Skateboarding shoes have come a long way in the past decade. Before pro skater Tony Hawk rose to fame in the early 2000s, styles were made for high performance, but looked clunky, complete with fat tongues and rubber toe panels. Nowadays, brands are proving you don’t have to sacrifice a smooth ride for style and versatility.
In fact, many labels like Vans and DC Shoes offer a range of sleek silhouettes equipped with essential features such as grippy, vulcanized outsoles and tough uppers.
To help you find the perfect pair, we’ve rounded up some of the best women’s skate shoes money can buy. Read on to shop them all.
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1. Vans U Authentic Sneakers
Vans’ iconic skate shoe features a canvas upper and the brand’s classic waffle sole for optimal board grip. It also comes in a range of colors and finishes to suit any style, like this fun lavender pick.
Pros: The classic canvas design is so polished, in fact, it’s even become a street style trend, able to complement everything from jeans and a tee to summery dresses (this editor particularly loves the look of Vans worn with tea-length dresses).
Cons: The upper may be stiff at first and may require some breaking in.
2. DC Women's Chelsea TX SE Sneaker
While not quite as low-profile as the Vans silhouette, this style from DC Shoes is still a solid option for less.
Pros: The Chelsea TX SE features a sturdy canvas upper with bold branding and is available in more than a dozen colors and prints. It also includes vent holes to help feet breathe, an abrasion-resistant outsole and the brand’s signature Pill pattern tread for great board feel.
Cons: These tend to run small, so it’s best to size up.
3. DC Women's Trase TX Skate Shoe
When it comes to performance and style, these stack up well to the Vans Authentic; choosing between the two simply comes down to brand loyalty.
Pros: DC Shoes’ Trase TX offers a low-profile silhouette and incorporates branding more subtly than the Chelsea for a streamlined effect. It also includes top-notch features from the brand, including a durable canvas upper and grippy outsole with a Pill tread pattern.
Cons: These tend to be narrow in the toe box, so they may not be ideal for people with wide feet.
