If there’s one place where fashion grinds as hard as the skaters, it’s London. This city knows how to ride a deck and a trend at the same time—rain or shine (and let’s be honest, mostly rain). From the concrete curves of Southbank to the DIY ledges in Hackney Wick, London’s skaters are as serious about their footwear as they are about their pop shove-its.
Skate shoes here don’t just need to perform—they need to look good with baggy jeans, workwear vests, and an attitude that says, “Yeah, I land it switch.” So what’s lacing up the feet of the city’s skaterati right now? Let’s roll through the lineup.
1. The Iconic Classic: Suede Low-Tops with Fat Tongues
You can’t talk about London skate style without paying homage to the fat-tongued, puffy low-top. These are the throwback kicks that have roared back from the early 2000s like they never left—only this time, they’re paired with oversized cargos and ironic knitwear.
Skaters love them for the thick padding and durable suede, which cushions harsh landings and slides through grip tape without giving up halfway. They’re as nostalgic as a VHS skate tape, but still ticking all the modern performance boxes.
Style Tip: Pair with oversized denim and a graphic tee that looks like it came from your mate’s screen printing side hustle.
2. The Nike SB Era: Functional, Fly, and Freakishly Popular
Ah yes, the king of the kick-push kingdom—Nike SB. Specifically, the iconic SB Dunk and SB Blazer are flooding the streets right now, worn by everyone from legit skaters to the fashion crowd who wouldn’t know a tre flip if it hit them in the Vans.
But don’t get it twisted—these shoes hold up where it counts. Grippy soles, reinforced ollie zones, and enough style clout to make a Supreme drop feel like a side quest. In London, they’re seen everywhere from the ledges at Southbank to Soho corners where skating and streetwear blend into one gloriously scuffed identity.
Style Tip: Wear them with thrifted track pants or cargo shorts and an inside-out beanie. Add some stickers to your deck and suddenly you’re an aesthetic.
3. The Cupsole Commuter: Hybrid Style for Street & Skate
London skaters know versatility is everything—you might be catching a session in Hyde Park one minute and hopping the tube to your day job the next. That’s where the low-profile cupsole shoes come in. They’re built with enough tech to survive a stair set but sleek enough to pass as a “smart casual” nod when worn with chinos and a jacket.
These shoes are often lighter than traditional skate shoes, with a firmer structure and less squish, which some skaters prefer for precision.
Style Tip: Rock them with tailored trousers and a windbreaker for that classic “skater-meets-creative-director” aesthetic.
4. The Vulc Sole Revival: Slim, Grippy, and Built to Flick
Vulcanized soles are back and better than ever. Beloved for their incredible boardfeel and low-to-the-ground profile, these are the shoes you’ll find under the feet of skaters doing impossibly clean flips at spots like Mile End Skatepark.
They mold to your foot fast and have that worn-in look that says, “Yes, I do this every day.” Bonus: they pair well with literally everything—especially beat-up Dickies and a hoodie that’s been through some things.
Style Tip: Keep them scruffy, keep them classic. A frayed hem and a stained hoodie go further than any influencer collab.
5. The Chunky Dad Skate Shoe: Ugly in the Best Way
London skaters love irony, and what’s more ironic than skating in shoes that look like your uncle’s orthopedic trainers? Chunky skate shoes with exaggerated soles and absurd proportions are having a real moment.
They’re not just statement pieces—they’re shock-absorbing, arch-supporting, and gloriously grotesque. Skateboarders who lean fashion-forward are rocking these with painter pants, carabiner clips, and attitudes as oversized as the soles.
Style Tip: Think vintage fleece, flared trousers, and a tiny beanie that looks like it shrunk in the wash.
In Conclusion: Skater, But Make It London
London’s skate scene isn’t just about tricks—it’s about attitude, aesthetics, and adaptability. The shoes you wear say a lot about how you ride, where you skate, and how you roll into your post-session pub stop.
Whether you’re committed to core brands, rocking the ever-present Nike SBs, or just in it for the vibes and the vulcanized soles, London’s skate shoe scene is where fashion and function meet, do a little nose manual, and ride off into the drizzle.
Now lace up, roll out, and remember: it’s not about how clean your shoes are—it’s about how well they wear the grime.
Disclosure: This is a paid guest post provided by a third party.