“Eat, sleep, skate, repeat.” Skateboarding is fun and exciting – a form of art that teaches you to balance, control, and fight fall. And a perfect pair of skate shoes help you master the art.
However, one of the biggest mistakes people often make when starting with skateboarding is buying cheap shoes that won’t last long and aren’t comfortable to skate in.
Shoes are crucial for skateboarding – an essential investment. They help protect your feet and give you control over your board. However, how long can you use your skate shoes?
To be specific, how long the skate shoes last depends on many factors. However, it usually ranges from 3 months to 12 months with good care.
Here’s a detailed guide on how long skate shoes typically last, which factors affect skate shoe longevity, and many more so you can get more bang for your buck!
Check out the top 5 skateboard shoes for superior performance with superb durability.
| Skateboard Shoes | Features |
| Adidas Campus ADV | Durable build with enhanced shock-absorbing quality |
| Nike SB Zoom Blazer | Offers maximum breathability with a broken-in feel |
| Vans Sk8-hi sneaker | Offers comfortability and durability with Waffle Rubber Sole |
| Nike SB Dunk | Offers zoom air cushioning and a low-key low-top with a white midsole and contrasting gum outsole |
| New Balance Numeric 1010 | Stylish and durable silhouette with ankle-saving sneaker tech |
How Long Do Skate Shoes Last?
The life of a pair of skates is heavily influenced by two factors: how well you take care of them and how aggressive your skating style is.
If you’re light on your feet or don’t skate too often, a pair should last around six months to 2 years.
On average, one will expect to get at least 400 hours of skating out of their new skate shoes.
How Often Skateboarders Perform Skateboarding?
How often a skater performs skateboarding depends on many factors, including whether they use a ramp to perform tricks. The average rider practices 3-4 hours and 1-3 times per week.
But once they’ve mastered tricks and feel confident enough with their skating abilities, that frequency can drop to as little as once every other week.
Even if you don’t intend to perform tricks, it’s essential to maintain your board regularly by sharpening and lubricating your trucks and wheels.
And by following this timetable, you can expect good quality and durable skate shoes to last like 6 to 12 months.
Why is Durability Important for Skate Shoes?
Skateboarding is an extreme sport, which means that your skate and shoes must also be able to withstand lots of wear and tear.
Skateboarders constantly fall and grind their gear into different surfaces (including your driveway). That’s why it’s essential that your skating shoes can use withstand constant pressure.
On top of that, good and durable skating shoes are very important to perform various stunts like halfpipes, ollies, power flips, kickflips, and heelflips.
If you notice your skates wearing out quickly, consider changing brands or shopping for a better quality pair. You don’t want to spend money on new skates every month. You want them to last!
Things That Affect The Lifespan Of A Skate Shoe
Skate shoes have a limited lifespan, depending on individual usage and maintenance. However, some factors affect durability more than others.
Because skateboarders can cause such high amounts of stress on their footwear, it’s crucial to understand how to maintain your skate shoes to last as long as possible.
It can help you avoid costly replacement expenses. Here are a few things to consider-
1. Sole Construction
The type of sole construction your skate shoe has can significantly impact its longevity.
The most common sole types are-
- Vulcanized
- Non-vulcanized or Cupsole.
Vulcanized soles are more durable, but they’re also less flexible and take longer to break in. Non-vulcanized soles tend to be softer and more flexible but also less durable.
Some skaters prefer one type over another. If you are new, you can go according to your preferences.
2. Material and Toe Cap
The type of material your skate shoe is made from can also affect its durability.
Leather, suede, nylon, canvas, mesh, and synthetic leather are all common materials for skate shoes.
The toe cap also impacts how long your skates will last. For example-
- Plastic caps are cheaper but more prone to breaking.
- Rubber toe caps are average for all purposes.
- Metal caps are more expensive but much more durable.
3. Usage Level
The level of usage your skate shoe sees can also affect its lifespan.
Those who use their skates more often, such as competitive skaters, tend to need to replace them more frequently than those who only use them occasionally.
Competitive skaters might go through a pair of skates in just a few months, while casual skaters could get several years out of a single pair.
