Mo knows texting. Mo knows Call of Duty. Mo knows S.K.A.T.E. Mo knows Simi Valley. Mo knows Bagakoos. And now . . . Mo knows shoes! Introducing personalized Manchester Select and Commerce LK color ways by Mike Mo for Fall 2009. Get the Manchester Select from the Zappos Rideshop available now!

The black suede Munition CT Mid is the first installment of a two-part shoe series collaboration between long time DVS rider Chico Brenes and LRG. Designers looked to the early years of Chico's career for inspiration on it's look and feel.

The footbed print is borrowed from Chico's first World Industries pro model graphic, Orange Vendor, introduced in 1992 by artist Mark Mckee. The graphic features a tiny cartoon Paisa wearing a red flannel and selling oranges out of a box. This character is a direct reference to Chico's heritage as a Nicaraguan immigrant. The same flannel pattern used on the graphic is mimicked in both print and texture on the collar of the shoe. The shoe also features custom Chico and LRG branding on the tongue and heel.

To compliment the line, designers also produced signature apparel pieces that tie into the color and graphic themes of the shoes. The Chico x LRG apparel collection includes a textured red flannel New Era, a signature red flannel long sleeve, and graphic T-shirts that feature the same Mark McKee Paisa character found in the footbed of the shoe. Pick your's up today from the Zappos Rideshop!

At this point, Scott no longer needs a major introduction. He has managed to introduce himself through two PlanB video parts, mulitple interviews and checkouts, recent covers on Thrasher and Color and more to come. Scott has redefined what it means to be a real amateur skateboarder. Circa welcomes Scott to the team!! Make sure to check out all the latest Circa gear on the Zappos Rideshop.

Emerica introduces one of the cleanest technical skate shoes to date, the Reynolds Cruisers. If you don't know who Andrew Reynolds is by now you need to creep out of that rock you've been hiding under. With this new style Andrew Reynolds wanted some ultra-slim, low profile boat shoes to skate and chill in, and the Cruisers were born. The clean, simple exterior hides a high-tech, super protective STI Foam full-length System G2 footbed inside a vulcanized outsole. And don't forget the classic 70's logo on the tongue. I'll leave you with a quote from Andrew Reynolds "You need to buy this!"

Emerica has teamed up with Brooklyn Projects for a unique "Las Vegas" colorway of Braydon Szafranski's pro model. It reps Vegas hard with a large V-Shaped side panel and craps table insole art, casino carpet graphics and those bright neon colored signs that we all know and love so well. Standard features on the Braydon include a ventilating mesh upper. Padded tongue and collar. Triple stitched toe cap for added durability. Full-length polyurethane midsole. System G2 impact absorbing heel pad. Molded STI Foam footbed cushioning. To top it off it comes with an angular grippy tread pattern which adds to the flair to make the Braydon one hell of a solid skate shoe. Don't forget to check out our full range of Emerica shoes from the Zappos Rideshop!

Zappos Rideshop

This Fall Vans has released the "Off The Wall" pack which is a throwback to the Vans original skate line as introduced in 1977. Back in the late 70's when these styles were introduced, they were the first shoes in the world designed specifically for skateboarding. These styles have since evolved into the classic favorites that you can only get from Vans. Now, 30 years later, they are re-introduced in their original colorways, available from Zappos.com

The "Off The Wall" pack comes in these different styles available at Zappos.com - The Era™, The Classic Slip-On™, and the The Mid Skool '77 (truly a throwback!). And don't forget to check out all the other Vans Classics available from Zappos.com

Vans SK8-Hi™ "Dressed to Kill" is a killer pair of skating shoes. These shoes feature a Kiss band member graphic that makes these shoes a great tribute to the spirit of Rock and Roll. If you are a skater, a wannabe skater or if you just like cool shoes, then try these on for size.

Vans SK8-Hi™ "Dress to Kill" - The Basics

Vans SK8-Hi™ "Dress to Kill" shoes retail for $69 and come in both men's and women's sizes. They come in men's sizes 3.5 to 13, as well as women's sizes 5 to 12. They weigh in at about 18 ounces and have a shaft height of about 6.5 inches, depending on the size of shoe that you order.

These shoes have a black, white and grey tone palette. This makes them the perfect addition to nearly any wardrobe. They have a high-top design that stars the members of the band Kiss in full character makeup on the sides of the shoe, as well as the logo "Dress to Kill" printed on the side of the shoe's sole.

Dressing to Kill

When you buy a pair of shoes there are many things that you need to think about. Fit is the first thing. A properly fitted shoe will fit snuggly but will not be tight or crumple your toes. Next you will want to look at function. The type of shoe that you buy needs to reflect what you will be using the shoe for. For example, if you will be using the shoe for skateboarding then you will want a shoe that has give in its design so that it flexes, as well as a non-skid sole to prevent slippage from your board.

