Vans Transformed Its Most Iconic Shoe Into a Winter Warrior

Your favorite slip-on skate sneaker is now weatherproof and ready for the coldest season of the year, thanks to a few key updates.

Vans

Add Gear Patrol as a Preferred Source on Google

By Hayley Helms

Published November 11, 2025

·

Updated November 12, 2025

If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Thanks to the steady march forward in footwear material technology, customers have higher standards than ever.

Nowadays, it’s not uncommon for a shoe to both look good and provide warmth and protection against rain, puddles and slush.

Pair of black Vans slip-on high-top sneakers with rubber soles and pull tabs at the back. — While these still say “skate shoe” on the surface, thoughtful upgrades make them ready for the chilliest days.

With that in mind, Vans has been quietly updating its most classic styles, imbuing them with weather-ready protection while maintaining their recognizable styling.

The brand’s latest release lends credence to the theory that when the coldest season of the year rolls around, you no longer need to shelve your slip-ons.

Caught slippin’

The Mid-Slip Insulated Shoe is where the convenience of slip-on style meets the robust weather protection that Vans has been applying to a steadily increasing number of its shoes.

Close-up of the black shoe toe with textured rubber sole and smooth upper material. — A reinforced toe cap and DWR coating team up to repel unwanted moisture.

Designed to draw on the effortless fit of the Classic Slip On, this new iteration sees its timeless leather, suede and textile upper raised to a mid-cut and paired with a pull-tab for easy on-off, with additional winter-ready upgrades.

Pair of black Vans high-top sneakers shown from the back with checkerboard pull tabs and red "Off The Wall" logos on the heels. — Checkerboard pull tabs don’t just add subtle Vans styling — they also make slipping into this mid-cut shoe easier.

Both the brown and black colorways feature a DWR (durable water repellent) coating to shed light moisture, a 100-gram insulation package to keep toes toasty, an Ultracush drop-in footbed for all-day comfort and an outsole compound featuring 60 percent regeneratively grown natural rubber.

The mid-cut of this slip-on style adds a little more protection and warmth to the equation.

Vans

As the newest addition to the Vans MTE (Made for the Elements) collection, the Mid-Slip Insulated Shoe joins the ranks of Vans classics including the Sk8-Hi Waterproof Insulated, Old Skool Gore-Tex and most recently, the Mountain Mid.

Black rubber shoe sole with hexagonal and diamond tread patterns. — The outsole is constructed with over 60 percent regeneratively grown natural rubber.

With its latest winterized-classic release, Vans is setting out to prove that when it comes to skate shoes, maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks after all.

Availability and pricing

The Mid-Slip Insulated Shoe is an online exclusive, and is currently available on Vans’s official website for $105.

Black Vans slip-on high-top sneaker with suede upper and thick rubber sole.

Vans Mid-Slip Insulated Shoe

$105 at Vans

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).

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.