UPDATE 1/19/13: I’ve been informed by Vans that these are NOT VEGAN.  Sucks, but at least it clears things up.  A lot of us, me included, just assumed these guys were animal free.  Apologies for jumping the gun, hope not too many of you went and bought some.  On the bright side, Vans reiterated that the Rowley 99 in black/synthetic are vegan.  You can get them at The House.

Thanks Mike for this great tip.  We heard from Vans a while back that the Rowley 99′s in the black colorway (limited edition) was vegan, but it looks like they’ve reissued this classic skate shoe, now just the Geoff Rowley Pro in three different colorways: black/white/red, navy/white/royal, and red/white/grey.  We haven’t received confirmation from Vans whether any of them are vegan for sure, but I have word from several good sources that at the very least the upper is synthetic.  Upon a visual inspection, you can clearly tell that the material is all that matte synthetic leather that is common in our circles.  Whether the glues are vegan are another matter.  In any event I want to tread cautiously since there’s been a lot of contrary assertions out there that Rowley is not vegan, his shoes are not, etc.

I have already contacted Vans and will update when I receive info from them.  If you are confident in your convictions to buy now, they are available at Vans.com.

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I was inspired to make a list of some dope denim kicks for you all after reading about the soon to be released Ronnie Fieg x ASICS Gel Lyte III (pictured above).  Unfortunately, I can’t gather enough intel about this shoe to determine whether the swooshes are leather or not, but got a list of some other choice picks which have no leather in the upper.  I’m not sure whether these are 100% vegan, I haven’t vetted them all with regard to the glue.  But if any of you guys own a pair, or know, please leave a comment.  Thanks and enjoy!

Source: Nice Kicks

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To a skateboarder, shoes are like gloves to a sculptor’s hands. No other clothing component is more important to a skateboarder. Skaters’ feet are the connection to their craft – the art of how they skateboard. Skating in a shoe that is too padded and bulky, is like trying to grab detailed things with a mitten on. Skating in a shoe that is too thin, is like wearing a rubber glove to protect one’s self from the elements, or to grab that hot vegan dinner you have in the oven – you’re going to get burned, and you’re going to feel it too much. Then there’s the dreaded cupsole vs. vulc shoe battle – it just never ends! So just how how do we compromise? And how do vegan skateboarders fit into this equation? Through my next few blog posts I may be able to help you find those answers… but first, we must ask another more serious and important question:

Why are todays vegan skate shoes so expensive?

Do you ever wonder why a canvas skate shoe cost the same or more than a shoe made out of leather? It’s like getting a Veggie Delite at Subway for the same price as the next guy’s cold cut sub that has the same amount of veggies on it. You’re paying the same price for something that has meat, when there is no meat in yours at all! You’re basically paying for a condiment sandwich. In todays skate shoe world with canvas or synthetic shoes vs. leather shoes, you are paying for a condiment on your feet, as most all skate shoes have canvas or syn. textiles in them anyways – on the inside or outside. So the question here is, why?

Ripped canvas Vans, an all too familiar occurrence to the vegan skater.

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You’ve got to give it to Vans, they know how to spin off their classics.  Here, they have taken the tried and true Authentic and 106 to another level – literally.  Like they are trying to emulate, or one-up the Chuck Taylor Hi.  Well, it certainly caught my attention.  My first impression is that the mod works for the 106 more than the Authentic.  The silhouette looks evenly shaped and congruous.  The Authentic looks a little haphazard, a little too skinny on the ankles.  At least Vans gave you some crazy colorways though – check out the neon green and neon pink below!

Authentic Hi and 106 Hi (avoid the grey suede colorway) in canvas available at Zappos.

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Hey everyone, just thought I’d give a quick news flash on the standing of Vans in the vegan shoeniverse.  Nothing too earth shattering here, but since I just got the news from their people, I thought I’d pass it along.  The following models are vegan:

Classic Authentic (Canvas Only) (available in a zillion colors)

More after the Jump!

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Vans has successfully expanded on its brand of classics with the successes of Vans OTW and California.  But none of those arguably depart more, visually and technologically, than the Vans LXVI (pronounced Vans 66).  Here we see them implementing newer methods of manufacturing to create something futuristic and more performance oriented.  Fortunately for us as well, this means a lot of synthetic materials.  The following shoes listed below have been confirmed by Vans to be vegan.  Enjoy!

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Fans of the Classic Slip On might appreciate this new alteration; the Vans LP Slip On is different in that it has a slimmed down silhouette and sole.  It also features some new details, such as the piping around the stitching, and striped elastic.  Overall it’s the same but it’s a nice update of the classic and keeping up with the trend of slimmed down shoes.  It’s probably a great thing for people with narrow and/or flat feet too.  But I’m still glad that Vans opted not to replace their classic.  I’m liking this, what does everyone else think?

Available in a variety of solid colors at Zappos.  More pictures after the jump!

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These two are part of the Vans Van Doren series, a release of a bunch of classics in various nostalgia inducing prints and colors.  The Van Doren brothers are two of the original founders of the eponymous company we all love so much nowadays.  Enjoy this Era in a Mexican blanket type of print, and the Slip On in tropical foliage.

Both the Era and Slip On are available at Swell.

Supreme and Vans collaborations, it’s the skater equivalent of a Liger.  Okay maybe not quite that awesome, especially not here.  To me, this Supreme x Vans checkered corduroy pack is a lazy piece of work.  They took the classic checkerboard pattern off the Slip-On, slapped it on an Authentic, and capped the toe off with corduroy.  Nothing fancy, but not too impressive either.  I’m surprised that there is no “discrete” Supreme branding somewhere on the outside, to really take it to the next level.

And yes, this is an in-store release only at Supreme stores in New York, Los Angeles, and London on June 14, and Japan on June 16.  If you can get them, enjoy!

Source: Nice Kicks

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Here’s another one from Vans.  The Del Norte: you’ve seen it before but you haven’t.  Inspired by the chukka, it has a more laid back profile and slimmer sole.  Comes in less bold colors as well.  There’s even an all black version.  Features hemp or “enzyme washed” canvas uppers, and a comfy removable vanslite footbed.  You know it’s vegan friendly when Vans is promoting the fact that they are made with water based glues and inks too.

Available at Premier (blue, green), Zappos (blue), and Swell (black).  More pics after the jump!

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