Steve Van Doren Hosts BBQ For 31 Days of Vans Fans At Vans HQ!

Aug 12 23 under 31 Days of Vans, Events, Friends, History, OTWS, UTP, Van Doren | Comments Off on Steve Van Doren Hosts BBQ For 31 Days of Vans Fans At Vans HQ!

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A great community is made up of people who all have unique gifts and talents to share, and I can’t think of a better one than our Vans family. It’s been over 15 years that we’ve been fostering this culture, and we’ve met some really amazing folks along the way. Folks who’ve found unique ways to show their love and appreciation for Vans, proving that Vans is not just one thing. #31daysofvans was created by one of us. #meetthevansfam was created by one of us. Entire Vans sneaker rooms were created by one of us. A Facebook group of over 30k members were created by one of us. The most dedicated Vans sneaker blog, forum, and pioneering Instagram page in the world were created by one of us.

Our community constantly evolves and grows. The platform changes, and the one sailing the ship switches seats, but we’re all on board for the wild ride, wherever it takes us. From OTWS, to Under The Palms, to SV, to Strictly Waffles, to now Wearing Waffles. I’ve witnessed every single day of it, so recognizing how far we’ve come is hard to put into perspective, but damn. Looking back, we’ve sure done some cool shit.

I sit here trying to form the right words to show my gratitude and appreciation for @stevevandoren and the amazing team at Vans who put together this event of a lifetime for our peoples. You are our hero, and you set the example we all strive to live by. I want to thank our bro @wearingwaffles for charming Steve into creating this opportunity. We’re riding your coattails now brotha’! None of this was possible w/o our brother @newkon. NONE OF THIS! There’s so many more to thank, so sorry. I couldn’t feel more blessed, and my heart is beyond full. Let’s run this back again next year, what do you say?! -Bill

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Waffle Heads Summit 2022 – Event Recap

Aug 10 22 under 31 Days of Vans, Events, OTWS, The Authentic Era, UTP, Waffleheads | 1 Comment

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This past weekend was our 2nd annual Waffle Heads Summit, put together by Clayton, Ed, Joey, and I (Wearing Waffles, Strictly Waffles, and Under The Palms). While Eddie and Joey had to be there in spirit, due to prior engagements, Clayton and I still managed to hold down the fort, with a little bit of assistance from Renee, Tintin, my nephew Ray, and everyone else I’m failing to mention! We also cannot express our gratitude to Tak and Mike of Blends for allowing us an awesome space to host our gatherings at. Without them, this wouldn’t be an annual thing. Thank you so much guys!

Although the pics may not show it, we had a pretty good turnout throughout the afternoon. Mostly familiar faces, as well as a few new ones. We love to see it. Special shout-out to our buddy Greg, who showed up again this year, who only keeps up to date with us through our website, so Greg, if you’re reading this, leave a comment or email me, so we can keep you in the loop on a normal basis, and just to say hello!

Some folks had to dip out early and they missed out on a very special surprise. We received a special visit from our hero, Steve Van Doren! We were stoked…shocked…humbled. To be honest, I was a little sad that everyone who showed up earlier, wasn’t there to experience it. Hell, I was sad for everyone who couldn’t make it out this year! He spent about a good hour there with us.  (It might’ve been 30 minutes, but it felt like an hour lol!). Telling stories about Vans, and going through his camera roll on his phone, showing us a bunch of top secret stuff. Upcoming projects; private projects; personal family pairs; etc. He was catering to the crowd for sure. He knew we were the sneaker fiends, and we were drooling over the stuff he was sharing. We may or may not have been sworn to secrecy. At least it sounds cooler that way, hehe.

Steve has the biggest heart. He’s exactly who you’d imagine him to be. He is the epitome of authenticity, and it’s no surprise he’s an inspiration to many, including me. As you know, he’s been busy for the past few weeks down in Huntington Beach, for the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing, and if you follow him on social media, he’s not just out there sitting around and shaking hands. He’s working the booths. He’s grilling. He’s constantly on the move, all while trying to beat the brutal heat this past week. After a full Saturday of doing all that, he took time out to show up to our gathering, and chop it up about Vans. He even supported Blends and purchased a pair of Vaults! Extremely humbling, and his day wasn’t even over after that.  He still had to go back to Vans HQ to do some more filming for another project! We’re not worthy to say the least. And of course none of this would’ve even happened if it weren’t for our friend Jason. Mahalo again bro. Seriously.

