After more than a decade of dominating skate culture, Nike SB has officially pulled the plug on the Janoski — one of the most successful and beloved skate shoes of all time. For many skaters and sneakerheads, the news hits hard. The Janoski wasn’t just a shoe — it was a statement. A low-profile vulcanized classic that blended performance, comfort, and style in a way that felt effortless.
Launched in 2009 as Stefan Janoski’s pro model, the shoe quickly became a staple both on and off the board. Its minimalist design, clean lines, and unmatched board feel made it a go-to for skaters and a lifestyle icon for sneaker culture. It was the kind of shoe you could wear all day, skate hard, and still hit a party without missing a beat.
So why kill off such a successful silhouette? Word on the street is that Nike SB wants to refocus its skate line and push fresh designs. The Janoski’s long run meant that it might have started to overshadow new models — and maybe even the next generation of SB pro shoes. Plus, let’s be real — Nike loves a good marketing reset. Retiring the Janoski creates space for the inevitable “comeback” down the line.
Still, for skaters who spent years breaking in pair after pair of Janoskis, this feels like the end of an era. But in skateboarding — as in sneakers — nothing stays dead forever. Give it a few years, and you might just see the Janoski back with a fresh twist. Until then, hold on to your beaters — they just became a piece of skate history.