Best Longboarding Shoes (Affordable Picks)

Longboarding and skateboarding are brothers, similar yet different. Skateboarding is more about agile turns, tricks and flips with a more casual attitude. Longboarding, on the other hand, is more about going far and going there faster. 

Have you guys seen those videos of long boarders going plus 60mph+ on a highway? Absolutely insane! In order to achieve the maximum possible performance, you must use the right gear. There isn't much that you are going to require as long as you aren't planning on going straight down a hilly highway. All you need is a pair of shoes, a helmet, some pads and gloves.

Shoes are extremely important here. People tend to use simply whatever they are wearing, and they work, but well, you can always simply run barefoot also, but it is better with shoes on. Same logic, a pair of longboarding shoes can provide a decent edge. So, without further adieu, here are the best longboarding shoes:

LIST OF BEST LONGBOARDING SHOES

7 BEST LONGBOARDING SHOES REVIEWS

1. GRAND COURT - BEST ADIDAS SKATE SHOES

The Adidas Grand Court is a pair of fantastic-looking sneakers that is available for men, women and kids: the perfect skater family. The shoes are one of the best longboarding shoes out there, and I add them to this list for multiple reasons.

First off, they look really good. Available in an array of designs, there is something for everyone's taste, and these will look so good underneath a pair of casual clothes. Adidas is a company renounced world-wide for manufacturing sports equipment and footwear. Their quality is top-notch and also happens to be a fashion statement.

The upper of the Grand Court sneakers are made of suede upper with leather-like details. It feels really nice upon touch. The sole on these is made of rubber.

Rubber is durable and is anti-slip. The extra grip provided by the rubber sole is essential for better grip on the longboard. The lace-up design is classic and provides for a snug fit. Certainly worth the money!

Features:

  • Leather, suede upper
  • 50% PU Coated Leather & 50% Synthetic
  • Lace-up design
  • Rubber sole
  • Cloudfoam sockliner for more comfort 

Pros

  • Classic Adidas look
  • Quality product
  • Comfortable
  • Grippy

Cons

  • Not much

2. COURT ROYALE AC - BEST NIKE SKATE SHOES

Of course, Nike was going to make an appearance sooner or later. The Court Royale AC sneakers by Nike boast their classic design with the internationally recognized "Tick" one of the sides. Known for being a manufacturer of sports-related products, I obviously had high expectations from these.

Wearing them feels extremely comfortable, and they look good with almost everything, almost because a Tux with Nikes hasn't caught on yet. The Court Royal AC has a suede upper that delivers a nice plush look and is very durable.

The Nike longboarding shoes are made entirely of leather and, if you have ever worn a pair of leather shoes, you know it is a quality material as it is durable, fairly lightweight and very easy to clean. The shoes boast a lace-up design, so you can adjust the tightness according to your own preference.

The sole is made of rubber and has a cup sole design that is supportive and flexible. It also features a herringbone design which helps with traction, adding grip and stability. These are definitely some of the best longboarding shoes!

Features:

  • Autoclave construction for distinctive look 
  • Lace-up design
  • Rubber cupsole
  • Synthetic leather upper 
  • Original rubber cup sole

Pros

  • Durable
  • Leather made
  • Awesome looking
  • Grippy

Cons

  • Watch out for ripoffs

3. DC GRAFFIK - MOST COMFORTABLE SKATEBOARD SHOES

DC has been one of the go-to brands for longboarders and skaters in general around the world. Their classic sneaker design is a staple amongst the skater community.

So, naturally, they are going to the demands and needs of that group, and they did with the Court Graffik Skate Shoe.

They added graffiti on their shoes, as it is common for skaters to be interested in that kind of art. There are multiple designs available, something that will appeal to all kinds of skaters, from flashy designs to more subtle ones.

The lace-up closure is perfect as you want a tight and snug fit in order to feel confident while riding your board. The rubber sole is grippy and provides a ton of stability.

The upper is made of leather and rubber, which are both durable and makes it very easy to clean the shoes. There is also a foam padded tongue and collar to offer some breathability and a comfortable wearing experience. DC certainly meets the hype, and I would definitely say these are some of the best longboarding shoes that I have tested.

Features:

  • Upper made from rubber and leather
  • Rubber sole
  • Lace-up design
  • Foam padded tongue and collar

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Lightweight and grippy
  • Appealing look
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Order a larger size

4. ETNIES Marana - BEST SKATE SHOES FOR LONGBOARDING

The Etnies Marana shoes, as the name might suggest, are shoes specially made keeping in mind the needs of a skateboarder. Though yes, skateboard and longboard are different, they are inherently very similar. Like a Cruiser and a Sportbike, you can easily use the same equipment.

