Core skate shoe companies have a lot of competition these days with so many corporate businesses producing skate shoes in the industry. Core skate shoe companies have come and gone over the years but there are still some standing up to the big guys today and others that have made a comeback after previously disappearing.

Skate shoes have gone through phases over the years from big and puffy, to small and slim, and everything in between. As technology improves so do skate shoes. Here are some of the core skate shoe companies still in business in 2020.

Core Skate Shoe Companies Competing With Big Corporations In 2020

LAKAI

Lakai is a well known shoe company in the skateboard industry which was started by professional skateboarders Mike Carol and Rick Howard in 1999. They make both vulcanized and cupsole shoes in suede and textile. Their focus is to make good skate shoes so they don’t get too crazy with the designs, these are just good looking shoes for skateboarding.

Don’t get me wrong, Lakai do put in effort and technology into their shoes. For example, their XLK soles are much lighter than a regular cupsole and provide great board feel. Lakai has also designed a modernized version of the vuclanized shoe with the VLK performance sole.

Lakai have a stacked pro team from Riley Hawk to Stevie Perez just to name a few. The Lakai brand is distributed by Crailtap who also distribute Girl Skateboards, Fourstar Clothing, Royal Trucks, and Chocolate Skateboards.

Core Skate Shoe Companies Still In Business — Marc Johnson 2004

GLOBE

Globe was started in 1985 by three Australian brothers and is now a world-wide known company. They have also acquired a decent list of other skate companies over the years.

This skateboarding shoe brand has been making skate shoes for a long time and it does not seem like they will stop any time soon. They have brought back some of their earlier shoes such as the CT-IV classics.

Some of the technology they have developed into their shoes include Nitrolite insole, Pro Am cupsole, and the Super V vulcaized sole.

Globe’s skate team consists of names like Mark Appleyard, David Gonzalez, Ryan Decenzo and Rodney Mullen. Just a few heavy hitters there!

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ETNIES

Etnies started back in 1986 and in 1989 Pierre André took charge of the company making it the first skateboard shoe company owned by a professional skateboarder. This company has a long history in the skate shoe business and a good reputation for making quality skate shoes.

Their skate shoe technology includes STI Evolution Foam midsole, Pro Foam 1 Polyurethane insole, and even an outsole made with Michelin performance rubber!

Etnies has a fully stacked skate team that includes, Ryan Sheckler, Chris Joslin, Trevor Mclung, Matt Berger and Nassim Lachhab.

EMERICA

Emerica was launched in 1996 and has been producing awesome skate shoes ever since. They have always had that hardcore skater vibe and the brand has established a legacy of bold innovation that has changed the face of modern skateboarding. This company makes skate shoes for skateboarders with a no nonsense attitude!

Emerica has produced some iconic skate videos and has always had the best skateboarders skate for their team such as former pro Andrew Reynolds. The current team includes Colin Provost, Leo Romero, Kevin Spanky Long, Jon Dickson, Dakota Servfold, and Justin Figueroa.

éS

Founded in 1995, éS is one of the most well known skate shoe companies in the skateboard community. éS designs are high performance, highly athletic, and technically advanced.

Their focus is to minimize the risk of injury and maximize skate time with advanced cushioning, durability, and support. After a bit of a hiatus, éS are now back on the shelves offering new and improved remakes of their classics and more.

éS current skate team consists of Kelly Hart, Tom Asta, Wade Desarmo, Matt Chaffin, and Marcus Shaw.

FALLEN

Fallen was founded by Jamie Thomas in 2003 however in 2016, Thomas announced Fallen was disbanding operations after a business deal went south. Fast forward to 2018 and Fallen is back!

This company makes clean cut looking skate shoes with Impact Foam Technology and Abrasion Resistant Outsoles.

The Fallen skate team has a few BIG names such as Chris Cole, Tommy Sandavol, and Billy Marks!

VANS

Vans is the veteran when it comes to skate shoes. The company was founded by Paul and Jim Van Doran in 1966 and is best known for their super popular show models, the “Authentic” and “Old Skool”.

Their shoes are extremely popular not only in skateboarding but also as street wear shoes. Vans continues to dominate the industry with a long standing reputation that is concreted into history.

Vans has an enormous skate team that is too long to list but here are a few; Tony Hawk, Geoff Rowley, Steve Caballero, Lizzie Armanto, Kyle Walker, Curren Caples, Chima Ferguson, Dustin Dollin, Gilbert Crockett, and the list goes on!