Vans' too high-tech shoes that can beat any weather.

Vans" is a low-tech brand. There are no superfluous decorations in any of their shoes, and they usually don't incorporate features. This is the biggest appeal of "Vans" and the reason why skaters love them so much. However, the "MTE" series overturns this image. It is waterproof, warm, and grippy, with ultra-high-tech specifications. They are quite popular. For this issue, we took snaps in Tokyo and Hokkaido. We asked 10 people from completely different living environments, in the city and in the field, in the north and in the south, how they felt wearing the shoes.

Photo_Shingo Goya

Text_Keisuke Kimura

Edit_Soma Takeda

Hokkaido Edition

Sample.1 Shinmei / Fashion Director

PROFILE

spirit of someone on the first O-Bon after their death

fashion director

Born in 1980 in Iwate Prefecture, he moved to Hokkaido in 2005 and is currently the director of the store "MOONLOID" in Touma-cho, Hokkaido. The Touma branch of "NANGA" operated by this store will open in mid-October.
Instagram:@moonloid_, ,@nanga_tohma

Have you ever worn "Vans" before?

I started out with the checkered flag "slip-ons. I was in high school at the time and hated to wear the same shoes as others, but no one else had that model. Then, when I moved to Tokyo, I came across "half cabs. I wore them a lot because they were perfect with thick pants and the mid-cut length was exquisite.

How do you feel about the comfort of the model you were asked to wear this time?

Vans' winter models include "slip-ons" and "skate highs" with mouton liners, but the problem is that the soles are normal, so you can't wear them in Hokkaido in winter. However, these shoes have grooves on the sole for walking on snowy roads, Thinsulate, and a fleece-like material inside to prevent the feet from feeling cold when putting them on, and many other features.

What do you think of the design?

They don't look like heavy outdoor shoes, so I think they can be worn with a variety of bottoms. While they have the functionality of winter boots, I think they are just right for everyday wear.

What kind of occasions would you like to wear them?

When driving a car, for example. Winter boots are made with walking in mind, but the thick sole makes it hard to brake. However, the model I tried on today felt solid when it touched the ground, so I thought it would be easier to drive a car.