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But wait, there’s more! Hehe, so if that wasn’t already a dream come true for us Vans nerds, you’ll be stoked to know that we just might get to host a gathering at Vans HQ next year, centered around our community. It’s all dependent on a few factors, like covid, other priorities, budget, etc., but we’re going to try and push hard to make this happen for us and y’all, so stay tuned! How cool would that be?! Man, we can’t wait. Until then, enjoy a few snapshots from this past weekend’s event, and do everything you can to make it out next year. You won’t want to miss it!

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Friendly Reminder: Waffle Heads Summit 2022 Is Tomorrow! (8.6.22)

Aug 5 22 under 31 Days of Vans, Events, OTWS, The Authentic Era, UTP, Waffleheads | Comments Off on Friendly Reminder: Waffle Heads Summit 2022 Is Tomorrow! (8.6.22)

Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow is our 2nd annual Waffle Heads Summit, and this is our open invite to all Waffle Heads who can make it to SoCal! We’ll be gathering at our favorite Vans Vault dealer, and good friends of the Vans fam, over at Blends Costa Mesa. Show up around 2PM and hang with us.  Order up some pizza from Kuro Artisanal Pizza, and maybe have a few brews with us afterwards at one of the local breweries, or just hang if you don’t drink.  All ages welcome.  Hope to see you all there!

Blends Costa Mesa, located inside the LAB Anti-mall at 2930 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

31 Days of Vans 2022 Is Almost Upon Us! #31daysofvans

Jun 28 22 under 31 Days of Vans, Events, Friends, Heritage, History, OTWS, UTP, Waffleheads, WDYWT | 72 Comments

 

It’s almost July, and you know what that means! Who’s ready for this year’s 31 Days of Vans celebration? We are.  It’s exciting to look back at what our core Vans sneaker community has accomplished throughout the years, and the #31daysofvans social media campaign has really grown into it’s own little monster, complete with some amazing support from Vans, and specifically the Vans Family team. We have these folks to thank for last year’s Vans Family app exclusive release of the Red Half Cab, so we wanted to give them a special shout-out.

Well, we’re back at it again for Summer 2022, and we’ve been blessed with another cool Vans Family exclusive in celebration, (even though not quite specific) to “31 Days of Vans”. Now, if you’ve been paying attention to certain social media accounts, you may have seen this year’s shoe already. Vans is celebrating Tony Alva’s history with them, and have created a pretty dope, skate team inspired Authentic 44 DX. There’s also a matching long-sleeve graphic tee, so be on the lookout for these to drop sometime during the month of July!

I also can’t fail to mention this sick graphic, designed by our homie Kyle @iamrocketkyle & @poprocketcreations !  He always knocks these out of the park, and you will definitely see this being shared up on the Vans Family app again this year!!!  That’s what’s up!

We can’t wait to see what everyone shows off this year, but just remember to Wear Vans, and Be Authentic!

Vault by Vans x Blends – Unreleased Samples Pack (UTP Exclusive Preview!) (3.12.22)

Mar 10 22 under Collaborations, OTWS, UTP, Vault | 2 Comments

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There’s been a little bit of buzz surrounding another upcoming Blends Vans release for the past week.  Blends has been posting up a few tasteful pics, shot by L.A.’s most notable and iconic photographer, Estevan Oriol, featuring his own personal Chevy Impala lowrider.  We always love a great photoshoot campaign, but we also like to see some more realistic photos of the products we intend to buy, or attempt to buy in this case lol!  Well, as far as we know, this is the first close up look you’re going to get of this collection.  We’ve been fortunate enough to get our hands on the set early, so I hope you enjoy.

So, a little bit of backstory.  Being deeply involved in this Vans sneaker collecting community, we naturally get to hear all the gossip around what’s coming, and we’ve had some loose knowledge about this collection for just about a year or so now.  This pack was originally slated to be an Asia-exclusive, and Blends weren’t even sure if they were going to bring some pairs to the USA.  Maybe not even enough for a release, but maybe more of like a friends & family thing.  Well, back in August, Blends let us get a sneak peek of a few CAD mockups when we had our Wearing Waffles meetup at Blends Costa Mesa, but we haven’t seen actual shoe pics until about a month ago.  Well, last week we got a text msg that the pack is here and will be releasing soon.  We were kind of blindsided, but hella stoked!  So here we are.

