Vans X Ernest Push Boundaries with World's First Skateable Cardboard Shoe
Vans and Ernest make history with the first-ever skateable cardboard shoe: a wild tribute to creativity, collaboration, and skate culture.
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A Tribute to Skateboarding Legacy
Since 1966, Vans has been the go-to shoe for skateboarders. In 1976, legendary skater Tony Alva began working directly with the brand to make shoes tough enough to handle the rigors of skating. In fact, his own skateboarding style inspired the now-iconic 'Off the Wall' tagline. Nearly five decades later, Alva has returned alongside Steve Van Doren, Vans' Unofficial Ambassador of Fun. Their mission? To build a fully wearable Vans skate shoe made of paper.
Innovation Meets Imagination
Ernest Packaging, known for creating the impossible with paper, engineered a durable and flexible version of Vans' iconic checkerboard pattern using their own cardboard materials. Once completed, Alva, Van Doren and skate legend Christian Hosoi traveled to the Vans factory to oversee the production of the shoes. The cardboard upper withstood every construction challenge, including the vulcanization process (275° heat and 20 PSI of pressure). The result? A fully formed skate shoe unlike the world had ever seen.
The Shred Test
Once constructed, the cardboard Vans were ready to hit pavement and the empty pools. Hosoi and Alva slid them on to hit their local skate spots, as did fellow legendary skater Omar Hassan. Then, Olympic skateboarder, X Games champ and all-around phenom Lizzie Armanto tested them on the halfpipe. The cardboard Vans verdict? Totally skateable. Signal's Dave Lee, host of Cardboard Chaos, stated, 'It all came together. We made a custom pair of cardboard Vans shoes with Steve Van Doren, with professional skateboarders, with all these amazing people and, I mean, there are just no words. Because it's just too much. It's too cool.'
Cardboard Chaos Continues
The project joins a growing list of mindblowing cardboard creations from the Ernest Cardboard Chaos series. It started back in 2014 when Ernest partnered with Signal Snowboards to create the first cardboard snowboard. This series went on to include a skateboard for Tony Hawk, a surfboard, a wakeboard and more. The one-of-a-kind Fender guitars, drum kit and Wurlitzer keyboard created for Cardboard Chaos inspired a spinoff. The in-studio music series with over 30 episodes, called Cardboard Sessions, features the paper instruments being played by the likes of The Dandy Warhols, Keanu Reeves with Dogstar and Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top, plus many other rock, gospel and jazz musicians.
A Family Legacy of Creativity
This daring project was fueled by the 'Why can't we?' spirit of both companies. Steve Van Doren and Tim Wilson, President of Ernest, continue the legacy of their fathers, who both built their businesses from the ground up. Together, Steve and Tim proudly show that creativity and courage definitely run in the family. 'Collaborating with Steve was a really special thing for me,' said Wilson. 'As a California kid myself, I know just how iconic the Vans shoes are. And the fact that we got to build one together was just awesome.'
About Ernest
Ernest is a family-owned packaging solutions company that creates wonderful, unconventional experiences for their clients. It's been that way since 1946 and it still stands to this day. They partner with their clients to make the impossible, possible. By saying no to the status quo, focusing on bringing smiles to faces and making the world a little more Ernest.
About Vans
Vans®, a VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC) brand, is the leading skateboarding and original action sports footwear, apparel and accessories brand. Vans authentic collections are sold in more than 100 countries through a network of subsidiaries, distributors, and international offices. Vans has more than 2,000 retail locations globally including owned, concessions and partnership doors. The Vans brand inspires and empowers everyone to live 'Off the Wall,' embodying the youthful spirit of freedom, non-conformity, and relentless drive to push culture across action sports, music, art and design.
About Signal Snowboards
Signal Snowboards is a rider-owned snowboard brand established in 2005, dedicated to producing high-quality, artful snowboards born from creativity, culture, and community. Known for innovative content like Every Third Thursday and Cardboard Chaos, Signal merges DIY spirit with technical performance across its freestyle, all-mountain, and powder lines. With a two-year warranty, free shipping on orders over $250, and concierge-style customer support, they deliver boards that ride as good as they look.
About Liquid
Liquid Agency is a brand consulting and activation company that empowers ambitious organizations to achieve and maintain category leadership. For over 24 years, Liquid Agency has partnered with leading Consumer and B2B brands such as GE, Hitachi, HP, Intel, Nike, Nordstrom and Walmart to build momentum through belief-driven alignment of brand, customer and employee experiences.
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