This is the problem with new skate shoes - the amount of padding in the ankle and tongue and sometimes toebox. I use clipless and when I hit the skatepark bring a pair of DC's. But when I was using clips and straps I used to try to find the shoe with the least padding. Usually these actually end up being the cheaper ($50-$70) non-pro/signature models. Aesthetically, I've always been fond of straight up black with the gum rubber soles. I had a coveted pair of Sal Barbier's from back in the day (the one with the 23's on the heel) that were plain black with gum rubber. So nice. Lakai seems to be simplifying their shoe line of late. Emerica tends to have nice ones too - especially with the ollie guard toebox - good for the day in and out of clips.