Top Skate Shoe Picks for Autumn 2026

adidas launched the Glenburn launched earlier in 2026, with the aim of blending the durability and support of a cupsole with the stripped-down, classic look of a vulc shoe. After working closely with adidas’ skateboarding division on the launch of the Glenburn, it was only right that the legend that is Daewon Song got his own signature colourway. Choosing to base the design details around his Korean roots, he adopted an earthy colour palette that fits within his philosophy of clean, toned-down skate shoes that offer maximum board feel. A solid start to the list and a proper autumnal colour palette to get us started.

Next up on the list is probably the most autumnal shoe of all time and a signature colourway for the coolest name in skateboarding. Taking Vans’ innovative WAFFLECUP™ technology and combining it with possibly the most iconic silhouette of all time, the Dick Rizzo Vans Skate Half Cab Wafflecup feature custom Rizzo branding on the heel tab and insole, and a stash pocket in hidden on the tongue. The upper is constructed with Flex, Leather, Mesh, Suede, and Textile.

The first of two WAFFLECUP™ silhouettes on this list, it is probably worth letting you know what it is all about. WAFFLECUP™ tech fuses the flick and boardfeel of a regular Vans vulcanised sole with the support and durability of a cupsole to face the demands of contemporary skateboarding.

Nike SB’s new premier silhouette gets the sweet treat(ment) and lands a place on our coveted Top 10 Skate Shoe list this time out. The Air Force 1 is covered in a ganache of Light Brown suede up top and chocolatey rubber underfoot, drizzled with black detailing through the Swoosh, midsole, and heel and tongue tabs. The dyad of colours are interrupted only by custom chrome SB-1 dubraes, rounding out the luxurious colour palette.

Turning to the tech of the AF1, the iconic silhouette has been rebuilt from the top up, making skate-ready adjustments to take it seamlessly from the courts to the board. Blending the spirit of innovation that birthed the OG with skate-specific engineering, Nike SB deliver a lighter silhouette with a strong focus on boardfeel; the revamped version maintains the classic heightened midsole aesthetic but lowers the footbed and cuts the midsole in half to allow closer contact to the board.

The first New Balance to land on our list, introducing the NB Numeric 340, a modern evolution in vulcanised skate footwear construction. The 340 is designed for skateboarders who want the best of both worlds, blending the board feel of vulcanised soles with the comfort and support of a cupsole. NB’s latest silhouette redefines what a vulc shoe can be, delivering enhanced impact protection and all-day comfort without compromising flexibility or control.

Since its introduction to the adidas lineup in 2025, the Tekkira has become a stalwart. Now, we’re going to be upfront. This one isn’t going to be for everyone. If you like your shoes slimmer and more flexible, the Glenburn is probably the way to go.

However, what the Tekkira Cup does well is blending cupsole comfort and durability with skate-ready functionality, whilst adding to that a look which has been inspired by late ‘90s runners and ‘00s court styles. This model lands in a Carbon/Carbon/Core Black, with premium suede and mesh uppers, and is ready to handle anything you can throw at it. The Tekkira packed with all the tech a modern skateboarder needs.

Earlier in the year, Finnish skate store Beyond & Nike SB came together to deliver the first Dunk Hi in the Dunk lineup for a while, inspired by the work of Alvar Aalto. The collaboration pays homage to the legendary status of Aalto, and Jyväskylä, the hometown of both Beyond and Aalto, which is renowned for its Aalto-designed buildings.

The Beyond Dunk embodies Scandinavian functionalism and Alvar Aalto’s architectural finesse. The sneaker's birch-tone Swoosh nods to Aalto’s iconic furniture, whilst the outsole highlights the rich red brick favoured in his building designs. The high-top heel panel reflects the signature blue glazed ceramic tiles seen across Aalto’s most famous sites. Underfoot, Nike SB’s usual skate-ready tech is all there. This one’s a beauty.

One of the most popular colourways of Andrew Reynolds’ signature New Balance Numeric model has got a full reup recently, returning in Sea Salt & Brown, and in turn landed a place on our skate shoe picks for this autumn. The 933 is one of the techiest shoes out there, combining the best in skate innovation with The Boss’ attention to detail, and the Sea Salt/Brown colour palette brings a classic look to round the whole thing out. There is a reason the 933 has landed on every skate shoe list we have published since it was released in May of last year.

The WAFFLECUPs keep on coming, and whilst we are big admirers of Vans’ regular skate soles, it’s clear that Vans are shifting their focus to blend the board feel they are renowned for with a more supporting cupsole. The second Vans silhouette on this list to get the WAFFLECUP™ treatment is the classic Old Skool, coming in a 2-Tone Grey, which combines skateboard heritage stylings with contemporary skate technology.

Nike SB added a fresh addition to the line-up this year with the Nike SB Code 58, combining design cues from iconic silhouettes like the Dunk, Air Jordan 1 and Air Force 1 into one versatile skate shoe.⁠ The upper is constructed with suede and canvas, blending style and durability, whilst a perforated toe box and mesh tongue allow for all day breathability. The padded tongue gives everyday comfort, whilst underfoot, all the tech you need for skateboarding, including a durable cupsole construction for stability and durability, as well as a rubber outsole and pivot circle tread for grip.

Rounding out our Top Skate Shoe Picks for Autumn 2026, etnies’ collaboration with skateboarding royalty, Mark “Fos” Foster. Fos, for those who don’t know, is the founder of Heroin Skateboards, and is best known for his raw, distinctive art style and DIY ethos.

The Emerson x Fos blends etnies’ clean, vintage-inspired skate shoe with Fos’s raw creative energy. This special edition is wrapped in navy suede with contrasting white detailing for a timeless look. Built for both board feel and comfort, it features a mix of suede and breathable mesh uppers, a thin tongue for a lightweight fit. Finished with Fos’s signature touch on the tongue and footbed.