Vault By Vans x CDG – OG Old Skool LX “White” (1.7.22)

Jan 3 22 under Collaborations, OG, Vault | Comments Off

“Continuing their collaborative partnership, CDG, the diffusion line of COMME des GARÇONS, has teamed up with Vans once again for another footwear release.

Once again focussing on the classic Vans Old Skool model, the shoe this time comes in a clean white colorway. The shoe features a clean white canvas base accented by matching leather elements and suede overlays. Finishing up the design of the shoe is “CDGCDGCDG” printed on the sole unit paired with black/white heel license plates.

Priced at ¥16,500 JPY (approximately $145 USD), the white colorway of the CDG x Vans Old Skool is set to release January 7 via CDG and Dover Street Market Ginza.”

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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

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 🔥

More than 18,000 Fans Across the World Celebrate #VansCheckerboardDay as Vans Donates Over $1M to Help Revitalize Local Communities

Dec 15 21 under Art, Events, Heritage, History, NEWS | Comments Off

Today, Vans, the original action sports brand and advocate for creative expression is proud to announce that with the help of over 20 non-profit partners, the brand was able to commemorate the third-annual Vans Checkerboard Day on November 18 by encouraging more than 18,000 fans to leverage creative self-expression to better our communities around the world through events and activities across art, action sports, music, and film.

Some of the regional activations included:

Colectivo Tomate worked with the Mexico City community to transform a skatepark, keeping the local skateboarding scene. The community also created a mural painting while enjoying art workshops and skateboarding showcases.
Sustainable Coastlines created an interactive art piece about plastic pollution with the community at Waikiki Beach, Hawaii while completing a beach cleanup.
Groundswell met at Middle School 664 in Brooklyn to create a mural and host a printmaking activation for kids and the local community.
JUJU and Surf Ghana hosted a variety of activations at Besua Beach in Ghana. Activities included a beach clean-up, free surf lessons, an art performance, film screening and custom culture workshop.
The Indigo Youth Movement brought together the Cape Town, South Africa community to complete a mural painting, participate in gardening and host a tie-dye workshop and kids skate lesson with the Vans team.
Hackney Bumps hosted an event at the new skate obstacle created by Concrete Commanders Betong Park and inspired by designs skaters in the community had submitted leading up to Vans Checkerboard Day. The event also included graffiti painting, giveaways, and a design submission showcase.
Girls in Film hosted its own mini film festival welcoming the community in London to meet fellow filmmakers and skateboarders including community screenings, industry discussions and a networking party.

To further this mission to drive positive change, more than $1 million was donated by Vans and The Vans Checkerboard Fund at Tides Foundation, to 15 regional charities and global partner DoSomething.org to support the mission of revitalizing communities around the world.

“Now almost two years into a global pandemic, community connectivity and public spaces have been in direct need of support,” says Doug Palladini, Vans Global Brand President. “As a brand that champions the power of creativity, it was important for us to utilize our third annual Vans Checkerboard Day as not just our biggest philanthropic moment of the year but to proactively take action through creative endeavors that drive positive change all around us. Whether fans participated in regional events, the TikTok challenge or showed support for the movement by wearing the Checkerboard pattern, each individual reinforced that we stand for something that makes the world a better place.”

This year’s global partners were GoodPush, Groundswell, Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, Colectivo Tomate, Nations Skate Youth, Dignity for Children, Another Way of Seeing, ArtDream, Skateboard Academy, Hackney Bumps, Juju Surf Club, Indigo Youth Movement, Girls in Film, Jukebox Collective and The Hub. Each of the 15 regional partners received $50,000 USD from The Vans Checkerboard Fund at Tides Foundation or via a direct donation from Vans to continue their impact. Vans also donated $250,000 to its global partner DoSomething.org, with $25,000 going toward scholarships.

