MEN’S CANVAS AND SKATE SHOES

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE SKATE SHOE

Cool kicks to take you from the skate park to the street. Did you know that men’s skate shoes date back to the middle of the 20th century? The earliest skateboarders, like surfers, tended to wear no shoes at all. But there are obvious downsides to going barefoot when the wave you’re surfing is made from concrete rather than water. Skateboarders definitely needed to wear proper shoes, but normal trainers just didn’t make the grade. Over the decades, brands like Vans, Converse, Nike and adidas, all put some of their top designers on the case, creating iconic styles that have been known and loved for generations.

MEN’S SKATE TRAINERS FOR SKATERS

If you know your fakie from your 5-0, this bit is for you! Skateboarding newbies might be wondering why you need skate shoes at all. Won’t any old men’s canvas slip on shoes do the trick? You can see what works for you, but there are clear benefits to wearing shoes designed for your sport. Skate shoes tend to have flat soles with a simple tread pattern for the perfect balance between grip and boardfeel. Skateboarders also choose between low-top, mid-top and high-top skate shoes depending on whether they want to prioritize range of movement or protection around the ankle.

MEN’S CANVAS SHOES WE CAN ALL GET ON BOARD WITH

Men’s canvas trainers may have started out in the skatepark, but they’ve long been a staple of mainstream fashion. Their association with skateboarders and street style make them undeniably cool, but they are a practical choice too. In fact, they offer excellent support around the foot and ankle, and they’re comfortable enough to wear all day long. 

HOW TO CHOOSE MEN’S CANVAS SHOES

If you’re not sure where to start, it might be worth asking yourself some key questions. Will you be wearing your shoes to skate, or as a casual trainer? Do you want low tops, mid tops or high tops? Slip-ons or lace-ups? Do you have a particular brand in mind? Luckily, with Foot Locker, you’re spoilt for choice! We recommend using the filters on the left-hand side of the page to explore the products that are relevant to you. Once you’ve identified the perfect shoes, why not check out our men’s hoodies to complete the look?

For looks, support and performance, Foot Locker has the perfect canvas shoe for your 360, or just for kicking back topside.