Professional skateboarder Boo Johnson is speaking out, and this time it’s about where your skate shoes are coming from and who really benefits when you buy them.
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As we previously reported, President Donald Trump has secured a major Vietnam deal with U.S. goods without any tariffs but the skate shoe giants Nike and Adidas are under pressure due to their manufacturing being from outside the U.S.A.
All the talk about overseas production and big-brand money was enough to get Boo speaking up.
"Let’s get back to the core skate shoes," Boo said.
It’s not just a throwaway comment. His message reflects what a lot of skaters have been feeling for a long time.
Skateboarding has deep roots in independent scenes, small companies, and DIY communities. Many feel that the culture is being drained by massive companies that jumped in once they saw dollar signs.
Core skate shoe brands are different. They were built from the ground up by skateboarders who lived the life, not by executives looking at spreadsheets.
Nike and Adidas have made their way into skateboarding by signing big names and investing in marketing.
But when you look closer, their involvement is mostly about profit. The deeper connection just isn’t there. A lot of skaters feel that once the hype fades or margins drop, these brands will walk away without looking back.
On top of that, most of their shoes are produced overseas, often far from the communities and scenes that shaped skateboarding in the first place.
With the recent spotlight on international trade and manufacturing, more people are starting to think harder about where their gear comes from.
Johnson’s words come at the right time. Skaters still have the power to choose who they support.
Buying from core skate brands helps keep money in the hands of the people who actually build and grow skateboarding. It helps keep local shops open, contests going, and real skaters on their boards.