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Stealing outfit inspiration from sportswear is all the rage right now — we’ve seen Bella Hadid embrace tenniscore by stepping out in a windbreaker and visor and took notes as trend-watchers layered oversized jerseys on top of maxi skirts without so much as a wink to whosever last name was stitched on the back. But skateboarding culture may be a fashion trailblazer’s most prominent muse. Alongside baggy cargo pants and graphic tees, adidas skate shoes are a recurring theme in this trend to model styles after those worn by boarders.
In fact, adidas skate shoes are so popular that the keyword has 5.8 million views on TikTok, and, sure, their chunky platforms, unisex style, punchy colorways (hello, adidas pastel shoes), and lug soles parallel nicely with the resurgence of Y2K trends. However, from a purely technical standpoint, adidas actually makes some of the best kicks for shredding because the brand works alongside professionals in the community on a separate line of skateboarding shoes called adidas ADV.
Basically, these designs are the same silhouettes as the brand’s most popular ones, but with added features that bolster their status so that even professional skateboarders choose to lace them up before hopping on their deck. These styles include the adidas Gazelle shoe, adidas Stan Smith shoe, adidas Samba shoe, adidas Superstar shoe, and others that celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Zoë Kravitz, and Tom Holland can’t shy away from.
Whether on the board or off it, their versatility partially makes adidas skate shoes so ubiquitous for skaters and casual wearers alike. Pair one of the bright colorways with an ankle-length gym sock and biker shorts (à la Princess Diana) and they’ve elevated basic athletic wear, or slip them on under a flouncy midi dress and you’ve mastered a casual summer streetwear look.
At the end of the day, skate shoes don’t come handcuffed to knee pads and helmets, so however and wherever you plan to wear your adidas shoes, there’s a pair for you.
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The Best White adidas Sneakers
Colorways: Blue, yellow, grey, black, and more
Materials: Leather upper; rubber outsole
Special features: Updated proportions from the original style
But before Gen Z shoppers deemed the style their new obsession, the silhouette had a history of squeaking on the hardwood floors of basketball courts in the late ‘70s. Today, adidas updated its original model to better blend in with the concrete ground of skateboarding parks by designing the sneaker with a durable leather upper and thick rubber outsole designed to last against flip kicks and barely grinds. This 21st-century revamp also has eleven colorways (including a purple adidas skate shoe), a wider toe box, and extra cushioning, making them ideal for those with wide feet who need additional arch support.
Colorways: Black and white, black and blue
Materials: Suede upper; geoflex outsole
Special features: Adiprene sock line, higher foxing tape
We credit the silhouette’s enduring staying power, which initially debuted in the ‘60s as the first suede performance shoe, to its universal, polished low-top style. The one featured in the ADV line is decked out with a couple of key elements skateboarders will love, like a geoflex outsole that grips to the board like glue, and higher foxing tape that keeps the outer sole and upper firmly connected for longevity. Not to mention, the black adidas skate shoes have a down-to-business, unbothered aesthetic that looks good with everything.
Colorways: Black and gold, gold
Materials: Leather upper; rubber cupsole
Special features: Suede toe cap
And, though its streamlined, narrow design and gold accents may nod to elements similar to a basketball sneaker (it is inspired by Tyshawn’s memories playing the game on NYC courts after all), everything else about it puts skateboarder’s priorities first. The sneaker is complete with a sturdy suede toe cap, Adiprene cushioning, high-grade EVA midsole, and scuff-proof leather upper material. There’s also Adituff underneath, so no matter how hard you shred these should stay in your shoe rotation for months to come.
Colorways: Grey and black, black and white, olive and white, and more
Materials: Canvas upper; rubber outsole
Special features: OrthoLite sockliner
Sure, its canvas upper may not outlast a series of repeated gnarly grinds and slides, but we’re confident the breathable feel of the lightweight material, plus the addition of a thermoregulating OrthoLite sock liner, will win you over when the asphalt starts radiating with summer heat waves. Additionally, trendy colors like olive green and teal will satiate today’s youth while everyday shades such as dove grey and navy with brown accents are a nice node to ‘90s nostalgia.
