Support can come in many forms, but for Vans Pro Skater Kyle Walker, it’s the enduring support from the skate community, and his friends and family back home in “Tornado Alley” Oklahoma, that has made the greatest impact in his young, storied career. It’s this same type of durable support that Kyle has modeled in his new signature shoe and apparel collection, releasing in North America on August 20.
Style, function, and most importantly, “made for skaters” are the founding principles behind the Kyle Walker Pro 2 and apparel pack, designed through Kyle’s perspective to arrive at a truly fresh, clean slip-on skate shoe packed with features and paying homage to the people and places that have shaped him.
“My main inspiration was to make something that really just wasn’t the typical Vans shoe,” Kyle said. “I love the Slip-On and when I first got on Vans I only wore those, so this shoe combines features of my first shoe with a Slip-On and has more of an elegant look that a normal skate shoe wouldn’t have.”
Continuing to influence what’s possible on a skateboard, Kyle needs support first and foremost to keep progressing. For the Kyle Walker Pro 2, he specifically requested WaffleCup technology, the best combination of vulcanized flick and boardfeel in the forefoot, support in the midfoot and heel, and rugged durability. Add to that equation PopCush, the highest level of impact cushioning with better energy return, and Duracap’s extra reinforcement.
Kyle wanted a clean, fresh look in his new signature shoe, and the hero colorway —antique/white with mint green sole and interior accenting – delivers just that. That same elevated look carries over into the apparel pack, resulting in a collection that pays homage to Kyle’s roots while maintaining an understated, sophisticated tone.
The Kyle Walker collection includes a flannel, pullover hoodie, Off The Wall LS tee, classic SS tee, belt and denim. Drawing inspiration from Kyle’s home state flower, the Kyle Walker Classic SS tee features the Oklahoma Rose over large printed Vans typeface in elegant font, while the Kyle Walker PO hoodie features the same graphic as a chest logo with white/black Checkerboard in the waist and sleeve cuffs. To push the limits as much as he does skating, Kyle’s apparel has to perform just as well, which is why his denim was created with Cone SGene for unrivaled stretch and recovery.
Kyle Walker was bred on unpredictability and true grit. Since joining the Vans team in 2013, he’s consistently challenged his personal standards and the perception of what is actually possible on a skateboard. One of the fastest team members in Vans history to secure a signature shoe, and one of the youngest pros to acquire Thrasher’s coveted 2016 “Skater of the Year” award, Kyle continues to prove he is up for any challenge.
The Kyle Walker Pro 2 and Kyle Walker apparel collection will be available at skate shops, vans.ca/skate, and Vans retail stores on August 20.
