Vans x Haro BMX 30th Anniversary – Sk8-Hi Reissue & Era “Freestyler” (Video Reviews by @samcolt12)

Check out OTWS’ video review master SamColt12, as he shows us the new Haro pack!  I want the BMX bike!!!

Check out the Era after the jump! Read More

Vans Vault x Bodega – OG Authentic LX set (Video Review by @samcolt12)

the other two colorways can be seen after the jump Read More

Vans Syndicate x Odd Future – Old Skool Pro “S” “Golf Wang” (video review by @samcolt12)

Vans Syndicate x Odd Future – Old Skool Pro “S” (OTWS Review!)

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Well here they are!  The shoe all the kids have been running around frantically trying to score, some successful, while others a day late and a dollar short of their own local sneaker reseller!  I don’t think there has been a more underestimated release for Vans, in a long long time, than the Vans Syndicate x Odd Future Old Skool Pro “S”.  People still aren’t quite sure how to point out the demographic for this fan base, but one thing’s for sure, it’s a large fuckin’ fan base!  To tell you the truth, most of us Vans sneaker collectors, mostly older guys, copped these purely from a collector’s standpoint.  Not taking anything away from the shoe’s design though, because Tyler “created” one of the best Old Skools I’ve seen in a long time.  The color combo is instantly recognizable, and I’m already a fan of the gum sole, so when I saw the early pics of these, I knew I was going to end up with at least one or two.  There’s definitely a core skater vibe to these.  Something most skaters can gravitate to.  It’s not over the top with crazy materials, or wild colors, yet the embroidered “GOLF WANG” on the heel, and the OFWGKTA kitties on the footbed and backside of the tongue are just the right amount of Odd Future needed for a dope collab, without turning away us regulars.  The all over suede is premium, and is just perfect.  Smooth.  Quality.  Durable.  What else can I say?!  The collar lining has this unfamiliar material, that feels like leather, but it isn’t.  It’s sort of like a nubuck, or even some synthetic moisture-wicking material.  Soft is what it is!

As always, I’ve snapped a few detailed pics for y’all.  I’ve laced each pair up in both laces that came with each shoe, and if you want to get wild, you can probably lace swap between colorways, since these colors seem to compliment each other very well.  Hope to kick you off the fence about these, whichever direction that is!

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tons more pics after the jump! Read More

VANS Syndicate x Jason Dill – Derby “S” – Wheat / White (video review by @samcolt12)

Vans Vault x Diemme – Montebelluna Hi LX (Exclusive OTWS Review!)

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It’s not very often that I write sneaker reviews anymore.  With the amount of sneakers that bombard us each month, it’s hard to pick and choose which shoes are worthy enough of a review.  The Montebelluna Hi LX seen here, is undoubtedly worthy.  When we first caught wind that Vans was doing a high end collab with Italian shoemaker Diemme, we were all ears.  Months later, when we realized the MSRP on this collection, we were all up in arms!  With the Montebelluna Lo LX (Slip-On) coming in at a pricey $300, and the Montebelluna Hi LX (Sk8-Hi) at a hefty $350, one can understand why the sudden commotion, but let’s break it down as to what we have here.  We’ve got a hand-crafted, updated, Italian made, super limited, luxurious, classic silhouette, of one of our most favorite sneakers, from (well at least, one) of our favorite sneaker brands!  This is an epic shoe, and if you’re a serious Vans collector, especially one from the earlier days, then you can appreciate these.  The material choice is better than what you’d find on most douchey brand labels at your girlfriend’s favorite high end department store, and the instant you touch the supple inner lining, you’ll be sold.  If you don’t got the money for these, then sell of 2 or 3 of your earlier Supreme or Syndicates.  You can always find another one of those!  These will probably sit around for a little bit, but once they’re gone, they’re gone.  There’s no room for a reseller to make profit, so these will be bought up by people who will own and wear these.  Right now’s the time to make a move, as you can get these for below MSRP on eBay.  I got mine for $330 shipped, which I thought was a steal, until I got the shoes and saw that the seller left the price tag on the box, and saw that he paid $270 from Hot Rod!  As others stay on the fence, hopefully you pull that trigger on a future classic.