Vans Fans donated a total of 5 million of their own Vans Family points through the Vans app to raise an additional $25,000 for DoSomething.org scholarships and shared how they sported their checkerboard and supported their community on November 18 through the #VansCheckerboardDay challenge on TikTok which garnered over 11 billion video views.

Since the inception of Vans Checkerboard Day in 2019, Vans has donated more than $3 million to creative charities globally, enabling creative expression in communities around the world. Vans believes that creativity is an essential part of being human and that everyone should be able to express themselves through the unique mediums that come from action sports, art, music and street culture. The Vans Checkerboard Fund at Tides Foundation was established to support Vans’ ability to provide monetary support to nonprofit organizations that provide the skills, support and opportunities needed to build a more equitable society where all have the opportunity to realize their creative potential. Organizations can visit www.vans.com/checkerboardday to learn more.

Vault by Vans x CDG Girl – “Ribbon” OG Era LX (Available Now!)

Dec 10 21 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

Here’s a little something that we stumbled across, that the ladies should be pretty excited about. Vault by Vans has gotten with CDG Girl, and created this OG Era LX, featuring an exaggerated laced-up ribbon, sitting on top of a primarily white canvas, with distinct half white and half pink colored side walls and toe-bumper. The color blocking makes for a unique silhouette that is sure to stand out.

These are available exclusively on the DSM site, in unisex sizing of Mens US 4-8 and retail for $125.

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Vault by Vans – Slip Hiker LX (Available Now!)

Dec 10 21 under Vault | Comments Off

Info via Hypebeast:

“Winter is upon us, and to get us prepared Vans has unveiled its latest silhouette: the Slip Hiker LX.

The Marshmallow iteration is kitted out with a logo-manic Vans print all over the nylon bootie upper, while technical details feature frequently around the shoe. For example, a black nylon cuff is adjustable via the toggle on the front of the Slip Hiker LX, allowing you to bring the cuff in to stop the elements from getting inside your shoes.

Elsewhere, a speckled midsole is paired with a rugged, lugged black outsole that’s been optimized for traction on loose or wet surfaces, while a blue heel clip at the rear splits these two apart. Inside, you’ll find Vans’ proprietary UltraCush cushioning system for all-day comfort, rounding out the shoe.

For the Black pair, the bootie style features a nylon upper that’s stitched in such a way to give it a quilted finish, working its way from the toe to the cuff where a nylon collar can be found around the latter. Here, a rope-toggle has been added so you can bring the shoe in and keep your feet secure and hidden from the elements outside, while more tech has been added to help you cope in harsh conditions.

For example, an UltraCush cushioning insole ensures all-day comfort, while a three-piece sole unit — comprised of a speckled midsole, an orange heel clip, and a heavy-lugged outsole in black — will make walking through difficult conditions far easier.

Vans’ Slip Hiker LX in “Marshmallow” retails for £104 GBP (approximately $138 USD), and is available on the DSM Ginza site.

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Vans Skate x Premier – 20th Anniversary “Laced” Collection (12.4.21)

Dec 2 21 under Collaborations, Skate | Comments Off

A bastion of Michigan skateboarding since the turn of the century, Grand Rapids-based Premier is celebrating 20 years in business this holiday season, and Vans Skateboarding is aiding in the festivities. The two have come together for “Laced” takes on the Skate Grosso Mid and Skate Old Skool, both of which are equal parts elegant and tough.

Arriving in vibrant red and black, the Skate Grosso Mid offers attention-demanding accents, while the Skate Old Skool opts for a tonal black look split with a white Jazz stripe. Each pair is covered with a delicate lace coating — one that quickly frays and tears with wear to reveal a heavy-duty leather base.

This durable leather base is embellished with faux quilted micro-Premier branding, and further ornamentation is provided by embossed midsole hits and inner tongue badges. To finish off the look, both the Skate Grosso Mid and Skate Old Skool are completed by contrast stitching and a traditional gum waffle sole. Each pair is packaged in special co-branded boxes with bespoke tissue paper and comes packaged with a matching pair of lace knit socks.

