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Vans Just Transformed Its Original Sneaker Into a Refined, Ultra-Durable Instant Classic

Subtle but meaningful tweaks transform one of the brand’s most iconic styles into a premium shoe that retains its cool.

Pair of brown suede sneakers with red rubber soles and white skateboard logo on the heel.Vans
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By Hayley Helms

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Unlike antiques and vintage, classics have no single age or defining attribute. (For reference, antiques are generally 100 years old or more, while vintage items are anywhere from 30-99 years old.)

Classics, in contrast, are defined by quality, lasting appeal and cultural relevance. The Vans Authentic, by these metrics, is a classic through and through.

Pair of brown suede Vans sneakers with dark brown laces and red rubber soles on a white background.
The redesigned Authentic is available in three new earthy colorways via a textured suede upper.
Vans

So, how do you make an already classic shoe even better? Swap in some premium materials, upgrade the outsole and refine the design. All of a sudden, things are looking better than ever.

Don’t believe me? Check out the latest Vans drop, which blends past and present into an instant classic.

Authenticated cool

The Vans OTW Authentic 44 Siped Vibram is the latest classic skate shoe from the brand to get a premium-focused rework.

This time, we see the original (meaning first-ever) Vans style swap its standard canvas uppers for something more luxe — and there’s plenty more to reveal underfoot.

Close-up of a shoe sole with a black rubber bottom, red sides, and a yellow Vibram logo in the center.
The micro-siped Vibram outsole provides better grip in winter conditions.
Vans

This rugged-yet-deluxe new shoe sees the addition of a soft, textured suede upper, available in three earthy colorways: Potting Soil Brown, Incense and Black. Along with the tactile new upper, the style also sees the addition of monochromatic laces, as well as impactful touches including the tonal metal eyelets.

Upgraded internal construction and a cushioned, leather footbed provide enhanced comfort, while a red OTW logo heel scab hints at the sneaker’s pedigree. All three versions come with a festive Ochre Red vulcanized outsole upper.

Pair of brown suede lace-up shoes with red rubber soles, one showing top view and the other showing black Vibram sole.
Here you can see both the leather footbed and the new micro-siped Vibram outsole.
Vans

The outsole doesn’t stop at just a new color, though: the new Authentic swaps out the brand-defining Vans waffle outsole for a Vibram option, which features micro-siped tread designed to provide better water dispersion and deck shoe-style grip on wet or icy surfaces.

The result is a shoe that combines timeless style with enhanced traction, ready for a winter wonderland.

Availability and pricing

The is OTW Authentic 44 Siped Vibram now available on Vans’s official website, retailing for $105.

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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