If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission.
The vulcanized sneaker resurgence is on, with Vans as one of the brands poised best to benefit from the shifting of trends. It’s had one of the biggest sneaker releases of the year with the Chanel bag-inspired Old Skool “Souvenir,” and it’ll soon get into the mix of exotic textures with a new trio of sneakers from its OTW line.
The OTW by Vans “Croc Pack” is made up of two Eras and a Half Cab featuring crocodile-textured leather overlays. One colorway of the Era features an all-black upper applying the croc overlays atop a suede base with a white vulcanized sole with blue striping. The same striped sole is used for the second variant, which bursts forth with more color via red suede and blue overlays.
Related Stories
Rounding out the trio is the Half Cab, which likewise gets a suede and croc leather arrangement. A two-tone brown look defines the upper, and gold branding is matched by the sole’s stripe and a single set of bronze-tone metal eyelets.
You May Also Like
Vans has found itself as source material for designer fashion, as Prada showed an Authentic lookalike and Dior mimicked the Era during the spring 2026 runway shows.
Bracken Darrell, president and chief executive officer of Vans parent company VF Corp., sees this as a harbinger of success for the brand after a years-long slump and said in a July earnings call: “These are the style centers and the tastemakers. Trends start in the luxury market, as we saw in fashion week for Timberland with Louis Vuitton last June. I’m not suggesting that Vans will be growing 9 percent a year from now, but I am excited to see the tide turning on skate style shoes and luxury where trends start.”
Also pointing toward a revitalization for Vans is the recent appointment of SZA as the brand’s artistic director.
The Vans OTW Era and Half Cab “Croc Pack” is scheduled to release Sept. 3 through Asphaltgold and will likely hit other retailers around the same time. Pricing for the Era is set at roughly $140 and the Half Cab $145.
Shop Bestselling Vans Styles
Vans Premium Old Skool Cocona Shoe
Vans Old Skool Shoe
Vans Premium Old Skool Shoe