More Loafers! Vans Gets Formal for New Skate Silhouette
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The sneaker loafer trend isn’t going anywhere. The back-to-the-office trend of stacking dress shoe uppers on athletic soles has taken over the industry, and we’ve already seen two new hybrid loafer silhouettes this week alone. It all started with the New Balance 1906L, but that was quickly followed by similar models from Nike, Hoka, and, as of yesterday, Keen. Now, the skaters get their turn, thanks to the new Vans Skate Loafer.
Dropping in five debut colorways, the Vans Skate Loafer features a basic loafer construction on the upper, with a raised fabric accent on the toebox and a decorative strap crossing where a tongue would be. Like a mullet, the Vans loafer is all business up front, but ready to party in the back, with a vulcanized Vans PopCush waffle sole underfoot for maximum board feel and grip. The debut colorways are black suede, brown suede, beige suede, black leather, and green and white leather.
Hybrid loafers have been trending all year, but for skate shoes, the idea is old news. Dress shoe construction took over the skate industry in 2009 with the release of the late great Dylan Reider’s Gravis pro model. Skating in hard-bottom styles with skate soles continued into the 2010s, but eventually fell out of fashion… until recently. Years before New Balance broke out the 1906L, skater-owned brands Hours Is Yours and Last Resort AB dropped their own loafer hybrids for the skate world. With Vans entering the fold, it’s safe to say that the loafer trend is fully saturated in every aspect of sneaker culture.
The Vans Skate Loafer is available now at select skate shops in the US and overseas, with a global release at Vans retailers in-store and online set for September 2025. Available in men’s sizes, the retail price is set at a very reasonable $85. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Vans Skate Loafer Black Suede
Vans Skate Loafer Black Leather
Vans Skate Loafer Green
Vans Skate Loafer Beige Suede
Vans Skate Loafer Brown Black
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
