The story of Globe Shoes begins in Melbourne during the late 1970s, when Stephen, Peter and Matt Hill were immersed in Australia’s emerging skateboarding scene. Initially, skaters themselves they recognised the lack of infrastructure for skate culture in their country and began importing skateboards and equipment under the business name Hardcore Enterprises.
This operation didn’t just move product; it built the scene. The brothers organised national tours, sponsored events, and distributed international skate brands, creating a level of presence and influence that put them in a unique position within the Australian skate industry. By the early 1990s, after years of building relationships with overseas brands, retailers, and athletes, they had both the capital and credibility to produce their own products. In 1994, Globe Shoes was launched, initially catering to both skateboarding and surfing, and quickly expanding into apparel. As the business grew, the company established offices across Australia, Europe, and the United States, and in 2001 Globe International was listed on the stock exchange. This allowed them to build a manufacturing network and take full control over the design, materials, and production of their shoes.
Skateboard media and marketing
From the start, Globe placed as much emphasis on cultural output as it did on footwear. The brand invested heavily in videos, tours, and competitions. Early productions like Canvas in 1998 captured Australian riders on the road and set the tone for the company’s future visual output. Opinion in 2001 became a milestone, featuring standout parts from Rodney Mullen alongside other heavy hitters. Through the 2000s, the Hill brothers backed major events like the Globe World Cup of Skateboarding, staged in Melbourne and Dortmund, which drew elite riders from across the globe. A clear demonstration of the Hills’ commitment to pushing skateboarding into the public eye.
United by Fate
One of Globe’s most distinctive cultural contributions came with the United by Fate series. Directed by Joe “Joe G” Guglielmino, this six-episode skate series followed a mysterious black van travelling from city to city “collecting” riders. Each episode spotlighted a particular skater, blending their footage with a carefully chosen soundtrack and cinematic editing, before culminating in a team montage finale. Skaters featured across the series included Mark Appleyard, Chris Haslam, Greg Lutzka, Jake Duncombe, Matt Mumford, Paul Machnau, Rodney Mullen, Shane Cross, David González, Ryan Decenzo, Luan de Oliveira and Louie Lopez. The music and editing in each part were deliberately tailored to reflect the style of the rider—Motorhead for Machnau, M83 for atmospheric montages, Bad Brains for Mumford—giving the series a lasting emotional resonance for viewers. Beyond United by Fate, Globe’s earlier films like Canvas and Opinion had already helped cement the brand’s place in skate media, but United by Fate represented a refined combination of storytelling, high-level skating, and brand identity.
Iconic shoe styles
Over the years, Globe’s footwear has shifted with the needs and tastes of skaters while maintaining a strong link to the brand’s heritage. Early on, the CT pro models for Chet Thomas in the late 1990s introduced technical features like thick neoprene toe caps, Nitrocel air-cushion soles, and reinforced ollie areas, offering both durability and comfort. While skate shoe trends slimmed down in the mid-2000s, Globe retained a loyal following for its chunkier, more padded silhouettes, which have since experienced a strong revival. Models like the Fusion and Sabre became synonymous with the brand’s identity, each emphasising comfort, impact protection, and longevity.
From their early days building Australia’s skate scene to their position as a globally recognised skate shoe brand, Globe has continually tied its product design to the culture it serves. Their current range reflects decades of trial, adaptation, and loyalty to the padded silhouettes that first brought them recognition, while integrating the materials and construction needed to meet the demands of modern skating.
Featured Shoe Styles
The Encore II
The Globe Encore II is a refined iteration of the original Encore, part of Globe’s Heritage Series, blending timeless style with enhanced skate performance. It features a low-profile vulcanised construction, offering exceptional grip and board feel thanks to its full-length herringbone outsole. The upper is built from durable suede (and sometimes microfibre or synthetic leather depending on the colourway), reinforced with a triple-stitched toe cap for added toughness. For comfort, it includes a Shockbed™ insole, and the iconic twin stripes along the sides keep it stylish and instantly recognisable.
The Globe Tilt is a classic heritage skate silhouette celebrated for its durability and support. It features a moulded TPR (thermoplastic rubber) outer collar and Globe’s Strobo cup sole paired with the grippy S-Trac™ tread pattern, providing excellent board feel and traction. Its upper combines synthetic nubuck, textile, and suede overlays for a structured yet resilient build, while a Shockbed™ Nitrolite™ insole delivers impact absorption and comfort. The overall design—heavily padded and rugged—gives it that iconic “chunky” skate shoe aesthetic beloved in both skate and fashion communities.
The Globe Fusion is a heritage-inspired, heavily padded skate shoe that combines rugged durability with standout skateboarding performance. It features a one-piece integrated tongue-and-collar “step-in” sock liner for enhanced comfort, fit, and ankle support, while its upper is crafted from a blend of action nubuck and synthetic nubuck leather. Built on a cemented cupsole, it offers strong structural integrity and lasting wear. The outsole sports Globe's S-Trac™ tread—a pattern of traction lugs that deliver excellent grip, flexibility, and energy transfer. Additionally, features like TPR (thermoplastic rubber), ollie reinforcement and heel stabiliser bolster durability in high-wear areas. The shoe is cushioned by a lightweight, shock-absorbing Nitrolite™ EVA insole (Shockbed™) for added comfort.
The Globe Sabre is a robust, classic skate shoe silhouette, known for its heavy-duty construction and standout performance. It features a slip-on, step-in sock liner combined with a double-stitched, layered toecap and Nitrocel™ airbag midsole for excellent impact absorption and support. Built on a durable cupsole base and fitted with Globe’s S-Trac™ (or HexTrac™ on some versions) outsole, it delivers superior board grip, energy transfer, and structural resiliency. The upper typically blends action nubuck, synthetic nubuck, and occasionally leather or synthetic overlays, rounded out by plush padding for a comfortable, secure fit.
Yes, Globe shoes fit true to size. We recommend taking your usual size.
Do Globe shoes come with spare laces?
No, spare laces are not provided. Although we do offer a range of various colours, widths and lengths of laces you can purchase separately on our website.
Where do Globe shoes come from?
Melbourne, Australia.
Who skates for Globe?
Globe's team consist of: Austin Gillette, Mark Appleyard, Sammy Montano, Christian Maalouf, Val Bauer and of course Rodney Mullen.
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