Vans x Supercross BMX | 35 Year Anniversary Collection
It was the summer of 1989. We were sitting in the back shop of Power Plus Cycles in Stanton, California, the little ALL BMX shop that Bill Ryan owned and we ran TECH BMX out of, we helped Tommy with Brackens, we helped Billy with Redline, we did custom bikes; it was a true BMXers paradise... Eric Carter was knocking back a few Horchata and Pepsi's, Brian Lopes was showing off his new stereo in his Blazer custom painted by Santini. Pretty sure Todd Anderson had the Vans Pro Motion Rig out front and was practicing on the quarter pipe blocking up 7-11's parking, but it was about time to get serious. First Billy Harrison laced up his Vans. Tight. Then Kiyomi Waller, Jon Agnew and Richie Carrero were the grunts that got to drag out the gate. It was time to get on our Gates, and all of our Vans were laced up tight....
That night, on that start gate, the idea for the first Supercross BMX Frame was born. A way to increase power and eliminate flex out of the gate. A way to go faster. A way to have more fun. And Vans were there. I, Bill Ryan, was wearing a custom pair of Purple ones that they made for me to match my custom painted Purple bike at the time. Vans has been in our DNA, and for our 35 year anniversary, I can't be more proud than to announce the collab between Vans and Supercross to bring you these 2 new model of shoes.
And these things are RAD!
When Steve Van Doren called us and said that we should do something together for our 35 years, I was so honored, and so humbled. We have always worn Vans since we were kids, and when we couldn't even afford to buy a pair and had to buy a single shoe. And Everett Rosecrans had always been so kind when I started racing and got the team, and later when I got the team going, he would try to help us however he could. Fast forward a few years, to when Todd Anderson was my room mate and I was helping him, Eddie Fiola, and Danny Hubbard with the Vans Pro Motion Freestyle team, the Vans / Supercross BMX connection has always been there. And to be asked to do a collab shoe, was such an honor, I am still in shock, and humbled by it.
So they started sending over a few designs that the Vans in-house designers wanted to do. They were awesome, and I was in shock that the Vans shoe designers were taking the time and effort to make Supercross BMX shoes. Sure, they had done them for a few other brands before, and they have been big billboards for the brands, HUGE logos slapped on the shoes. Steve and I talked, and I told him, I wanted the shoes to be Iconic, I wanted the shoes to be something that a collector would want, and shoes that a current day BMXer would wear, and I wanted a shoe that the average person on the street would go F yea, those are some cool Vans!!
"Hey when BMX has been on your mind for over 4 decades, you need a shoe that is specifically designed with BMX in mind."
So Steve said, "OK, here are the templates. Go for it," and we made them drag out a few patterns and templates they haven't used in a while. The Old Skool BMX is one that they used for the Larry Edgar shoes and it is an amazing BMX shoe, and blends all of the mix of Old Skool and modern BMX. They let us bring out the Era DLX with the padded Ankle. Steve really opened up the house of Vans and let me play. But we had to do it quick as the lead times are long, and we wanted to launch them at Dirty Fest, but that wasn't going to happen. So a Summer Launch is perfect, Supercross was born in the California Sun during a beautiful summer day, perfect style for Vans and Supercross to birth out these two new shoes.
The ’BMX Old Skool’ features a first of its kind, BMX specific, Vans ‘Wafflecup BMX’ sole, constructed with VDFPR (Van Doren Factory Pedal Recipe), the latest proprietary gum rubber compound, specifically formulated to enhance pedal grip and durability. The design also features reinforced ‘Duracap’ underlays in high-wear areas to add unrivaled durability and prolong the life of each shoe, and ‘PopCush’ cushioning, the company’s best cushioning and impact protection. The PopCush energy return footbeds protect your feet, while helping to lessen leg fatigue for longer sessions.
And then the ERA DLX. Oh the ERA DLX,
The second shoe, the Supercross ‘Era’ is an evolution of the famous skateboarder’s design from the mid-1970s. The Era was perfect for BMX back then and the same holds true today. An evolution of the original low-top silhouette, the Era placed an emphasis on comfort and style by debuting the padded collar. It was also the first shoe to feature the iconic ‘Off the Wall’ heel tab and remains the shoe of choice for BMXers worldwide.
Both unique styles, and both very BMX, and if you look close have the Supercross Elements... the Single Yellow Eyelets, the Red outer trim. On the Era, the Mismatched tongue pays homage to our 70's BMX roots in the South Bay and Orange County when we couldn't afford to buy a pair.
So, if that BMX kid in you is burning up and wants to get to the track and go ride, like Bubba and Lexis and the rest of the Supercross team do, then please join us in the celebration of 35 years of Supercross BMX and Vans and slip a pair on to your feet. Full details and how to purchase are at the links below:
Vans / Supercross BMX Old Skool
Vans / Supercross BMX Era DLX
Vans / Supercross BMX Old Skool - KIDS