Focus On: Vans Footwear
Known for their sticky waffle soles, laid-back charm and their instantly recognisable composition, Vans have continued to dominate the global skate scene ever since their ‘Van Doren Rubber Company’ days back in 1966. With the #44 Deck Shoes, the Tony Alva and Stacy Peralta designed #95 Era’s and the much-loved Old Skool #36 paving the way with their game-changing magnetism and their everlasting appeal, Vans swiftly delivered something new and something wholly superior to the then rough-and-ready OG Californian skate landscape.
Now with a team of over 40 pro-skaters, Tony Hawk as its recently-announced global brand ambassador and with a reputation that is set to outlive its legacy, Vans have turned their gaze towards creative collaborations specifically designed to celebrate skate performance at its very best. With memorable collabs and releases such as the re-imagined UltraRange, the exclusive Vans x Karl Lagerfield capsule collection and the ever-popular Caballero Half Cabs behind them, Vans’ latest batch of Pro-model kicks designed by the likes of Rowan Zorilla, Chima Ferguson, Elijah Berle and Anthony Van Engelen set about providing modern-day skaters with something well-tailored to tackling any skate sesh.
An in-house upgrade on a highly popular day-to-day profile, the Vans Old Skool Pro has been re-styled with Pro Vulc Lite construction throughout and now boasts extra DURACAP reinforcement rubber underlays and a UltraCush HD sockliner that sets about softening those lofty landings and sustaining those strenuous shredding sessions. Remaining loyal to the original ‘66 design by Paul Van Doren, the iconic Waffle Outsole supplies optimised grip and support both on and off the board whilst single-wrap foxing tape helps fuse the sneaker together seamlessly. For fans of the classic colourway, the Vans Old Skool Pro in black, white medium gum supplies a true throw-back vibe whilst more contemporary designs such the golden oak Checkerboard Pro’s deliver a little more flair.
Designed in collaboration with throttle-thrusting Anthony Van Engelen, these innovative Vans AVE Pro skate shoes actively embody all that it means to be a modern-day skater. Built using RapidWeld No-Sew Technology and fitted with both DURACAP and Luxliner inners for optimised fitting and long-life durability, AVE’s ‘push like you mean it’ vibe is wholly evident in these benchmark kicks. Driven by a passion to deliver superior boardfeel and encased with an aura to match, the iconic Vans AVE Pro continues to frame its very own legacy, satisfied by its uncompromised presence and it’s signature frosty-soled wrap.
‘Shep Dawgs’ crew-member Rowan Zorilla’s first ever Pro model is one that has taken 2020 by storm thanks to its active combination of both ‘snap-back won’t pack’ PopCush impact protection and brand new SickStick rubber compound. Hosting an uncanny ability to tackle almost any set-up with possibly the most unorthodox skate-style the scene has ever seen, the Vans Rowan Pro offers the perfect embodiment of Zorilla’s revolutionary vibe. Featuring a label pack designed in conjunction with artist Mike Lottie, DURACAP technology and with extra reinforcement across high-wear panels, these streamlined skate shoes land in a number of refreshing colourways such as Mirage Blue, Pearl White, Desert Taupe and old-school Parisian Night.
A fiery follow-up from both Ferguson’s OG all-canvas release and the half-cab Estate Pro model, the Vans Chima Pro 2 skate shoes are well-adapted to conquer the needs of any form of skating, no matter whether you’re shredding ledges, bombing banks or sliding into washed-out abandoned pools. Reformatted to allow the DURACAP underlays to protect more of the shoe, these upgraded UltraCush™ Lite 3D kicks are too strong for just one type of skate-style and have left many following in lofty Chima’s high-octane footsteps. Encased by its ‘I’m A Chima Too’ slogan, the sleek profile and unsurpassed boardfeel still make them a popular choice to date.
Joining the line-up back in early 2019, Elijah Berle’s first signature shoe is one that definitely demands attention. Fuelled by the notion that ‘less parts’ constitute ‘more control’ these mould-breaking skate shoes siphon cues from Elijah’s colourful skate past and set about re-structuring the status quo of modern-day skating. Fitted with an iconic WaffleControl bottom unit, a well-cushioned LuxLiner and with DURACAP reinforcements throughout, these playful leather-striped sneakers seek about supplying a well-engaged boardfeel that not only pushes the boundaries of skate progression but also pays homage to one of the most anticipated skaters of our time.
Shop all Vans at Flatspot.
