Vans celebrates 50 years of skateboarding history with a bold move: retooling the iconic Era shoe. But here's where it gets controversial...
The Era, launched in 1976, was the world's first shoe specifically designed for skateboarding. While it may not be the oldest shoe in Vans' lineup, it holds a special place in the hearts of skaters worldwide. To mark this significant milestone, Vans is giving the Era a modern makeover, catering to the evolving needs of today's skateboarding scene.
The Vans Skate Era WaffleCup is a testament to this evolution. While retaining the classic shape, it packs a punch with contemporary technology and materials. The name hints at its key feature - the WaffleCup vulcanized cupsole, designed to withstand high-impact moves and reinforced with PopCush foam and a grippy SickStick rubber outsole. The upper, crafted from suede and nylon, maintains the Era's timeless style, but with added durability. DuraCap rubber layers protect high-wear areas, and a heavily padded collar provides extra comfort and support.
Three colorways debut the Skate Era WaffleCup: a sleek black and white, a sophisticated black and brown, and a tonal blue, white, and gum combination. Alongside this robust update, the original Skate Era gets a subtle upgrade, incorporating DuraCap and SickStick technologies and a PopCush insole, while staying true to its roots.
One of the four colorways, a vibrant red, blue, and white, is a nod to the Era's original release in 1976. This colorway even features in Vans' campaign, modeled by Tony Alva, a legendary Z-Boys skater who helped design the Era during the sport's early craze.
The Vans Skate Era WaffleCup and Skate Era are now available on Vans' website, with the former priced at $75 and the latter at $65.
So, what do you think of Vans' bold move to retool a classic? Is it a respectful evolution or a controversial departure from tradition? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
