While skate shoes and tennis shoes may appear similar to the untrained eye, these two types of footwear feature subtle differences. Shoes designed for skateboarding cushion your heels and ankles during high-impact tricks. The flattened tread of the skate shoe allows your feet to remain stabilized while sliding across the top of the skateboarding deck.
Materials
One of the few similarities between the skate shoe and the tennis shoe is the materials used in the construction of the footwear. Both skateboard shoes and tennis shoes are made with breathable fabrics. These sophisticated materials enable the outside air to absorb any perspiration that accumulates within the shoes. Certain models of skate shoes are constructed with more durable materials. To prevent holes from forming in the toe section, manufacturers often design skate shoes with leather and suede.
Tread
A key difference between the skate shoe and tennis shoe involves the tread pattern. The tennis shoe often features a protruding tread that provides increased stability as you slide across the court. The best skate shoes feature a smooth tread that allows you to slide your feet across the grip tape of the skateboard, according to the 2011 Transworld Skateboarding Buyer's Guide. While the tennis shoe has multiple sections of tread, the skate shoe features a uniform tread.
Insole
The insole of skate footwear is made to withstand rough street terrain. While tennis footwear often features a thin insole made from high density foam, the insole of the skate shoe features a gel insert within the heel section to avoid painful bruising. The skate shoe experts at the Sole Technology Institute say that top-rated models of the skate shoe feature a specialized insole equipped with an air-bag for increased comfort and support.
Outer Sole
Another similarity between skate shoes and tennis shoes involves the durable outer sole. Both skate shoes and tennis shoes generally feature a vulcanized sole. As opposed to being glued to the bottom of the shoe, the sole is heat molded through a vulcanization process. The vulcanized sole offers increased flexibility and provides better board feel. For skateboarders who jump down big gaps and handrails, skate shoes also come with a cup sole design. Skate shoes with a cup sole have a more rigid feel that tennis shoes.
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