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

Sample.5 Shigeki Hayashi / Hayashi Shoten

PROFILE

Shigeki Hayashi

Hayashi Shoten

Born in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, 36 years old, he traveled to more than 30 countries from Asia to the Middle East when he was in his 20s. Based on this experience, he opened the restaurant "Hayashi Shoten" in 2017. He is a father of two children.
Instagram:@hayashi.shoten.sapporo

What is your image of "Vans"?

It's like good old fashioned. I used to wear them a lot when I used to skate. There was a mood that if you skated, you had to wear "Vans," and all the skaters around me wore them.

What are your impressions of the models you asked to wear this time?

Winter shoes in Hokkaido must be non-slip and non-skidding. However, trail shoes are heavy, and they don't match my clothes, so it's hard to incorporate them into fashion. That's why I felt the design and functionality were just right. Vans" had a strong low-tech image, so it wasn't an option for me, but I think these will be an option for Hokkai-do residents as well.

How do you feel about the comfort of the shoes?

I thought I would feel the ground more directly, but the cushioning seems to be firm and I don't feel tired. Also, they are lighter than they look.

What kind of fashion do you tend to wear in the winter?

Wear heavy pants over tights and several layers on top, and down is a must. I wear two pairs of socks. I don't know how many socks I wear (laughs). But these shoes have Thinsulate in them, so I think I will only need one pair of socks.