The Vans Skateboarding x Premier Skate Grosso Mid and Skate Old Skool will be made available for purchase via thepremierstore.com on December 4, alongside a small capsule of Premier’s private label apparel. Please visit The Drop List, a calendar of Vans’ most exclusive product drops, for more information.

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Vault by Vans x Undefeated – “U-Man” OG Old Skool LX (12.4.21)

Nov 29 21 under Collaborations, OG, Vault | Comments Off

It’s been almost 15 years since Vans first joined forces with West Coast-born global streetwear brand and retailer UNDEFEATED in 2007, and to celebrate the occasion, they’re bringing back the all-over U-Man print used on their very first collaboration. Utilized across three different OG Old Skool LX colorways — “Bistro Green,” “Blue Iolite” and “Buckthorn Brown”.

The U-Man was designed by internationally renowned artist Geoff McFetridge around the time UNDEFEATED first opened its doors on La Brea in 2002. Geoff created the U-Man as a gift for his friends and UNDEFEATED co-founders Eddie Cruz and James Bond, taking cues from their non-traditional sense of humor and UNDEFEATED’s unique connection to sports. The U-Man became the ultimate mascot for UNDEFEATED and a staple piece of branding on the level of the company’s Five Strike logo.

Composed of supple pigskin suede and sturdy canvas, each Vault by Vans x UNDEFEATED OG Old Skool LX offers an all-over U-Man print on its quarter panels, collars, and tongues. UNDEFEATED’s famed Five Strike logo is mixed with a Vans wordmark on the tongue tag, and the laces are embellished with a branded deubre of their own. Contrasting Jazz Stripes and marshmallow midsoles with upper-matching foxing round off each look, and all three shoes come with a unique skating U-Man hangtag sticker. A collection of U-Man t-shirts will accompany the shoes as well.

UNDEFEATED x Vault by Vans OG Old Skool LX will release Saturday, December 4 at 7:00 AM PST via Undefeated.com and UNDEFEATED global chapter doors. Please visit The Drop List, a calendar of Vans’ most exclusive product drops, for more information.

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Vans x Supreme – “Tribal” Skate Half Cab 92 & Skate Old Skool (Fall/Winter 2021)

Nov 23 21 under Collaborations, Skate, Supreme | Comments Off

This Fall, Supreme will release new versions of the Vans® Half Cab and Old Skool. The Half Cab features a premium suede upper, padded tongue, leather lining and insole, vulcanized waffle outsole, custom heel label and printed graphic foxing tape. The Old Skool features a premium suede and canvas upper, leather lining and insole, vulcanized waffle outsole, custom heel label, debossed printed logo at heel and printed graphic foxing tape.

Made exclusively for Supreme, the Half Cab will be offered in four color ways and the Old Skool will be offered in three color ways.

Available Friday, November 26th.

Available in Japan November 27th

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Vault by Vans x END x MASTERMIND WORLD (11.27.21)

Nov 22 21 under Collaborations, Vault | Comments Off

This season, Vault by Vans partners with END. and MASTERMIND WORLD, to create a capsule that celebrates the importance of minute details and subcultural styling. The SoCal label’s Sk8-Hi Cap LX and Old Skool Cap LX are brought under the spotlight, transformed in a way that emphasizes intricate details and Masaaki Homma’s penchant for punk styling.

Since Masaaki Homma founded MASTERMIND in 1997, the label has been centered around a steadfast dedication to the minutiae of design. Fabrics, construction techniques and branding are all cast through the Japanese designer’s meticulous and often-complex lens – a process embodied by the 1,000 plus drafts required to finalize the brand’s iconic skull logo.

To mirror that considered approach to craft, the Old Skool Cap LX is reworked to give a cut-and-paste appearance, with just about everything tweaked. The uppers are constructed using premium suede, leather and canvas, detailed further with Vans’ iconic Checkerboard pattern on the lateral side. There’s exposed foam worked into the collars and Sidestripe, while a doubled-up tongue gives the appearance of two sneakers fused into one. MASTERMIND WORLD’s branding is featured throughout — from block letter font to those famous skulls — to adhere to the label’s punk-leaning aesthetic.

