Skate Shoes: Stylish and Functional?
Skate shoes were originally designed to provide especially wide
support for skateboarders, giving them extra balance as they skated
throughout town. However, skate shoes have recently developed into
a nationwide fashion phenomenon. These trendy shoes can be found in
any mall of the United States, and they are considered to be some
of the most stylish shoes on the market amongst the country's
younger set.
Skate shoes can be recognized by their exceptional broadness.
These shoes are far wider than most, with large, thick tongues that
bulge out around the shoe's ankle area. They possess very flat
rubber soles that are designed to help a skater grip his or her
board more efficiently. Skate shoes oftentimes come equipped with
shock absorbers, extra loops to prevent shoelaces from dragging,
and specialized flexible material that will add to the skater's
comfort. Additionally, they are produced with reinforced stitching
to provide extra durability against the constant bends and twists
that a skateboarder subjects his or her shoes to. Because skate
shoes are marketed towards kids and teens, they oftentimes feature
bold colors and designs to catch a youth's eye. For younger
children, some skate shoes are produced with familiar television
characters and cartoons.
There are innumerable different brands of skate shoes. However,
probably the largest manufacturer of skate shoes would be DC Shoes.
DC Shoes is one of the most popular producers of shoes that are
designed for extreme sports such as skateboarding and BMX riding.
This company offers a line of skate shoes for men, women, and
children.
Etnies is another popular brand of skate shoe manufacturers.
Based in California, Etnies is reputed for the high-quality skate
shoes that it produces. Etnies shoes are said to be the most sturdy
against constant skateboarding abuse, and many people prefer this
brand due to its shoes' supreme comfort.
Vans also produces many different styles of skate shoes which
are considered to be among the best brands available. This company
manufactures numerous broad skate shoes, but unlike the
aforementioned brands, Vans makes other popular types of shoes as
well. Vans is perhaps most popular for its thinner canvas shoes,
which are considered to be a hybrid between skate shoes and canvas
sneakers such as Converse.