Skating in shoes that fit perfectly feels so good. It is way more comfortable than skating too wide or too narrow shoes.
To get that feeling while skating, your shoes should fit a bit narrow but not too much. Otherwise, they’ll hurt your feet.
Do you want to get more insights on how skate shoes should fit? Then we got you in this blog post. Let’s dive in right now! 🔎
How your skate shoes should fit?
It can seem a bit dumb, but it will depend on how you want your shoes to fit… But the thing is, you want to be comfortable in your sneakers while skating.
Should skateboard shoes be tight or loose?
In general, it’s better if your skate shoes have a snug fit. Why? Because you’ll be able to feel the board under your feet better than with extra wide shoes.
However, it would be best to ensure that your toes don’t touch the end of the shoe. Because if you skate with such a fit, trust me, after 1 hour or 2, your feet will hurt you so much.
Indeed, when you try some tricks, your foot will slide forward. Even more when you don’t land on your board. So, if they’re too tight, you’ll feel it right away…
On the other hand, if you have too much space between your toes and the toe box, your flip tricks will feel weird while skating.
If you prefer a snug fit, I recommend you go half a size down. Then you’ll have a better feeling with your toes. A snug fit will feel more responsive on your skate and more comfortable while trying tricks.
If you prefer to leave space for your toes, go half a size up. But be careful to avoid having too much room. Or you’ll feel unstable in your shoes.
The goal is to find the right balance between both!
The cut of your skate shoes is also essential to find that right balance. It will give you a good idea of how wide or narrow the shoes are:
- With a wide cut, they are a bit loose around the arches of the outsole
- With a thin cut, they are tight around the middle of the outsole
How much room should you have in skate shoes?
As I told you, it depends on you. You aim to find a pair of skate shoes that fit neither too tight nor too loose. A general rule of thumb among skaters is to leave around half an inch of space between your big toe and the tip of your shoes.
Because you might not have a ruler when trying your shoes on, your thumb’s width represents around half an inch.
The best way to find the right fit for your skate shoes is to try them on. Go to your local skate shop and try several sizes to see which fits best on your feet!
At first, your skate shoes might not feel comfortable but don’t worry. After skating them a few times, they’ll stretch out. Then they fit better and become more flexible.
Nonetheless, don’t choose skate shoes that are way too uncomfortable. Find the right compromise.
When you try your pair of skate shoes, it should be like an extension of your foot. Try different shapes and profiles to see which one most embraces your feet.
How to choose your skate shoes fit depending on your feet?
If you have tiny feet, low tops with little cushioning are made for you. Such skate shoes should fit perfectly.
If you have wide feet, mid-tops or high tops are great. Especially if they have a rounded or a squared toe box with a wide toe cap. But make sure you do not feel the inside of the shoes touching the side of your feet.
Low tops with long and slim shapes are great for you if you have narrow feet. But if you struggle to find the right fit, do not hesitate to use insoles.
If you have large feet, you might have narrow feet too. Then, I recommend you try a pair of skate shoes with the same characteristics I mentioned above.
If you have flat feet, choose skate shoes with EVA insoles. They provide excellent cushioning and comfort. And with insoles, you’ll also have friendly arch support.
There you have some examples of brands and how they fit:
- Vans are great for wide feet
- Nike and Converse tend to have a slim fit
Cupsole and vulcanized skate shoes fitting
Cupsole shoes are made of a U-shape rubber outsole sewn to the upper part of the shoes. They provide a significant amount of support while skating them.
They tend to be thicker and take time to break in. But they give you an intuitive fit and hold your heel well while you skate them! They also have additional cushioning on the heel.
Vulcanized skate shoes are made of a rubber outsole that is heated to mold and give it more durability. Then the outsole and the upper part are attached and heated again. A thick rubber band (“foxing tape”) is added to hold the two pieces together.
Vulcanized shoes are thinner and break in quickly. They’re light and flexible, giving you more board feel and control while skating them. Vulc shoes are made for you if you don’t mind having your feet loose in your sneakers!
Conclusion
Choosing your skate shoes fit is really important. The goal is to find the right balance between a snug fit and a loose fit.
The rule of thumb for skate shoes is to leave around half an inch between your toes and your shoe’s toe area. Then you feel comfortable while skating.
But you also need to consider how your feet are (narrow, wide, flat, etc.). So, to make sure you choose the right skate shoes, always try them on!
And if you want to know more about sneakers and their fitting, check out our blog post on how should shoes fit! 👀
