Taka Hayashi first began collaborating with the VANS Vault team back in 2006 and since then he has helped to produce unique renditions of traditional VANS designs. This Spring we’ll see another impressive addition shaped by Taka with the Sierra Trek Lo LX, which is a dressier Oxford-type shoe with an artisan-feeling leather and suede upper sitting atop a rarely seen crepe sole. The Sierra Trek Lo arrives in natural, earthly tones that give them more of an aged and rustic personality that still easily fit into a wide range of scenarios. This addition to the Spring 2012 Vans Vault Collection is set to drop in select retailers this February.

Taka Hayashi and the VANS Vault team have gotten together to produce a unique collection of Sierra Treks that are set to be arrive in select retailers this February. Joining the Sierra Trek Lo and a leather version of the Engineer Boot, the Taka and VANS collaboration features traditional hand-crafted themes that are joined together with classic VANS designs. The Sierra Trek Hi features intricate stitching along its premium leather upper and arrives in either a black or camel colorway. This high-cut Sierra is anchored on a crepe sole with black eyelets and tan rope laces. Be on the lookout for more about this collection as it starts to hit VANS Vault dealers in the coming weeks.

VANS Vault and Taka Hayashi are back again for the Spring 2012 season and it seems like the collection have steered away from the classic VANS silhouettes. This is not a bad thing, however these footwear show remnants of the VANS DNA. This Engineer Boots LX is a rendition of the work boots with the comfort of sneakers. The premium leather uppers are offered in Black and Sunrise tones, while both styles sit firmly on top of thick crepe soles. Moccasin treatment is another welcome touch, wrapping around the forefoot of the boots. Expect these to be on the shelves of VANS Vault dealers worldwide very soon.

From this weekend, Levi Maestro will be going on a America-wide tour dropping by thirteen cities in total, starting from the West Coast and ending up in the East Coast. The tour actually starts today in San Francisco and Levi will be heading to UNDFTD in Los Angeles tomorrow where a launch party for the Levi Maestro x VANS Vault Old Skool Decon 77 will be held. You will be able to catch up with him at the launch and enjoy some nice snacks provided by Kogi BBQ. The launch will commence at 7pm and will be going on until 9pm, so be sure to drop by if you are in the neighborhood. Check after the jump for more information regarding the rest of the tour dates.

UNDFTD Los Angeles
112.5 South La Brea Avenue | Map
Los Angeles, CA 90036
TEL #: 323-937-6077

Launch Date: January 7th (Saturday) | 7pm – 9pm

It looks like Levi Maestro is letting the cat out of the bag, or should we say sneakers out of the shoe box. In today’s ultra competitive market where photo leaks ruin the surprise of product drops, Maestro managed to keep this project under wraps until today. There is absolutely no details on the sneakers just yet, not even a name, but from what it looks like the kicks are making full use of the premium materials offered on the VANS Vault program. Smooth leather and suede materials make up the sleek low cut sneakers, contrasted by white vulcanized soles and matching colored shoe laces. Stay tuned for more information as they become available and in the mean time check the sneak preview video below made by Levi himself.

VANS Vault has made deliveries of the Switchback LX Snake sneakers to retailers worldwide. The boot-like, mid cut sneakers feature a selection of premium materials on its uppers. Black or brown smooth leather material is used to craft the footwear, while faux snakeskin leather material wraps around the ankle collar panel. Underneath, the cream colored vulcanized soles are accented by stitching which contours the midsole. As we have seen with many of the winter items, these sneakers also make use of reversed waffle rubber soles for added traction. These footwear can be acquired at online shop oki-ni in UK or take a visit to your local VANS Vault dealers.

Starting to get the chill yet? Before the next cold front hits your area, consider the Leather & Flannel Pack from VANS Vault as your next purchase. An lightweight alternative to those bulky winter boots, the Leather & Flannel Pack offers the same warmth in addition to the premium leather and flannel constructs, in the shape of a VANS SK8 Hi LX and Era LX. In four seasonal designs, all available now at DQM and The VANS DQM General.

DQM
7 East 3rd Street | Map
New York, NY 10003
TEL #: 212-505-7551

The VANS DQM General – New York
93 Grand Street | Map
New York, NY 10013
TEL #: 212-226-7776

With examples like these Chukka Bardenas LX from VANS Vault, it is difficult to distinguish between a pair of sneakers and proper shoes these days. Picking up design hints from bespoke-style shoes, VANS Vault turned their classic Chukkas into a premium piece using black suede and coffee leathers on the uppers. Cut off leather also evokes thoughts of craftsmanship, while leather shoe laces do their part to separate these shoes from ordinary sneakers. A new last achieves a slimmer silhouette and the leather VANS tags finish off the footwear. Both models are available right now at DQM and VANS Vault accounts across the globe.

As the snowy season is approaching, VANS Vault is dropping the Frost Grey Pack to welcome the winter. Actually, this pack is not exactly inspired by snow flakes; instead, it is a functional product for active individuals. The exterior material is made from 3M reflective material which is a much-needed safety mechanism for skaters and cyclists throughout the night. Consisting of Authentic LX and Mid Skool ’77 models, both sneakers feature a Vapor Blue section on the standard gum outsole, where bicycle pedals make contact. Both models are available at DQM for VANS General store and VANS Vault accounts worldwide.

Richard Meier, Maya Lin, Isamu Noguchi… when famed architects, artists, and designers want to realize their illustrations on paper, they turned to furnishing maker Knoll. The same is true for VANS Vault as it tapped into Knoll’s extensive textile archive for inspirations. The result, an exclusive VANS Vault Buffalo Boot LX with perforated suede and fabric upper by Knoll. The special edition also includes a Knoll branding on the sockliner and tongue. Finally, each come quipped with VANS’ signature vulcanized outsole. In either light grey or navy, the Knoll Textiles x VANS Vault Buffalo Boot LX is now for sale at select VANS retailers around the world, such Germany’s THE GOOD WILL OUT.

THE GOOD WILL OUT
Händelstraße 41 | Map
50674 Cologne, Germany

The premium footwear line from VANS, VANS Vault is currently available at DQM. We have reported earlier on the individual pieces, however the whole Fall 2011 collection can be purchased over at DQM online store and the VANS DQM General store. Models in stock consist of classic VANS sneakers such as Old Skool LX, Sk8-Hi LX, Authentic LX, Era LX and Chukka LX. Furthermore, there is the Switchback LX Snake, which upgrades the basic mid cut sneaker with snake skin and premium leather materials on the uppers. Drop by their New York store if you are in the area to check the kicks in real life.

The VANS DQM General – New York
93 Grand Street | Map
New York, NY 10013
TEL #: 212-226-7776