Colorways: Black and white, white
Materials: Leather upper; rubber cupsole
Special features: One-piece tongue, additional stitching for support
The adidas Superstar was also one of the first skate shoes showcased in the ADV line, and most recently, the Montreal-based skateboarding clothing brand Dime collaborated to create a new line of the adidas Superstar ADV. Its thinner insole gives you a closer board feel, it has double stitching for extra durability, and features a thick layer of rubber that’s practically begging to perform flick-on-heel tricks.
Colorways: Black and white
Materials: Leather and suede upper; rubber cupsole
Special features: Upgraded T-toe design
Modeled after a thin soccer cleat, these sneakers have a snug, tight fit best for narrow feet. It also leaves the colorways, black and cloud white, untouched from the first silhouette. However, the ADV makeover added some fat to the trimmer soccer shoe with a padded collar to keep feet secure, and it has an upgraded T-toe, whose slick design balances its chunkier counterparts. Another way this sneaker is made for skateboarders is the design of the stitched-down tongue — this considerate addition ensures you’re not constantly adjusting it and disrupting your flow. What’s more, it also has a block rigid heel that will help with heel flick tricks.
Colorways: Grey and yellow, grey and black
Materials: Suede upper; rubber outsole
Special features: Rope laces
Admittedly, we’re also fans of the way their unbothered, early-aughts style makes us want to kick our feet up on a principal’s desk — hypothetically speaking. Especially the grey colorway whose Three Stripes are covered in a metallic, burnt-orange material that glints back at you and makes them safer to wear at night.
Colorways: Black and white, white and blue, black and red, and more
Materials: Suede and leather upper, rubber cupsole
Special features: Geofit padded collar
Sourcing inspiration from Busenitz’s favorite soccer cleat, the Copa Mundial, these have a molded Adiprene sock liner for comfort and security, a flat outsole for immediate board feel, and blocky thick heel that hooks to the deck for improved flip tricks. The suede outsole overlays another double layer of suede, making these super resistant to whatever trials you put them through. Plus, can you blame us for answering the siren call of the brightly colored hues such as canary yellow, cerulean blue, and punchy red that offer a serotonin boost from every angle?
Colorways: Grey and white, black and white
Materials: Suede upper with canvas quarter; vulcanized rubber outsole
Special features: Molded sock liner
Designed with the “godfather of modern street skateboarding,” we wouldn’t expect their standards as a skateboarding shoe to be anything less than admirable. The slides have a sturdy suede outsole, and molded sock liner to keep them firmly attached to your soles even when you’re in mid-air, and a slim fit makes them a nice pick for those with narrow feet.
Colorways: Brown and blue, green and white
Materials: Canvas upper, vulcanized rubber outsole
Special features: Made with recycled materials; hidden ollie patch
What to Look for in the Best Adidas Skate Shoes
When it comes to decision time, the construction of your adidas skate shoes is as important as the style. Whether you choose suede, canvas, or leather — or opt for a thicker sole over one with less cushioning — it all comes down to personal preference and the type of activity you’ll be performing most in them.
- Upper construction: Suede has long been the standard for adidas skate shoes not only because it’s super durable and holds its own against scrapes and scuffs, but aesthetically speaking, the material has a look evocative of funky vintage styles. Leather is another common choice and though it’s a bit stiffer, the hard-wearing material touts the same benefits as suede, looks sleek, and can take a lot of abuse, meaning once you break the shoe in it’ll be in your life for a long time. Meanwhile, canvas is definitely less tough than the two. On the flipside, it still boasts breathability, a lightweight feel, and a nice casual appearance that pairs well with practically anything in your closet. Underneath the upper construction, many shoes have a layer of rubber that provides extra security; if the top material starts to wear down you have reinforcement to keep the shoe from falling apart. adidas coined this security blanket as AdiTuff, but every brand has a different name for it.
