GEAR CHANGES
Vans shoes are back on the MTB scene, thanks to a team-up with YT Industries. The brands have paired up on a new collab model, the Vans x YT 114. Based on the 114 BMX shoe, this features a ‘WaffleCup’ outsole, with tall sidewalls that wrap around the upper for extra support, plus a classic vulcanised waffle tread underneath. Other tech includes a ‘PopCush’ insole – with more cushioning on the heel and less under the ball of the foot for good pedal feel – and ‘DURACAP’ reinforcement in key areas. The shoes are available in red-and-white and black-and-red as well as the white-and-red of our pair. Equally cool are the new Vans x YT La Costa sliders! Look out for Erik Fedko and his teammates rocking this footwear at this year’s slopestyle comps (well, maybe not the sliders!).
Vans x YT 114, £99.90, https://yt-industries.com