Throughout skateboarding, the initials AVE are synonymous with OG. For decades, Anthony Van Engelen has blessed our eyes with his unique approach combining raw, technical skating with a signature blend of power and finesse. AVE’s skating is rugged, versatile, timeless and original. I was excited to sit down with Anthony to discuss the design process for his latest shoe, the AVE Pro. The often harsh, physical demands of skateboarding on our feet, along with the urge to create something new and progressive was how they fit all of AVE’s attributes into a classic Vans’ silhouette with plenty of technical upgrades. Have a look under the hood at the AVE Pro and see for yourself. Just like Anthony, this shoe was built to last.—Mike Fitzgerald
By Mike Fitzgerald
Hi Anthony, thanks for sitting down with me. This is my first time seeing the shoe apart from the teaser photo. They look sick. Are you skating in it?
AVE: Yep.
How many signature shoes have you had on Vans?
I’m not sure exactly, I think it’s somewhere around 10.
Wasn’t the first one an upgraded Era?
Yeah, that one came out in 2005. The AV Era. I’d consider this one my 10th. There’s been some hybrids of my shoes on Vans over the years.
What was different about this design process from your previous Pro Models?
Most of the shoes I’ve made with Vans have been that classic silhouette, vulcanized sole. The cup sole on this is obviously a huge switch from anything I’ve done. You brought up the AV Era and that was a cup sole, but it was more of that classic kind of construction cup sole where as this one is way beyond. Obviously, the designer would do a way better job of explaining the technical aspects, but from a skater’s perspective I was fearful of it at first. Skating a cup sole you can lose board feel, control, grip, all that kind of stuff. They kept all of that with this. Obviously, the technology is here now to have more durable shoes, shoes that fucking save your feet, and I wear ‘em straight out of the box.
Is this the first time Vans has used this sole? Is it brand new technology? It looks really cool, it almost reminds me of the first Rick Howard DC with the blue, softer rubber on the out sole.
That was one of my favorite skate shoes.
I remember you skating those. I was wondering if it was a little nod to that look.
No, the designers came up with that. That blue is the actual insole that’s built into the construction. Having the clear sole, you’re seeing the construction of the shoe. It’s just a color that was added for the design.
With this new technology, was there something specific you’ve been asking for? Were you looking for a cup sole with this level of durability and board feel? Did you pitch this to Vans, or was it already in the works and they thought you’d be perfect to introduce it?
Well, the Rapid Weld, which was my previous shoe, was all welded parts, no stitching. It had mesh, rubber and other lighter materials, shedding anything that you don’t need. Using technology was something I brought to them. ‘Cause you know, making your 10th shoe, you’re like, “What the fuck am I gonna do, make a Vans Classic again?” So, the Rapid Weld had a vulcanized sole with a whole technical upper. Now, driving off that design into this one, obviously the sole was something to focus on and try to improve and build on in that direction.
The Rapid Weld looked like a Vans Classic with some hidden technology. For the AVE Pro, just looking at the sole alone gives it a much more tech-forward design, but it maintains that Classic look. What are your top three favorite Vans styles of all time?
The Old Skool, The Authentic, and I liked my Pro Model a lot, as far as a Classic goes, it’s called the AV Classic. I really like that shoe, it’s really basic. They make it still in a high top and low top. We just did one for a Hockey collaboration. So, that one, The Authentic and the Old Skool.
One of your early Pro Models I remember almost looked indoor soccer inspired. It was when the AV logo was the Bones x Bolts and the toe was all one piece.
Yeah. I think I’ve always envisioned this. Even with that design, it was a few Pro Models in and I wanted to try something new. Obviously at Vans we’re always known for our heritage, with the vulcanized soles and the canvas and all that stuff, but these dudes can make fucking shoes too, you know? So, there’s always been an internal push to expand their abilities. Now we’ve created something and arrived at a shoe that showcases those abilities. I wouldn’t say I was thinking about that shoe during this design process, but I’ve always liked both, the technical and the classic stuff. With this shoe, you get both done right. These guys are so good at making technical skate shoes that look good. It’s not just some big, bulky mess.
