Vans Celebrates 50 Years of Skateboarding with a Modernized Classic
In 1976, Vans introduced the Era, the world's first shoe specifically designed for skateboarding. Now, 50 years later, Vans is marking this milestone with a series of updates to the low-top shoe, incorporating contemporary technology and materials to meet the demands of modern skateboarding.
The Vans Skate Era WaffleCup is a testament to this evolution. It retains the classic shape of the original Era while incorporating advanced features. The shoe's name is derived from the brand's innovative WaffleCup vulcanized cupsole, which provides superior impact resistance and is reinforced with PopCush foam and a grippy SickStick rubber outsole. The upper is crafted from a combination of suede and nylon, ensuring durability and a classic look.
Three colorways are available for the Skate Era WaffleCup's debut: black and white, black and brown, and tonal blue, white, and gum. These colorways showcase the shoe's versatility and appeal to a wide range of skaters.
In addition to the Skate Era WaffleCup, Vans also introduces the Skate Era, a more subtle update to the original Era. It features DuraCap rubber layers in high-wear areas and a heavily padded collar, ensuring comfort and durability. The Skate Era also incorporates DuraCap and SickStick technology, as well as a PopCush insole, while maintaining the original Era's iconic shape.
One of the four colorways of the Skate Era, red, blue, and white, is a nod to the original 1976 design and has been featured in Tony Alva's campaign. Alva, a legendary Z-Boys skater, collaborated with Vans to design the Era, which played a pivotal role in the sport's early days. Initially, Vans produced the Authentic as a deck shoe, leveraging its sole's grippy design for use on skateboards before the invention of grip tape.
The Vans Skate Era WaffleCup and Skate Era are now available on Vans' website. The Skate Era WaffleCup retails for $75, while the Skate Era is priced at $65. These updates not only celebrate the rich history of Vans in skateboarding but also showcase the brand's commitment to innovation and performance.