The final thing that you want to think about when buying a pair of shoes is style. The styling of the shoe needs to fit in with your current wardrobe. This will give you the most styling options when putting together your daily look. Fortunately, the Vans Sk8-Hi™ "Dress to Kill" has a neutral palette, which means that it will look good with nearly anything that you want to pair it with.

Having the right pair of shoes on your feet makes all the difference. Not only do they help you to perform better on your skateboard or on the basketball court, but they also ensure that you look and feel good as well. Element Omahigh is one of the coolest types of hi-top shoes on the market today, take at look at this shoe before you make your next shoe purchase.

Element Omahigh - The Basics

Element Omahigh are hi-top shoes that retail for $79.00. They offer a medium width in men's sizes 7-14, with half sizes available. This shoe is made with a leather upper, blind sided ollie reinforcement and cold-connect construction. These shoes weigh in at about 15 ounces, they have a 15 inch circumference and a six inch shaft (based on the men's size 9 shoe.)

Element Omahigh - Styles

The Element Omahigh comes in three different color combinations. If you are looking for a dressier shoe, then the black and antique style is a good option. On the other hand if you are looking for a shoe with lots of personality and flare, then the brown, black, suede and mustang style is a better option. The third style is a great mediation between the flashy and the dressy. It offers a black, white and regal color combination.

The colors used in the Element Omahigh are neutrals so they will compliment just about any wardrobe. However, you will want to select the style of Element Omahigh that will work the best with the clothes that are in your closet. If you don't know which style to buy print out a color copy of each style and hold them up to your clothes. See which style works the best with your wardrobe basics or that gives your wardrobe the most pop.

Shoe Care

Since the uppers of the Element Omahigh are made from leather you will need to take extra steps to keep your shoes looking great for years. To start with you will want to weatherproof or waterproof your shoes. This can be done by using a commercial weatherproofing product designed for leather/suede shoes. You can find this product at shoe stores or online. Next you will want to clean your shoes regularly by brushing dry dirt off the suede or leather portions of your shoes. Finally, you will want to condition the leather portions of your shoes at least once a year. This will keep the leather supple and prevent it from cracking and peeling.

Support Macbeth's studio project with Jack's Mannequin and The Dear Jack Foundation at Zappos.com.

One of the most important pieces of safety equipment that you need for skateboarding is a great pair of shoes. The best skating shoes will have a flat sole with good grip. This will keep you from sliding or skidding off your board. You will also want to select a shoe that has been properly fitted to your feet. Shoes that fit the size and shape of your feet will not only improve your stability, but it will also reduce your chances of twisting your ankle or developing blisters. If you are looking for a great skate shoe then consider the Van's SK8-Hi™ Slayer.

Van's SK8-Hi™ Slayer - Specs

The Van's SK8-Hi™ Slayer is a skate shoe that retails for $69.00. It comes in women's sizes 5-12, with half sizes available, in men's sizes 3.5-13, and in youth size 4. It has a medium width and a black, red, white and gold design. The shoe weighs in at about 18 ounces for a men's size 10 and has a shaft height of about 6.5 inches.

The construction of the shoe is impeccable. It has an upper made from a patchwork of canvas, leather and suede. It has an EVA insert that has been die cut and a gum sole.

Working Van's SK8-Hi™ Slayer - Wardrobe Tips

The Van's SK8-Hi™ Slayer is a great shoe that can be easily worked into nearly any casual wardrobe. They coordinate well with jeans and t-shirts, and can also make a great compliment to skater shorts and tanks for summer wear. These are not dress shoes but you can create a funky evening look by pairing these shoes with a more formal outfit, such as a dark pair of slacks, a bold printed T and a sports jacket.

Keeping Your Shoes in Top Condition

When you invest in a good pair of skateboarding shoes it is a good idea to take steps to protect their appearance. Keeping them clean is one step that you can take to keep the color and their general appearance crisp. Obviously when you skate outdoors you are bound to get them dirty. The trick is to allow mud and dirt to dry before brushing them clean. This is a better option than trying to clean mud off of wet shoes. This only embeds the mud into the fibers of the shoes. You can also protect your shoes by spraying them with a Teflon or waterproofing treatment before you first use your shoes. This will help make them water proof and also help them to become more resistant to stains.

Shoes are the foundation of your wardrobe, however, when it comes to skateboarding they are also the foundation of your stability. If you put the wrong shoes on your feet you can end up with sore arches and ankles, or worse yet sprained or strained muscles in your legs. If you are looking for a great pair of skateboarding shoes then try on the Vans Caballero.

