit at the tongue and heel, a cover stitched and perforated toe panel highlight, and a 3-D printed flare at the rear heel. Slip into satisfaction with these shoes!
GLOBE Liaizon Shoes (Wasted Talent Collaboration)
These shoes are on the list largely in part because of the style factor. These shoes are beautifully designed with a full leather, boat-shoe style upper. However, don’t let the fashion fool you. These shoes are high-performance, durable and comfortable. These have a highly dependable Super V rubber outsole with coloured S-trac tread pattern. T
They also have removable, printed and moulded Shockbed footbed for impact, as well as a padded collar and reinforced heel area for durability and impact. These shoes even have a built-in anti-slip heel pod. Of course, the one downside is perhaps the leather upper.
Most report that the leather upper material does indeed skate well and hold up over time. However, the boardfeel may be different, and leather is unlikely to be as soft as suede meaning your flick becomes less predicatble.
DC Manual Slip Le Shoes
The Manual SLP LE skate shoes have a low-cut silhouette with a padded heel collar, an essential balance between comfortability and foot protection. It also has a vulcanised gum rubber outsole with herringbone and pill tread patterns.
The grip on these shoes is phenomenal, and the gum outsoles make them last for a longer time than many on this list. They also put an Impact-Alg footbed with a polyurethane airbag. This makes the impact absorption for these shoes next level.
As if that wasn’t good enough, the also have a double stitched Ollie area for even greater durability. The only downside to these shoes is the “just average” upper materials. The upper is made of a generic suede material, with nothing particularly notable (good or bad) about it.
What To Look For When Buying Slip-On Skate Shoes
Obviously we all know that slip-ons are comfortable. However, they are often questioned for their durability and applicability to skateboarding. Despit this, slip-on skate shoes have been around for a while so it’s safe to assume they are a decent option.
For example, the Vans Slip-On Pro is a staple in skateboarding. Many skate them for the convenience of course, and the style, but they can in fact be worthy skate shoes with regard to durability and impact too.
When picking a slip-on skate shoe, it is important to consider the two most important parts of the shoe – the the upper and the sole. Slip-on uppers are generally made from canvas and suede, so a high thread count for durable upper fabrics is very important factor. In addition, the soles (and insoles, or footbed) of a skate shoe are always of utmost importance.
Here are some things to look for when buying slip-on skate shoes:
- Durability: Skate shoes need to be durable to withstand the wear and tear of skateboarding. Look for shoes made with durable materials such as suede on the right spots.
- Grip: Good grip is essential for skateboarding, so look for shoes with a rubber sole that provides good traction on a skateboard.
- Cushioning: Skateboarding can be tough on your feet, so look for shoes with good cushioning to absorb impact and reduce the risk of injuries.
- Fit: Slip-on shoes should fit snugly to ensure they stay on your feet while skateboarding. Look for shoes with internal elastic bands or other features that help keep them securely in place.
- Price: Slip-on skate shoes can vary in price, so consider your budget when making a purchase.
Are Slip On Skate Shoes Durable?
Slip-on skate shoes can be durable, depending on the quality of the materials used in their construction and the level of reinforcement they have. Some slip-on skate shoes are designed with features like reinforced toe caps, vulcanized construction, and durable rubber outsoles to provide extra durability and protection for skateboarding.
However, it’s important to note that slip-on skate shoes may not be as durable as lace-up skate shoes because they lack the added support and adjustability that laces provide. Overall, the durability of slip-on skate shoes will vary depending on the specific brand, model, and materials used, so it’s always important to check the specifications and reviews before making a purchase.
Are Slip Ons Good For Skateboarding?
Slip-ons can be good for skateboarding, but it depends on the specific shoe and the individual skater’s preferences. Slip-ons are typically more comfortable and easier to put on and take off than traditional lace-up skate shoes, which can make them a popular choice among skaters. Additionally, slip-ons can offer a more minimalist style that some skaters prefer.
However, traditional lace-up skate shoes offer the advantage of being more secure and adjustable, which can be important for skaters who need a precise fit or extra support. Lace-up skate shoes also often have added features like padded tongues and collars, reinforced toe caps, and more durable materials that can offer additional protection and durability.
In summary, slip-ons are great for skateboarding if you don’t mind skating less durable skate shoes. In the end it is personal preference, some love slip-ons and others rather go for cupsoles. Try different shoes and learn about skate shoe brands until you find the shoe that is right for you.
