Skate boarding and the entire skater culture seems to become more and more popular every year. Twelve-year old girls who’ve never even stood on a skate board suddenly beg their parents for skater shoes. Shoe store employees are then faced with befuddled parents who aren’t quite sure of the differences between a skater shoe and a regular pair of tennis shoes, and without the expert help, probably would have purchased a cool looking pair of sneakers that were as far removed from skater shoes as tap dancing shoes are removed from roller skates.
So what makes skater shoes different than regular shoes?
They’re designed specifically for skateboarding, with their signature flat rubber or polyurethane sole that allows skaters to make better contact with the board and have maximum control while skate boarding. They’re also made wider to allow for more grip. The differences don’t stop there, though.
Some skater shoes have air pockets built into the heel to allow more shock absorption while skating to prevent bruising. Often the shoes are made from suede, and have double and triple stitching so that they stand up to the hard work of skate boarding, particularly trick skate boarding. They have shoelace protectors that keep the laces from hanging loose and possibly causing accidents. They’re cushioned and reinforced especially for the way the feet move and make contact with the board while skate boarding, and to make the shoe more durable. Still, avid skate boarders will wear out a pair of shoes faster than someone who doesn’t skate. The rough grip on top of the board wears at the soles, especially if a skater practices regularly or does lots of tricks.
While you might think you can still wear any old shoe to skate board, consider that all these features that make skater shoes special are there, not only to make you a better skater, but to keep you safer. A skater shoe allows you to grip the board better. You have more control which makes you a better skater, but also keeps you from falling off the board or having accidents as much. Control is key in learning to skate properly and remaining on the board. If you’re wearing a regular tennis shoe, you won’t have that same measure of control and you might find yourself surprised to be on the ground, hurt.
Spend the extra money on well-designed skater shoes. You’ll skate better, and you’ll have less risk of injury. And they’re not as expensive as you probably think they are. You can find excellent skater shoes like Fallen Troopers for $50 to $75 dollars, and skater shoes made by Vans, a company that’s been making skater shoes longer than almost anyone else, will run an average of $60. Globe is another skater shoe manufacturer that makes some of the best skate boarding shoes, also in that price range. A regular pair of shoes could cost that much or more, and with skater shoes you’re getting protection built right in.
Originally posted 2008-12-08 17:24:19. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Surf Skate Expo Experiences 20th Year in Orlando The Surf Expo is an annual surf and skate trade show that is put together every year at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. This is the most popular surf and skate trade show for the last twenty years, and the most recent year was absolutely no exception...... -
Are Quad Skates Becoming Extinct? People are beginning to wonder if quad roller skates are ever going to become extinct, seeing as most people seem to be preferring inline skates these days. Now that inline skating has become so popular, could it be possible that quad skates are on their way out? If you explore...... -
Learning How to Duck Dive Before you can learn how to duck dive, you may need to learn what duck diving is and what it is all about. Any breaking wave that is more than two feet high is going to require that you duck underneath the wave rather than floating right over it, and...... -
How to Rotate Inline Skate Wheels It is important for you to know why it is important for you to rotate the wheels on your skates, and it is also important for you to have an understanding of when you should do it. There are a number of different available approaches to take when it comes...... -
Surf, Skate, Wakeboard: Gear and Accessories The thrill and action of surf boarding, skate boarding and wake boarding takes skill, practice, and receiving a few bumps and bruises. It also requires good equipment, since no amount of skill can make up for a board past its prime. Choosing the right board is a matter of preference,......
Related Websites -
The Right Biking Gear Makes All the Difference Many people when riding a bike believe the right biking gear means nothing more than having a good bike and a water bottle. What many people find is that when they upgrade to gear which is actually designed to increase performance that they will actually be able to ride longer...... -
My New Shoes - Simple Green Toe Loaf. Here are my new shoes from Simple Shoes...I just got them the other day and I love them! This is why I bought them: Jute uppers, Bamboo linings, Removable natural laytex pedbed with a cotton canvas cover, Layered natural crepe outsole, Uses water-based cements, 100% post consumer paper pulp foot...... -
Snowboarding Glossary Flute - A snow column that can be found on rocks and other terrain features as well as almost vertical slopes. Free riding - This is the term for casual snowboarding that is done on any terrain type. There are no gates, half pipes, rules, or contests. This is all...... -
The Online Home Improvement Community There are many home improvement communities around the world these days, but the one that is truly international is the online home improvement community. This is a community that has been building for the last few years and has now come to the point where it can legitimately claim to...... -
Are Your Tennis Shoes Ruining Your Game? One of the biggest problems facing beginning players is right under their nose, and they may not even realize what may be holding them back from success. The shoes you wear on the court can have a big impact on the way that you play the game and if youâre......