Vans is so much more than a skateboard brand these days, a point evidenced by the fact that many of the best Vans collabs over the years have seen the brand team with some of the biggest names in fashion and pop culture.
In the last year, for instance, we've seen one of the best sneaker brands partner with the likes of Haribo and Supreme. As a result, we think it's safe to say Vans has certainly branched out from its roots buried deep in the early '70s Southern Californian skateboarding scene.
However, with Vans continuing to evolve, we were curious to find out what has been its best sneaker collabs as of late. So, we've put together a list of our favourite releases based on designs that stood out from the crowd as being great additions to any sneaker collection.
So, if you're interested in adding some amazing new sneakers to your own wardrobe, then check out what we feel are the best Vans collabs right now below.
Best Vans collabs
- Haribo x Vans Sk8-Hi "Catchphrase Print"
- Supreme x Vans Skate Era "Dollar"
- Gallery Dept. x Vans Old Skool "Good Luck"
- Barbie x Vans Sk8-Hi Tapered Stackform "True White Pink"
- Mac Miller x Vans Authentic "Swimming"
1. Haribo x Vans Sk8-Hi "Catchphrase Print"
Vans has dropped some fascinating capsules this year, and one of the most noteworthy is undoubtedly the Haribo Collection. Although it includes three sneakers, the "Catchphrase Print" Sk8-Hi catches our attention for its understated yet stunning design.
The Sk8-Hi shoes showcase the famous Haribo catchphrase, "Kids and grown-ups love it so, the happy world of Haribo," in ten different languages on the white quarter panels. This iconic slogan represents the brand's values of inclusivity and worldwide appeal.
The rest of the sneaker then retains the classic Sk8-Hi features, with the back of the shoe paying tribute to Haribo with multi-coloured gummy bears stitched onto the heel.
Overall, the Haribo collaboration with Vans is a triumph, and the "Haribo Black" Sk8-Hi is a must-have for any sneaker collection.
Read More: Best skate shoes
2. Supreme x Vans Skate Era "Dollar"
Supreme and Vans have released a number of great collaborations over the years. However, this dollar bill-themed Supreme x Vans Skate Era stands out as one of the best in their history together.
It's pretty straightforward in that it maintains all the usual design elements of the Era, including the vulcanised rubber midsole complete in white with a black line running around the edge. However, what makes this sneaker stand out is its upper features an all-over print of dollar bills.
The shoe also includes Supreme branding stitched to the heels in white, plus a bright red Vans-branded insole to match the tab around the back of the midsole.
All in all, this Supreme x Vans collaboration is a hit and definitely worth checking out to add to your own shoe collection.
Read More: Best sneakers for men
3. Gallery Dept. x Vans Old Skool "Good Luck"
Next up is the Gallery Dept. x Vans Old Skool, named the "Good Luck" colourway, which we feel is one of the best Vans collabs around right now thanks to its bespoke look and distressed design.
The shoe's upper features a captivating fusion of black and white graphics resembling intertwined newspaper clippings, adorned with ads, headlines, and other intriguing elements.
The toebox and heel then arrive in black, while the renowned Vans Sidestripe receives a unique twist with a chenille-like material, maintaining its signature red hue. Adding to the contrast are vibrant yellow laces bearing the phrase "Good Luck!", a clear nod to the collaborating brand.
Down below, you get the usual vulcanised rubber midsole which proudly bears the flipped "GALLERY DEPT." logo, showcasing the brand's distinctive stamp. So, with its masterful blend of vintage aesthetics, artistic vision, and attention to detail, there's plenty to like about this amazing Vans collaboration.
Read More: Best sneakers for women
4. Barbie x Vans Sk8-Hi Tapered Stackform "True White Pink"
Following the release of the hugely successful Barbie movie during the box-office phenomenon being referred to as "Barbieheimer", Vans unveiled it had brought in on the action with the release of these Barbie Sk8-Hi Stackform shoes. Specifically, Vans joined forces with the iconic '90s Barbie, presenting a heritage-inspired collection that celebrates individuality and style.
Embracing Barbie's spirit, these Tapered Stackform shoes feature sun-kissed pink tones and white leather, elevating the legendary high-top to new heights... literally.
The shoes also feature huge, stacked midsoles that measure 34mm in height - a reference, perhaps, to the symbolic high-heel shoes that play a notable role in the movie.
You also get a Barbie-branded white and pink hang tag upon purchasing the shoes, thus completing this excellent limited-edition collaboration. Definitely a must-have if you're a fan of the film or the original dolls, toys, and accessories.
Read More: Best high-top shoes
5. Mac Miller x Vans Authentic "Swimming"
Finally, we come to a musical collaboration between the Mac Miller estate and Vans with this "Swimming" Authentic release, named after the fifth anniversary of the late rapper's album Swimming.
It's a joyful nod to its musical counterpart, featuring the same Yin-Yang motif on the toebox as the one heavily featured throughout Miller’s Swimming and Circles album series. The phrase “Mac Miller 1992 Til ∞” is also presented around the white vulcanized midsole, while more traditional Vans branding can be found on the heel.
The rest of the design falls more in line with what you'd expect from an Authentic release, featuring a black canvas upper, white laces, and a cream interior. It does, however, come in a gradient pink and purple shoebox to round off an excellent collaborative effort.
Read More: Best low-top shoes
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Want to know a little more about Vans collaborations? We've answered some of the most commonly asked questions below.
Where can you buy Vans collabs?
Our number one recommendation on where to pick up a Vans collab is the Vans store. However, it's always worth checking out the collaborating brand's website as well (if it has one), just in case it has exclusive access to a particular drop.
Alternatively, resale marketplaces, like StockX or GOAT, are handy if, for example, a Vans collab you're after sells out, or if it was released way in the past.
For more information on this, check out our list of the best places to buy sneakers right here.
When do new Vans collabs get released?
New Vans collabs tend to drop at seemingly random times throughout the year, thus making it tricky to pin down exactly when a release is about to take place.
Sometimes, a collaboration will tie into a holiday, like Christmas, or an anniversary, which can give you a little more insight into when you can expect a drop.
By and large, though, you have to wait until Vans or the brand it's working with announces it has a collaboration on its way.
A good way to keep on top of this sort of information is to regularly visit the Vans News subsection on its website.
In the past, we've seen Vans announce collaborations with Cobra Kai, Tony Alva, and the aforementioned Joe Freshgoods here. So, if you want to know what Vans has in store, it's definitely well worth checking out.
That said, we try to cover any new drops ahead of time on RealKit. So, if you're looking for the latest Vans collabs, make sure you check in with us to see what's on the horizon as well.