In 2026, Vans Skateboarding marks 50 years with the return of the Skate Era, first introduced in 1976 as the world’s first skateboarding shoe. Reuniting the silhouette with its roots, Vans brings the Skate Era back to the Vans Skate line alongside Tony Alva, the skater who helped create it.
From this foundation, Vans moves the legacy forward with the introduction of the Skate Era WaffleCup™, the latest evolution of the franchise, built for what’s next in skateboarding. The Skate Era WaffleCup™ updates the classic low-profile silhouette with Vans’ most advanced Skate outsole technology to date, delivering cupsole-level support with vulcanized boardfeel and flexibility.
Designed for modern skate performance, the Skate Era WaffleCup™ features WaffleCup™ outsole construction, DuraCap™ reinforcement for durability, SickStick™ gum rubber for enhanced grip, and PopCush™ impact cushioning for impact protection, engineered to withstand daily wear while preserving the iconic feel of the Era.
The Spring 2026 campaign bridges past and future. In March, Vans brings back the Skate Era alongside Tony Alva, reconnecting the franchise with its origins, while also launching the Skate Era WaffleCup™ as the next evolution of the franchise. The story continues later in March with a symbolic, sci-fi–inspired handoff as the Skate Era WaffleCup™ is passed to the next generation, honoring legacy while signaling what’s next for skateboarding.
The Spring 2026 campaign features Vans skate team riders Tony Alva, Shiloh Catori, Diego Todd, Dick Rizzo, Daiki Hoshino, Junior Gutierrez, Pedro Delfino, Geoff Rowley, and more, bringing the Era back to the streets through their individual styles and perspectives.
The Skate Era and Skate Era WaffleCup™ will be available at Vans retail locations and Vans.co.za beginning March 19, 2026.