Skate shoes are weirdly cheap right now — five deals worth knowing about
From Lakai's workhorse Terrace at 59% off to the Nike SB Janoski OG cut in half, today's best drops are almost entirely in footwear.
Every deal on the board today is a shoe, which makes this a good weekend to stock up if you've been running your current pair into the ground. The discounts are deep across the board, some hitting 50% or more off original retail. A few of these are straightforward clearance moves, but a couple stand out for reasons beyond the price tag alone, specifically the brand context and what the specs imply about fit for different skating styles. Here are the five worth your actual attention.
Shoes: Lakai Terrace and Essex Elite — 59% off, both at $35
The Lakai Terrace and the Lakai Essex Elite are both sitting at $35, down from $85.37, which is a 59% cut. That is the deepest percentage drop in today's entire feed. Lakai has been making skate shoes since 1999, founded by Mike Carroll and Rick Howard, and their bread-and-butter has always been low-profile, board-feel-first construction over thick midsoles and bulk. The Terrace leans into the workhorse end of that philosophy, built for durability and direct board contact without any extra padding getting between your feet and your board. The Essex Elite is the more refined sibling, described as having a technical fit aimed at precision and lock-in control.
At $35, the conversation about which one to pick is mostly about shape preference, since the price difference is zero. If your priority is raw feel and you skate a lot, the Terrace's durability-focused build makes sense. If you want something that doubles as an off-board shoe without looking like a skate shoe, the Essex Elite's sleeker silhouette earns its description. Either way, $35 for a Lakai is not a price that comes around constantly, and these are not beginner-targeted throwaways. They are just on clearance.
Shoes: Nike SB Janoski OG+ QS Alabaster — 50% off at $47.50
The Nike SB Janoski OG + QS Alabaster is at $47.50, cut from $94.99, which is exactly 50% off. The Janoski is one of the most recognizable silhouettes in skate shoe history. Stefan Janoski's signature model debuted in 2009 and built its reputation on a vulcanized sole, a very flat and thin profile, and a close-to-the-board feel that made it popular with technical street skaters. The OG+ designation here suggests this is a return-to-roots version with updated materials or construction refinements, and the QS tag means it was a limited quickstrike release, which is relevant context because QS colorways tend to move in and out of availability unpredictably.
The Alabaster colorway is clean and low-key, off-white tones that work with most setups. If you have skated the Janoski before, you already know whether the thin profile suits your foot and your skating. If you have not, half price is a reasonable point to find out. The vulcanized feel and flat sole are best suited to skaters who prioritize board feel and flick response over impact cushioning, so transition skaters grinding big ramps might want something with more midsole, but for street and flat-ground tech skating this is a proven platform.
Shoes: New Balance 508 Brandon Westgate — 56% off at $35
The New Balance 508 Brandon Westgate is down to $35 from $79.55, a 56% drop. New Balance's skate division has been quietly putting together a legitimate catalog over the last several years, and the Westgate collaboration carries some genuine credibility. Brandon Westgate is a powerful, precise skater with a heavy focus on technical street skating, which typically influences the shoe toward a durable, supportive build that can handle the repeated stress of hard landings rather than favoring an ultra-minimal feel.
The context here describes it as lightweight and responsive, which suggests New Balance leaned into their runner heritage for the midsole cushioning rather than going with a stiff vulcanized construction. That makes it a reasonable option for skaters who want some impact absorption without sacrificing too much board feel. At $35, it sits at the same price point as the two Lakais above, but the New Balance silhouette reads differently off the board and might appeal to skaters who want something with a slightly more athletic look.
Shoes: Asics VIC NBD Clay Grey/Birch — 41% off at $65
The Asics VIC NBD (Clay Grey/Birch) is at $65, down from $109.95, a 41% reduction. This one stands out because Asics's entry into skate-specific footwear has been more deliberate and technically considered than most heritage runner brands making the crossover. The VIC NBD takes a runner-influenced silhouette and adds skate-specific reinforcement, which in practice usually means extra rubber or suede overlays at the ollie zone and toe cap, and a midsole tuned for repeated impact rather than pure forward-motion running efficiency.
The NBD colorway in Clay Grey and Birch is muted and earthy, which fits well with current skate aesthetics. At $65 this is the priciest shoe in today's highlighted deals, but the original $109.95 retail puts it in the premium tier, and 41% off is a meaningful discount at that price level. The context mentions it handles both street and transition, which tracks for a shoe with a supportive midsole and reinforced construction. If you have been curious about Asics's skate line and did not want to pay full retail to experiment, this is a reasonable entry point.
Shoes: éS Two Nine 8 — 30% off at $76.95
The éS Two Nine 8 Skateboarding is down to $76.95 from $109.95, a 30% drop. éS has one of the longer lineages in skate footwear, going back to the mid-90s with riders like Eric Koston and Rodrigo TX helping build the brand's reputation for technical street shoes. The Two Nine 8 sits in their premium tier and is described as offering refined cushioning with a proven platform for demanding sessions. That language, combined with the price point, suggests this is built for skaters who put serious time on their boards and want a shoe that holds up technically over weeks of use rather than weeks of sitting in a display case.
The 30% discount is the smallest percentage in today's highlighted picks, but the starting price is also the highest, and $76.95 for a premium éS model with this kind of heritage behind it is a fair deal for the skater who already knows what they want. This is not a clearance shoe at a fire-sale price. It is a quality shoe at a reasonable discount, which is a different kind of value. If you have been skating éS before and know the fit works for your foot, this is worth grabbing before it moves back to full retail.