Designing skate shoes is difficult -- the features most needed in a skateboarding shoe directly contradict one another (for example: cushioning versus board feel, durability versus breathability). And then there’s the delicate balancing of tradition and progression, between respecting skateboarding’s heritage and blazing the future with advancements of technology and materials.

This is a story of innovation inspired by Paul Rodriguez. For a deeper look into Nike innovations for skateboarding, head over to nikeinc.com/news/nike-skateboarding-innovation-timeline