If you are just going for looks you can get decent skateboarding shoes a lot cheaper, even from Globe. However, if you are a serious skateboarder the extra money is worth every penny. They are better made and have more protective features than cheaper ones. Once you find a good skateboarding shoe you stick with it so these were a great find at a great price. Local skateboarding shops seem to always be out of these so they must be really popular. So it is really great that Amazon carries these.