Vans Old Skool Yacht Club

Looks: 

The Vans Old Skool Yacht Club is a sight to see. There are intriguing intricacies, but the colors are the first thing that you notice.

The first panel is royal blue suede and starts at the toe. This material is incredibly soft to the touch, but it is also highly sensitive in terms of wear and tear and color preservation. These shoes have never seen rain, but they have seen one wet sidewalk. Even still, there are persistent dots on this panel that refuse to go away.

Although it didn't come with this pair, subsequent versions of the shoe do include a warning label that states that if the shoe gets wet, the color will bleed. The blue continues up through the lace holes, where there is significant fraying at the edge. Fraying and discolouration where the shoelaces have touched the suede are particularly noticeable around the toe, where the shoe is more likely to flex.

The majority of the shoe is constructed of green canvas behind the blue suede. Unlike the rest of the shoe, this material appears to be quite durable, if a little harsh to the touch. Because this sort of canvas has a propensity to bleach out over time, the green has lost some of its oomph since it was originally unpacked. The "jazz stripe" is a synthetic white leather that sits on top of this green panel.

A yellow panel, constructed of the same material as the blue toe box, covers the heel of the Vans Old Skool Yacht Club. Unlike the fraying on the blue panel, the heel cap's construction has stopped it from shifting and it is still in excellent condition. The shoe's tongue is a vivid crimson that matches the footbed. A white lining peeks out around the collar on the inside.

The shoe's midsole is a typical Van's brilliant white, and it reveals scuffs readily. The gum waffle sole is one of Van's trademarks, so it's no surprise that it's underneath.

These shoes come with both the traditional flat laces as well as the circular laces shown in the photos. These laces are exclusive to the yacht club and further distinguish the shoe. Though the aglets (the metal piece at the end) have faded to a yellow over the years, the circular laces give the shoe a more fun attitude, a style you may as well own with something as colorful as these shoes.

Fit & Comfort: 

Vans shoes tend to fit wider than many other sneakers, and because to the absence of structure, there is a lot of size flexibility. In comparison to Nikes, I wear a whole size down (12). (13). This is the same size that I wear in most Allen Edmonds Park Ave goodyear welt shoes. This size is mostly due to the small widths of most Nikes, which necessitate a significant amount of room in front of my toe. Thankfully, they are a little broader, and I can fit a lot more comfortably in them. If your feet are small, it's generally best to go down a half size from your Nikes.

Overall, the comfort of the Vans Old Skool Yacht Club is poor. The same thin sole that allows skaters to feel the board also means there isn't much in the way of ground protection. The insole is the only source of cushioning, and it collapses after a dozen or so wears. The one redeeming grace is that the shoe's design and materials make it fairly non-restrictive. They'll mold themselves to your feet. This usually implies the shoe is light and airy, ideal for a fast sprint to the shop or a stroll.

Materials: 

The wear and tear of the upper materials had a big role in how these shoes evolved through time, as noted above, but there are a few other things to look out for, especially on the midsole and outsole. Vans' outsoles are made of vulcanized rubber, which is made by heating rubber to harden it. Because vulcanized rubber can't be shaped like regular rubber, Vans can't utilize standard cup soles.

Instead, the shoe's upper is made separately and then bonded to the gum-colored rubber. This is then taped together using a substance known as foxing tape. The white rim around the midsole is known as foxing tape. This tape is what binds the shoe together in the end, which is why the tape separating from the upper at the flex point is a common failure spot on Vans (and Converse All Stars, which utilize the same structure). Vans adds a red "off the wall" rubber strip to the tape to keep it from unraveling.

The tape is covered with a rough rubber piece at the front in case the toe strikes anything and rips a chunk out of it.

Around the neck of the shoe is a very thin and plastically faux leather. This does an excellent job of retaining its color, although it becomes sticky in the heat and would be better suited as a mesh. A cushioned ring is worn around your ankle. It was made to protect your ankle from a skateboard, but it may also be used on a regular basis.

The white cotton lining farther down within the shoe protects your foot from the outside leather. It accomplishes the task at hand.

Ease Of Care: 

The simplicity of upkeep for the great majority of Vans Old Skools would be the best it could be. They are composed of a water and dirt resistant canvas material. The white midsole tape is the only item that needs to be cleaned.

The Vans Old Skool Yacht Club, on the other hand, isn't like the rest. Because the suede material they utilize is so fragile, you'll need to plan ahead if you want to wear these shoes. (Along with choosing an attire that works with such a vibrant color scheme.) Is there a chance of rain? Did it rain the day before yesterday? Is there a lot of dust? Is it possible that someone may drop anything on my feet, such as water or a drink? Is it possible for someone to walk on my shoe? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you won't be able to wear the shoes without being concerned about them. For what is essentially a cheap sneaker, this isn't a good sensation.