Lakai Footwear

Lakai Limited Footwear is a California-based company that has become a staple in the skateboarding community. Founded in 1999 by professional skateboarders Mike Carroll and Rick Howard, the brand was created to provide high-quality, performance-driven footwear tailored specifically for the needs of skateboarders. It quickly gained a reputation for its authentic connection to skate culture and its 'The Flare' aesthetic.

While the brand was originally part of the Crailtap distribution family (which includes Girl and Chocolate Skateboards), it underwent a significant change in ownership in recent years. In 2017, Lakai was acquired by Huub, LLC, a footwear licensing and distribution company founded by industry veterans. This acquisition helped stabilize the brand's global distribution and production capabilities.

Manufacturing for Lakai products primarily takes place in specialized footwear factories across Asia, particularly in Vietnam and China, which is standard for performance athletic footwear. Despite changes in ownership, the brand remains headquartered in the United States and continues to be led by its original founders, ensuring the brand stays true to its core skateboarding roots.