I feel the answer is yes. I’ve skated Jordan’s, NB runners, forces and a few others over the years. A kickflip is done the same way no matter what collection of materials you wrap around your feet for protection.
I don't mean to correct you because you're right but it's funny you'd mention kickflips in particular since something I've been observing from experience over the past couple of years is shell toes/toe caps seemingly help with them (or just a rigid area around the toes in general). Because it's a less easily flexible material, your toes (or at least mine) will resist the concave harder just before the flick, thereby optimizing it. Can be felt on most flip tricks but straight kickflips in particular almost feel like a different trick.
Shoes are whatever works best on my feet here, I can't do high tops (tend to give me tendinitis), I like mid tops for at least the impression of the extra protection (as long as it doesn't get in the way) and certainly don't mind low tops. Paranoid about even thinking of trying skating in slip-ons. Protection of the foot and comfort are as important to me as board feel.
About adapting, I used to skate in non skate shoes a lot (tennis shoes, thrift store shoes etc.) and regardless of any brand, very naturally, the traits that are commonly practical for skating will work, the ones that aren't won't. Shoe quality in general is a lot more model-specific than what most people think when they say they swear by this or that company (except for those three times they were let down before). You can adapt to everything (I even adapted to Vallely 2's once but it took three months), however that still won't mean your current choice is optimal.
Topic: Can you actually skate in any shoe? (Read 1378 times)