These shoes are amazing, easily one of the best longboard shoes that I have ever tested.

These imported shoes feature a special rubber sole which is equipped with the Michelin performance rubber compound. The outsole is almost three times as tough and durable as most other outsoles.

The outsole features an exposed STI evolution foam icon logo and grippy, provides fantastic traction and keeps you steady and stable thanks to the traditional herringbone and car tire-like tread pattern, which is designed to last.

There also are full-length flex grooves in the 400 NBS for flexibility. The Marana skateboarding shoes are extremely comfortable, featuring a padded collar and tongue along with an STI EVOLUTION FOAM midsole which is quite cushioned and extremely combination as well as pro foam one polyurethane insole.

With the classic lace-up design with hidden lace loops for lace protection, these fit as snuggly as you want without the risk of your lacing coming loose and getting between the wheels. These are easy, hands down, one of the best longboarding shoes and they come at a very reasonable price!

Features:

  • Lace-up design
  • Rubber sole
  • STI EVOLUTION FOAM midsole
  • Pro Foam 1 Polyurethane insole
  • Padded tongue and collar

Pros

  • Extra padded insole
  • Classic skater look
  • High quality and durable
  • Flexible and lightweight
  • Reasonably priced

Cons

  • Not much

5. LUGZ - BEST CHEAP SHOES FOR LONGBOARDING

The Lugz Clipper sneakers are a bit different from the other shoes on this list. These are slip-on canvas instead of a usual lace-up design.

The canvas upper is very classy looking and is a lightweight, breathable material. More breathability is offered by the lining with a padded collar for a more comfortable fit. The side gore panels are stretchy and allow for easy wearing and, naturally, taking off. The Clipper sneakers by Lugz are a very fashionable option, but they also make fantastic shoes for longboarding.

The insole is much cushioned and is very comfortable, while the vulcanized rubber is very grippy and provides excellent traction. The slip-on design seems to be a hit or miss feature. Those that like it stand by it and love it, but others tend to hate it.

For longboarders, slip-on is a decent choice provided you pick the right size as you do not want them coming off for feeling loose. These shoes run a little short, so order a size bigger, and that will feel the most comfortable, but of course, give both a try and see what fits best. Check out these best shoes for longboarding now!

Features:

  • Rubber sole
  • Slip-on design
  • Canvas Upper
  • Vulcanized rubber outsole
  • Padded insole

Pros

  • Breathable lining with a padded collar
  • Comfortable
  • Easy to remove and put on
  • Snug fit

Cons

  • Not the best daily wear

6. GLOBE UNISEX-ADULT FUSION SKATE SHOE

Globe has been around the scene for a good chunk of time now, and I have been familiar with the brand back when I bought a pair of their shoes in 2010, and I absolutely loved them. They were one of the best longboarding or skateboarding shoes that I had ever tried.

They fit well, and they looked great. The number of colors they are available in multiple designs and colors, something for everyone. The thing that stood out to me most was their 100% leather construction. I have always been a fan of leather as a material. It is rugged, durable and looks really cool.

Cleaning is very easy. However, the leather isn't very breathable. So, to get around that problem, Globe added air holes and vents all around these shoes to compensate, and they work great; the inside of the shoes never feel too warm.

The sole of the Fusion Skating shoe by Globe is made using synthetic. The sole has an array of S-TRAG sole patterns with TPR inserts. This pattern ensures stability and provides traction. It is very grippy, and the TPR inserts helped with shock absorptions, impact control, all the while adding durability and flexibility.

The step-in sockliner contributes to the flexibility and comfort factor. The triple-stitched, triple-layer toe cap looks fantastic and down to the last stitch is high quality. On top of all that, these are unisex shoes, so you can get a pair of yourself and your lady/man and perhaps go out with matching shoes if that is your thing. Overall, I loved these ten years ago and still am a fan. 

Features:

  • Lace-up design
  • Leather construction
  • Synthetic sole
  • EVA midsole
  • Stretch sock construction
  • Triple-stitched, triple-layer toe cap
  • Unisex shoes

Pros

  • Extra-thick sidewalls
  • Decent ventilation despite the air holes
  • Rugged, flexible yet lightweight
  • Grippy sole with TPR inserts
  • Fully padded cupsole style

Cons

  • Many ripoffs, so make sure you get the originals

7. VANS VEE3NVY UNISEX VELVET SKATE SHOES

Vans have been the go-to brand for the youth for over 50 years now. They promote individuality, multiple mediums of creative expressions and authenticity. Eventually bought by VF Corporation, the company still remains to be top of the shelf in terms of making quality footwear.

The Velvet Skating shoes by Vans have to be on your list of considerations as Vans is known to be one of the biggest manufacturers and sellers of gear related to the sport of skating. 

