Van Manufacturers Venture into Footwear Industry with Release of Van-Inspired Shoe Design
In a thrilling collaboration, Vans' OTW sub-label has teamed up with acclaimed Los Angeles artist Sterling Ruby for the third time, resulting in the Vans OTW x Sterling Ruby Future Clog. This unique sneaker creatively blends art and functional footwear design, pushing the boundaries of skatewear towards experimental, high-end design contexts.
The Future Clog, inspired by Ruby's childhood years in the Netherlands, is a bold, sculptural hybrid object that merges streetwear with art and product design. It boasts a two-part system, featuring a minimal, reinforced inner mule nested inside a sculptural outer shell inspired by the traditional Dutch wooden clog. This innovative design allows the wearer to use either the combined shoe or just the inner mule alone.
The shoe's design is characterized by angular, sharply defined planes, giving it a futuristic, almost architectural look reminiscent of the Tesla Cybertruck. The outer shell forms a protective, closed structure while the inner mule acts like a comfortable sock. The shoe has a large rear opening that enables easy slip-in without straps or laces, supported by a circular button on the side that connects and highlights the collaboration between Vans and Sterling Ruby.
The sole and upper are molded as a single lightweight unit with built-in tread, enhancing both form and function. The Future Clog also features a breathable bottom window, a lightweight cushioned foam insole, and a modular design enabling easy transition between indoor comfort and outdoor protection.
The latest S.R. x Vans OTW collection also includes spins on the Old Skool and Authentic silhouettes, as well as a full range of apparel. Vans, a California stalwart and the most influential brand in skate shoes since 1966, has largely gotten to where it is now by sticking to what it knows - churning out a dialed-in selection of timeless silhouettes that are affordable, accessible, and designed for various uses, including skateboarding, meetings, and music festivals like Warped Tour.
The collaboration introduces a silhouette that is unlike anything Vans has done before, fitting within Vans OTW’s mission to push skatewear boundaries towards experimental, high-end design contexts, broadening the brand’s cultural and functional scope while maintaining its "Off The Wall" ethos.
The full line of the latest S.R. x Vans OTW collection will be available via Vans from August 21, 2025. For those seeking an alternative to Crocs, the Future Clog offers a stylish and functional option, complete with a removable, washable liner.
[1] Vans OTW x Sterling Ruby Future Clog Press Release [2] Highsnobiety: Vans OTW x Sterling Ruby Future Clog [3] Designboom: Vans OTW x Sterling Ruby Future Clog [4] Hypebeast: Vans OTW x Sterling Ruby Future Clog [5] Sole Collector: Vans OTW x Sterling Ruby Future Clog
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