Vans Celebrates 50 Years of Skateboarding's Pioneer Shoe with a Modern Makeover
In 1976, Vans introduced the Era, the world's first shoe specifically designed for skateboarding. Now, marking its 50th anniversary, Vans is giving this iconic low-top a contemporary update, catering to the sport's evolving needs. The result? The Vans Skate Era WaffleCup, a shoe that seamlessly blends classic style with modern technology.
The WaffleCup in the name refers to the brand's innovative vulcanized cupsole, designed to withstand high impacts. This cupsole is reinforced with PopCush foam and a grippy SickStick rubber outsole, ensuring optimal performance and durability. The upper is crafted from a combination of suede and nylon, maintaining the Era's timeless silhouette while incorporating DuraCap rubber layers in high-wear areas and a padded collar for enhanced comfort.
Three colorways are available to mark the debut of the Skate Era WaffleCup: 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 evolution of the original Era. This model retains the classic shape while incorporating DuraCap and SickStick technology, as well as a PopCush insole. One of the four colorways, red, blue, and white, pays homage to the shoe's 1976 origins and features in the hands of Tony Alva, a pioneer of the sport.
Tony Alva and Stacy Peralta, fellow Z-Boys skater, collaborated with Vans to design the Era, shaping the sport's early days. Initially, Vans crafted the Authentic as a deck shoe, utilizing its sole's grippy design for boat surfaces, which later proved equally effective 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 shoes represent a testament to Vans' commitment to innovation and its enduring support for the skateboarding community.
