Vans Vault x Taka Hayashi – TH Sk8-Mid Skool LX (Spring 2015)

Feb 26 15 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

Taka Hayashi consistently delivers the most unique, and highest quality Vans in the world, and we get a glimpse at one of his latest offerings. The wildly popular TH Sk8-Mid Skool LX is back, this time constructed in a few colorways and materials, and thanks to Hypebeast, we get a detailed look at the brick suede nubuck model. The first thing to catch our eye is the woven “checkerboard” side panel, which is a nice change-up from the diamond debossed panels on the prior version. The white jazz stripe, and signature “Taka” vulcanized sole contrast nicely. These are set to arrive in March, so sit tight, and check your local Vault dealer for their drop.

SBTG Customs – “Enjoy Napalm” Blends Sk8-Hi Reissue Zip LX (Made for @nu_dav) #SBTG

Feb 25 15 under Collaborations, Customs, Vault | Comments Off

Check out this elaborate custom painted Blends x Vans Vault “Chili Pepper” Sk8-Hi Reissue Zip LX, by none other than our friend Mark Ong aka “SBTG or @mr_sabotage“, for our Vans community friend Dave Metcalf, who most of you know as @nu_dav on Instagram. I’m sure it was no easy decision, to send off a high-value sneaker to be completely painted over in a whole new design, but I guess when you’ve got SBTG on the job, you can ensure they will be done flawlessly and tastefully. The red base model was the perfect backdrop for the vintage military-apocalyptic aesthetic of SBTG’s “Enjoy Napalm” series, which he left the heel and part of the tongue untouched. They came out perfect, and Dave will be happy to add these to his new Vans sneaker room!

Enjoy more pics after the jump Read More

Vans Vault x Blends – Sk8-Hi Reissue Zip LX “Chili Pepper” (UTP Review!) @blends #blends #blendsvans

Feb 21 15 under Collaborations, Reviews, UTP, Vault | Comments Off

I know. You’re probably wondering why the hell am I writing a review months after the release of this shoe, right? I don’t really have a good answer to that, but I figured better late than never, plus these shoes are just way too awesome to go unnoticed. Blends has created a nice little family of Vans “bones” sneakers, and this was their 3rd version, in a timeless “Chili Pepper” red and black colorway. They were a big surprise to us collectors, as we were anticipating the all-white pair to be the follow up to the Old Skool Zip LX “bones”, which leaked a long time ago online. Some weren’t too stoked about the switch up to the red/black colorway, but the shoe still commanded an overnight camp out, and quite honestly I think this is one of my favorite colors they’ve done. It’s classic, and it’s timeless, and the soft high quality premium leather goes nicely with almost anything. The skinny waxed flat laces give it a luxurious look, while the vulcanized white sole with black foxing stripe keep it OG. The black zipper contrasts nicely on the red heel, and the bottom of the soles are red as well. These feature the non-removable “skinny” footbeds so sizing down half or maybe even a full size may be necessary for most of you, and with most Sk8-Hi Zip’s, the shoe feels a little long because there is minimal padding on the ankle. Choose wisely! Enjoy a few detailed pics I took, and jump on these soon, while the prices are still decent, because when trends die, classics live on. Great job Blends!

tons more pics after the jump Read More

Vans Vault x Engineered Garments – OG Classic Slip-On LX (Spring 2015) @nepenthesnyc

Feb 12 15 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

Engineered Garments has once again teamed up with Vans Vault, to bring back their wildly popular OG Classic Slip-On LX line, which are known for their unique style of mis-matching the leather on one shoe, so that one has the premium leather side up, while the other shows off the back side in nappy suede. They will be offering up all of their past colorways of Black, Navy, Tan, and White, but there will be a newcomer to the lineup, by way of a Light Blue colorway. These will be sold exclusively through Nepenthes NYC, on Friday the 13th.

Vans Syndicate 028.169 x Jason Dill – OG Authentic “S” (Video Review by @samcolt12) #goodshoez

Feb 8 15 under Collaborations, Reviews, Syndicate, Videos | Comments Off

Video review by our friend Tom, aka SamColt12, of the Syndicate x Jason Dill OG Authentic “S”. Check out Tom’s webstore to see what he’s finally decided to depart with.

