new Vans models

[franc]

Interesting you find the Rowans more chunky than Half Cabs for flip tricks. The toe shape is nearly identical to my eye and feel.

Personally didn't find flipping my board that tough in them. Other than the side panel being weak compared to the rest of the upper (and the classic Vans sole that goes bald in less than 3 weeks), I couldn't find anything to complain about

I agree main draw is definitely the comfy-ness. Nice wide mid-foot and toe box, pretty generous padding at the collar, padded but not poofy tongue, 15 min break-in.... yeah, that's all really I want from Vans at this point

Oh man I had the first black ones (white sole of course) that had a black jazz stripe and low-key contrast stitching, those looked really rad and were fantastic for skating curbs and transition but I found them weird when it came to skating flatground, they felt too chunky even if the sole was pretty good. They did feel kind of similar to the new SKATE Half Cabs but I had Rowans first then those new Half Cabs so who knows, maybe I got used to that chunkiness with my Half Cabs? Could be tempted to get a second pair if I found one for half price in a decent colorway.

I'm breaking in a pair of the emo colorway right now and they feel alright. Definitely stiffer than canvas, but they're not that bad.

Been wearing mine every fortnight for over a year and they still feel way too stiff. Tried skating in them 3 or 4 times, it's just not happening.

[finecojeffe]

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Had a pair of Rowans, thought they were really comfy but not that good for flip tricks, too chunky.
SKATE Half Cabs are pretty good, it takes me 4 to 5 sessions to break them in but then they last really long (and they look fantastic even if they're a bit different from the Pro ones).

[close]

Interesting you find the Rowans more chunky than Half Cabs for flip tricks. The toe shape is nearly identical to my eye and feel.

Personally didn't find flipping my board that tough in them. Other than the side panel being weak compared to the rest of the upper (and the classic Vans sole that goes bald in less than 3 weeks), I couldn't find anything to complain about

I agree main draw is definitely the comfy-ness. Nice wide mid-foot and toe box, pretty generous padding at the collar, padded but not poofy tongue, 15 min break-in.... yeah, that's all really I want from Vans at this point

I find the rowans to be less chunky than the half cabs. In fact they feel like half cabs used to feel like before the "skate" line was created. They're a phenomenal shoe.

[Coastal Fever]

I have non-Skate Sk8 Lows as chillers that I skated in once and they felt amazing.  Definitely not a protective shoe, but if the Skate version has a similar feel with more padding, I imagine they’d be great too, assuming you have flipper feet like I do.

[cornman]

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SKATE SK8-Mids are dope, just avoid the black-white-emo colorway (be careful, it's the classic black with white sole colorway but the upper is made of a weird material that's stiffer than steel and makes the shoe really uncomfortable; you'll be fine if the upper is made of canvas).

[close]

I'm breaking in a pair of the emo colorway right now and they feel alright. Definitely stiffer than canvas, but they're not that bad.

Is the emo leather the synthetic/waxy material? I agree that the material is stiff and takes some time to break in, but it makes the shoe last so long. I had a pair of Old Schools Pros with this material on the sidewall and skated them for months before I ripped through the material. I skated a pair of Old School Pros with a canvas sidewall and ripped through to the sock in less than a week.

[franc]

Is the emo leather the synthetic/waxy material? I agree that the material is stiff and takes some time to break in, but it makes the shoe last so long. I had a pair of Old Schools Pros with this material on the sidewall and skated them for months before I ripped through the material. I skated a pair of Old School Pros with a canvas sidewall and ripped through to the sock in less than a week.

That emo leather is synthetic/waxy, yes.
I've never seen it on other Vans before but I don't get Old Skools super often.

[WashingtonNECKTIE]

They did feel kind of similar to the new SKATE Half Cabs but I had Rowans first then those new Half Cabs so who knows, maybe I got used to that chunkiness with my Half Cabs? Could be tempted to get a second pair if I found one for half price in a decent colorway.

I keep checking, they rarely go on sale, specifically in good colors. They're fairly popular even in my small-ish city, so I imagine they must sell at least half decent. Considering they have him a second model, he must be bringing some cash flow in.

BUT eating my words a bit, here's a clean blue/white colorway for 50$...

https://www.skatewarehouse.com/Vans_Rowan_Pro_Shoes/descpage-VARBL.html

[Mbrimson88]

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They did feel kind of similar to the new SKATE Half Cabs but I had Rowans first then those new Half Cabs so who knows, maybe I got used to that chunkiness with my Half Cabs? Could be tempted to get a second pair if I found one for half price in a decent colorway.

[close]

I keep checking, they rarely go on sale, specifically in good colors. They're fairly popular even in my small-ish city, so I imagine they must sell at least half decent. Considering they have him a second model, he must be bringing some cash flow in.

