Ishod Wair & HEAT CHECK | Designing Skate Shoes

Ishod Wair, a professional skater sponsored by Monster Energy, is one of the greatest skateboarding legends to ever step foot on a board.

He received his own Nike SB shoe last year as compensation for his status as the skateboarding GOAT. Ishod sits down with “Two Js” Jaysee Lopez for this episode of Monster Energy HEAT CHECK at Urban Necessities in Las Vegas on the weekend of Sneaker Con Vegas.

The two had a lot to talk about, including Ishod’s previous sneaker designs for Nike and the laborious process he underwent to create his distinctive SB design. Throughout the two-year process, the skater was very hands-on, selecting components that would increase the efficiency of his skating.

A professional skater for Real Skateboards who has spent almost ten years wowing crowds and the entire industry with his mind-blowing and gravity-defying stunts may offer insightful commentary on the ideal skate shoe.

The New Jersey native’s love for life and desire to make the most of every opportunity shines through in everything he does, including competing, acting in Nike commercials, and perfecting tricks repeatedly for a Thrasher Magazine video feature.

Ishod Kadal Baroody Wair is his full name. Ishod Kadal, which translates to “man of glory,” and Baroody, which means “teacher,” are titles he has more than earned. Ishod has distinguished himself in the skating community in a variety of ways during the course of his career. He is renowned for his incredibly protracted skate sessions, rarely performing the same feat more than once.

Ishod displays his preference for bowls and transition skating even though his peers like to keep it horizontal as he runs through a rapid-fire improvisation of combo tricks and slick skateboarding technique. He skates with such skill and pure joy that watching him is like witnessing poetry in action.

Ishod won the 2013 Thrasher Skater of the Year honor. He won the 2019 X Games Norway with unforced runs that perfectly captured his natural style.

It was only natural for shoe producers to be interested in his high-performance boarding. After all, the culture of sneakers and skateboarding have long coexisted. It’s been quite the development, starting in the 1950s with surfers putting wheels on their boards and gliding barefoot through the streets. The skater shoe was created as the sport gained popularity and skaters recognized they required the same equipment as other athletes.

Before Vision Street Wear released the more robust Suede Hi silhouette to the market with a raised ankle collar and unique “Ollie Patch” in its design, skaters were already donning Vans and Chuck Taylors. New companies including Etnies, Duffs, Osiris, and DC Shoes followed after Airwalk, Vision, and Vans improved their designs.

Skateboard culture has evolved over time from specialized styles that were solely suitable for athletic clothing to looks that look fantastic while having beers with friends later.

Ishod has spent his entire career riding for Nike, a refitted, low-cut basketball shoe that has earned legendary status among sneakerheads and skaters worldwide. He previously released a slimmed-down version of the Dunk SB Low on his own, and he then collaborated with Magnus Walker on a Dunk SB Hi colorway that was inspired by Porsche.

Ishod’s Nike SB design undoubtedly had this in mind. His vision was to create a fantastic skate shoe that would also be stylish and, most importantly, unique.

He and Jaysee talk about many design elements, including the inclusion of a gilly in the center of the shoe for maximum support. In this manner, the wearer’s foot is still firmly fastened down even if they wish their shoes to be loose. Ishod’s SB additionally contains a second concealed set of lace loops for skaters who frequently break their laces.

Ishod keeps everyone on their toes with his iconic Nike SB look, lengthy sessions jam-packed with sick tricks, and a smile on his face. We eagerly await the next move from this elite athlete!