Vans Vault Checkerboard Slip Ons: The Pricier Upgrade
Price: $80
Why Buy
The Vans Vault Checkerboard Slip On is a substantial upgrade in material quality compared to the regular, and if you like the details you’ll love this sneaker.
Why Avoid
The Vans Vault Checkerboard Slip On doesn’t quite nail the classic look the way the original does, and costs 50% more.
Specs
| Model | Vault Slip On |
| Height | Low |
| Materials | Canvas and Rubber |
| Size | 13 |
| Weight | 503 g / 1 lb 1.7 oz |
| Construction | Foxing Tape |
| Country of Origin |
What is Vans Vault / OTW?
The history of the Vans Checkerboard Slip Ons is interesting. Despite this sneaker’s extremely bold make up, it’s become a cultural icon. Take a step back and it’s pretty easy to realize that a pair of lace-less shoes in a checkerboard pattern should be seen as a bit weird. Though, most of us probably see at least one pair every day.
The history of the sneaker has been covered here before. It is great, and I highly suggest you check it out. However, while I loved the basic pair there was one thing that was undeniable – it felt cheap. The fabric, the comfort, the construction.
To be fair, it is cheap. However, Vans themselves realized that some people want to find a pair of sneakers that is a little bit more. Launching as “Vans Vault,” this line was created to offer the brand a place to put more premium or experimental materials that wouldn’t be justifiable on their ultra-affordable basics.
Not to be confused with the “Anaheim Factory” models that were supposed to be as close as possible to the originals (though, not built in Anaheim). These sneakers were reimagined to be improved for the 21st century. Think protro over retro.
The line, recently renamed to “OTW by Vans” isn’t even sold on Vans’ own website. It was boutique only. Though, with the new line there is a separate, dedicated Van’s website for it.
Of course, the new lines come with a new price. In theory around 50% more, but due to the ever-present sales of the original line more like 100%. Are the Vans Vault Checkerboard worth the upgrade? Let’s dive in.
Looks
Upper
When it comes to the Vans Vault Checkerboards’ upper, the first thing you notice is that there is a lot less of it. Built on an entirely new shape, each part of the upper is cut lower and the midsole comes up higher. The forefoot panel also ends much lower down on your foot. More like a penny loafer than a traditional sneaker slip-on.
The tape also wraps up slightly, onto the horizontal surface of the sneaker. This takes away even more of the canvas.
Speaking of the canvas, visually it isn’t that much different than the base model. The white is still more of a cream color, though the black is slightly darker. Vans also opted to use white edge pieces instead of black, a change that I much prefer. It feels more like a white sneaker with black print than a black sneaker with white print.
Due to the different panel shapes, the Vans tag has been moved from the ankle to near the midfoot. Also, in a move I can’t understand, the text is blue. It’s faint enough that I doubt anyone would notice, but… why?
Inside, the sneaker is lined with what feels like real pigskin leather along the edge of the opening. Canvas lines the rest of the upper. The insole gets a white, rubberized heel pad with the rest being the same canvas as the lining.
Mid- and Outsole
While most may not notice, the bottom half of the Vans Vault Checkerboard Slip Ons sees some pretty major changes from a visual perspective.
At first glance, you’ll notice that the black stripe along the top is gone, and everything used is a much higher gloss. These changes are fine, though likely more a side effect of the better materials than a specific stylistic choice.
Going a step further you’ll see what I mentioned in the upper section. The foxing tape on these is tall. Closing it at nearly 2 inches tall on this size 13 pair. This compares to just over 1 inch on the regular pair. The sneaker looks like a midsole that has an upper stretched across it in most places.
Finally, the last major change is that the foxing tape takes the shape of the last, not just filling in voided space. The tape contours the shape of the upper and the outsole. I personally like this, but I could see how someone might think the taper towards the outsole could look weird if you’re used to normal vans or chucks.
Before I close out this section, I need to mention one more thing. These feature a much higher quality foxing tape. We’ll get to that more in the materials section, but you can actually see the slight texture of the inner strips of fabric and the ends of them on the top and bottom of the shoe. Nobody else will notice, but it’s little things like that which separate a shoe designed to look premium and one that actually is.
Summary
Comparing the Vans Vault Checkerboard Slip Ons with the standard pair, there are definitely differences. However, other than a few minor nerd things like seeing the build of the foxing tape, it’s hard to say with full confidence that one looks better than the other visually.
In a vacuum, I prefer the Vans Vault option. They look more like a skateboard shoe, and the only major gripe I had style wise with the base pair – the black fabric edging – is white on the Vault. Further, if someone is 12 inches away, the little details become clearer.
