Lakai Limited Footwear is an American footwear company based in Torrance, California that creates shoes designed for and inspired by skateboarding. Lakai was founded by professional skateboarders and Girl Skateboards co-founders Mike Carroll and Rick Howard in 1999.
Both Carroll and Howard decided that they wanted to make a contribution to the skate footwear industry by founding their own company rather than being sponsored. One night in April 1999, while at Largo Comedy Club in L.A., Tim Gavin proposed an idea to Rick Howard about starting a new shoe company. After talking to Mike, they decided to partner up with Podium Distribution to launch Lakai Limited Footwear. In August 1999, Mike contacted Cairo Foster and asked him if he would like to ride for his “unnamed” shoe company. When he called to quit, Cairo told his current sponsor “Mike Carroll asked me to ride for his shoe company, that’s all I know”. After hanging up the phone, he (somewhat) confidently became Lakai’s first official team rider. In the next couple of months Andy Jenkins hired designer Andy Mueller to develop a logo for Lakai, which later became
known as the “Flare”. Andy Mueller moved to L.A. shortly thereafter to become Lakai’s art director. Anthony Pappalardo, Rob Welsh and Jeff Lenoce agreed to become Lakai’s first batch of amateur talent, earning a whopping $250 per month, and in November 1999, Scott Johnston decided to leave his current shoe sponsor D.C., making him the final rider on Lakai’s introductory team. Kelly Bird was also officially hired as Lakai’s team manager. By May 2000, the first line of Lakai shoes (Howard, Carroll, Cohort, Clay and Worthy) were delivered to shops worldwide.
In July 2006, Danny Garcia was the first skateboarder to leave Lakai, and moved onto his next shoes sponsor, éS Footwear. Mike Mo was officially announced as AM in August 2006, and Guy received his first pro model shoe. Eric Koston’s pro models released in December 2006. In January 2007, Scott Johnston joined the Lakai design team, beginning his transition from professional skater to footwear designer. Johnston told ESPN: “… that was my plan, to end on a good note and not bleed this career dry the way some guys do 
by not letting it go. Skating was so good to me, and I want to be good to it and not be one of those guys that won’t go away. I still skate, I don’t need to get paid for it, though.” In May 2007, Brandon Biebel’s first signature shoe was released and in August, Independent Trucks partnered with Lakai to release their first footwear collaboration ever, the Koston Select / Independent Limited Edition. In November 2007, Lakai’s first full length video, Fully Flared, was released.
The Flare, Lakai’s second full-length video was released in July 2017, ten years after their first video, Fully Flared. Filming officially began in February 2014 after a meeting at Spike’s house in LA. Throughout the video, there was massive changes to the team, both on the inside, and outside. This video would heavily feature the newer squad of up and comers, with appearances from the older dudes on the team. At the time of release, the only riders left from Fully Flared were Rick Howard, Mike Carroll, Danny Brady, and Jesus Fernandez. With Ty Evans, leaving Girl Films in 2013 after Girl & Chocolate Skateboards, Pretty Sweet, Federico Vitetta would take the lead role for putting the whole video together. Joining him was, Daniel Wheatley, Rye Beres, and John Marello.
With a rich history and a bright future, Lakai Limited has pushed the limits of skateboarding footwear and will continue to do so! Check out your next pair at Orbit Skate!!