The design of these Canvas shoes is retro, classic and will never go out of style. The timeless design makes them perfect for casual, daily wearing as well as when you are out skating in the park. The crush velvet upper looks fantastic and feels easy on the feet as it does allow some ventilation inside. The sidewalls are low and add to the skater style.

These Vans are unisex, so you can get one of yourself and your partner if matching shoes is your thing. The lace-up design is ideal for skating as you can easily tighten up the shoes for a more sporty fit, but if you get the right size, the fit will already be snug and comfortable. The outsole is made of rubber and has the signature waffle design. It provides a great amount of traction and grip, necessary aspects while longboarding.

Canvas shoes are already very lightweight and comfortable, but the die-cut EVA inserts increase that comfort even further and are a much appreciated tough. I truly believe these are some of the best longboarding shoes out there. 

Features:

  • Lace-up design with metal eyelets
  • Crushed velvet upper
  • Canvas shoes
  • Die-cut EVA inserts
  • Signature waffle outsole

Pros

  • Classic, retro look
  • Perfectly usable as a daily wear
  • Comfortable and always in trend
  • Lightweight and durable

Cons

  • Could have used some ankle support

ADVANTAGES OF BUYING THE BEST LONGBOARDING SHOES

There are a number of benefits that you get when you are buying shoes that were designed for longboarders. The manufacturers kept in mind the requirements of skaters in mind and accordingly made these shoes so naturally, they are going to be much better than ordinary shoes.

  • Support: Longboarding shoes provide much better support than regular daily-wear shoes. They offer enhanced lateral support, which helps you feel much more stable while on the board and starting to move. They have special padding around the ankle area to protect your ankles from damage and fatigue.
  • Comfort: Shoes made for longboarders have special cushioning in places, for example, the ankle region, wherein the pressure is applied while longboarding, thus preventing any bruising, helping you skate for longer.
  • Styling: Skating shoes have a distinctive look. Now, admittedly, how important a certain look is to you is entirely subjective. I, myself, always prefer wearing footwear that matches whatever activity I am doing.  While riding my motorcycle, I wear riding boots with a tux, I go with a pair of formal shoes, and for skating, longboarding, I would recommend going with the classic skater style sneakers. Again though, this part is subjective.

BUYING GUIDE FOR LONGBOARDING SHOES

In order to make the right choice, you must know the key elements to take into consideration. These factors will determine how much you would enjoy your purchase. Keep in mind the following factors:

  • Materials Used: The materials that were used to make the shoes you are getting are important. Ideally, you want to pick the material that looks good, feels good and is durable as well flexible. Canvas is the most skaters' go-to choice because of the classic look it provides and lightweight, but leather is much more durable but provides less breathability. Every material has its advantages and disadvantages, so it is up to you to decide what sacrifices you are willing to make.
  • Reinforcement and Weight: The thing with shoes made for skating is that they ought to be lightweight because heavy shoes would hinder your movement speed. So, the weight shouldn't be too much. However, lightweight materials aren't very durable, so there need to be reinforcements like extra stitching and multiple layers in order to make the shoe feels and be a bit more rugged so it can sustain the constant abuse. 
  • Style: Just like I said above, styling is a subjective thing. Ideally, though, you want shoes that look cool as well as be practical. Skating shoes are usually designed like classic sneakers, so most of them already look fantastic and tend to be great for daily wear as well.

FAQ

WHAT SHOES DO YOU WEAR ON LONGBOARDING?

If you are into longboarding, having a good pair of shoes is essential. Shoes with a solid sole and added rubber protection are recommended because they will protect your feet and better grip on your longboard.

ARE LONGBOARDING SHOES BAD FOR YOUR FEET?

Well, longboarding shoes aren't highly suggested for casual or sports use. This is because they lack the features needed by runners and other sports, so it can be bad for your feet. However, it is not bad for your feet unless you wear them properly while longboarding or in casual wear.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I REPLACE MY LONGBOARDING SHOES?

You can replace your longboarding shoes as soon as they start to wear out for your protection.

CAN YOU LONGBOARD IN FLIP-FLOPS?

No, you must not longboard in flip-flops as it is high risk and you can end up hurting yourself. Investing in proper longboarding shoes is essential. 

CONCLUSION


With that, we have reached the end of this article. Longboarding isn't a sport that is as famous as skateboarding, unfortunately, probably because there was no Tony Hawk-like PlayStation game for it. 

However, once you stumble upon it, you realize it is one of the thrilling and exciting sports. It is dangerous because of the high-speed that you can reach on a longboard, so always go for the right shoes and wear a helmet and protection. Hope this article helped you choose the right pair of shoes, and thank you for reading!

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