FAQs
Beginners need grip, durability, and enough padding to forgive bad landings. A cupsole like the DC Manteca 4 S gives support and impact protection, and its SUPER SUEDE upper and SUPER RUBBER outsole stand up to grip tape wear. Pick a snug fit so your foot doesn't slide while you learn to push and ollie.
It depends on how you skate. Cupsole shoes, like the DC Manteca 4 S, use a stitched rubber cup that adds support and impact protection for stairs and gaps. Vulcanized shoes use a thinner, flexible sole that gives more board feel for technical flatground. Many skaters keep one of each for different sessions.
High-top skate shoes cover more of the ankle, which many skaters find adds stability and protects against board hits to the ankle bone. They don't prevent injuries on their own. Low tops weigh less and move more freely. DC makes both, so pick the height that matches how and where you skate.
Men's Skate Shoes
Men's skate shoes take more abuse than almost anything you own. Grip tape eats suede, ollies wear through the toe, and bad landings punish thin insoles. No worries—DC builds skate shoes for that job. The Manteca 4 S pairs a SUPER SUEDE upper with a SUPER RUBBER outsole that stands up to grip tape wear, plus IMPACT-ALG insoles for impact protection. Plus, as a favorite of team riders Alexis Ramirez and Ish Cepeda, you know it's trusted by the pros.
Pick a cupsole for support and impact protection on big drops, or a lower, flexible shoe for board feel. Low tops keep things light, and high tops add coverage around the ankle. Not sure where to start? Read our skate shoe FAQ below or check the Skate Product Guide.