Best Skate Shoes of 2025 (So Far)

Nike SB

Nike SB is up there with the toughest to select our favourite releases from, due to the sheer amount of heat they deliver year on year. 2025 has seen the release of some monumental shoe releases, namely the navy Nike SB Air Jordan 4 Retro SP and the rerelease of the classic Nike SB Paul Rodriguez Zoom Air Low (aka PROD 1) in two iconic colourways. But one stands above them all...

Nike SB dropped a reimagined classic through a skateboarding lens with the Nike SB Air Max 95, bringing the legendary ‘90’s silhouette to the board, dialling in skate upgrades while paying homage to its revolutionary past. Whilst it may have gotten a mixed reception in terms of it skateability, there is no denying that the Air Max 95 Summit White & Cactus Flower is a thing of beauty. Nike SB didn’t just slap on the ‘SB’ for the fun of it. They rebuilt the 95 from the ground up, ensuring that the iconic silhouette was updates to align it with modern skate tech.

Explore our full Nike SB collection here.

Nike SB Dunk

Alright, alright. This may be another Nike SB entry in the list, but come on, Dunks are different. Aside from the hype that surrounds Nike SB’s Dunk Low Pro releases, the sheer number of releases warrants its own section in this blog. Whilst not seeing as many Dunks launch this year as in the couple before, we’ve still been treated to a few special efforts (and we’re expecting a few more before the year is out). Without further ado, our favourite Dunk of 2025 (so far) is the...

Nike SB decided to throw it back to the ‘90s and ‘00s with an homage to the momentous Dunk Low Pro B, the shoe that started it all. The classic silhouette paved the way for the SB line of Dunks; with a new fatter tongue and more padding than its predecessors, as well as added elastic straps, it was quickly adopted by skateboarders and subsequently informed design decisions on the SB Dunk Lows. And because we’re such suckers for nostalgia, any homage to days gone is going to evoke a positive reaction from us. The Pro B is draped in a “Parachute Beige”, which gives it a strong, sandy workwear aesthetic, and the OG chunky laces wrap up the whole affair for a perfect blend of nostalgia with contemporary skate tech.

Explore our full Nike SB Dunk collection here.

New Balance Numeric

We might have had a duo of exclusive colourways for the New Balance Numeric Route Exclusive ‘Reflective’ Pack, but they have been relegated to mere honourable mentions in the shadow of our top NB# pick for 2025.

Andrew Reynold’s move to NB Numeric might have came a bit of a surprise, but what didn’t surprise a soul was the Boss’ relentless tinkering and unmatched attention to detail in the design of his signature 933. The shoe launched earlier this year, after months of whispers, in a Camel/Dark Brown colourway, which is our pick for the best New Balance Numeric release of the year, but in truth, it could have been any of the seven colourways which have been rolled out since its release colourway. This shoe is just that impressive. Probably the techiest shoe New Balance have release to date, the shoe is heavy on the sports shoe influences through a skateboarding lens, especially from heritage NB running shoes, namely the 990, because Reynolds wanted to focus on fit, support and feel, and, well, because it looks sick. The top New Balance Numeric of 2025 couldn’t have been anything but the 933.

Explore our full NB Numeric collection here.

Vans

Vans seem to have upped their game in terms of new silhouette releases this year, including the Old Skool 36+ landing to pay homage to Vans’ first ever skate shoe and the Curren Caples pro model, a pro shoe that was a long time coming for the Cali ripper. But one new silhouette really stood out to us. The Vans Skate Safe Low Shoes. The Skate Safe Low brings heavy Half Cab influences, whilst taking it somewhere else entirely. But our pick for the best Vans Skateboarding release of 2025 (so far) is the...

Vans seem to have upped their game in terms of new silhouette releases this year, including the Old Skool 36+ landing to pay homage to Vans’ first ever skate shoe and the Curren Caples pro model, a pro shoe that was a long time coming for the Cali ripper. But one new silhouette really stood out to us. The Vans Skate Safe Low Shoes. The Skate Safe Low brings heavy Half Cab influences, whilst taking it somewhere else entirely. But our pick for the best Vans Skateboarding release of 2025 (so far) is the...

Explore our full Vans collection here.

adidas Skateboarding

adidas Skateboarding have been one of the most active brands on this list, pumping out high-quality silhouettes, colourways and signature models relentlessly throughout the year. There have been so many notable adi release since the turn of the year, quite honestly, it’s been hard to keep up with (not that we’re complaining. Whether it’s the new adidas Busenitz Indoor Super Skate, colourways of existing models for the likes of Gustav Tønnesen and Zach Saraceno, or adidas staples being redesigned through a skate lens, adidas Skateboarding have something for everyone.

