Cupsole vs. Vulcanized Skate Shoes: Which Is Right for You?

Originally posted on TransWorld SKATEboarding
By Blair Alley | Last updated Jan 4, 2025 8:00 AM ET

When it comes to choosing a pair of skate shoes, you've got a ton of choices: the brand, the color, high top, low top, mid top, or slip-on, materials (leather, suede, canvas, nubuck), but most importantly, cupsole versus vulcanized construction. This is where the shoe hits the board—your board feel—some people think this is the most important aspect of any shoe. So what are the differences? We've broken it down with examples of popular models.

Vulcanized Construction

Vulcanization refers to a heat-treatment of rubber to make it more abrasion-resistant. Vulcanized rubber is used in tires, bowling balls, hockey pucks, but as we know most lovingly, in the soles of our beloved Vans Classics. That's right, all those thin, low-profile, good-board-feeling Vans models (Old Skool, Half Cab, Slip On) got popular with skateboarders due to their board feel and long-lasting soles.

Now, "vulc" shoes aren't going to help much if you're a hucker, jumping down gaps and stairs a lot. What you gain in board feel, you're sacrificing in cushioning. Vulcanized shoes are perfect if you spend most of your time skating flatground, low impact spots, slappying curbs or skating mini ramps.

Here are some popular vulcanized shoes on skate shop shelves right now:

Nike SB Janoski
Converse CONS One Star
Converse CONS Chuck Taylor All-Star Pro
New Balance Numeric Franky Villani
IPath Reed
Emerica Wino G6 Slip On
adidas Busenitz Vulc II
Hours is Yours Cohiba Slip On
Nike SB Zoom Blazer Mid
New Balance Numeric Jamie Foy

There are many more out there, and if you have any questions, the employee at your local skater-owned shop will be able to help you out.

As you can see, vulcanized shoes hold a lot of weight in the skate shoe market with a lot of pros designing their pro model shoes to have a vulcanized sole.

Cupsole Construction

Cupsole construction is a traditional way of assembling a skate shoe where a solid, one-piece sole is stitched to the upper of the shoe. Rather than vulcanized shoes' flat rubber soles, cupsoles are curved and provide more support to the foot and ankle.

In addition, cupsoles have more cushion for jumping down gaps but less board feel. Cupsoles can also add weight to a skate shoe and may not feel as flexible straight out of the box. But if you've found yourself victim to heel bruises from jumping down gaps and stairs, cupsole construction might be the right shoe type for you.

Here are some popular cupsole shoes you've likely seen at your local skate shop: