When it comes to extreme sports, you are going to need extreme footwear. Nothing puts shoe quality to the test more than skateboarding. Skate shoes have to cope with some of the most shoe and skin shredding materials known to man: Concrete and grip tape. Factoring in resistance to both of these makes the whole shoe design process totally gnarly dude, and its no surprise that skate shoes are that fastest wearing shoes out there.
Of course there’s more to it than that. Skate shoes also need to give incredible feel and balance, so a lightweight design is required and the soles needs to be flat to maximise contact with the deck. Super-tough design, lightweight materials, amazing grip without tread, and cushioning for the feet are all essentials to ensure involuntary air walks are kept to an absolute minimum. To get maximum use and full protection whilst still retaining flexibility is no mean feat, unless of course you are DC Shoes.
Such was the reputation of DC for durable, high quality, extreme skate footwear that surfing giants Quiksilver moved in and bought DC out for a particularly sick $87 million clams back in 2004, no doubt making them stoked to the max.
The secret to the success of DC lies with the unique design which has been developed with the help of hardcore skaters testing shoes to the limit. The range on offer from DC will not only make you look great, but will keep feet and deck together with the maximum ease. Get a pair of DC’s and you will never be able to blame sketchy landings on your shoes again.
On the hard wearing front, laces pose a problem and are prone to shredding in seconds by grip tape. If there is one thing its best to avoid, it’s losing a shoe mid Ollie. Lace loops and lace protectors feature heavily in DC models, with oversize padded tongues and reinforced lace eyelets to reduce the wear. DC super suede offers 50% more life than standard suede and triple stitching throughout stands up to the most brutal treatment.
Whilst Flexy Bendy Technology will keep your hair in place, the DC patented Dynamic Grip Technology or DGT will keep your feet in place. The outsole consists of a soft rubber grip on the outer edge of the shoe for maximum control of the deck, hard rubber air cushioned composite in the heel for maximum shock absorbing, and flexible rubber for the inside of the foot. Inside the shoes, a soft foodpad gives a blister free days skating and toe impact protection gel does exactly what it says on the tin.
A cup sole gives greater moulding to the foot, and lowers the foot deeper into the sole increasing the feel of the board allowing for greater finesse of movement and expert control of the board during flips.
However it’s not all about skating, DC shoes now offer a range of high quality sandals and flip flops providing the ultimate traction around the pool in the summer, and heavy duty water resistant boots for the winter when skating is rained off for the day.