Vans Vault x Blends – Old Skool Zip LX “Bones” (Official Under The Palms Review!)

May 29 14 under Collaborations, Recent Pickups!, Reviews, UTP, Vault | Comments Off

I have to give the biggest shout-out to our friends over at Blends!!! I can’t believe they’re finally here! When sample pics first popped up online of the black Old Skool with the familiar bones jazz stripe, we instantly knew who was behind this creation, and started beasting over them. It was only about a year ago that Blends released their 10th anniversary Sk8-Hi Reissue Zip LX “Bones”, and with that epic shoe, and instant cult status, a legacy was born. Now, we’re only two shoes deep into this legacy, but this awesome design is all theirs. Nobody did it before them, and quite honestly, who would dare replicate it? We’d shame them in an instant! The apparent motorcycle culture inspiration is awesome and makes for some great design aspects. Simple black colorways, with white accents, and white soles are all that you need when you have premium leather, a side zipper reminiscent of a leather motorcycle jacket, and a bad-ass bone on the side of your shoe! And let me go back to the leather on these once more. If I’m not mistaken, Blends utilized a higher grade of leather on these Old Skool Zip LX’s, than they did on the Sk8-Hi Reissue Zip LX from last year. It just feels softer, more supple, and the grain looks to be of higher grade. Take a peek at my detailed shots for a better look. Unlike the 100 pair production of last year’s release, this year there are about triple that, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to stroll into your local Blends location mid-afternoon and be able to pick these up. If I were you, I’d be dusting off your camping chairs, and deciding on which location you want to line up at, as these are on everyone’s radar this time, and there shouldn’t be any rain in the forecast like last year, to keep some folks at home. Bottom line…don’t underestimate these if you want them. I’ll be seeing some of you in line on Saturday morning, if you plan to go to the Costa Mesa location. There will also be pairs allocated for Blends online shop, so stay tuned to their newsletter, twitter, Instagram, etc. for drop info and pricing.

Drops: Saturday 5.31.14

In-store: 11:30 AM PST

Online: 10 AM PST / 1PM EST

tons more DETAILED pics after the jump Read More

Vans Vault x Blends – Old Skool Zip LX (Official Release Info!)

May 27 14 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

info and pics via Blends:

“BLENDS and Vans Vault have teamed up to take on the classic Old Skool silhouette. The follow-up to their 10 year anniversary SK8 Hi Zip LX “Bones,” the Old Skool uses the same black, buttery premium leather and their Bone Jazz Stripe with an added zipper on the medial side. The Blends Old Skool Zip LX “Bones” are set to drop Saturday, May 31st and will be available exclusively at all BLENDS store locations and their online shop.”

Last year’s Sk8-Hi Reissue Zip LX went down asone of the best releases of the year. Hell, it may have been one of the best releases from Vans in about 5 years! This time, the Old Skool was chosen, and once again they’ve incorporated the zipper into the shoe. Whether it’s necessary or not is up to you, but it feels like it belongs there, especially with the overall motorcycle jacket aesthetic. The rumor going around is that this time they produced nearly 300 pairs, unlike the 100 pairs for the Sk8-Hi, so what does that mean? Perhaps a better chance at getting a pair! We’ll just have to wait and see. Also, I heard that Vans liked the idea of the zipper on this Old Skool, and they may be incorporating it into an upcoming season’s shoe. Whether that will be with Vault, CA, or General Release is yet to be seen. Either way, when Vans takes an original idea from a collaboration, it’s a sign that you must be doing something right! Congrats Blends, on your 11th Anniversary, and to many more!

full-sized pics after the jump Read More

Vans Vault x Blends – Old Skool Zip LX “Bones” (Teaser Video!)

May 21 14 under Collaborations, Vault, Videos | Comments Off

Here is a sneak peak of the 2nd installment of the BLENDS x Vans Vault “Bones” project. Following last year’s 10th Anniversary Sk8-Hi Zip LX, the Blends Design crew decided to put their now-iconic design on an Old Skool model. More details are forthcoming, but until then, enjoy another great teaser video put out by Blends.

The video was shot at Cycle Lodge in Orange, CA which is the headquarters for Born Free with their friend Grant Peterson. The annual Born Free Vintage Chopper and Classic Cycle Show has become “the” place for old and young from all over the world to ride in, see, and talk about old iron for one day. You can check out Born Free at bornfreeshow.com

Vans Vault x Star Wars – Complete Set! (Video Review by @samcolt12)

May 16 14 under Collaborations, Reviews, Vault, Videos | Comments Off

Check out UTP member Tom aka SamColt12’s complete set of the Vault x Star Wars collection. Each pair is limited to 300 pairs, and were only sold at 6 stores worldwide. Completing this set is an awesome thing, and I’m glad he was able to show us each pair, and give his personal opinions on each pair!