Vans Caballero - The Basics
Vans Caballero are a mid rise shoe that offers an extra comfortable and supportive fit. They retail for about $64.00 and offer a medium width. They come in women's sizes 5-11, including half sizes, and men's sizes 3.5-13, including half sizes.

There are three styles that you can choose between. The most classic style is the black and white option. For a slight variation on this style you can also select the charcoal and white option. Finally, there is a more colorful option that offers a shoe design in black, white and ultra violet. All three styles come with the signature Steve Cabellero logo, which commemorates his 20th anniversary as a skateboarder.

The shoe itself has a suede or a leather upper and a cotton lining. They weigh in at an average of 20 ounces, however, this will vary depending on the size that you order.

Steve Cabellero
The Vans Caballero is a shoe that was designed to honor skateboarder Steve Cabellero. He's been grinding and tricking out since the late 1970s. Today he is known for his ramp work, however, he also has a history of being a top pool and vert trickster. Currently his favorite trick is done on a mini-ramp and it involves going from an Ollie to a k-grind to a Fakie stance. He also likes to do flip tricks while street boarding.

Cabellero is a family man with a great wife and a new baby. He is a San Jose native and he still lives in the American Southwest. When he is not skateboarding or promoting his career, he still jams with a variety of garage bands.

If you are a fan of Steve Cabellero, or if you just need a great pair of shoes, then try on the Vans Cabellero.

Many communities build skateparks in order to satisfy their residents' desire to skate. Most of the parks that are built are either built in existing community parks or they are built on virgin sites. In Virginia Beach, Virginia there is an amazing skatepark that was actually built using compressed clean soil and refuse. Yes, it was built on a landfill. The park complex is called Mount Trashmore and it is a great example of how communities can turn lemons into lemonade.

Mount Trashmore - The Park
Mount Trashmore is a multi-purpose park. It includes two amazing mountains that were made out of compressed trash and clean soil. This park also contains two lakes that are stocked with fish, and yes you can fish in these lakes. It also includes playgrounds, picnic areas and one of the best skateparks in the state.

Mount Trashmore Skatepark
The Mount Trashmore Skatepark can be found at 310 Edwin Drive in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is primarily a street course skatepark with obstacles, stairs and rails. However, it also has a great seven foot bowl and a 13.5 foot by 40 foot vert ramp, which makes it competition size.

Skating at Mount Trashmore Skatepark is free. You can start skating here at 7:30 in the morning and you can skate until the park closes in the evening. In order to skate here you will need to sign in, get a skatepark wrist band and wear a helmet. Since this park is outdoors and made from wood and composite materials, it is important that you dress appropriately. You will want to wear clothing that protects your skin from sunburn and from abrasions and you will also want to wear padding.

The rules for skating at this park are similar to those found at other skateparks. You need to wear a helmet, you need to skate responsibly and you need to be respectful of other skaters and of the skatepark. If you break these simple rules you will be asked to leave.

Have a great time skating at Mount Trashmore and enjoy the scenery as you catch air!

If you're pro skateboarder Jake Brown, you might want a snazzy nickname to go with your oh-so-tame birth name. But you probably don't want to fall 45 feet to achieve this.

Australian Jake Brown, 34, became Jake "Unbreakable" Brown after he walked away from a horrific crash during the 2007 X Games at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Brown was on the mega ramp. In his usual fearless style - fearless even among pro skateboarders - he completed a daring 720 turn over the ramp's 70-foot gap, but he missed the quarter pipe lips. Medics say Brown saved his life by landing on his side.

"It might have been funny if it had not been potentially deadly," wrote Andrew Dalton for the Associated Press. "Jake Brown's legs churned in midair like he was trying to run. His shoes shot off in different directions when he slammed to the ground. His body looked like a rag doll as he slid to the base of the ramp." Dalton concluded, "It looked like a fall Wile E. Coyote would take," referring to the Road Runner's cartoon predator.

Jake Brown was motionless for about 8 minutes. Then he got up, walked off, waved to the crowd and asked buddy Jason Ellis, "Do I get another run?" Well, even Jake "Unbreakable" Brown is not unbreakable. He cracked several vertebrae, and he still has a metal pin in a wrist that was broken. He even bruised his liver; have you ever heard of a football player with a bruised liver? Jake Brown needed several months of rehab before he could return to smaller ramps and six months before he again challenged a mega ramp.

Even before the Staples Center fall, Jake Brown had a reputation for adverse risk. ESPN once reported: "Jake Brown has some of the hardest vert skateboarding tricks dialed in, like 720s and his double kick flip mute. However, in competitions, Jake Brown tends to go for the biggest tricks, which often backfires if he doesn't land them. But skating conservatively is not Jake Brown's style."