The pack consists of 3 pairs of Vaults: two Sk8-Hi Reissue Zip VLT LX’s, and an Old Skool VLT LX.  You may be thinking that these look familiar, and you’d be correct.  These were based on samples of the first 3 “Bones” shoes that ended up going in a slightly different direction.  The most notable feature, is the black toe bumper found on all 3 pairs.  The Chili Pepper Sk8-Hi Zip features a marshmallow bone jazz stripe, instead of the original black one, and the Old Skool comes without a medial zipper this time, and oh yeah the medial bone is tonal to the black leather.  For those who missed out on the OG Black/White Sk8-Hi Reissue Zip LX, then this will be your chance to get the closest thing to it.  The only change from the original, is the toe bumper.  Well, almost the only thing.  Each of these 3 pairs are built on the new VLT silo, which includes thick UltraCush removable footbeds, for ultra comfort, as well as premium full-grain motorcycle leathers like the past pairs.  Keep that in mind in case you prefer a half size difference to accomodate the minor difference in thickness.  Each pair will come in a black Blends drawer box, and black dustbag.

Pricing hasn’t been set yet, but the very first Sk8-Hi Reissue Zip LX was $160, and the Old Skools were $140 I think?  So expect prices to be AT LEAST that much.  As for now, we don’t know if there’s going to be an in-store release, or if it’s strictly online, so stay tuned to Blends for all info.

Update as of 3/11/22 2PM PST:  The pack is going to be released strictly via online raffle on Saturday 3/12/22 at 12PM PST and at the following Asia retailers:

Vans Boutique – Huai

DOE Shanghai

DOE Shenzhen

Works Out Korea

Own.com

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My Top 5 Vans of 2021

Jan 3 22 under Collaborations, OG, OTWS, Pro, Skate, UTP, Vans Family, Vault, VLT, Waffleheads | Comments Off on My Top 5 Vans of 2021

I haven’t done a top “X” list for a few, but since everyone’s got one this year, here’s my top 5 of 2021. With the exception of the jjjjounds, I’ve completed the sets for each of the packs featured, and that’s usually the indication that I really like that particular release. They’re all that good. In no particular order: Vault x Undefeated OG Old Skools; Vault x Bedwin & the Heartbreakers Pack; Vault x JSP Chukka 79 VLT LX’s; Vault x jjjjound OG Sk8-Mid LX’s; “31 Days of Vans” Skate Half Cab. All 🔥

Vans Family – “31 Days of Vans” Skate Half Cab (UTP Review!)

Jul 15 21 under Accessories, Friends, Heritage, History, OTWS, Pro, Recent Pickups!, Reviews, Skate, UTP, Vans Family, Waffleheads | Comments Off on Vans Family – “31 Days of Vans” Skate Half Cab (UTP Review!)

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Here they are!  One of the biggest surprise releases of the year.  Something I got to be a part of, from the very beginning when it was just a conversation about how Vans could join in on the 31 Days of Vans month-long celebration, and just to be clear, I DID NOT DESIGN THESE, but I did get to have my input heard on if they were dope enough for our Vans collectors, and I also got to help with all the brainstorming on what else we should do, like add the dope enamel pin! So, as most of you know, these dropped the other day, exclusively on the Vans Family app, and sizes were pretty much sold out after a few hours.  Maybe faster, since sometimes the site shows inventory, until you check out.  Anyways, congrats to those who secured a pair, and this is more of a pic review, featuring my trusty ol iPhone for pics, which I must say are much nicer with an 11 Pro, than my old SE I was using for years.  I really do need to do more of these UTP reviews.  I’m sure some of y’all miss them.

Enjoy!

-Bill (Guamstyles)

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Vans – “31 Days of Vans” Half Cab (Vans Family Exclusive!)

Jul 12 21 under Heritage, History, OTWS, Skate, UTP, Vans App, Vans Family, Waffleheads | Comments Off on Vans – “31 Days of Vans” Half Cab (Vans Family Exclusive!)