Check out the rest of the pairs after the jump Read More

Vans Vault x Opening Ceremony x Mickey Mouse – Steamboat Willie Collection

May 1 14 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

Vault by Vans has teamed up with Opening Ceremony, and Disney, to create this Mickey Mouse shoe collection you see here. Choosing the classic models, OG Sk8-Hi LX, OG Authentic LX, and OG Slip-On LX, the first two feature an all-over print of Steamboat Willie, the very first Mickey Mouse character. The Sk8-Hi has a yellow background on the canvas, with black suede uppers. The Authentic has a red background on an all-over canvas print. The Slip-On features a film strip all-over print. Each pair is available for pre-order on Opening Ceremony’s webstore. I wish all of you luck in pre-ordering, as Opening Ceremony has been known to mess that up on numerous occasions, with some of us members here at Under The Palms.

Vans Vault x Star Wars – Compilation of Photos From Complex, DQM, and OTH (@complexmag, @dqmnyc, @othboutique) #maythe4thbewithyou

May 1 14 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

I’ve compiled all of the photos that each media source has put out, and I can’t wait for this release on May 4th! #maythe4thbewithyou

Enjoy!

tons more pics after the jump Read More

Vans Vault x Star Wars – Capsule Collection (May 2014)

Apr 30 14 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

Words via GQ:

“It’s a big week galaxies far far away, apparently. On the heels of releasing the (almost) full cast of the new Star Wars films, Vault by Vans has announced that they’re dropping a Star Wars collab early this May. The capsule collection has six styles, complete with storm trooper prints, subtle references to Jedi Master Yoda and, of course, the heavy-breathing, slightly robotic Darth Vader. Each pair is a slight twist on Vans’ classic lineup you already know—the sk8-hi, the slip-on, era and half cab. Every detail was considered, right down to the prints, which are remixed from the brand’s archive. It’s a subtle way to show your allegiance to either The Empire (why?), The Rebel Alliance, or to just show you’re a total fanboy. We’re just glad they didn’t make a Jar Jar Binks pair.”

It’s a new day, when GQ has the official drop info for the Vault by Vans x Star Wars collection. This is completely awesome, and nice work on keeping the style present! By incorporating the vintage prints, but flipping them in a subtle way, it makes these a totally wearable shoe, and not just a collector’s item. Good shit Vault! Good shit!

Vans Vault: Ten Years of Lockdown (Article by Sneaker Freaker)

Apr 25 14 under Articles, Vault | Comments Off

Here’s an interesting brief article about the heritage of our beloved Vans Vault, written by the original (and still the best) sneaker resource, Sneaker Freaker. It’s a retrospect into what Vans was, and what they are now, and how Vault by Vans played a big part in their revival into the fashion world, and well, pop culture in general. Enlisting many artists to collaborate with, as well as betting big on their in-house “ace up their sleeve” Taka Hayashi, who continually sets the bar for the luxury side of Vans. If you get a chance, head on over to SneakerFreaker’s website, and see what they have to say about our #1 brand, and hopefully one day we can be mentioned in the short list of sneaker communities that promote growth and change in trends! One day!

info and pics via Sneaker Freaker

Vans Vault – Sk8-Hi Reissue Zip LX (Summer 2014)

Apr 23 14 under Vault | Comments Off

Back to the basics. Sometimes that’s the best recipe when you’re feeling a little stagnant or out of place. With that being said, you’re probably looking at the best Sk8-Hi Zip pack to release thus far, and you know it had to be a Vans Vault model. For the Summer, Vault by Vans has outdone themselves again by taking an updated classic and combining just the right amount of materials, this time nubuck, and premium full-grain leather, with some familiar classic colorways for Vans: Black, Jester Red, and Peacoat (navy). There’s just enough of an off-white contrast with the jazz stripe, foxing, and laces, proving that less is more, and allowing the materials to steal the show, as Vault always does. The Sk8-Hi Zip Reissue LX always does well, but these surely won’t last long, so decide now if and what you want from the pack, as they are showing up soon at your local Vault dealer!

info and pics via Hypebeast

individual pics after the jump Read More

Vans Vault x Prima Visione – Era LX (Spring 2014)

Apr 14 14 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

Words and pics via Highsnobiety:

“When it comes to sourcing premium fabrics, Vans Vault has done a fantastic job these past years. Rather than simply looking for premium versions of the regular fabrics that you find on most sneakers, the brand has been very innovative in the past and continues to dig deeper than the rest for the more special and unique things in the market place. For Summer 2014 the brand has worked with Italian fabric maker Prima Visione. From the range of fabrics of the manufacturer, Vans Vault chose two jerseys, that have been used on the Era LX.”

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