Last winter, some of the Vans Snow team found themselves on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula, lacing up one of Vans' most technically advanced silhouettes to date. Think of it as a street mission with sprinkles of R&D on the side. Per usual, Harry Hagan was behind the lens, while Ryo Aizawa, Jake Kuyzk, Jill Perkins, and Ivika Jürgenson were setting up spots in the new MTE™ Crosspath shoe. In between clips, they were able to test everything the shoes had to offer, and safe to say the Crosspath (and its higher-cut sibling, the MTE Crosspath Mid) sits at the intersection of style and versatility.
They sent over some photos from that trip to St. Johns, New Foundland, and you know what they say: a picture is worth a thousand words.
St. John's, Newfoundland With the Vans Snow Team
Sitting at the intersection of style and functionality, the MTE Crosspath pulls visual cues from Vans storied skateboarding footwear. However, it balances its aesthetic with a technically advanced build designed to tackle uneven ground, inclement weather, and whatever else you can throw at it. From collar to outsole, the MTE Crosspath is loaded with performance features. Uppers, made of 100% recycled PET and reinforced with abrasion paneling, use seamless RAPIDWELD™ construction treated with a non-PFC DWR water-repellent coating for a protective yet lightweight and breathable fit.
Still, we were curious how the shoe really held up, so we went straight to the source for some anecdotal support:
"The Atlantic coastline is stunningly beautiful, but wildly unforgiving. I think we saw every possible form of weather on this trip, so I was glad to wear something that could withstand it all—and still look cute!"
- Jake Kuzyk
"The Crosspath's took us on an adventure where the earth meets the sea and everywhere in between. Trekking through weather and local bars, these shoes presented with comfort and style. Crosspath’s are tight.”
- Jill Perkins
"They keep me looking cool and fresh in the city and in the mountains. And of course they’re great for doing things in the street."
- Ryo Aizawa
The shoe held up all across Newfoundland, and you can chalk that up to the toe box shapes and contoured insoles for all-day comfort. At the same time, the new outsole traction pattern allowed for maximum surface area contact, which, in turn, supplied a sturdier grip than previous models. Don't even need to go out on a limb when saying Jill, Jake, and Ryo agree.
A shoe designed for going out in nature must also respect Mother Earth, and Ryo Aizawa knows that all to well. If we could guess what he was talking about in the above photos, it would be something along the lines of the MTE Crosspaths’ midsole being made with at least 50% biobased EVA foam partially derived from plants, and the fact that it's USDA-Certified Biobased.
Also, when Harry Hagan wasn't behind the lens, he was probably thinking about the fact that 31% of the rubber used to make the outsole is regeneratively grown natural rubber sourced from farms utilizing agricultural practices intended to promote biodiversity, enhance water cycles, improve soil health, and/or sequester carbon.
The Perfect Silhouette is Available Now
Behind the MTE Crosspath Design
