*Better With Age Brings its Bold and Bright Energy to a New Vans Collab

The fashion industry has been inundated with waves of fast fashion that bring cheap, poorly made designs to a buy-now generation that would rather cycle through constant e-commerce packages than wear the same thing over and over until it becomes a part of their personal style story. Better With Age was created to shift that paradigm.

The *Better With Age x Vans Collection is the latest partnership to pad Vans’ current hype moment, turning the Authentic and Half Cab into camp knapsacks covered in custom patches and movable decals. For the debut of the shoes, BWA and Vans are teaming up with Dover Street Market for a customization event that will add even more individuality to the pairs.

Both shoes start with simple bases. The Half Cab is black with white accents, while the Authentic is pale blue with weathered white accents. The oversized patches hang off the shoes’ edges on the toecap, sides, and heel for a unique look that will no doubt scrape against the ground a little, but like everything *Better With Age makes, that will only add more personalized distressing down the line.

The *Better With Age x Vans Collection will be released May 15, 2026 through Dover Street Market London, with a wide release set to follow through BWA’s website before the month is up. Available in unisex sizing, the retail price for the Authentic is set at $218, while the Half Cab goes for $248. For all the latest Vans collab news and drop info, download the Sole Retriever App.

Zach Harris

Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com