Reporters now want to know if Unbreakable Brown feels fear on the mega ramp. Jake affirms that this is true, but he adds a qualifier. He says he always has felt fear, even before the 45-foot freefall, because this is a natural emotion for a cutting-edge skateboard stuntman. Online viewers will note that Jake Brown was carted off in a wheelchair, not a stretcher. "I knew what happened," Jake explains in his trademark unflappable style. "I just wanted to test my body and see how wrecked I was, you know?"

Sources:
www.dailyillini.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticlePrinterFriendly&uStory_id=6d7c665b-3f6e-412a-9c8d-1440173744ec
http://articles.latimes.com/2007/aug/05/sports/sp-xside5
http://skateboard.about.com/od/proskaterbios/p/ProJakeBrown.htm
www.lgactionsports.com/athlete.html?athlete_id=72&sport=skateboarding
www.grindtv.com/athlete/jake_brown/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_Brown

Skateboard legend Tony Hawk is considered one of the world's greatest skateboarders, the only skateboarding guru who successfully completed the front side "900." This stunt consists of 2.5 midair somersaults (900 degrees of breathtaking action) and was witnessed at the ESPN X Games in San Francisco, California in 1999. Since then, daredevils and skating enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels have attempted to replicate the amazing act, but few have managed to pull off the stunt as flawlessly as the great Hawk.

The 900 was executed when Hawk launched approximately 5 feet from the rim of the half-pipe on the U-shaped skate ramp and then did two and a half flips on the board before landing back into the half pipe with both feet and the board intact. For Hawk, it was one of his greatest personal achievements; for spectators, this was history in the making. And for scientists, it was just another trick made possible by the laws of gravity.

Skateboard stunts like the 900 depend entirely on the laws of physics; gravity allows the skater to accelerate, control their speed, move at different angles while airborne and control exactly where they will land. The faster the skater moves, the higher they can launch themselves above the rim of the skateboard ramp. The best way to pick up speed on the ramps is to use a technique called 'pumping,' where the skateboarder uses one foot to launch forward on the board and then quickly bends his or her knees while moving in order to accelerate. After launching off the rim, the skateboarder must curl up into a tight ball so that their body weight is as close to their axis of rotation as possible. This may sound very technical and complicated, but it's the blueprint for skateboarding stunt success for many experienced skaters such as Hawk.

Skateboarders also need to consider wind speed and temperatures when they're approaching a new stunt; the wind can affect how quickly the skateboarder is able to accelerate when on the ground and how long they can be airborne. The climate dictates what type of clothing the skateboarder will need to wear and whether the skateboard's wheels need to be warmed up before the event.

Hawk's execution of this amazing 900 stunt is just one of several legendary tricks and stunts to make headlines in the skateboarding world; he officially retired from professional skating in 2000.

Source:

Science World, Feb. 2001

While Chicago is a hot bed for cultural and urban attractions, sometimes you just need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Champagne, Illinois is a charming city south of the Windy City. Here you will find a great little skate park called Spalding Skate Park. This park is a public skate park and free to use.

Spalding Skate Park - the Basics
Spalding Skate Park is a concrete skate park that offers about 18,000 square feet of skating terrain. It can be found at 900 Harris in Champagne, Illinois, and is open to both skateboarders and in-line skaters. Here you will find both vert park features and street course features. In the vert park, you will find three great bowls with easy bowl-to-bowl transitions and several quarter pipes. The street course offers a snake run, rails, stairs and obstacles.

Spalding Skate Park is open all week long from dawn until dusk. It is a part of a larger park called Spalding Park. This park offers open, grassy areas, ball parks and other recreational attractions.

Staying Safe in Spalding Skate Park
Skating is a lot of fun and is a good way to stay in shape, however, it can be hard on your body. To keep yourself from getting injured, you need to wear the proper clothing and the proper safety gear. During the hot months of the year, you will want to wear clothing that is breathable and that will wick moisture away from your skin. During the colder months of the year, you will want to dress in layers and wear the proper outerwear. Regardless of the time of the year, you will want to wear a well fitted helmet, elbow pads and knee pads. You will also want to wear a pair of skating shoes that will give you good traction on your board.

In addition to dressing properly for skateboarding, you will also want to take steps to stay safe on your board. First make sure the skating zone is free of hazards like broken glass and trash. Clear these things away before you start rolling. Next, check out who else is using the park. Get a feel for how they are skating and their skill level before you try to share the skating space. For example, if you notice a skater is wobbly on their board, you will want to keep a larger gap between you and them while skating as they obviously are a newbie and most likely will have troubles keeping their board under control.