Vans Asia recently rented out a “Shikumen”, an old Shanghai lane house for a month. They called upon Vans teams from across the glob to come and occupy the house in week long shifts to explore the city. Squads from the USA, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, France and Australia voyaged around with the Vans China team as they shredded the streets day by day. Featuring a host of rippers including Jackson Pilz, Chima Ferguson, Dustin Henry, CK, Juwon Eun, Jesse Noonan, Etienne Gagne, Chris Bradley, Mike Lee, Justin Henry, Mario Palandeng, Piet Guilfoyle, Zhenya Buzukin, Jeremy Hu, Azreen Azman, Shogo Zama, Fifa Tintarn, Xiao Jun, Jerm Sothichai, Pedro Delfino and Victor Pellegrin. Six minutes of shred from the city of marble, filmed and edited by Tommy Zhao and Liu Maomao.
Four new colourways of Pro Skate models and an apparel capsule brought to you by two of skateboarding’s finest!
Coming out blazing from the cold winter months, Vans and Spitfire Wheels have teamed to deliver four unique colourways for their Pro Skate footwear range alongside an apparel collection blending classic the iconography of two of the oldest and well respected brands in skateboarding history. Here’s your first glimpse at the Vans X Spitfire Wheels Spring 2018 collection…
First up we’ve got the latest addition to the Vans Pro Skate line-up, The Chima Pro 2, in Pink/White. We’re big fans of the new silhouette (and Chima Ferguson himself – obviously) which manages to be streamlined and lightweight without sacrificing any durability thanks to Vans’ Duracap technology which reinforces the shoes suede and canvas upper. The Chima 2 also introduces Vans’ UltraCush Lite 3D footbed which builds on the original UltraCush Lite insole by adding dual-density foam. Throw in a moulded heel counter and Vans beloved waffle outsole and the end is result is a responsive, supportive and long lasting shoe which is topped off with Spitfire artwork including a pleasant reminder to ‘Burn Forever’ debossed into the leather heel piece and ridges resembling Spitfire’s ‘Swirl’ pattern on the trademark Vans jazz stripe.
Another pastel piece comes courtesy of the Kyle Walker Pro in Baby Blue. Again, artwork inspired by Spitfire’s classic swirl pattern adorns the side stripe alongside the shoe’s Ultracush HD insole which, combined with the Wafflecup outsole, provides the best of boardfeel and protection. Whether it’s comfort you’re after or you need of something to absorb the shock of hammering handrails like K-Walks himself, this is the one for you.
Anthony Van Engelen’s AV Rapidweld Pro is every bit as robust as you would expect for a shoe backed by The Champ. Featuring a Vans Pro Skate Waffle outsole for unrivalled boardfeel and fantastic cushioning, thanks to the Ultracush HD insole, the shoe comfortably caresses the heel for a supportive and locked in fit whereas the suede upper is lined with Duracap to ensure you get the most out of AVE signature shoe. The Vans X Spitfire exclusive colourway comes in a deep navy with white leather highlights featuring Spitfire artwork on the side stripe and insole.
Finally, an Era Pro tops off the Vans X Spitfire Wheels Spring 2018 footwear collection in a colourway that burns as bright as Spitfire’s trademark bighead. Classic double wrapped vulcanised constructed, classic Vans waffle sole and classic silhouette – it’s only fitting that one of the most celebrated skate shoes ever made accompanies this collaboration between two of skateboarding’s legacy companies.
First drop of Vans X Spitfire Wheels Spring 18 collection will be available 15th March 2018 in-store and online. This includes the new Chima Pro II and the ever popular Kyle Walker Pro.
Second drop featuring the AV Rapidweld Pro and Cardiel Era Pro will be available before Summer with fixed dates to be expected soon.
Scroll down for a peek at some of the accompanying soft goods for this collaboration.
Vans Chima Pro 2 releasing 10th February 2018. Here’s your first look and full rundown of the shoe!
Purveyor of quality canvas footwear, outstanding switch heel flips and Sydney’s finest, Chima Ferguson, is a firm shop favourite and we’re delighted to have another signature shoe from the man himself returning to the store.
The Vans Chima Pro 2 is a continuation of Chima’s masochistic love affair with lightweight canvas skate shoes. It would be natural to assume that someone with such a fondness for throwing themselves down stairs and handrails would opt for a bulkier pro model however it seems Chima’s superhuman feet are able to withstand all the impact in the world. Due to this, his second pro model packs all the shock absorbing tech into the insole and allows for a stripped back and simple aesthetic which takes cues from the timeless Vans Authentic.
