Skateboarding began to receive mainstream recognition in the late 1960s. The early skateboard designs were homemade by California surfers. The clay wheels of the first skateboard models made high speed maneuvering techniques quite difficult. With the development of the urethane wheel, skateboarding quickly began to progress. Specialized skateboarding shoes did not hit the market until the 1970s.
1970s
Throughout the 1970s, the modern skateboard would slowly begin to take shape. With the invention of the concave tail, freestyle maneuvers became possible. As the sport of skateboarding continued to grow, the need for a specialized shoe increased. Most athletic shoes of the 1970s would quickly shred when making contact with the grip tape of the skateboard. According to Complex, the first signature skateboard shoe was released by Steve Van Doren on March 18, 1976. The first skate shoe model, named the Style 95, featured a canvas body with a vulcanized sole.
1980s
While the earliest skateboard shoe models remained durable, they offered little ankle support. Skateboarders in the 1980s began to perfect high altitude maneuvers on inclined ramps known as half pipes. The low top design of the 1970s could not adequately support your ankles during high impact tricks. As a result, skateboard shoe companies began to tweak the design. According to "Sneaker Freaker" magazine, the skateboard shoes of the 1980s commonly featured a high top design. The high top construction helped to provide needed support while protecting your ankle bones against the wooden skateboard deck.
1990s
The 1990s gave birth to street skateboarding. As opposed to wooden ramps, skateboarders took to the streets and began jumping gaps and stair cases. While the high top models of the 1970s provided ankle support, they did not protect against heel bruises. Shoe companies began to manufacture specialized insoles that helped to absorb the impact of skateboarding tricks. One of the first organizations to begin tackling the problem was the Sole Technology Institute. According to the STI Lab, the skateboarding insoles feature a combination of EVA foam with a gel heel pad.
2000s
As of 2011, companies have developed skateboarding shoes that provide both comfort and support. Many brands throughout the 2000s began to create skateboarding shoes with fashion in mind. New materials including leather and suede began to be incorporated in the design of the skateboarding shoe. According to the Transworld Skateboarding Buyer's Guide, skateboarding shoes released in 2011 feature a slimmed down design compared to the 90s models. While high tops are still available, low- and mid-top models dominant the market.
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