Vans Morphs Its Foundational Sneaker into a Premium Samba Alternative

The FIFA World Cup, the most prestigious soccer tournament in the world, starts on June 11 this year.

But a surprising brand has gotten a head-start on the excitement with a unique football-inspired interpretation of its most important sneaker. Spoiler alert: it isn’t who you might expect, namely Adidas and its Samba (or the Copa Mundial, if we’re talking cleats).

Rather, it’s a far more unexpected alternative: the Vans Premium Authentic 44 EXT “Copa Racing Red.” And yet, it’s a fitting tribute to The Beautiful Game.

Vans

On the pitch

This reinterpretation of the Authentic is a major departure from the original. For those unaware, while the Authentic is now known as a skateboarding sneaker, the original was a deck shoe, as in the kind you’d wear down to the docks. It was even called the Vans #44 Deck Shoe.

Typically, the upper is made from a lightweight cotton canvas. This take, however, swaps that instead for a premium genuine leather. And while many of the details remain, there’s also a lot that’s different.

Vans

For instance, the stitching across the upper creates a puffed effect that hearkens to classic soccer cleats, including Adidas’s legendary Copa Mundial.

But it doesn’t stop there. That flap, which covers the classic Authentic eyelets and laces, is also borrowed directly from football shoes. (For those not in the know, it creates a flat, even surface that’s friendlier to soccer usage, increasing directional control when the user kicks the ball.)

Vans

Back of the net

But that upper construction isn’t all there is to it. Even the color was chosen for its connection to The Beautiful Game.

It’s called “Copa Racing Red.” “Copa” translates to “cup,” and is a direct reference to the World Cup (in fact, that’s the direct translation of “Copa Mundial”).

This color wasn’t just picked out of a hat, either. It was specifically developed by Vans to honor the 2026 World Cup.

Vans

Funny enough, however, the underside of the shoe remains entirely faithful to the original Authentic, sporting a waffle-patterned vulcanized rubber sole. That said, the insole did get an upgrade to SOLA foam ADC (All Day Comfort) to help reduce fatigue.

As these are a special edition, they won’t be around forever, so get ’em while you can.

Vans

Availability and pricing

The Vans Premium Authentic 44 EXT “Copa Racing Red” is now available at Billy’s Ent for ¥14,300 (approximately $90).

Vans

Vans Premium Authentic 44 EXT “Copa Racing Red”

• $90 at Billy's Ent

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