Vans and Skateistan Partner on New Footwear and Apparel Collection Inspired by Community Unity

Vans to donate $200k to Skateistan to support the development of skateboarding

Vans x Skateistan Collection will be available on November 11, 2021

Montreal, QC. (Nov. 1, 2021) – Vans, the global leader in skateboarding for more than 50 years, teams up with award-winning non-profit organization Skateistan on a new mission-driven collection of footwear and apparel highlighting community unity, self-expression and creativity. Founded in Afghanistan to empower youth through skateboarding and education, Skateistan has been elevated to the global stage with skateboarding and educational projects across Cambodia, South Africa, Jordan, Bolivia and Kenya. The spirit of community collaboration comes to life across Vans x Skateistan’s new collection, with Vans to donate $200k to Skateistan to support the development of skateboarding.

With a shared belief that skateboarders can make the world a better place through the power of skateboarding, Skateistan and Vans drew inspiration from Skateistan’s skate school students to create an original and truly uplifting take on the Skate Sk8-Hi, Skate Era, Skate Slip-On, and a head-to-toe apparel collection for men, women, and kids.

The Skate Sk8-Hi leads with custom Checkerboard print complemented by Skateistan’s feel good graphics inspired by natural elements, and the organization’s name printed across the outsole. The Skate Era and Skate Slip-On follow suit, with Checkerboard and black uppers embroidered with a smiley-face sun, flower, dove and skateboard, among other art.

For women’s apparel, a sturdy cotton twill gas station jacket in black with a front zip and “It’s Her Turn” printed on the back— a nod to Skateistan’s championing of female empowerment through skateboarding. The jacket pairs well with elevated basics including a jersey-style T-shirt in orchid ice and a lightweight ribbed sock with jacquard art. A cotton twill pull-on pant and Realm backpack feature showstopping Checkerboard details as well as silicon Vans and Skateistan logos and embroidered icons.

Highlights from the kids’ range include boys and girls Sk8-Hi Zip, Slip-On and Skate Mid. Apparel includes girls’ and boys’ hoodies and T-shirts with signature Skateistan graphics. The girls’ tee features “It’s Her Turn” printed across the back.

Earlier this year, Vans and Skateistan partnered on a summer-long campaign, shedding light on what makes skateboarding so special —the streets, skateparks, backyard pools and communities that built skateboarding from the ground up. As part of that campaign, Vans donated an additional $200k to the Tides Foundation to support Skateistan’s youth programming.

The Vans x Skateistan collection will be available beginning November 11, 2021, at Vans retailers and Vans.ca/Skateboarding. To learn more about Skateistan’s mission, visit Skateistan.org.

About Vans

Vans^®, a VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC) brand, is the original action sports footwear, apparel and accessories brand. Vans^® authentic collections are sold in 97 countries through a network of subsidiaries, distributors and international offices. Vans^® has over 2,000 retail locations globally including owned, concession and partnership doors. The Vans^® brand promotes creative self-expression in youth culture across action sports, art, music and street culture and delivers progressive platforms such as Vans Checkerboard Day, Vans Park Series, Vans Triple Crown of Surfing^®, Vans Custom Culture, and Vans’ cultural hub and international music venue, House of Vans.