The same experimental approach is used on the Sk8-Hi Cap LX, with the uppers detailed with skull branding and zips to reflect Homma’s rebellious sensibility. The sole unit, meanwhile, is deconstructed, with its foxing tape split, layered and misaligned to adhere to the collection’s cut-and-paste inspiration.

The palette of the capsule is kept understated — as is typical of the Ura-Hara label — with each shoe coming in both black and white colorways. To accompany the reworked footwear, there’s a co-branded, black and white skate deck, with skulls printed on either side to drive home the capsule’s macabre aesthetic.

The Vault by Vans x END. x MASTERMIND WORLD collection will launch online via END on November 27. Enter the drawing for a chance to purchase via END. Drawing closes on November 26 at 4:01pm GMT. For more information and where to purchase, please visit The Drop list, a calendar of Vans’ most exclusive product drops.

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Vans x USPS – Collection (11.29.21)

Nov 22 21 under Collaborations, General Release | Comments Off

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Vans Collaborates with USPS To Deliver a First of Its Kind Licensed Footwear and Apparel Collection

Inspired by the tireless dedication of USPS Employees

If there’s one thing the USPS is known for, it’s dedication. The organization’s legions of employees tirelessly trudge through sweltering heat, bone-numbing cold, and pouring rain to bring customers their mail and parcels. There’s an inherent sense of hardiness associated with USPS employees, which has made their blue uniforms (and the instantly recognizable USPS eagle logo) unexpected icons of workwear style. Now, Vans has licensed with the USPS to bring some of that iconic-yet-understated Postal flair onto footwear and apparel alike.

Shipping out as part of the collection are four Vans classics: the Sk8-Hi MTE-1, Sk8-Hi Reissue, the Authentic, and the Old Skool. Combining USPS dress blues with a dark ‘Blue Fog’ shade, the Sk8-Hi MTE-1 is ready for the elements with a vulcanized all-terrain outsole, a sherpa fleece-lined collar, heel pull tab, and reflective tongue badge. The Postal Service’s eagle is emblazoned loudly and proudly on the lateral half of each collar for a finishing touch of flair. The Sk8-Hi Reissue is a Priority Mail box in shoe form, thanks to an all-over Priority Mail print accented by red laces and a red text hit on its midsole (releasing exclusively at Foot Locker on January 20).

The collections Authentic is constructed of light blue denim, which pulls inspiration from the USPS uniform. It’s also decorated with custom branding from heel to toe and certified with a unique stamp graphic on its tongue.

Finally, the Old Skool is built from supple white tumbled leather, with signature USPS color on its Jazz Stripe and collar trim, a U.S. Mail logo directly below its midsole foxing, and a stamped tongue badge of its own. Each is packaged in a fully custom shoebox, made to match USPS Priority Mail and boxes, and lined with co-branded tissue paper.

Apparel offerings include the ‘Bulk Mail’ pullover hooded sweatshirt and pocket t-shirt plus the ‘Priority’ beanie, all presented in navy blue. The hoodie is built from a heavyweight 320gsm fleece and features a trio of graphic hits: an embroidered USPS truck on its chest, a printed graphic on its left sleeve, and a sizeable high-density print on its back. The pocket t-shirt sticks a small label directly on its pocket and prints a large Postal Service graphic on the back, and the beanie boasts an oversized patch on its front plus Vans embroidery on the rear.

The Vans x USPS collection will release via Vans.com, select Vans retailers, FootLocker.com, and Foot Locker stores in limited quantities starting November 29. Additionally, on January 20 Foot Locker will be launching the exclusive Sk8-Hi Reissue. Shoes range from $65 to $115 and apparel from $28 to $75.

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