However, if you close your eyes and think of a pair of Vans Checkerboard Slip Ons, you don’t think of the Vault. It isn’t a coincidence that any time a celebrity who had their outfit put together by a stylist is wearing the base model. It isn’t that they can’t afford the $30 difference, it’s because they think these fit the style better.
Of course, you shouldn’t dress based on how a celebrity’s stylist tells you to. It is worth noting, though, that if your primary focus is on the looks, the extra cost in the Vault model might be wasted.
Fit & Comfort
Fit
The Vans Vault Checkerboard Slip On fits differently than the base. However, it’s likely that you’ll wear the same size.
With the Vault pair, the last that is used is slightly larger – especially in width. On the other hand, the higher walls and thicker foxing tape means the shoe is going to take the shape of your foot less. Or, in other words, getting a pair that is slightly too small and hoping it stretches is a worse idea on the Vault.
When I was getting this pair, I went with a size 13, but only because the Vault line stops half sizes at 11.5. If I could get a size 12.5 (the size I take in standard Vans slip ons) I would have.
One thing I should flag. With the wider last, this sneaker doesn’t hold onto your foot quite as well as most slip ons. Lacking any laces or thick padding, it isn’t impossible for the sneaker to slide off when walking. It’s not a problem you’re going to face in every day life, but if for some reason you did actually want to skate in these, they might not be the best choice.
Comfort
The Vans Vault Checkerboard Slip On definitely has better materials to address impact compared to the base line, but at the end of the day this is not a very comfortable shoe. Due to the way these sneakers are made, the only padding can come from the rubber outsole or the fairly thin insole.
If you need support or squish under foot, these are not for you.
Materials & Construction
Materials
OK, so far in this review of the Vans Vault Checkerboard Slip On there really hasn’t been that much to justify a cost difference. Sure, I personally prefer white over black edge dressing, and the more skater-y look, but here is where the sneaker starts to claw some back.
In just about every way, the materials here are improved compared to a standard pair of Vans. Most importantly, all of the core structural components are improved. The sneaker features a thicker rubber outsole. This is connected to the upper with not one, but two very thick pieces of foxing tape. Seeing as this is the two key fail points of the sneaker, this should be a major upgrade in durability.
Next, the insole of the sneaker is thicker. Not by much but at least it is noticeable.
The last major change you should know about is the use of real leather along the edge of the shoe opening. It isn’t the best leather – it’s very thin – but it is real. This, again, should provide a big upgrade compared to the cloth used in the regular one. Just make sure you don’t wear these sockless or it could get sticky.
The only material that isn’t an obvious upgrade in durability is the canvas on the upper. Thinner than the base model, I’m not sure exactly what Vans was going for here. More breathability? Flexibility? Your guess is as good as mine, but it’s a surprising inclusion.
Construction
The Vans Vault Checkerboard Slip On – like most vans – is made with a vulcanized rubber construction. If you want a more complete dive, you can check out the information here. The short version is that the flat outsole is baked in an oven and a thick piece of rubberized tape – known as foxing tape – connects the upper to the outsole.
On pros, this form of construction allows for a fairly thin but durable outsole giving great feel underfoot. It also is one of the more affordable ways of making a shoe. This savings is seen in the price charged for these. As for drawbacks, the biggest is going to be durability. The key component of holding the shoe together – the tape – also needs to bend significantly with each step. This puts pressure on the tape, the glue, the outsole, and the upper thousands of times each wear.
Pricing
At MSRP, the Vans Vault Checkerboard Slip On cost between $80-90 depending on which store you bought from. This is compared to $60 for the regular slip on. Of course, basically nobody pays full MSRP for Vans, and these are no exception.
With them being out of production at the moment the exact price you can expect to pay will depend on which stores still have your size in stock. Some sizes are as low as $36 (plus $15 shipping), though to get this pair I had to pay $55 (plus $10 shipping).
Even at full MSRP, though, the Vans Vault line will come in at less than most other name brand sneakers. Other skate focused sneakers – like the Dunk SB or Forum Low – will each be nearly twice the price of these. They even undercut the Chuck 70 by $5, which is the most comparable sneaker in construction and materials.
Are the Vans Vault Checkerboard Slip Ons Worth It?
If the Vans Vault Checkerboard Slip On make sense to you really depends on what you’re looking for.
The person who should pick them up is really the sneaker nerd, the category I’d put myself in. If you take a sneaker out of the box and spend 5 minutes taking in all the little details, you’ll love this pair. From an objective stand point, these sneakers are the best Vans checkerboard slip on you can buy.
However, most other cases don’t make sense. If your main goal is to have a sneaker that looks like a classic vans slip on, the base model is more classic. If your goal is to get something to save money by being more durable, sure these are, but two pairs of the regular model will be cheaper and last longer than 1 pair of these.
At the end of the day, I’m glad I picked these up, but can see why Vans ultimately canceled this line.