Differentiate your footwear with the couture choice of Vans’ “CHUKKA”!

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Differentiate your footwear with the couture choice of Vans' "CHUKKA"!

Vans” is a shoe brand that leads the skateboarding world. Skateboarding is now included in the Olympic games, and the brand is deeply involved in the sports culture that is gaining momentum around the world. It is interesting to note that the brand used to be a custom-made store and has a history of recovering from business failure. This time, we focus on the “Chukka,” a model that boasts core popularity among such Vans. We will introduce the features and recommended models of the Chukka along with the history of VANS, which is known by those in the know!

Vans (Vans/Vans), deeply involved in American subcultures

In 1966, Paul Van Doren and his brother Jim Van Doren teamed up with their friends to establish the sneaker brand Vans in California, USA. The brand name VANS means ” Van and his friends. At first, the brand was not called Vans, but rather “The Van Doren Rubber Company,” and the shoes were produced on a “custom-made-to-order” basis. At that time, the custom-made shoe model was called “AUTHENTIC. The design of this pair of shoes has a long history and is still being passed down today. Visitors could select their desired size and color, and the shoes were made to order. The smooth service gained popularity to the extent that all deliveries were completed by the evening. Later, the CLASSIC SLIP-ON, released in the late 70’s, became very popular among young people in Southern California, as its smoothness in putting on and taking off the shoes was highly evaluated as suitable for skateboarding. It was highly supported not only by skaters but also by BMX riders.

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Vans’ catchphrase ” OFF THE WALL

The words “OFF THE WALL” are written on the Vans logo. The literal translation is “off the wall,” which is slang for a skating group called the “Z-Boys,” meaning “out of the ordinary, unusual guys. It is said that Tony Alba, a member of the group, wore Vans and that the word was reflected in the Vans logo because of the novelty of the custom-made store at the time.

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Vans has a history of recovering from bankruptcy

Starting with slip-ons, Vans rode the sneaker boom and recorded strong sales. However, Paul Van Doren left the brand and expanded the business too much, which led to the company going bankrupt in 1984. The company decided to use the Civil Rehabilitation Law to rebuild the company on the condition that Paul Van Doren would return as president. The company had to cut costs, but with the belief that “the quality of Vans shoes must not be lowered,” it succeeded in paying off its debts in three years. The company’s recovery continued, and by 2011, it was recognized as “the world’s largest skate company” with sales in excess of $1 billion. Since then, business has been smooth sailing and the company has become a well-established brand celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2016. It has become a global skateboarding sneaker brand that everyone says “Vans” when it comes to representative skater brands. In Japan, ABC-MART has acquired the sales rights to the brand, and it is well known among many people.

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Four characteristics of Vans Chukka

The Vans Chukka has a basic yet stylish design reminiscent of the chukka boot.

The “Chukka” is a word that indicates the time unit of polo games, and it is said to have originated from the casual boots that players used to change into after the games, in addition to the shoes they wore during the games. The most distinctive feature of these sneakers is their unique form, which incorporates the style of such chukka boots into a sneaker. The mid-cut length and padded ankle area gently protects the foot. This design is useful not only for street style, but also for after-skating and after-surfing, and boasts of great support from fashionable core fans.

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Vans Chukka’s feature #2: “External shuttlecock for a better fit.

One of the features of VANS’ flagship models is that they use the “inside shuttlecock” design, but Chukka boots use the “outside shuttlecock” design, which is rare among the brand’s products. This is a design in which the lace stay, the part through which shoelaces are threaded, is placed on the instep, and is said to facilitate putting on and taking off the shoes and adjusting the shoe size with the laces. Also, “chukkas” are usually designed with two eyelets, but Vans’ chukkas have four eyelets. This can also be said to be one of the details due to the emphasis on fit and durability since they were sold as skate shoes.

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Vans Chukka’s feature (3): “Padded footbeds to protect your feet.

The mid-cut Vans Chukkas are equipped with cushion padding at the foot to protect the foot and prevent shoe chafing. The design is designed to be comfortable not only for after-skating but also for skateboarding, which is one of the unique features of the brand that has led the skateboarding culture.

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Vans Chukka’s feature (4): “Classic vulcanized construction.

The vulcanizing method is a method of bonding the sneaker sole. It is a very old traditional manufacturing method in the history of sneakers. By placing a piece of unfastened rubber between the body of the sneaker and the sole and applying pressure at high temperatures while adding vulcanizing agents such as sulfur to harden the rubber, the sneaker body and sole are made of two completely different materials. This reduces the possibility of the sole peeling off and improves robustness. To reinforce the border between the adhesive surfaces, rubber tape is wrapped around the area to firmly adhere it from the side as well. The retro and classic look goes well with casual outfits and gives your feet a sophisticated look.

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Check out the style name “#49”, which is the base of the current Vans Chukka!

Vans has released many mid-cut shoes since the 1970s, originally distinguishing styles by number, and the current chukka model is based on the “#49” style from this era. The “#149” was made of canvas, and the “#549” was made of leather (suede). The “#49” model has been around since the early days of custom-made shoes, and chukkas used to be custom-made as well.

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