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7 Best BMX Shoes For Every Rider (2024)

bmx shoes

Are you searching for the best BMX shoes to keep your feet safe and enjoy great grip?

Whether you’re a street wizard, flatlander or a park machine, you’ll find a shoe for you.

I tried many different brands, testing different shoe models over the course of 20+ years.

But I can safely say that Vans and Etnies are doing the best job.

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This post covers:

I like slip-ons the most, and you?

Best BMX Shoes

By the way, all these shoes are also great if you are a brakeless rider.

Update (May 5, 2023): Vans’ BMX shoes are almost entirely sold out at the moment, but you can grab a pair of Etnies! (And show some love to the Doomed dudes.)

1. Etnies Marana Slip XLT

etnies marana slip xlt shoes
After spending several months riding street in these I can confidently confirm that Etnies Marana Slip are really solid shoes for BMX. They have an extra thick insole, which helps prevent heel bruises. It feels really comfortable.

Plus, the rubber toe cap adds durability. The shoe tends to wear in pretty quickly so you may get a half size smaller.

Price: $79.99 (may vary)

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2. Old Skool shoes

old school shoes
The BMX Old Skool Shoes from Vans were specifically designed with BMX in mind.

These shoes feature the Vans BMX Wafflecup and the Vans Duracap, with their classic gum rubber grip. These shoes are low-top with suede and canvas uppers.

The BMX Old Skool has a signature colorway of peach & marshmallow for the Vans lady shredder Angie Marino. (See below.)

So. Cool.

Price: $75.00 (may vary)

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3. BMX Slip-On shoes

bmx slip-on shoes
Here we have the Vans BMX Slip-On shoes. According to the Vans site, these are the first of their kind and are exclusive to BMX shredders.

Of course, being a BMX-specific shoe, these have the Wafflecup BMX Sole, which is “designed to deliver the best combination of pedal feel, support, and durability.”

With riders like Trey Jones and Dakota Roche on the Vans BMX team who enjoy riding in slip-on shoes, it only makes sense for the company to make a version dedicated to BMX.

Price: $70.00 (may vary)

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4. SK8-Hi shoes

sk8 hi-shoes
The BMX SK8-Hi Shoes from Vans is their entry in the high top BMX shoe space.

With the BMX Wafflecup, the Vans Duracap, and their classic gum rubber grip, this shoe has all the features Vans could throw in a BMX-specific shoe.

The BMX wafflecup is meant to give “the best combination for pedalfeel, support, and durability.” And the duracap gives the shoe more longevity by supporting areas prone to wear.

When it comes to colorways, Scotty Cranmer has a signature Vans Sk8-Hi colorway. (See below.)

Price: $85.00 (may vary)

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5. Angie Marino Old School shoes

angie marino old school shoes
Here we have Angie Marino’s signature colorway of the BMX Old Skool shoes. These are a low-top shoe made specifically with BMX in mind.

The combination of peach and marshmallow colors on this shoe look great together and the fact that a shoe that looks like this is also made specifically for BMX is pretty awesome.

The shoe is engineered for a great ratio between feel and performance.

Price: $80.00 (may vary)

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6. Dan Lacey Slip-On shoes

dan lacey slip-on shoes
Dan Lacey is an absolute savage on a bike. He has done some of the most gnarly 360’s ever done in BMX. And when it comes to tricks like this, the shoes someone is wearing have to be important.

This is Lacey’s signature colorway in the Vans BMX Slip-on. Surely there is the merit that Dan can trust these for the types of things he does on his bike.

These shoes feature the same tech as the other colorways of the BMX slip-on and an additional feature in the Popcush cushioning.

The Popcush cushioning is Vans’ “best cushioning and impact protection” – and a perfect fit to be in the signature shoes of Dan Lacey.

Price: $74.95 (may vary)

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7. Courage Adams Old Skool shoes

vans courage old skool shoes
Courage also has this rad Vans Old Skool colorway shoe with custom sole along with the all-black slip-on shoes.

The shoe features the custom Wafflecup BMX technology that keeps it strong and long-lasting but at the same time just the right pedal-feel.

And the extra cushioning will keep your feet safe (especially from heel bruises).

If you’re Courage’s fan (who isn’t?) but slip-ons aren’t your think, grab a pair of his signature Old Skools.

Price: $84.95 (may vary)

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FAQs About BMX Shoes

What do BMX riders wear?

The most common BMX shoe brands are Vans and Etnies. These two offer a wide variety of shoes for everyone, whether you like low- or high-top sneakers.

Why do BMX riders wear Vans?

Because Vans has been part of the BMX industry since its early days. Plus, Vans created an exclusive BMX-specific line of shoes that are much stronger.

Can I use skate shoes for BMX?

Yes, you can ride BMX in skate shoes. In fact, many riders wear DC, Nike, Adidas, etc. shoes.

How important is the sole grip of a BMX shoe?

Sole grip is extremely important in BMX shoes. A good grip ensures your feet stay on the pedals, especially during tricks and jumps. You don’t want slippage when riding!

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About Author

The BMX Dude (TBD) is led by Rok Krivec, with over 20 years of experience in riding bicycle motocross. TBD has been creating high-quality BMX content since 2019 with one goal: To have The Best videos, products, tips & tricks in one location.