BUT eating my words a bit, here's a clean blue/white colorway for 50$...

https://www.skatewarehouse.com/Vans_Rowan_Pro_Shoes/descpage-VARBL.html

I do think the "classic colourways" don't go on sale as much, but sometimes it is just the sheer volume of shoes in shops that makes some end up on clearance faster than others.

Picked up the first Rowan black white colour for a bargain price when there were overstock not too long after they first came out, so maybe they didn't sell as well as hoped, or whatever reason, but sometimes you can be in the right place at the right time too.

Even some of the blanket % off sales end up being really good for regular lines of product, shoes or other stuff too, so I keep an eye on places that have 20% or even 30% off and those things often go quick when those kind of sales are announced.

[finecojeffe]

I already had those blue rowans, but this thread reminded me I may need a backup...so ordered. It's definitely been my favorite blue as well. Would enjoy some half cabs in the same color.

[Enrico Pallazzo]

Anyone able to compare the Rowan 2s to other cupsoles on the market (Dunks, NB 1010, etc)? That sole looks insanely chunky to me but I’m curious if it translates to 0 boardfeel or if there’s more going on than meets the eye.

[Mean salto]

Anyone able to compare the Rowan 2s to other cupsoles on the market (Dunks, NB 1010, etc)? That sole looks insanely chunky to me but I’m curious if it translates to 0 boardfeel or if there’s more going on than meets the eye.

This site has a bunch of reviews of shoes
https://www.weartested.com/vans-rowan-2/

[Enrico Pallazzo]

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Anyone able to compare the Rowan 2s to other cupsoles on the market (Dunks, NB 1010, etc)? That sole looks insanely chunky to me but I’m curious if it translates to 0 boardfeel or if there’s more going on than meets the eye.

[close]

This site has a bunch of reviews of shoes
https://www.weartested.com/vans-rowan-2/

Wow completely forgot about Weartested, figured they imploded around when Ripped Laces did. Appreciate it!

[Xen]

Still rotating in my rowan 2s but not as much now as I can't fit my new insoles (higher arch) in them, with or without leaving the stock paper thin one in. Sucks too because I really like them (more than my Nike Leos which can fit the insole on top of stock).

[MonsPubis]

Anyone able to compare the Rowan 2s to other cupsoles on the market (Dunks, NB 1010, etc)? That sole looks insanely chunky to me but I’m curious if it translates to 0 boardfeel or if there’s more going on than meets the eye.

I'm going back and forth with Rowan 2's and 1010's right now. The Rowan sole is not chunky, and I would argue it has the best boardfeel and grip between the 3. I would skate either 1010 or Rowan 2 over a dunk any day. The biggest differences between the Rowan and 1010 is the Rowan has a more flexible sole and pointier toe box, which is ideal for flip tricks. 1010 still feels like the highest quality and best structured shoe. Dunks feel like cardboard garbage. Break in time is comparable to a 1010 as well.

[marcusbutler]

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Anyone able to compare the Rowan 2s to other cupsoles on the market (Dunks, NB 1010, etc)? That sole looks insanely chunky to me but I’m curious if it translates to 0 boardfeel or if there’s more going on than meets the eye.

[close]

This site has a bunch of reviews of shoes
https://www.weartested.com/vans-rowan-2/

https://www.weartested.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Bildschirmfoto-2023-11-06-um-20.59.43.png

This pic makes the cup look a lot smaller than just a pic of the shoe. I steered away from these because how thick it looked.

[Curbyourenthusiasm]

Anyone able to compare the Rowan 2s to other cupsoles on the market (Dunks, NB 1010, etc)? That sole looks insanely chunky to me but I’m curious if it translates to 0 boardfeel or if there’s more going on than meets the eye.

I really enjoy the Rowan 2 more than most cupsoles I've skated in recent memory. I think the closest comparison for overall feel is a jordan 1, but with better grip. I really hope it sticks around for awhile. Not nearly as narrow as it looks either. Fits my foot ideally, but obviously everyone is different.

[Enrico Pallazzo]

Love it, thanks all for the info. Was leaning towards another pair of 1010s or some 480s, but may give the Rowan 2s a shot instead.

[thehogsniper]

real question: if you buy a pair of half cabs, and only get a single shoe in the box, does that make it a quarter cab?

[BALARGUE]

i don't know
but quarter his age would get him to jail

[liahoop9595]

New authentic highs

https://rosestreetskateshop.com/products/vans-skate-authentic-high-navy-black

[dstrytruitt]

Love it, thanks all for the info. Was leaning towards another pair of 1010s or some 480s, but may give the Rowan 2s a shot instead.

