Vault by Vans x Blends – Unreleased Samples Pack (UTP Exclusive Preview!) (3.12.22)

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

tons of pics after the jump

[Show slideshow]

1 2 ... 4 ►