4. Care and Maintenance
How you care for your skate shoes can impact how long they last.
Skate shoes should be cleaned after every use to avoid dirt buildup, damaging them over time.
They should also be stored in a cool, dry place when not in use to prevent mildew from forming inside them.
You should replace skate shoelaces regularly because they wear out quickly due to all of the stress they’re put under during skating sessions.
5. Stitching
The stitching on your skate shoe can also affect its durability.
Good stitching can help prevent tears and holes from forming. Still, it’s important to note that even a high-quality stitch job isn’t entirely indestructible.
In addition, you should inspect your skate shoes regularly for signs of wear and tear, such as fraying or loose threads.
If you notice any damage, you should take your skates to a professional repair shop so they don’t fall apart while skating.
You can also choose shoes with more than one stitching line.
6. Laces
Laces are one of a skater’s most important pieces of equipment because they allow you to adjust your shoe for a customized fit.
Good laces can add comfort and help prevent damage, while bad laces can cause discomfort and lead to a damaged shoe.
When skating, always use high-quality shoelaces because substandard laces can come undone or snap unexpectedly during a session.
To prevent any unexpected accident with laces, skateboarders often attach the end of the lace with glue or tape.
How to Make Skateboarding Shoes Last Longer?
If you are interested in skateboarding or have been practicing for a while and want to find out how you can make your skate shoe last longer, then keep reading.
Here we will look at five tips that will help your skate shoes last longer.
1. Take Care of Your Skate Shoes
Like any other pair of shoes, if you want them to look good and function properly, you need to keep them clean and well maintained.
You should always wipe off your skateboard after every use and never walk around in your shoes without socks or foot covers.
2. Buy Shoes That Fit
If you have ever bought a pair of shoes that were too small, you know how uncomfortable they can be.
Skateboarding is hard on your feet, and if your shoe doesn’t fit properly, it’s only going to cause more problems for you down the road.
3. Double Stitching
If you are looking for a way to make your skate shoes last longer, go for double stitching.
It will help to ensure that your shoe doesn’t fall apart. You can usually tell if a pair of shoes has double stitching by looking at them closely.
If you notice two rows of stitching on each side of your shoe, it’s a good sign that they will hold up better than others.
If you don’t have that, go to a cobbler or shoemaker to stitch them.
4. Shoe Goo
Another thing you can do to make your skate shoes last longer is to use shoe goo.
This glue will help keep your shoe together and prevent it from falling apart. You can usually find shoe goo at any hardware store or online.
Make sure you read all of the instructions before applying them to your shoe because if you don’t follow them correctly, it could ruin your shoe.
5. Laces
Skateboarding can cause a lot of wear and tear on your laces, so it’s a good idea to replace them every few months.
It will help ensure that they don’t break on you while skating. Or you can also go with super glue to attach them permanently. You can use Gorilla Super Glue for a booming result.
If you have ever had your shoelace break while skating, then you know how much of a pain it can be.
FAQs
- When should I replace my skate shoes?
Skate shoes aren’t cheap and can cost anywhere from $50 to $150 or more. To get your money’s worth, take good care of them.
When you notice your skates wearing down, it’s time to start looking for a new pair.
- How often do skaters get new shoes?
Skate shoes typically have a lifespan of 8-12 months. Some skaters will wear out their shoes before that time, but others have been known to go beyond a year and still get some good use out of them.
So how often should you replace your skate shoes? It depends on how often you skate, which is ultimately determined by your budget, personal tastes, and location.
- How long do vans pros last?
Vans are considered a staple in most skaters’ closets. Vans are built to last and often hold up longer than other skate shoe brands. Typically lasts around 12 months to 24 months. Vans Unisex Old Skool is a superb skate shoe that can enhance your balance and control over skateboarding.
Final Thought
Hopefully, you have already got your expected answer on how long do skate shoes last. It all depends on how you use your skates.
Don’t skimp out on a cheap pair of skates and then be disappointed with their performance.
An investment in a good pair of skates will last you much longer than a cheaper one and keep you skating for years to come.
