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!

Under The Palms x Kyle Sliney – “Rocket Times” Tee (Now Available For Pre-Order!)

Feb 14 20 under Apparel, Collaborations, Friends, OTWS, UTP | Comments Off on Under The Palms x Kyle Sliney – “Rocket Times” Tee (Now Available For Pre-Order!)

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Inspired by an iconic movie that plays a big part of our Vans culture, we wanted to pay homage to this movie, and upcoming sneaker release, by bringing you this awesome graphic tee, designed by our bro, UTP OG Kyle “rocketgoof” Sliney, aka @iamrocketkyle, aka Pop Rocket Creations. I’ve had this idea for awhile, and I couldn’t go to anyone else but Kyle, for this retro design. He absolutely nailed it.

We will be printing up a limited run of these in either Black or White, but you know you can’t pick just one, so order both! Printed on the same Shaka Retro 6.5 oz soft tee that we used for our last design, which we got nothing but great feedback on, so we’ll continue to use it. Glad y’all liked our decision to go with those! (Also, the t-shirt mockup pics are simulated, but the graphic will be 13″ wide on back, and 4″ wide on front)

Pre-order pricing in effect for 2 weeks only, and will end on Friday 2/28 so don’t sleep. Oh, and of course we will have a special themed sticker-pak for all of you who pre-order.

CLICK ON PIC ABOVE OR BELOW TO ORDER!

USE DISCOUNT CODE “PICKUP” FOR FREE LOCAL PICK-UP OR DELIVERY IF I KNOW YOU!

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Hero For Kids Foundation – Fundraiser Campaign Update!

Dec 2 19 under Collaborations, Events, Friends, Kids, OTWS, UTP, Waffleheads | Comments Off on Hero For Kids Foundation – Fundraiser Campaign Update!

Thank you so much to my very talented brother @LazyWORK for this totally awesome artwork, to help promote our GoFundMe campaign, in partnership with @ofthesamevein, and @thelab_bp, to raise funds with the @heroforkidsfoundation to get some Vans for the homeless youth of Orange County. Sometimes, all it takes is a new pair of shoes to boost someone’s self esteem, and that’s one of our goals with this campaign. Charity doesn’t always have to be so serious and practical, (although shoes are very practical to these kids, especially the ones I saw skating during their recess, today!), but it can be unique, and done in our own way, which is just what we’re good at. Today it’s shoes, but in the future, we’ll work on some fun new ways to help the Hero For Kids foundation. School functions; Funding field trips; Pizza parties; Clothing drives; etc. Our GoFundMe campaign has reached the $1k mark, and we still need more, so please make any donation that you can. We’ll be sending out a THANK YOU card of this artwork as well, and don’t worry, the same goes for everyone who’s already donated. We’ll just need you to email us your info!

PLEASE CLICK ON THE PIC OR HERE TO HELP US HELP THE KIDS!

Vans For Homeless Youth of Orange County (GoFundMe campaign)

Nov 21 19 under Articles, Collaborations, Events, Friends, Interviews, Kids, OTWS, UTP, Videos | Comments Off on Vans For Homeless Youth of Orange County (GoFundMe campaign)

Attention!! Calling on everyone in our Vans community and beyond! I’ve got an important mission that I’m hoping you all can get behind me on.  I wanted to do something special for a special group of kids down in the OC, with a few of my friends from Waves of Grace, @ofthesamevein and @thelab_bp. These kids’ situation sucks, to put it lightly.  If you have HBO, please search for the documentary “Homeless: The Motel Kids of Orange County”.  The doc is about 10 yrs old, but the school still exists and supports new kids each year through their charity Hero For Kids.  Let’s get together and show these kids that we fully support them and just show how amazing our Vans community is!

DONATE HERE!

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