Vans OTW Taps Midwest Emo Energy with American Football (The Band) Collab

This one has Atiba Jefferson’s fingerprints all over it. The legendary skate, music, and basketball photographer, and recently minted Vans Brand Curator, started his Vans career with a pack of skate shoes featured in a commercial alongside famous friends like Tim Robinson and Baron Davis. Now, Atiba is back in his rolodex, linking Vans OTW up with Midwest emo legends American Football for a pair of Authentics to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their debut album.

The American Football Authentic 44 is a classic canvas shoe with the cover of the band’s self-titled album, which was released in September 1999, printed across every panel. Looking at the shoes from above, the toeboxes combine to produce the peak of the famed two-story house with the lit window shining bright on the lateral toe of the left shoe. Using the canvas shoes as a canvas for the album cover, the theme continues onto the heel of the left shoe, with “americanfootball” written in the same confusing line break on top of a repeating shot of the house.

Transferring a bit of music lore onto a shoe, the American Football house is a piece of history in physical form. The two-story, single-family home in Urbana, Illinois, was photographed with a green glow for the cover of American Football’s self-titled debut album, and has become an icon of the entire Midwest emo scene ever since. In 2023, the band had an opportunity to purchase the house. American Football jumped at the chance, partnering with longtime friend Jefferson, their record label Polyvinyl, the photographer of the album cover shot, Chris Strong, and Open House Contemporary to acquire the property. Now in the hands of the band and friends, the landmark was the site of a backyard BBQ party to celebrate the new shoe.

The American Football x Vans OTW Authentic 44 launched on the band’s website on October 28, 2025 with a pre-order for a January 2026 ship date and immediately sold out, but we haven’t heard any word on a wider release through Vans yet. Available in men’s sizing, the retail price is set at $110. For all the latest collab sneaker news, make sure to download the Sole Retriever mobile 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