Zach Saraceno makes skating look easy. Whether he’s challenging gravity while floating down stairwells or perfecting a switch back heel trick, watch any of the 25-year-old skater’s impressive clips, and his suavity will have you replaying them on loop — in fact, millions of people already are. But the maneuvers he makes look easy are actually some of the most difficult sequences in the sport. That’s because his expertise is more than 20 years in the making.
Raised in Encinitas, California, Saraceno first stepped on a skateboard at just 4 years old, thanks to his father, who was an avid snowboarder with an affinity for shredding cement, too. He sharpened his skills through his adolescent years, and by the time he entered high school, he opted for homeschooling so that he could pursue competitions. In December 2020, he broke out in GODSPEED, a skate film developed by Mikey Alfred’s legendary Illegal Civ, the Los Angeles crew he skated for alongside the likes of Tyler, the Creator and Nico Hiraga. Just two years ago, he joined two-time SOTY (Skater of the Year) winner Tyshawn Jones’ King Skateboards team, which also counts Na-Kel Smith and Caleb Barnett as members, and he also currently rides with adidas Skateboarding’s global crew.
It should come as no surprise that his persistent grind earned him a milestone banger: his own exclusive colorway on the adidas Tyshawn II, Jones’ signature shoe equipped with a dual-layered toe area and a multidirectional tread for maximal cushioning. Going for $100 USD, Saraceno’s version employs a “Crystal White” leather with “Shadow Brown” suede Three Stripes and an aged off-white sole, a reflection of his own quiet confidence. As the first skater to reimagine the coveted model, the shoe is more than just a tick off Saraceno’s bucket list; it’s a testament to his unwavering commitment to the sport.
Below, Saraceno shares more about his skate journey, collaborating with Tyshawn Jones, and the role that footwear plays in his craft.
What got you into sneakers?
I’ve always been into sneakers. I grew up playing basketball, so when I was little, I was already into sneakers. And then as a skater, you’re basically forced to try so many skate shoes because you can go through a shoe in a week. You can even go through a pair of shoes in two days, so you’re forced to wear a lot of shoes and try a lot of different kinds of shoes to find what works for you.
Do you remember putting on your first pair of adidas shoes?
They were for basketball, actually. I had a pair of the D-Roses and the Crazy Lights. I was obsessed with the Crazy Lights when I was little.
Were you skating at the same time that you played basketball?
Yes, I was four years old when I first picked up a skateboard. My dad got me into it. He was a snowboarder, so he obviously dabbled in skating, too.
You’re two decades into skating now, and in 2023, you joined Tyshawn Jones’ King Skateboards. How did you first meet him?
I was in Los Angeles six years ago, and he was part of this crew called Illegal Civ, which I was also skating for. So I met him there, and we naturally became friends.
Do you have a favorite memory with him?
In 2022, when he won Skater of the Year, I really got to see all the work that was put in behind the scenes for him to win. And then when he won, that was the coolest moment because it really felt like he deserved it.
What’s one thing that he’s taught you?
Honestly, work ethic. He never stops. It’s pretty cool to see how he goes about skating and everything else in his life.
How did you go about creating your own colorway on the adidas Tyshawn II?
I hopped on calls with the design team at adidas Skateboarding, and it was pretty quick because I knew exactly what I wanted. I just like skating white shoes, so my colorway features three different shades of white. The laces are a creamy white tone, and I added brown stripes with my last name in silver. Then, we did one test run, and I had one small alteration to make. After that, we were good to go.
What does Zach Saraceno look for in a skate shoe? Is there a specific performance feature that you value?
It’s got to look good, for sure. And it has to be thin, but not too thin. As a skater, you want to feel your board as much as possible, but you also need support because, you know, I jump down staircases all day. You’ve got to avoid heel bruises. You need cushion, but you also need to be able to feel the board for control.
I’m weird. I used to skate without insoles in my shoes, so they’d be paper-thin. But that’s not good for longevity.
Now that you’re with King Skateboards, what does the future look like for you?
I’m going on a lot of trips and getting as much footage out as I can. I just started dabbling in YouTube, showing another side of me and what really goes on behind the scenes. When you post a skate clip, people only get to see a couple of seconds of what actually took hours to do.
Why are sneakers important to you?
Sneakers have always been part of my life, whether through basketball or skating. I’ve been obsessed with them since I was little. I still am. They’re part of your everyday life, and it’s always a good feeling when you find a good pair.
The adidas Tyshawn II x Zach is now available to shop on adidas’ webstore.
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