It’s quite rare that a brand releases a new silhouette which is so different to their existing offering of shoes, but adidas’ skateboarding division has delved into their archives for inspiration and pulled influences from all over the shop. The Tekkira Cup is a silhouette inspired by late ‘90s runners and ‘00s court styles, and blends cupsole comfort with skate-ready functionality. For our pick of top colourway, White/Bright Blue/Lucid Blue takes top spot, but to tell you the truth, the four launch colourways are all winners.

Explore our full adidas Skateboarding collection here.

Converse

A (relatively) quiet year for the CONS crew in terms of new silhouettes, generally sticking to what they do best: clean colourways for iconic silhouettes like the CTAS Pro, One Star and PL Vulc Pro. It’s likely that a lot of Converse’s energy was pumped into the release of one specific signature model, which is our pick for their top skate shoe of the year...

The legend that is Louie Lopez landed his second signature silhouette for Converse CONS this year, releasing in an in-your-face Silver/White/Black. Whilst this silver bullet of a shoe might not have been for everyone, the potential in the silhouette itself was clear, and this potential was realised in subsequent colourways which have been released, including our favourite, the Total Eclipse/Swamp Core effort. The LL 2 represents a huge shift away from his first pro model, taking influence from all over the Converse archives. Built from scratch and loaded with all the usual CONS tech, the Louie Lopez two is reminiscent of a football boot, with quilted stitching on the toe box. Look out for our Louie Lopez 2 shoe review, coming very soon.

Explore our full Converse CONS collection here.

Emerica

Proudly designed by skaters, for skaters, Emerica produce some of the most iconic and nostalgic silhouettes in skateboarding, such as the OG-1 and the Emerica Heritic Skate Shoes. But our pick for the top Emerica silhouette of the year (so far) is something a little bit newer...

At 41 years old, Spanky is making moves like at 20-something. He’s at the top of his game and seems to be everywhere and is more than deserving of a new signature model. The KSL III is without a doubt the biggest release for Emerica this year, celebrating Spanky and his influence on street skating. The silhouette is as clean as they come, influenced heavily by heritage court styles, brought up to date with contemporary skate tech, with direct design involvement from Spanky himself.

Explore our full Emerica collection here.

Etnies

etnies is having somewhat of a resurgence recently, whether it’s their affordable price point, nostalgic designs, progressive shoe tech, or a combination of all three, and it makes sense that the brand is seeing success with their current lineup of silhouettes. Our pick for the top Etnies shoe of 2025 (so far) is...

The Marana is the powerhouse of the etnies, and this colourway from their Fall drop is a winner. The Marana features a state-of-the-art Michelin rubber sole for durability and grip, further wear prevention through the rubber toe cap, and an STI Evolution Foam Midsole. Aside from that, it’s just a nice looking, versatile shoe.

Explore our full Emerica collection here.

iPath

After months of whispers, rumours and teasers, iPath announced their return to skateboarding with a bang with a stacked team of riders and re-releasing a tonne of their iconic silhouettes, upgraded with the latest in skateboard technology.

Controversial then, and controversial now. iPath came back all guns blazing, bringing with them one of the most opinion-splitting, but iconic, silhouettes in skateboarding: the Cats Low. Based on a moc-toe shoe, the Cats Low comes in as our pick as the best ipath launch of 2025, but in truth, we’re just glad to have them back. The upper of the Cats comes in a buttery Wheat Suede with the traditional moc piping around the toe and up the heel, and sits on cupsole construction with Ortholite insoles and EVA foam midsoles for comfort and support, so not only will you be looking your best, you’ll be skating your best, too.

Explore our full iPath collection here.

Last Resort AB

Pontus Alv’s dive into the world of skate shoes has produced some of the most refined skate shoes on the market in the past few years. From moc-inspired silhouettes and loafers to clean vulc and cupsole models, Last Resort AB has quickly become many skaters’ favourite skate shoe brand.

Whilst the majority of Last Resort’s offering is clean and simple, if there was one of their team that you bet your money on switching it up a little, it would be Chris Milic. The VM004-Milic in Tuxedo/Black takes the VM models but features an added “T-toe” panel at the toe box for durability. Finished with custom Chris Milic branding on the lace tips, tongue label, and updated “Cloudy Cush” insole, the VM004 blends together Last Resort’s classy aesthetics with Milic’s unique approach to skateboarding.