- Outer sole: adidas skate shoes have two types of outer soles: vulcanized and cupsole. Designers construct the former by molding the sole to the upper part of the shoe through a chemically heated process and attaching it using a strip of thin rubber material known as foxing tape. This type of sole is more flexible and is great for low-impact, technical skating because it gives you a closer feel to the board and allows you to have better control over your movements. As a bonus, vulcanized outer soles often require a shorter break-in period. On the other hand, a cupsole is sewn to the upper part of the shoe and gives the wearer further distance from the board. It’s thicker than a vulcanized outer sole, thereby offering more impact protection. And, with added cushioning, shoes with a cupsole sometimes have more arch support and could last longer since their soles are less likely to separate from the upper part of the shoe.
- Level of comfort: Whether you plan on anchor grinding in your adidas skate shoes or taking them for a stroll around town, they should be flexible, breathable, and have plenty of support. Look for perforations along the tongue or collar of the shoes that allow for increased airflow. Since they’re super lightweight, shoes with a canvas material are a nice choice here if you’re prone to excessively sweaty feet or you’ve noticed that your sneakers start to feel claustrophobic in warmer weather. You may also want something with a cushioned sole, like the comfort-plus memory foam lining found in many adidas skate shoes. Some pairs even have a special kind of cushioning unique to the brand called adiPRENE, which is a thick blue internal lining that features ridges and has ultimate cushioning. Finally, for those who need the most support, try choosing an adidas skate shoe with the cupsole outer sole, as these are made of a thicker material and have extra padding.
- Fit: It’s important that your adidas skate shoes are snug everywhere, especially around the toe area since extra space here can impact your tricks, make them less precise, and could lead to more wipe-outs. Although, those with a wider foot can afford a little more room and may even benefit from a broader toe cap. Additionally, whereas shoes with a bootie-type fit, such as a mid or high-rise cut, have more ankle protection, low-top styles, like slides, might be optimal for narrow feet since this design is typically longer, slimmer, and less bulky and they offer the most mobility. If you have flat feet, look for shoes for flat feet designed with plenty of padding, such as the thick rubber outer soles of cupsole shoes that have more arch support, and ones with EVA foam insoles that will also help provide shock-absorption.
How to Clean Adidas Skate Shoes
For best results, clean your adidas skate shoes section by section, focusing on the outsole, the uppers, and the laces. While you can purchase a special adidas sneaker cleaning solution, dish soap and warm water also work just fine. Start by removing the laces, scrubbing them in a bowl of warm water and bleach, and letting them soak until you’ve finished cleaning the rest of your shoes. Then, squeeze any excess water out of them by pressing a towel on top of the laces before lacing them back through your shoes.
For the uppers, use a small bristle brush (it could even be an old toothbrush) to clean the dirt off. Then, with a hard bristle brush, scrub the outer sole, making sure to get into the grooves. Finish by wiping down the shoe with a microfiber cloth. Allow them to fully air dry away from direct sunlight before wearing them outside.
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How We Selected the Best Adidas Skate Shoes
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
To compile this list of the best adidas skate shoes we conducted hours of research. We first spent time scouring the footwear market, evaluating each sneaker’s comfort level, style, and durability. We also considered any extra factors like customer reviews, social media clout, number of colors, size range, and special features such as the use of sustainable materials. Finally, our editors personally tested several of the shoes and shared their results with the team to land on these top-rated picks. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Author
Irene Richardson is a Brooklyn-based writer who covers fashion and beauty for brands such as InStyle, Byrdie, Brides, and Travel + Leisure. She’s always seeking real-world inspiration for her stories whether that means stopping fellow joggers to ask how comfortable their shoes are or haunting the online Depop retailers to determine what early aughts trend will make its resurgence next. Learn more about Footwear News here.
