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Most skate shoe walls are dominated by the same handful of names. Feiyue and Straye do things differently, and that's why some skaters seek them out.
Feiyue started in Shanghai in 1920 as a martial arts training shoe. Lightweight, flexible, and built for quick footwork, it found a second life decades later with skaters who wanted something more minimal than a bulky cupsole trainer. The look has barely changed since, and that's part of the appeal.
Straye is a newer, US-based brand built specifically for skateboarding. It focuses on classic vulcanised silhouettes with cleaner materials and a slightly more considered fit than some of the older heritage brands. Straye shoes are made to be skated in, not just worn.
Both brands sit outside the mainstream skate shoe crowd. Both are worth understanding properly before you buy, especially if you're used to a specific fit from another brand.
Feiyue shoes are noticeably lighter than most skate shoes. The classic build uses a thin canvas upper, a slim rubber sole, and very little padding compared with a typical cupsole trainer. They feel closer to a plimsoll than a skate shoe when you first put them on.
For skating, that low-profile feel has real advantages. Board feel is excellent, since there's less material between your foot and the grip tape. They're breathable, easy to break in, and comfortable for everyday wear off the board too.
The trade-off is durability. A thin canvas upper won't survive heavy flip-trick sessions as long as a reinforced suede or leather shoe will. Feiyue suits skaters who value feel and lightness over maximum longevity, or who want a casual, low-key shoe that can double up for skating when needed.
Straye takes the classic vulcanised skate shoe format and refines it. Expect suede and canvas uppers, sturdier stitching around high-wear areas like the toe and ollie zone, and soles designed with grip and board feel in mind, not just looks.
Where Feiyue leans heritage-casual, Straye leans skate-first. The silhouettes are still simple and low-profile, but the construction is built with real skate sessions in mind, not just the look of a skate shoe.
Straye tends to suit riders who want that classic vulcanised feel, close to the board and flexible for flip tricks, but with more structure and durability than the thinnest canvas options.
There's no single right answer here. It depends on what you actually want from a shoe.
Choose Feiyue if: you want the lightest possible feel, you like a minimal retro look, you skate mellow street or cruise more than you attack flip tricks, or you want a shoe that works just as well off the board.
Choose Straye if: you want a proper vulcanised skate shoe built for regular sessions, you're doing flip tricks and need reinforced wear areas, or you want more structure without going full cupsole.
If you're a beginner still working out your style, either brand is a reasonable starting point. If you already know you'll be skating hard and often, Straye's construction is built to handle that better over time.
Brands like Vans, Etnies, and DC dominate skate shoe sales for good reason. They're proven, widely available, and cover everything from thin vulcanised builds to heavily cushioned cupsoles.
Feiyue and Straye don't try to compete on that scale. Instead, they offer something more specific. Feiyue gives you a genuinely different feel, lighter and more minimal than almost anything else on the rack. Straye gives you a focused, no-nonsense vulcanised shoe without the bulk that's crept into some mainstream cupsole designs.
If you've tried the bigger names and found cupsoles too heavy or vulcanised options too flimsy, Feiyue and Straye are worth trying as a middle ground, or as a genuine change of pace.
Fit is one of the most common questions with both brands, since neither uses UK high street sizing conventions as standard.
As a general guide, Feiyue shoes run narrow and can feel snug through the toe box compared with Western skate shoe brands. Some riders find it worth going half a size up from their usual UK size, particularly with a wider foot. The canvas upper does soften and stretch slightly with wear, so a snug first fit isn't necessarily a bad sign.
Straye tends to fit closer to standard UK skate shoe sizing, similar to what you'd expect from Vans or Etnies, with a slightly more structured last.
Sizing can still vary between individual styles, so it's worth checking the specific product page before ordering. If you're unsure or end up between sizes, get in touch and we'll help you pick, or check our delivery information to see how quickly an exchange could reach you if needed.
Both brands use materials that need a bit more care than a heavily reinforced cupsole trainer.
For canvas uppers, common on Feiyue, avoid soaking them, spot clean with a soft brush and mild soap, and let them air dry away from direct heat. Direct heat can warp a vulcanised sole and shrink canvas fibres.
For vulcanised soles generally, check the sole edges regularly. Vulcanised construction bonds the sole to the upper with heat and pressure rather than heavy stitching. That's great for flexibility and board feel, but it can start to peel at the edges under heavy wear. Catching early separation and keeping the shoe dry between sessions extends the life of the sole.
Suede sections on Straye shoes benefit from a suede brush and a water-repellent spray applied before first wear, especially useful in UK weather.
Feiyue and Straye aren't shoes you'll find explained properly on most UK retail sites. Between the lightweight heritage feel of Feiyue and the refined vulcanised construction of Straye, there's a genuine choice to make, and it's worth understanding both before you commit.
Ready to see the current stock? Shop the Feiyue collection or shop the Straye collection to browse sizes and colourways. You can also browse all skate shoes to compare against other brands, or browse all skate brands to see the full range we stock.
If you're still building your first skate setup from scratch, read our beginner's guide to buying your first skateboard alongside your shoe choice.
Are Feiyue shoes good for skateboarding? Yes, particularly for riders who want a lightweight, low-profile feel with excellent board contact. They suit mellow street skating and cruising better than heavy flip-trick sessions, where a more reinforced shoe will last longer.
Do Feiyue shoes fit true to size? Feiyue shoes run narrow and snug through the toe box compared with UK sizing norms. Some riders go up half a size, especially with a wider foot. The canvas will soften slightly with wear. Check the specific product page, as fit can vary between styles.
What is Straye known for as a skate shoe brand? Straye is known for classic vulcanised silhouettes built specifically for skateboarding, with reinforced wear areas, durable suede and canvas uppers, and soles designed for grip and board feel rather than just style.
Are Straye shoes durable enough for street skating? Yes. Straye reinforces high-wear areas like the toe and ollie zone, which helps the shoes hold up better to flip tricks and regular street sessions than very thin canvas alternatives.
What's the difference between vulcanised and cupsole skate shoes? Vulcanised shoes bond a thin sole to the upper using heat and pressure, giving a flexible, low-profile feel with strong board contact. Cupsole shoes use a moulded sole for more cushioning and support, which suits harder impacts but reduces board feel.
Can beginners wear Feiyue or Straye shoes? Yes, both work for beginners. Feiyue suits those who want a light, comfortable shoe for learning the basics, while Straye suits beginners who already know they'll be skating regularly and want a shoe built to last through that progression.
