The wait is finally over. In honor of longtime Vans global team rider Anthony Van Engelen’s storied career and enduring impact on skateboarding culture, Vans presents a brand-new footwear and apparel collection designed and inspired by the skate icon himself. Available worldwide on August 22, Vans unveils the AVE Pro featuring Vans’ UltimateWaffle, Van Engelen’s first signature cupsole silhouette in over a decade.
“With the AVE Pro—my first cupsole in 15 years—we achieved a completely transformed upper with Vans’ Rapidweld technology and improved the grip and board feel in the sole overall,” Van Engelen said. “This shoe for me was a natural progression toward making a durable, technical skate shoe. Not only does it deliver a lighter, longer-lasting shoe for skating—but it’s an important step in innovation for Vans to pursue as the leader in skate shoes.”
For AVE, “good enough” isn’t good enough, so he worked with the Vans design team every step of the way, through innovative research, design and wear testing to create a shoe worthy of his name. Featured in premium suede with mesh paneling, the all-new AVE Pro is enhanced with Duracap™ reinforced underlays in high abrasion areas and RapidWeld™ no-sew technology that utilizes heat-fused upper panels for an extremely strong bond that’s more durable, flexible, and lighter than conventional stitching.
The pro model also features LuxLiner™ technology, integrating the tongue and internal lining for a more snug and consistent fit, along with a molded heel counter for additional structure and heel lock. The best feature lies in Vans’ all-new UltimateWaffle outsole featuring an internal shank to keep flex in the forefoot, built-in impact cushioning with a full length Ultracush midsole, and unrivaled grip to present a shoe that has a familiar Vans feel and flexibility with the comfort and protection of a modern construction.
“The AVE Pro is the culmination of upper features that have worked for Anthony on previous shoes with a new sole that shows off everything inside and keeps the flexibility intact with Vans’ durable waffle tread.” – Neal Shoemaker, Director of Footwear Design
AVE embodies what it means to be a modern skater. His distinct style is legendarily aggressive and hard-hitting, yet technical and progressive. It’s what makes him an icon, and a leading Vans Signature Pro. Throughout his 14-year career with Vans Anthony has continued to innovate and push the progression of both skateboarding and skate shoe design, introducing a number of progressive technologies with each new signature model while skating faster and harder than ever year after year. The AVE Pro continues to build on this enduring legacy, standing as the most uncompromising, technically advanced skate shoe Vans has ever made.
Designed with AVE’s signature, hard-charging skating in mind, his apparel and accessories collection is hardwearing and classic in style. The blue-collar styled Drill Chore Coat is engineered with ripstop fabric, twill lining, DWR finish, and patent-pending hidden hood to withstand abuse and look damn good while doing it. And the V96 Standard/AVE jeans are a timeless staple, available in a relaxed fit with heavyweight 14.75oz. rigid denim in a vintage rinse wash. Anchoring the collection is a Versa Hoodie™ with water-repellant Storm Cotton™ finish, hat and both a short sleeve and long sleeve t-shirt, each featuring AVE’s custom Off the Wall graphic.
All in all, if it’s good enough for Anthony, you’re going to think it’s pretty fucking great.
Twenty years as a leading pro has taught Anthony Van Engelen a thing or two—to never settle, that hard work pays off, and you can always push faster and skate harder. The 2015 Thrasher Magazine Skater of the Year is one of the most influential skaters of his generation, and a beacon for future generations to come as co-founder of cultural heavyweight Fucking Awesome, which he started with his partner Jason Dill. With an unwavering passion to push himself in the streets and to fight the battles ingrained in his DNA, there’s definitely no “quit” in this one.
The AVE Pro will be available at a Vans Pro Skate dealer near you or online at Vans.com/Ave.
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