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Not all heroes wear capes, some come with rubber outsoles and foam insoles. To pay tribute to the workhorse of the session, we break down our list of the top 10 skate shoes that have hit our site in 2024.Last year, the cupsole saw a resurgence, but this year, vulc is back, with a mixed bag of the two throughout our list. Court-inspired or remixed shoes remain popular this year, with basketball shoes and the tech a strong reference point for a solid amount of footwear on our list.With an endless stream of fresh releases and colourways released in 2024, narrowing this list down to just ten shoes was one of the hardest tasks we’ve had all year. With that in mind, here’s a shout out to some honourable mentions:Nike SB Heritage Vulc, adidas x Heitor Pro Shell ADV Skate Shoes, Nike SB Malor Skate Shoes, DC JS 1, Nike SB Vertebrae Skate Shoes, Converse Louie Lopez Mid Pro, Nike SB 'Alexis Chameleon' Dunk Low Pro QS, Vans Skate Authentic Mid, Nike SB 'Dancer' Zoom Blazer Low QS.
Last year, Last Resort AB stood strong against the cupsole tidal wave that engulfed the industry, with the VM005 Loafer entering our list as the only shoe with vulc construction. But the brand understandably didn’t want to back themselves into a vulcanised corner; the CM002 is the second cupsole offering from Pontus Alv’s footwear brand, blending leather, suede and mesh on the upper and the shoe represents a step away from the brand’s clean, simple design, instead focusing on a more technical approach to skate shoe design, strategically using layers of different materials to enhance durability whilst offering more support than its vulcanised predecessors. The CM002 might mark a move away from the simple and clean design we have come to know from Last Resort, but we’re here for it.
The bulkier the better is the message from DC this year. The demand for chunky skateboard shoes has steadily risen in recent years, and instead of relying on pure nostalgia to keep the chunk lovin’ sentiment alive, DC enlist the help of team member and Palace pro Lucien Clarke. A bulky but sporty silhouette, streetwear website High Snobiety boldly claimed “Lucien Clarke is making DC cool again,” and we’re inclined to agree.
Still riding the Bloke Core wave, adidas decided to switch their iconic Samba silhouette which has spearheaded the trend for their most fitting pro. Lucas Puig has a well-documented love of the beautiful game, from having kick abouts with Zinedine Zidane to having signature football jerseys released for several brands. So, when adidas announced they were blending Puig’s pro shoe with the Samba, it just made sense. The shoe combines Puig’s signature aesthetics with iconic Samba details, blending classic with the contemporary for a natural and necessary evolution.
Although the first iteration of the shoe was a bit of a flop, with the general vibe of confusion or offence due to the knit design; so, Vans went back to the drawing board and this OFFICIAL iteration of Anthony Van Engelen’s second Vans pro model skate shoe is a serious upgrade. Designed for support and control, the AVE 2.0 is a technological gamechanger for the brand behind the original skate footwear.
The relationship between basketball shoes and skateboarding is a long and storied one, stretching back as far as the latter has existed, but rarely is a pair of skate shoes so heavily influenced by a court shoe... without originally being a court shoe. Ishod’s second punt at a pro model shoe packs in revolutionary Air Max cushioning and takes key elements from iconic ‘90s hoop shoes and combines them with modern skate tech.
Sometimes you have to look back to move forward, pay homage to what came before. Tyshawn and adidas delved into the archives and pulled out influences from the former’s favourite models from the past, whilst stamping Tyshawn’s effortlessly cool style onto this beauty of a shoe. Five years on from his first pro model for the Three Stripes, the King of New York and two-time SOTY’s second signature shoe refines the last effort with a court style shoe reminiscent of those worn in the 80s, with standout features including Dual-layered toe area and multidirectional cupsole tread for a streamlined fit and impact cushioning.
A Superstar for a superstar. Brazilian trailblazer Vitória Mendonça has had quite the few years, most notably turning pro for Element in 2023 and landing her very own signature shoe for adidas earlier this year. Inspired by the textures of street, from the cracked sidewalks that line the streets to the reflective detailing representing the bright city lights, this shoe is an instant classic which will hold up to harder-hitting wear.
Whilst it was a typically eclectic bag of Dunks this year, Nike SB's latest Dunk Low OG QS collaboration with graffiti visionary FUTURA stood above the rest. Showcasing vibrant colours and abstract aesthetics, the design reflects FUTURA's pioneering style, known since the '70s for his intricate linework and elevating graffiti to a celebrated art form. The shoe's canvas and mesh upper pairs contrasting cloudy white walls with its bold, spray effect panelling and topped with oozing, gradient laces, creating a wearable mural, a perfect homage to FUTURA’s unique artistic influence.
