Zack Schlemmer 
When two brands collaborate on a sneaker, the end result often isn’t anything more special than a new colorway or premium materials on an already existing shoe. There’s nothing wrong with that, but every now and then there’s a collaboration that comes along that breaks out of the usual formula and seems a little more significant. That’s definitely the case with the new joint effort from The North Face and Vans, who created a collection that’s refreshingly innovative, supremely stylish, and most important of all, extremely functional. It’s no surprise that when the leaders and two most recognizable names in their respective fields (outdoors apparel and skateboarding/casual footwear) teamed up it was going to be good, and the end result of the two juggernauts putting their heads together is nothing short of one of the best collaborations of the year.
The results of Vans and The North Face joining forces are the most logical products for the two brands to make: sneakers with Vans’ signature style equipped with the advanced weatherproofing technology that only The North Face can provide. Building on Vans’ already-existing MTE line of rugged and insulated footwear designed for inclement weather, the Sk8-Hi and Desert Chukka are both given a complete overhaul with the help of The North Face to stand up to anything mother nature can throw at them this fall and winter.
Described by Vans as the most technically advanced footwear they’ve ever produced, the Sk8-Hi and Desert Chukka are ready to battle wet and cold conditions with water-repellant suede uppers, gusseted tongues, and TNF winterGRIP™ rubber compound for the lugged waffle soles to keep you stable in wet or icy conditions.
Looking deeper at the Sk8-Hi, the technological features continue with a HydroSeal® waterproof membrane across each quarter panel constructed in The North Face’s Everest Micro Ripstop material, along with a Dri-Lex inner lining. Us here at Sneaker News were lucky enough to get a pair of the Sk8-Hi’s to test out, and we can assure you that all those pieces of technology listed above combine to form a sneaker-boot that’s virtually impenetrable to the rain, snow, and cold you’ll face throughout the next two seasons.
Also accompanied by the iconic down-insulated The North Face Nuptse jacket with a special checkerboard graphic, the Vault by Vans x The North Face Collection releases globally at Vault retailers tomorrow, October 31st.