The Vans Chima Pro 2 is the first shoe equipped with Vans Ultracush Lite 3D sockliner, a three layer insole which combines soft and hard layers of polyurethane which makes this shoe just as suitable for cruising around your favourite plaza or tanning around a mini ramp as it is for going big.
Another first for Vans is implemented with the Chima Pro 2 through higher wrapped vulcanised sole which overlaps the canvas to create a subtle toe-cap improving the shoe’s lifespan without adding an obnoxious frontal bumper to an otherwise understated silhouette.
The shoe’s upper is also backed with Vans Duracap which is perfect for canvas iterations to balance the best of both lightweight construction and and durability as seen with the Drizzle/Black/White colourway you can see above.
Minimal padding in the tongue and collar, complimented by a leather lining, allows for a comfortable fit whilst retaining a slim silhouette, and as with all of Vans Pro range, the upper sits on top of a beloved Waffle sole for unparalleled grip and boardfeel with an extra vulcanised heel counter included for further support. Finally, the Vans Chima Pro 2 is topped off with decorative leather accents for the classic Vans side stripe, heel piece alongside on the tongue which features Chima’s Vans insignia.
Real Skateboards are back yet again with brand new footage and accompanying video ‘By Any Means’. It’s hard to fault this lot I mean look at there diverse team, the constant trips and travelling they do and a video output that even in this day in age puts other brands to shame. ‘By Any Means’ confirms this with the brilliant cinematography and global footage from spots all around the world like the USA, Madrid, Barcelona and many other destinations. All of the Real team have clips but this video is mainly concentrated on the young guns Jafin Garvey, Willy Lara, Zion Wright and Jack Olson who are well and truly carrying the Real torch into the future. The video also features Davis Torgeson, Peter Ramondetta, Ishod Wair, Robbie Brockel, Dennis Busenitz, Jake Donnelly, Hermann Stene, Kyle Walker, Justin Brock, Nate Viands, Chima Ferguson and our own Harry Lintell.
Real Skateboards are back with their latest installment of the Surveillance series, Surveillance #06. This time around we get to see Justin Brock, Chima Ferguson and Davis Torgerson run riot at various spots with cameos from Jack Olson, Zion Wright and Ishod Wair. There’s a bit of everything in this one, rails, ditches and stairs take a heavy onslaught before Justin Brock closes the show with heavy ender. It may not be the same as a full length video but these Surveillance edits give us a regular dose of one of the gnarliest teams in skateboarding. Click play below and get on the hype.
One of the best things about winning Thrasher’s Skater Of The Year award is you get to celebrate by taking some of your best mates on a skate trip to the destination of your choice. This years winner Kyle Walker opted to take Ishod Wair, Daan Van Der Linden, Zion Wright, Jackson Pilz, Louie Lopez, Nakel Smith, Reese Salken, Jake Donnelly, Peter Ramondetta and Chima Ferguson (all accompanied by mag editor in chief Jake Phelps) ‘down under’ to turn the skate spots of Melbourne into their playground. The ‘Good Homies’ video does not disappoint in any way shape or form, the next nine minutes will blow your mind.
Yesterday Vans’s latest video offering, ‘No Other Way’ was released to the world via Thrasher Magazine. Clocking in at just under 14 minutes it has full parts from Kyle Walker and Elijah Berle, along with supporting clips from other Vans riders Daniel Lutheran, Chima Ferguson, Anthony Van Engelen, Andrew Allen, Curren Caples, Rowan Zorilla, Daan Van Der Linden and Geoff Rowley. They also introduce Ronnie Sandoval as their newest AM to be added to the team. It’s here, heavy and absolutely bonkers, this is one you don’t want to miss, prepare for one of the gnarliest grinds you will see it’s one of the sickest tricks of 2016 we reckon and will probably be well remembered throughout skate history.
Today, the 26th January is annually celebrated as Australia day. It marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the first fleet of British ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales, and the raising of the Flag of Great Britain at Sydney Cove by Governor Arthur Phillip. In present day Australia, people celebrate with family and community events, official community awards, citizenship ceremonies, a few stubbies and probably a barbie or two! So to help them celebrate down under, we thought it would only be right to post some of our favorite Ozzy skate sections! Strewth!
