Elijah Berle x Vans Skate Old Skool 'Black'
Colorway: Black/White · Style code: VN0A5FCBB8C · Release date: June 6, 2022 · Price: $2602 · Availability: Available now
More colorways: Hockey x Vans Old Skool 'Snakeskin' (VN0A5FCB18J) · Vans Skate Old Skool 'Pewter' (VN0A5FCB1N6) · Quasi x Vans Skate Old Skool 'Asphalt' (VN0A5FCB1O7) · Vans Skate Old Skool 'Mono - Dark Blue' (VN0A5FCB1PE) · Vans Skate Old Skool 'Aloha' (VN0A5FCB3LA)
The skate line is the version of this shoe built to be destroyed and replaced, and the Popcush footbed is the clearest sign of that. It is the impact-absorbing insert Vans developed for the range, dealing with the landings a flat vulcanised sole otherwise sends straight into the heel. Black suede covers the upper, the material of choice for anyone flicking a board with the side of their foot, and white trim keeps the outline of the model intact.
The pair was made with Elijah Berle and released on June 6, 2022 at $90, above the lifestyle versions of the same silhouette. Reinforcement around the lacing and the toe is where the extra cost goes, since those are the first areas to open up on a working pair. Underneath is the same waffle-tread rubber that put the brand in skate shops decades ago. Pro-model colourways tend to be restrained for a reason: they are made to be bought twice.