Long Beach’s premier sneaker boutique, Proper, recently discovered some back stock of their Vans Vault collab from 2008, centered around a unique nautical theme, but releasing in the Winter, with the understanding that most sneakerheads buy their kicks and let them sit on ice for awhile before breaking them out.  At the time, this pack was trend-setting.  They pretty much created the Chukka Del Barco, which became very successful for a few years, making it’s way through the Vault, Cali, and GR lines.  The Native American was also a pretty much unheard-of model, except for those in the Vintage Vans world.  The one-piece Authentic was also a first of it’s kind, which just goes to show the level of detail and creativity that Proper had.  Keep in mind, their prior collab were the satin Sk8-Hi pack, which was also untouched at the time.  While this re-release doesn’t include every model from the set, both one-piece Authentic LX’s, and the blue Native American LX are available in a variety of sizes from Mens 4-13.  Don’t sleep!  Head on over to Proper’s webstore to see what’s left.

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Words via Highsnobiety:

“For the latest chapter of Highsnobiety‘s #HSDecade, we team up with Vans, the world’s first skateboarding imprint, for a limited edition Old Skool. Our ties with the OG California skate brand go way back to the early days of Highsnobiety, so we’re excited to finally have our own collaboration with the brand’s specialist Vans Vault line.

Unfortunately these are limited to friends and family only, however head over to the Highsnobiety Store to see what other #HSDecade collaborations are still available.”

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Designer Taka Hayashi pays homage to Vans’ design history by reimagining the retro runner, the Serio, under premium label, Vault by Vans. Inspired by the original silhouette introduced in the early ‘80s, Taka Hayashi’s unique vision blends the vintage Vans runner with a buffalo boot form to create the TH Buffalo Boot LX.

The latest Vault by Vans model has the constructed outsole of a work boot translated through a stacked leather wedge, EVA Midsole and a Vibram® ripple sole bottom plate. The result provides a premium, athletic-inspired style that’s reminiscent of Vans’ decades long design history.  Available in black, brown and taupe, the TH Buffalo Trail LX features upgraded materials like leather, nubuck and suede both outside and inside the shoe. The Vault by Vans x Taka Hayashi Buffalo Trail LX will be available this May at select stockists.

info via Vans and pics via Strictly Waffles

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Taka Hayashi consistently brings new designs to the table, sometimes ahead of their time, and sometimes waaay ahead of their time.  For the Spring/Summer 2016 season, we see two new models based off of a few familiar classics, the Slip-On and the Sk8-Hi.  Introducing the Nomad LX and Sk8-Nomad LX.  Both are constructed in premium buffed leather, with a signature perforated pattern throughout each shoe.  Available in black/natural brown, as well as brown/jester red, while sitting atop an all-white vulcanized sole.  These will start showing up at your local Vault dealer shortly, if they haven’t already.

info via Hypebeast

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Southern California-based boutique Blends teams up with Vans Vault to recreate the classic Sk8-Hi model once again with their fifth installment of the duo’s signature ‘Bone Jazz-Stripe’ series. A close similarity to the original model that released in 2013, these feature a rich dark-blue “Peacoat” premium leather upper.

The shoes sport a modest balance of black detailing found throughout the upper, from the heel zipper, the midsole foxing, the flat waxed shoe strings, and “Bone” shaped Jazz Stripe atop Vans’ iconic waffle sole.

The “Peacoat” Blends x Vans Vault Sk8-Hi Reissue Zip LX will be available in very limited quantities on May 7th at Blendsus.com  and Blends ‘Brick and mortar’ locations.

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For the second part of Saint Alfred’s recent collaboration with Vans Vault, they’ve created this Sk8-Hi Binding LX, a deconstructed Sk8-Hi of sorts, featuring water repelling Ventile brand uppers, the same gussetted tongues as the Old Skools, stitched jazz stripes, and co-branding on the tongue label, and Ortholite footbeds.  The same morse code pattern can also be found on the side wall foxing.  Limited to 100 pairs, these released in store today, and remaining pairs will be available online tomorrow.

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Saint Alfred has finally released official pics of their upcoming Old Skool LX’s, and they’ve also revealed that the pack will release this Saturday, the 9th.  Some of the official specs have been listed on their webstore where the links are up, but just no inventory yet.  Both shoes feature a durable canvas upper with resin coating for water repellant properties, as well as a gusseted tongue to help stop water from getting to your socks.  The shoes feature a premium pigskin leather lining, padded collar, and Ortholite footbeds.  The outer features include a stitched jazz stripe, lace eyelets, and a very unique morse code print on the sidewalls that spell out “STA773”.  The shoes come packaged in a custom box with dustbag, numbered _ / 100, with a clever piece of packaging tape so you’ll know if someone tampered with them.

The shoes will release Saturday April 9th in store, and if there are any remaining pairs, they will be put online on Sunday the 10th.  Each shoe will be $120 + shipping.

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