Check out my pics, that will hopefully help you in your decision, and no need to thank me Vans!  I just hope that you guys keep putting out dope stuff like this.  Stuff that the other brands don’t even bother to venture into.  Next up, hopefully you guys bring back a program to make one-off customs here in the USA, like the good ‘ol days!  If we’re willing to pay $350 for these shoes right here, then perhaps a premium price point will be worth paying to get a pair made!

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more pics after the jump Read More

Vans Vault x Blends – Sk8-Hi Zip LX “10 Year Anniversary” aka Bones (Early Sneaker Review!)

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Vans Vault has partnered up with Blends on this awesome Sk8-Hi Zip LX to commemorate their 10 Year Anniversary, and I wanted to write up a little review for y’all.  The first thing that draws your attention to these, are the bones that are prominently displayed on the side of the upper.  Replacing the typical jazz stripe, yet keeping the familiarity of the classic lines so you know what they are.  Fuckin’ dope is what they are!  When I first laid eyes on them, right away my thoughts went towards those high end Japanese labels, such as MASTERMIND, NEIGHBORHOOD, or our beloved WTAPS.  These could’ve easily been something that we’ve seen from them, and I wouldn’t be surprised if a little bit of inspiration came from that lifestyle.  These are wrapped in motorcycle jacket leather, and feature muted tongues, so there’s no label on it.  The only branding is on the footbed, where you’ll see the Vans and Blends logos.  Let’s also not forget that they went with the Sk8-Hi Zip LX, which has only been in the Vault lineup for about a year and some change now, but has been an instant success.  It features the “re-issue” last, for that old skool timeless look.  The shoes come equipped with black and white thin laces, and you get your standard white classic vulc sole, with black foxing stripe.  The bottoms are black as well.  Size down half a size, as these Sk8-Hi Zips have a non-removable insole.  You’ll thank me later on that heads up!  Blends only made 100 pairs of these, and they release this Friday.  No set price yet, so you’ll just have to take a gamble when they drop.  I honestly believe that these will be one of the top 5 drops from Vans this year, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up on a lot of people’s year-end lists.  Great fucking job, Blends!

I also want to give a special shout-out to Nobu, for blessing me with a pair early, so I could share the real deal info with y’all.  We know our Vans better than anyone else out there, and I’m glad that he recognizes us for that.  I don’t ever ask for stuff, so when I get that swag sent my way, I truly am thankful for it!  I’m not worthy!  And while I got the mic, I wanna shout out the rest of the Blends and BTNC homies!  Thanks for being down with OTWS, and hashtagging all your Vans drops with our #OTWS tag.  Game reckonize game son!  (Wait, what are y’all doin?  What the…  Gimme the mic back… hold up…lol alright guys peace! -Guamstyles)

tons more pics after the jump incl. on feet pics Read More

Vans Syndicate – Authentic 69 Pro “S” – Red / White (Video Review by @samcolt12)

Top 5 Vans Sneaker Releases of 2012 (Decided by OTWS Forum Members!)

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I guess if OFFTHEWALLSITE operated around deadlines, then we’d be fired already!  It’s a one-man-show around here, so what do you expect?!  Anyways, we compiled a thread over on our OTWS forums, asking members to list their top 5 Vans sneaker releases of 2012.  Everyone does their own version of this list, so why not let the OFFICIAL VANS SNEAKER COMMUNITY tell you what’s really good?!  Oh, and if you’re new to OFFTHEWALLSITE, it’s the same as before.  We had to include the entire release or pack, rather than voting on an individual model, as this is how most of our Vans are brought to market.  After the tally, there was one clear favorite, but the rest ended up in ties for 2nd and 3rd, and so on, so I listed them as such.

Hit the jump, and find out which releases made it in your line-up! Read More

Vans – Half Cab Pro 20th Anniversary “Metallica” (video review by @samcolt12)