Vans x Supreme MC “Mike Carroll” Comparison (by @jacobmontana)

Mar 28 12 under Collaborations, Heritage, History, Reviews, Supreme, Vintage | Comments Off on Vans x Supreme MC “Mike Carroll” Comparison (by @jacobmontana)

OTWS member jacobmontana is the unofficial spokesperson for the Mike Carroll signature Vans shoe.  He has somehow amassed every single original colorway of the OG, “made in the USA” models, and when Supreme released the MC last year, you can imagine the backflipping and fist pumps that were going on in front of his computer when he got the news.  Well, fast forward to two weeks ago, and another surprise MC release was dropped on us, this time in a few OG colorways, as well as some more current, “Supreme-esque” colors.  Perhaps that’s why this release sold much more quickly.  Who am I kidding?  It’s because of the Supremies!  (copyrighted…jk).  Well enough of that.  Jacobmontana has taken some time out to give us a quick comparison of the OG and the Supreme version.  The first thing you may notice, is the shape.  I guess Vans didn’t have an original to work with, because the material overlap, and the stitching seem to not really match.  It’s as if it was reconstructed based off of photos or a drawing.  It’s close, but no cigar!  Of course, the vulcanized rubber is different as well, since the originals were crafted in the USA and a different rubber compound was utilized back then.  For the most part, that’s it.  I’m still grateful that we get to even own a “retro” if you will, of one of the most sought after OG Vans, and it’s all thanks to Supreme and Vans.  Big thanks to jacobmontana for sharing some pics for all of us!

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Vans – Bowl-A-Rama 2012 Finals (Video Recap)

Feb 28 12 under Events, Heritage, Pro | Comments Off on Vans – Bowl-A-Rama 2012 Finals (Video Recap)

Words via FreshNGood:

“The sun is shining, the bowl is gleaming and the crowd is amped for this years Bowl-A-Rama at Bondi Beach Australia. Legends and crowd favourites compete in one of the worlds premier skate events for the title and the cash prize. Pedro Barros proves he is unstoppable, taking out the Pro Final for the third consecutive year and Steve Cabellero makes us all proud dominating the Masters. A whirlwind tour of the event plus all the action from the finals.”

New Technology: Vans Waffle Cup Soles

Jan 28 12 under Ads, Articles, Heritage, Pro, Videos | Comments Off on New Technology: Vans Waffle Cup Soles

Leave it up to Vans to engineer skateboarding’s very first vulcanized cupsole.  A new breakthrough for skating, as every skater wants the board feel that a standard Vans vulcanized sole gives, but they also don’t want to shred their pair in about a week.  They also want comfort, and let’s face it, Vans aren’t your grandpa’s fancy walking shoes, and a removable sockliner can only help so much.  Vans thought they had that figured out in the 80s, by switching to a cupsole design.  While they tackled the wear issues, and comfort, they inherently lost that crucial board feel with their skate shoes.  Well, after years of skaters having to just deal with tossing out fairly new pairs of Vans vulcanized shoes, they can proudly say that they’ve come up with a happy medium, and I think this is going to be a great thing.  They’ve come up with a new design that combines the new age cupsoles, with a vulcanized outer rubber, that gets attached to the shoe in the same old fashion that Vans has always done it, by baking it.  You know what? Just watch the damn video already!  It’s pretty entertaining!

info via Offthewall.tv

Interview: Steve Caballero Tells the Story of the Vans Half Cab (via Complex)

Jan 27 12 under Articles, Heritage, History, Interviews | Comments Off on Interview: Steve Caballero Tells the Story of the Vans Half Cab (via Complex)

Complex magazine recently sat down with legendary Steve Caballero, the subsequent creator of the Vans Half Cab.

“The Vans Half Cab turns 20 this year, and its namesake, original Bones Brigade member Steve Caballero is still going strong as well. The 47-year-old Cab was on the cover of The Skateboard Mag back in September skating his signature kicks, and he blessed Complex with an interview to discuss the birth of the midcut skate shoe as well as a very special Supreme collabo.” -Complex

Check out the rest of the interview over on Complex, and enjoy some of the pics, including one that looks like my Instagram from my iPhone screen shot awhile back.  It could be anybody’s!

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Vans x Supreme – Half-Cab 20th Anniversary (releasing very soon!)

Dec 28 11 under Collaborations, Heritage, Supreme | Comments Off on Vans x Supreme – Half-Cab 20th Anniversary (releasing very soon!)

There’s only a few weeks left before the highly anticipated 20th Anniversary Half-Cab is set to release.  Choosing the original black sude, with grey “croc-skin” material, Steve Caballero took his original Caballero model and cut it down into the Half Cab style, exactly the same way the Half Cab was originally conceived.  He even went as far as to put the duct tape around the ankle, just like he did back in the day.  In the pics seen here, you can see Steve Caballero “customizing”, hand-signing, and numbering each of the 20 pairs that will be released at Supreme.  These pics were taken inside the Los Angeles location, but there’s no info on whether they will be sold exclusively at this location, or if the shoes will be split up among each of their locations world-wide.  If so, then don’t expect to get your hands on these babies!  They are set to release sometime mid-January.

info via FreshNGood

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Vintage Vans BMX Ad – 12 (via ClassicKicks)

Nov 18 11 under Ads, Heritage, Vintage | Comments Off on Vintage Vans BMX Ad – 12 (via ClassicKicks)

Vintage Vans BMX Ad – 11 (via ClassicKicks)

Nov 18 11 under Ads, Heritage, History, Vintage | Comments Off on Vintage Vans BMX Ad – 11 (via ClassicKicks)

Rest In Peace: James Van Doren – Vans Co-Founder

Nov 4 11 under Articles, Heritage | Comments Off on Rest In Peace: James Van Doren – Vans Co-Founder

Brother, to Paul Van Doren, and uncle to Steve Van Doren, James Van Doren passed away on October 12th, at the age of 72.  He co-founded the Van Doren Rubber Company back in 1966, which later went on to become our beloved Vans brand that it is today.

Here’s a few nice words from Hypebeast:

“When the Van Doren brother’s first samples released in the mid-’60s at their shop in Anaheim, the duo was dedicated to crafting a quality “bespoke” rubber-soled deck shoe that catered to a clientele that favored unconventional designs, patterns and funky aesthetics. The now storied footwear company first rose to mainstream prominence when Sean Penn wore the signature checkerboard Slip-Ons in Fast Times at Ridgemont High in his role as Jeff Spicoli. A faithful supporter of the brand to the end, Van Doren is said to have worn a pair of the deck shoes every day until his passing on October 12th. Although Van Doren had been out of the business since the mid-‘80s, his passing leaves behind a legacy that is as timeless as his namesake sneaker brand.”

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