Same here. Thanks,Curb. Picking up a pair of Rowan 2 for my old feet/back/hips

[kitcatski]

New authentic highs

https://rosestreetskateshop.com/products/vans-skate-authentic-high-navy-black

These look dope. I've only ever skated eras, is the only difference the padding around the heel?

[Curbyourenthusiasm]

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Love it, thanks all for the info. Was leaning towards another pair of 1010s or some 480s, but may give the Rowan 2s a shot instead.

[close]

Same here. Thanks,Curb. Picking up a pair of Rowan 2 for my old feet/back/hips

Hope you like them. I'm a fossil and my feet barely have any pain post session🙌

[Nth syd bear]

I'm glad to hear the Rowan 2 isn't a flop, I see there's a spitfire collab out
I'm not big into wheel and truck company collab shoes but they look ok

I was just checking the Vans U.S. site and you guys got some cool colorways of the zahba mid too
All brown/gum and basically a triple black

[dstrytruitt]

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Love it, thanks all for the info. Was leaning towards another pair of 1010s or some 480s, but may give the Rowan 2s a shot instead.

[close]

Same here. Thanks,Curb. Picking up a pair of Rowan 2 for my old feet/back/hips

[close]

Hope you like them. I'm a fossil and my feet barely have any pain post session🙌

A couple days walking around at work and two sessions on the miniramp and no pain! I’m really digging these.

[Xen]

I'm glad to hear the Rowan 2 isn't a flop, I see there's a spitfire collab out
I'm not big into wheel and truck company collab shoes but they look ok

They're pretty low key, no logos blasted everywhere; tho I would not have minded the heel counter graphic having some color to it.

Found an insole for arch support that works in them and really digging the shoe again. Hopefully some more/new colorways drop.

[yghartsyrt]

Got a Nick Michel halfcab colorway for really cheap. Love that they got this trecking/hiking shoe vibe going.
It runs slightly smaller than other half cabs I had, which was a surprise - anyways great shoe

[dstrytruitt]

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I'm glad to hear the Rowan 2 isn't a flop, I see there's a spitfire collab out
I'm not big into wheel and truck company collab shoes but they look ok

[close]

They're pretty low key, no logos blasted everywhere; tho I would not have minded the heel counter graphic having some color to it.

Found an insole for arch support that works in them and really digging the shoe again. Hopefully some more/new colorways drop.

Yeah, I’m looking forward to more colorways, too. The chocolate/purpleish is the only one I really dig so far.

[Xen]

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I'm glad to hear the Rowan 2 isn't a flop, I see there's a spitfire collab out
I'm not big into wheel and truck company collab shoes but they look ok

[close]

They're pretty low key, no logos blasted everywhere; tho I would not have minded the heel counter graphic having some color to it.

Found an insole for arch support that works in them and really digging the shoe again. Hopefully some more/new colorways drop.

[close]

Yeah, I’m looking forward to more colorways, too. The chocolate/purpleish is the only one I really dig so far.

Same, but I settled for the black upper, white outsole; the pics of the chocolate don't help, they look really red like clay red/milk chocolate and no one has that colorway around here to see in 'real world lighting'.

[Crabby_Bastard]

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I'm glad to hear the Rowan 2 isn't a flop, I see there's a spitfire collab out
I'm not big into wheel and truck company collab shoes but they look ok

[close]

They're pretty low key, no logos blasted everywhere; tho I would not have minded the heel counter graphic having some color to it.

Found an insole for arch support that works in them and really digging the shoe again. Hopefully some more/new colorways drop.

[close]

Yeah, I’m looking forward to more colorways, too. The chocolate/purpleish is the only one I really dig so far.

[close]

Same, but I settled for the black upper, white outsole; the pics of the chocolate don't help, they look really red like clay red/milk chocolate and no one has that colorway around here to see in 'real world lighting'.

I have them and they look very close to that picture. There are a few new colorways on the Vans website.

[dstrytruitt]

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I'm glad to hear the Rowan 2 isn't a flop, I see there's a spitfire collab out
I'm not big into wheel and truck company collab shoes but they look ok

[close]

They're pretty low key, no logos blasted everywhere; tho I would not have minded the heel counter graphic having some color to it.

Found an insole for arch support that works in them and really digging the shoe again. Hopefully some more/new colorways drop.

[close]

Yeah, I’m looking forward to more colorways, too. The chocolate/purpleish is the only one I really dig so far.

[close]

Same, but I settled for the black upper, white outsole; the pics of the chocolate don't help, they look really red like clay red/milk chocolate and no one has that colorway around here to see in 'real world lighting'.

[close]

I have them and they look very close to that picture. There are a few new colorways on the Vans website.

The black and brown are cool but the spitfire collab look really nice.