Best Trainers to Gift for Christmas

Buying skate shoes as a gift can feel like a minefield. Getting size, style and sole construction choices spot-on can be a difficult choice. But fear not, we've got a huge collection here at Route One, and we only buy shoes we believe in, so if you’re after vulcanised or cupsole, court-inspired or moc-style, all-black colourways or something a little brighter, we guarantee to have a skate shoe for everyone. We’ve got bestselling men’s trainers from Nike SB, New Balance Numeric, Vans Skate, adidas Skateboarding and Converse. If you really want to impress, see our picks in the Best Skate Shoes of 2025 (So Far) blog.

adidas x Mike Arnold Handball Top Skate Shoes

Mike Arnold sits as one of Britain’s finest exports, rubbing shoulders with the best in the business and never looking out of place. One of the newest shoes to bless our site, his latest triumph sees him land a second signature colourway for the adidas Skateboarding Handball Top, a Core Black & Semi Impact Orange effort. This is a real skater's skate shoe that thinks outside the box, taking the classic archive court shoe and reenvisioning it with fresh inspiration from visual cues like speed and friction, depicting the colours and aesthetics of sparks, smoke, and exhausts.

SHOP ALL ADIDAS

Converse Louie Lopez Pro 2 Skate Shoes

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 the Utility/Egret/Gum 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.

SHOP ALL CONVERSE

Vans Skate Safe Low Shoes

We think this is a special one. Not only is it Vans’ newest skate shoe silhouette, and an absolute banger, but it has been remixed through the masterful lens of Atiba Jefferson as part of his United by Skateboarding collaboration with Vans. Any skate fan will be gassed on this one.

SHOP ALL VANS

Nike SB Air Max Ishod Premium Skate Shoe

Right on cue, Nike SB and Ishod Wair rack 'em up for the latest Air Max Ishod Premium Skate Shoes, bringing the pool hall to the board with a billiards inspired colourway. Whether they’re all about their cue ball control or board control, this shoe is the perfect ‘outside of the box’ gift. The Wair Max is adorned with patent leather panelling to mimic the aesthetics of pool balls and made skate-ready with Air Max technology.⁠

SHOP ALL NIKE

New Balance Numeric 933 Andrew Reynolds Skate Shoe

Andrew Reynold’s move to NB Numeric might have come as 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. Probably the techiest shoe New Balance have released 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. This is a shoe for those who skate hard and need the cushion.

SHOP ALL NB NUMERIC

Whilst our main focus has been (and always will be) footwear for skateboarding, we’re stacked with shoes that any sneaker enthusiast would love. And anyway, the lines between skate shoes and sneakers are blurred, with Nike SB Dunk releases taking top spot for most anticipated and even a couple Air Max’s launching in 2025.

Nike SB Air Max 95

Nike SB x Eric Koston Air Max 95 Skate Shoes - Obsidian/Speed Yellow-Midnight Navy-Navy Nike SB teamed up with Eric Koston and 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 Obsidian/Speed Yellow-Midnight Navy-Navy 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 updated to align it with modern skate tech, with design inputs from Eric himself. This is sure to be a winner.

SHOP ALL NIKE SB

Nike SB Dunk Low Pro ISO Skate Shoes (Deep Fir)

Everyone loves a Dunk release, and what better than a skateshop exclusive colourway to blend the worlds of skateboarding and streetwear. The Orange Label collections put the skateboarding community first, remaining exclusive to skate shops and ensuring their best silhouettes get sick colourways with skate-ready materials and construction.⁠ The latest effort sees Nike SB go evergreen with a ‘Deep Fir’ Dunk Low Pro

SHOP ALL DUNKS

adidas Originals Superstar II Skate Shoes

One of the only shoes on our site which isn’t strictly a skate shoe. Step into 50 years of sport and street style with these low top sneakers in classic White. A smooth leather upper and rubber shell, a padded tongue and collar for added comfort while the textured rubber outsole provides grip. Whether you're shooting hoops or hitting the town, the adidas Superstar shoes have the versatility and retro appeal to take you there in classic style.

SHOP ALL ADIDAS

New Balance Numeric x Roland 808L Skate Shoes

The 808 Lite gets a rhythmic remix, channelling the iconic Roland TR-808 aesthetics into Tiago Lemos’ lighter iteration of his second Numeric silhouette to celebrate Roland’s 808 Day. Although a powerhouse of a skate shoe, this one has a versatile street-ready vibe and a tribute to a culturally momentous piece of kit that hits the right sneaker notes.

SHOP ALL NB NUMERIC

Shoe care is something that gets overlooked, with it often being seen as an unnecessary spend, not to mention a waste of time and effort. But a little spend on shoe care products can extend the life of your skate shoes or keep your sneakers in pristine condition.

Crep Protect Ultimate Gift Pack

If you’re buying for someone who is serious about looking after their shoes, then look no further than the Crep Protect Ultimate Gift Pack. Full of everything your sneaker obsessed friends and family need to keep their trainers looking tip top. The Ultimate Gift Pack comes with Sneaker Protection Spray, a Premium Brush, Cleaning Solution, a Microfibre Towel, as well as Sneaker Cleaning Wipes. Grab the Gift Pack with a pair of shoes for the ultimate gift this Christmas.

SHOP ALL CREP PROTECT

Crep Protect Ultimate Starter Pack

If they’re not quite at the level of sneaker fanatic, but want to keep their shoes looking fresh on the go, the travel friendly Crep Protect Ultimate Starter Pack is an ideal gift. Coming with Protection Spray, Cleaning Foam and Cleaning Wipes, this is the perfect companion for holidays and weekends away.

SHOP ALL CREP PROTECT

Jason Markk Travel Kit

Crep Protect might be the most well known, but it certainly ain’t the only brand out there looking out for the wellbeing of your footwear. Jason Markk’s Travel Kit is loaded with Shoe Cleaner, Microfibre Towel, Wipes and Brush, making it a compact offering, ideal to keep on your travels as you show your kicks off to the world.

SHOP ALL JASON MARKK