There are SOOO many shoe options when you are shopping for new BMX shoes. If you really just need a shoe to go on your foot to ride the bike. Unless you are like trey jones and go shoeless… I don’t recommend that. BMX Riders wear anything ranging from New Balance, Nikes, Vans, and everything in between. We will look at two of my favorite Vans and I’ll explain why I do not like the BMX Specific Vans Shoe.
Van’s BMX Old School
Price: $80
Type: BMX Low Cut
Overall, these are great shoes to ride in. All Van’s grip incredibly well to the pedals and they have special reinforcement in areas that are commonly abused by BMX riders. The soul is incredible and can prevent most heel bruises. My biggest problem is that they do not form to your feet, nor do they offer ankle protection.
Pros
- Heel Protection
- Good Grip
Cons
- No ankle protection
- Feel heavy and Chunky
Van’s AVE Pro
Price: $110
Type: Skate Mesh Low Cut
These shoes are incredibly light and form to your foot. Riding in these is like a dream. They are extra sturdy due to the construction, and even though they are not “BMX” specific, they last longer than most. The durability comes from the reinforced DURACAP™ underlays and RAPIDWELD™ no-sew construction. If these shoes were not so expensive, I’d say everyone should have some.
Pros
- Light
- Forms to the food perfectly
- Good Grip
Cons
- No ankle protection
- Expensive
Consider this when you are buying your next pair of BMX shoes. I recently switched back to Vans after riding Nike for so long. The Nike SB shoes were incredibly comfortable and light, but they had terrible grip. The Van’s always grip well but never felt right. Always so chunky. Since finding the AVE shoes, my life has changed.
