Matt Varga When it comes to the big pro sports, your mind may jump to some of the footwear industry’s other giants, but Vans maintains its status as the premier and original skating brand. Along with that title, they’ve taken swimmingly to a range of “alternative” endeavors, from skateboarding to motocross to surfing. Could martial arts now be on the menu?
We’ll reserve judgement until we see karate masters decked out in Knu Skools, but early returns on the California company’s step onto the mat are encouraging as the inaugural Vans x Shoyoroll collection comes to light. Also based in the Golden State, setting up some easily understood synergy, the label has a genuine niche to themselves, existing at the intersection of jiu-jitsu performance and lifestyle. Within those bounds, they’ve been rather collab forward, uniting with everyone from Drake’s to UNDEFEATED, making their first footwear capsule less of a surprise within context.
You can take in the two Shoyoroll x Vans Old Skool 36 colorways as leaning into either brand’s strength, evoking classic skatewear via a blue and red colorway that feature rectangular stamps of the brand’s name and “rebels against the mainstream” motto. Arguably the more transformative pair is the “Pearl” edition, sporting woven uppers that almost appear crafted from jiu-jitsu equipment itself.
The Shoyoroll x Vans OTW Old Skool 36 capsule drops on October 9th, with either shoe commanding a $130 retail price. Catch campaign images above and product shots just ahead. Check back in on launch day for direct pick-up links included within the below “Where To Buy” widgets.
