Vans Drops a New Take on Its Retro-Inspired Classic — And It’s Not a Standard Skate Shoe

The brand’s latest release is equal parts classy and capable — built to thrive from the board to the boardroom.

Close-up of a beige suede Vans shoe with black PopCush insole on a red background.

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By Hayley Helms

Published January 26, 2026

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Updated January 26, 2026

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In recent months, Vans has released some absolute bangers, debuting footwear ranging from retro-inspired to totally unique.

The brand’s latest drop is a riff on one of its very own classic silhouettes, a reissue of a 1950s-inspired slip-on loafer.

Pair of black suede slip-on shoes with black soles worn with black pants, and beige suede slip-on shoes with black soles worn with olive pants. — I can’t pick a favorite between the two new colorways; I’ll take one pair of each, please.

While the shoe’s timeless new material doesn’t necessarily look meant for the board, it’s definitely built for style.

Step into action

There’s a lot to love about classic loafers: they dress up any ’fit they touch, and with the right materials and construction, they can be both polished and comfortable.

With a loafer from Vans, there’s even more to love.

Beige suede loafers with black soles worn with white socks and black pants resting on a brown leather couch. — You’d probably be shocked to learn these shred.

Vans makes some of the most low-maintenance and comfortable sneakers around, not to mention durable.

While the brand’s latest Skate Loafer looks far too classy to shred, it absolutely can.

Beige suede Vans slip-on shoes with black rubber soles, one showing top view and the other showing sole pattern. — Skate-specific features abound in this style-forward shoe.

The new, premium suede leather, available in black and Incense Brown, gives this hybrid style the look of a bona fide dress shoe.

Hidden performance features make them infinitely more capable and comfortable than their dressier counterparts.

Beige suede loafers with black rubber soles worn with white Vans socks and black pants. — Vans’s latest release can be dressed up or down with zero effort.

Those skate-specific features include proprietary tech like PopCush insoles, an ultra-grippy SickStick rubber outsole and a vulcanized sole for superior board feel.

The result of this stylistic mashup is a compelling loafer that looks far more expensive (and is much more capable) than its sub-$100 price tag would suggest.

Availability and pricing

The Skate Loafer Shoe is available now on Vans’s official website, retailing for $85.

Vans

Vans Skate Loafer Shoe

$85 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).

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