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Vans Releases a Versatile New Winter Shoe That is Equal Parts ‘80s Styling and Modern Tech

The new mid-cut model, designed for durable winter wear, pays homage to a classic silhouette while employing very current materials.

Close-up of black sneaker toe with textured fabric and white double stitching on black suede.Vans

By Hayley Helms

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If you’re sick of bulky winter boots cramping your style and weighing you down, but don’t want frigid feet all season long, the newest, coolest release from Vans just might do the trick.

The Mountain Mid Gore-Tex Insulated Shoe revives the styling of the OG Mountain Edition of the 1980s, and pairs it with thoroughly modern materials.

While the unique silhouette is certainly style-forward, but don’t worry: it’s packed with winter-ready tech, ready to keep you warm through the coldest months of the year.

Pair of black and dark gray Vans high-top hiking shoes with rugged soles and white stitching.
Modern materials like Gore-Tex meet vintage styling from the ’80s in this new mid-cut shoe from Vans.
Vans

Past and present

While the 1980s Mountain Edition skate shoes were a lot chunkier and much less technical than Vans’s newest release, a few key pieces the original shoe’s DNA remain.

The Mountain Mid Gore-Tex Insulated Shoe keeps the mid-cut boot silhouette of its predecessor, updating the ankle to reflect a sleeker, more streamlined look. The Velcro strap across the forefoot also remains, but that is where the similarities essentially end.

Top and sole view of a black Vans sneaker with white stitching and rugged tread sole marked "MTE.
The Velcro strap across the forefoot is a throwback, while the multi-traction outsole is very present-day.
Vans

Upgrades to the style cover just about every other component of the shoe, transforming it from a funky skate shoe to a true winterized wonder.

The leather and textile ripstop upper is treated with a PFAS-free Gore-Tex waterproof package, which maintains breathability and wet-weather protection. The 200-gram PFAS-free Gore-Tex Duratherm insulation package maintains warmth in chilly temps.

Close-up of a black shoe sole with deep treads and red "ALL-TRAC" text on the side.
The high-traction rubber outsole is ideal for variable winter conditions.
Vans

The proprietary Ultracush drop-in footbed infuses additional comfort, while the All-Trac rubber compound outsole with unique tread pattern provides multi-surface traction. New, rugged hardware helps to keep laces in check.

Brown and olive green hiking shoe with black laces and thick black sole labeled "ALL-TRAC.
The earthy “Dark Green / Dark Brown” colorway is designed to combat the moisture, salt stains, and wear and tear of winter.
Vans

Two muted colorways, “Black/Black” and “Dark Green/Dark Brown,” round out the updates.

Availability and pricing

The Mountain Mid Gore-Tex Insulated Shoe is available now on Vans’s official website, retailing for $180.

About the Author: Hayley Helms is an associate editor at Gear Patrol specializing in outdoor gear. Once upon a time, she wrote for Men’s Journal, Gearjunkie and Shape. Whether it’s testing a new rain shell or putting a pair of hiking boots through its paces, she leaves no stone unturned (however, she always Leaves No Trace).

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