Palace and Vans‘ second original skate shoe model comes with a name and a campaign at complete odds with each other.
The Palace x Vans Low 2 is a humbly named shoe being touted by its progenitors as the “Skate Shoe of the Year.” A fake award show was staged in a promotional video to announce the sneaker, which comes three years after the collaborators’ first Vans Low released with elements from both the Half Cab and Skate MC.
A reworked upper carries many of the same lines but goes without the patch from its predecessor that served as the clearest tie to the Half Cab. In its place is a swan logo placed more centrally at midfoot and again on the tongue, and both the collar and lacing system stick out as the most significant revisions for a shoe intended to bridge the aesthetics of London and California.
Technical materials are also consistent between the two Lows, through up-to-the-date PopCush insoles, DuraCap underlays in high-wear zones and a SickStick rubber compound applied to the classic waffle pattern outsole.
Two colorways will be available: a tonal white and cream mix and a straight application of a black upper with a gum sole.
Vans team riders Danny Brady and Rory Milanes star in the lo-fi and self-deprecating video while accepting the award for hyper-specific award for “Best Supporting Cushioning in a Vulcanized Low-Top.”
The Palace x Vans Low 2 will release Friday exclusively through Palace’s website and stores. Pricing has not yet been confirmed.
Palace x Vans Low 2 “Black/Gum” (lateral)
Palace x Vans Low 2 “Black/Gum” (above)
Palace x Vans Low 2 “Black/Gum” (heel detail)
Palace x Vans Low 2 “Black/Gum” (lateral and outsole)
Palace x Vans Low 2 “White” (lateral)
Palace x Vans Low 2 “White” (above)
Palace x Vans Low 2 “White” (heel)
Palace x Vans Low 2 “White” (lateral and outsole)