If you can afford 2 pairs of "no frills" skate shoes, buy some States and a pair of these, if you can only afford one pair, get the States. I say this because I need State to continue to exist so I can continue skating their shoes. Also, they did it first and without making a gimmick out of the fact they have no gimmick.
Big fan of Pontus but I suspect he doesn't need your money and this company will do fine anyway (I hope it does).