Andrew Rizzo There aren’t many shoes the can rival the worldwide fame of the Vans Old Skool. From its inception in 1977 today, the skate-turned-lifestyle classic has grown roots in countless niches including sports, music, and fashion among others. While the original cut has and will always be king, Vans has also been privy to come out with offshoot models that disrupt or iterate on the iconic silhouette, the resurgent Vans Knu Skool chief among them. Now with eyes towards winter, the Southern California brand has queued up another new version that’s perfectly suited for the season to come.
Vibram soles and a completely re-worked upper drive the Old Skool far away from the realm of skate shoes and into the trail hiking niche. The outsole is comprised of grippy tread that extends upwards near the toe and heel for added protection, while an EVA midsole features Vans’ iconic checkerboard pattern through debossed detailing. The base layer is constructed from Dyneema, which is regarded as the world’s strongest fiber, complemented by rubber foxing near the toe, heel, and midfoot. Vans also adds a magnetic Fidlock lacing system for easy accessibility when slipping the shoes on and off on the fly.
The shoe is officially named the Vans Old Skool 36 Trail Vibram, with that number referring to the premium “Style 36” Old Skool that closely matches the original 1977 silhouette. In any case, the new offshoot looks drastically different than that version as well as all other Old Skool models.
If you’re a fan, Vans is releasing the Old Skool 36 Trail Vibram in “Olive” and “White/Grey” on November 1st through otw.vans.com. Expect an MSRP of $165 upon arrival.