Van Doren – Hoffman Fabrics collection (Spring/Summer 2015)

Feb 6 15 under Collaborations, Van Doren | Comments Off

(click on pic to purchase from Vans website)

Words via Highsnobiety:

“Vans Classics continues the Van Doren series for Spring/Summer 2015 with this latest drop. Each season, a nod is given toward the namesake of the brand – Paul Van Doren – in the form of several resurrected fabrics from the Vans archive. This time around, Vans designers sifted through the ‘80s print archives, eventually deciding on several swatches from an old friend of Paul’s at Hoffman Fabrics. The collection is comprised of four editions, including Trop Rays, ’80s Lips, Marble and Sea Creature motifs, spread across the Sk8-Hi, Era and Classic Slip-On.”

individual pics after the jump Read More

Vans Syndicate 028.169 x Jason Dill – OG Authentic “S” (2.7.15)

Feb 5 15 under Collaborations, Syndicate | Comments Off

Jason Dill has once again blessed us all with another one of his original designs. He chose the OG Authentic “S”, which features some subtle differences from your typical Authentic, that are more true to the silhouette of earlier years. It’s nice to see that he takes his opportunities seriously, and really digs deep for inspiration and creativity. We’ve included a few of his notepad sketches so you can get a rare look into the creative process. Some were even jotted down on top of a newspaper article. Great ideas need to be written down as soon as possible! If you’re a fan of his Fucking Awesome brand, then you’ll be stoked to know that he incorporated his childhood photo that all you FA fans are familiar with, on the tongue of each shoe, and it appears the photo was taken from one of his boards, before and after being skated. Why didn’t anybody else ever think of that?! Vans was so on board with this shoe, that they decided to create a custom box for it, covered in the same art, and they gave it a special release date, being this Saturday the 7th, at all Syndicate dealers who ordered them.

Now for some official press info and pics, thanks to Silo (available on their webstore, Saturday):

PROJECT BRIEFING: JASON DILL

Seasoned Syndicate collaborator and Vans Syndicate pro Jason Dill returns this season with an OG Authentic “S” emblazoned with Dill’s own original doodles and pen drawings on the off white canvas style. The OG Syndicate classic incorporates full color Dill photo prints on the tongue, along with custom art on the footbed.

Features:
• Printed Canvas with custom Jason Dill artwork
• Enhanced cushioning in UltraCush HD sockliners
• Vans original waffle gum rubber sole

Notes:

Second set of laces are white / flat.
Syndicate “S” sticker sheet included as a gift.
Custom Jason Dill Art box.

Vans Syndicate 028.169 x Jason Dill – Coming Soon!

Feb 3 15 under Collaborations, Syndicate | Comments Off

Vans Vault x Taka Hayashi – TH Court Lo LX (Spring 2015)

Jan 28 15 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

Here’s a first glimpse of the Spring ’15 Vault x Taka Hayashi collection, and the first shoe out of the gates are one of Taka’s original designs, the TH Court Lo LX. Each shoe perfectly contrasts the other with premium black and marshmallow leather colors, while sitting on top of the Taka-exclusive vulcanized soles. Taka Hayashi’s signature branding can also be found on the tongue, as well as the footbeds and heel tab. This model is a little forward for our standard Vans enthusiast, but I guarantee in a few years when your taste and style change, you’ll be looking for these. Word is, these will cost $125, when they drop this February at your local Vault dealer.

Info & pics via Hypebeast

Vans Vault x Sole Classics – Sk8-Hi Reissue Zip LX “A-8SC” (Video) #soleclassics

Jan 24 15 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

Words via Sole Classics:

“Inspired by the human imagination, the Sole Classics x Vans Vault Sk8-Hi Reissue Zip LX “A-8SC” pays tribute to the countless engineers and dreamers who made it possible for us to travel a man all the way from Wapakoneta, OH on an unprecedented journey to the Moon. The shoe focuses on the attributes of the space suit that made the trek possible. The Sk8-Hi Zip not only mimics the aesthetics of the original space suit, but through the use of Outlast® technology, the A-8SC is functional as well; given its ability to keep your feet warm in the cold, and cool in the heat.

Never give up your dreams. #A8SC”

Release date: Saturday, Jan 31st In-store and online at SoleClassics.com (time: TBA). Sz. 4-13, $150

materials: waxed canvas upper, outlast tech, translucent outsole, 2 lace options, 2 patch options (Ohio patch for instore purchases only, reward for locals)