Having only being founded in January 2016, the skater owned State Footwear is a relative newcomer to the skate shoe arena. Though the brand is barely two years old, it is heavily influenced by the original and simplest method of crafting skateboarding shoes which has stood the test of time – vulcanisation. And the brand’s ‘Salem’ number could not be truer to this vulcanised ethos.

Aside from its timeless vulcanised construction, the model nods to the popular skate shoes of the 1980s and early ‘90s with a thick ollie patch providing a resistant layer against griptape. This sits on top of a tough suede upper, and – like all models in the State Footwear range – the Salem includes a perforated rubber underlay between the outer layer and inner lining to improve structure and strength. The athletic inspired high-top aids in ankle support but without the cost of manoeuvrability due to the thinly padded collar, tongue and overall slim silhouette.

“If you like to support skater owned operations with your hard earned cash, you could do a lot worse than to invest in a pair of States”

The Salem features a short toe, which is great for precise foot placement, and an extra toe bumper of vulcanised rubber adding to the already responsive double wrapped vulcanised construction. A deep herringbone tread allows for flexibility and perfect boardfeel straight out the box, which is balanced with a polyurethane insole for impact protection.

State’s team features a variety of somewhat unsung skateboarders – including the likes of Kevin Coakley, Jon Nguyen and Ben Gore – most of whom are affiliated with smaller board brands, and their approach to building a team is more reflective of that structure rather than the all-star super teams that some bigger footwear companies boast. Aligning with this idea, this exclusive Fall/Winter 2017 colourway of the Salem collaborates with John Vitale’s board outfit The Killing Floor, and the shoe features The Killing Floor’s logo on the tongue alongside State’s insignia embossed into the heel in contrasting colours to the upper.

If you like to support skater owned operations with your hard earned cash, you could do a lot worse than to invest in a pair of States, and coming in with an exceptionally reasonable suggested price tag of £59.95, these Salem’s could be a very economically sensible starting point.

• STATE X THE KILLING FLOOR – SALEM
• RRP: £59.95
• STATEFOOTWEAR.COM