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So this is something we’ve been secretly working on with Vans for about a year now as part of the all month long celebration of #31daysofvans.  When Vans originally approached me to talk about ways that Vans could officially join in on the fun, while fully acknowledging that this was community created, there was always a talk about maybe having a shoe made up that would be created with the collectors and Waffleheads in mind.  Something dope, and limited.  The Half Cab was the shoe of choice, as this is the 30th Anniversary of Steve Caballero’s signature shoe, and they delivered big time with this dope design.  (Now Kyle’s 31 Days Vans flyer makes more sense, right?!)  I’ve only seen mock-ups of the shoe, but never official pics, and I’m beyond stoked the way these came out.  The color.  The croc texture.  The freakin’ silver duct-tape lining!!  All these things pay homage to the Half Cab, in the most authentic way.  I’m sure Cabbie is proud of these.  There’s also a dope pin that is included with each purchase, of the actual Half Cab.  One other nice surprise, is that you can sign up for 200 pts. on the Vans Family app, for a chance to win a signed deck, by Stevie Cab, featuring his Cab Fink artwork on it.

Here’s the Vans caption:

“Calling all Waffleheads: this one’s for you! Celebrate 31 Days of Vans with this Half Cab, designed and made exclusively for the Fam. Originally released in 1992, the Half Cab represents an era of design innovation. Constructed by street skaters in the early 90s by cutting the collar off the original Vans Caballero pro model and creating the “lighter, better, faster” version of its predecessor, the signature shoe is a true icon.

In celebration of 31 Days of Vans, we’re bringing you an exclusive colorway of the revolutionary Half Cab in a heritage red with metallic silver collar lining to give a duct tape vibe, symbolizing its origins in street skateboarding. Every pair comes with an exclusive pin.”

Disclaimer, these are all but sold out by now, since they released earlier this morning, so this is more to heap praise on the Vans Family team who made all this happen, and to thank them for allowing me, and a few of my friends to join in and be a part of this.  We’re honored and I hope we get to do this again for years to come!

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31 Days of Vans Is Back for 2021! #31daysofvans

Jul 1 21 under Events, Friends, Heritage, History, OTWS, UTP, Waffleheads, WDYWT | Comments Off on 31 Days of Vans Is Back for 2021! #31daysofvans

Well, today’s July 1st, and you know what that means.  It’s time to kick off the annual #31daysofvans celebration. This year is a little bit different though, and that’s because we’re excited to announce that Vans, and in particular, the Vans Family team, are officially joining in, (and recognizing) our community-created celebration.  This has been something that’s been brewing for just over 2 years now.  Covid put a hold on all the plans we had started talking about, the first go around, but last year, I got to get together again with the Vans Family, to brainstorm and come up with some ideas on ways for Vans to get involved.  I was honored to represent the community, and I have the utmost respect for the way they approached it, understanding that this was something we had all created, and they weren’t trying to take anything away from that.  So with that being said, we threw a bunch of stuff at the wall, to see what stuck, and I’m not going to give away anything, but there’s some cool stuff they’re doing for it, so stay tuned for sure.  We’re beyond stoked.

I also wanted to give a huge huge huge shout-out to our Vans brother, Kyle Sliney, aka @iamrocketkyle for the sick artwork he always does for 31 Days of Vans, and if you haven’t noticed by now, Vans requested his artistic stylings, for an official banner graphic for the Vans Family app, and boy did he come through!  His artwork features a neon sign, complete with animation, including a Caballero model being chopped down to a Half Cab, nodding to the upcoming anniversary of the Half Cab, which we’ll be seeing more of through the year.  You can read about the full inspiration over on his IG post.  So awesome.  So proud of him.  Glad he got some official Vans shine!

For those of you who are new to our Vans community and not quite sure what this is.  Well, we invite you to share your favorite pair(s) of Vans with the rest of us.  Get creative.  We’ve seen folks post up the same shoe all 31 days, just to find out at the end, each pair was a different one, but all the same shoe, lol.  That was wild.  We also get to see a lot of stuff that most have forgotten about.  There’s no wrong way to do this.  Just share a pic, each day, preferably on-foot, and check out the campaign hashtag each night before you go to bed, to see all the cool pairs across the globe!

It’s Time For Another Year of 31 Days of Vans! (#31daysofVans)

Jul 1 20 under Contests, Events, Friends, Heritage, History, OTWS, UTP, Waffleheads, WDYWT | Comments Off on It’s Time For Another Year of 31 Days of Vans! (#31daysofVans)

Yes, it’s that time of year again to celebrate our unofficial Vans holiday, created by us, for us!  Show off your love for all things Vans.  There’s no formula to this shit, just share your pairs, and use the campaign hashtag #31daysofvans.  Let’s see how much the Vans Family has grown from last year.  Thanks to Kyle for producing some sick banner graphics for the cause!

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