Vault by Vans & WTAPS are once again joining forces, and this time they’re heading to the mountainside. The brands are collaborating for a jaw-dropping 15th time — if it ain’t broke, as the saying goes. The enduring partnership runs deep, and has produced countless iconic pieces over the years — including sneakers adorned with GPS coordinates in 2020, and a collection channeling '90s skate culture in 2018. For this latest iteration, the brands have released more limited-edition products in two separate drops, the second of which has just landed, cold weather-ready and inspired by the brands’ mutual love for snowboarding.
The first drop happened in November and focused on Vans’ timeless footwear and apparel, infused with a dose of WTAPS’ signature utilitarianism. With a dark color palette including black, gray, smoky olive, and the classic coyote colorway, the collection included nods to military gear and outdoor performance apparel. The second drop, meanwhile, shines a spotlight on snowboarding culture, just in time for the opening of Northern hemisphere snow areas. Both brands share a common love for everything snowboarding, and have channeled their passion for the sport into a capsule collection of high-performance, weatherized pieces that can be worn on the street as well as in the snow. To test the products and create exclusive visuals for the launch, Vans Europe Snow Team riders Kevin Ignacia, Sebi Springeth, and Hrund Hanna Thor headed to the Austrian Alps and got to surf down the mountain in style.
Drop 2 pulls in Vans MTE tech, the brand’s weatherproof platform offering unique features for protection from the elements, and it’s centered around the Hi-Country & Hell-Bound LX snowboard boot, a reinterpretation of the classic Vans snowboard aesthetic. Designed for optimal function in the snow as well as on the street, the boot comes packed with new features, such as V3 UltraCush™ liner produced in collaboration with The North Face Flashdry™, a V3 PopCush™ footbed, a redesigned all-weather outsole and harness, a Powercuff strap, and a newly improved 360° heat retention layer. The drop also includes footwear, like the Standard Snow MTE and Coast CC NS LX, both treated with synthetic nubuck uppers and featuring custom WTAPS branding. In terms of apparel, there are WTAPS pullovers and MTE jackets and pants in dark hues. The jacket includes fully taped DWR-coated seams, welted pockets, bungee adjustments on the hood and visor, and the pants come with elastic adjustable hems for that perfect, snug snow boot fit.
Lastly, since snowboarding gear doesn’t exactly carry itself, the collection also includes boot and helmet bags made of heavy-duty CorduraⓇ ballistic nylon. So whether you’re venturing deep into the Whistler backcountry, jumping on tables at an Ischgl Après-Ski rave, or feeling your rich Socialite fantasy with a glass Glühwein on an ultra-chic terrasse in Gstaad, Vault by Vans & WTAPS have got you covered.
Discover and shop the collection online at Vans.com and at select Vault by Vans retailers now.
