FA World Entertainment's professional skateboarder Curren Caples has been riding for Vans since he was a kid, so the fact that his name is finally stamped on a signature shoe feels like something that was always meant to happen.
It’s called the CURREN, and it’s Vans doing what they’ve always done best - making skate shoes that work hard, look clean, and don’t overcomplicate things.
At a glance, the CURREN sticks close to what makes vulcanized shoes a go-to for skaters around the world: grip, boardfeel, and support.
But dig a little deeper and you’ll notice it’s more than just another classic with a new name slapped on.
Curren had a clear idea of what he wanted. A shoe that doesn’t need time to break in, holds up after endless flicks, and feels dialed from the first push. And Vans delivered.
The outsole’s custom tread uses Vans’ grippiest compound, SICKSTICK™, paired with DURACAP™ reinforcement in the high-wear areas to handle whatever gets thrown at it.
Inside, POPCUSH™ takes care of impact without adding bulk. The design is lean, low-profile, and skate-ready straight out of the box.
Curren said it best: “I’ve been skating Vans my whole life and never really thought I would have a shoe with my name on it. It’s a pretty cool feeling! Being part of the legacy of skaters with their own shoes on Vans is truly an honor.”
You can tell this isn’t just a branding move. It’s something personal.
To roll out the CURREN, Vans leaned into humor with a spoof on those over-the-top fragrance ads.
Shot by Gray Sorrenti and directed by Grant Yansura, the campaign has fun with the idea of what a skate shoe ad could look like. And to make it even better, there are quick cameos from some of Vans’ most respected names - Ray Barbee, Geoff Rowley, AVE, Omar Hassan, and even Steve Van Doren.
The shoe drops May 15 in two colorways: red and gray with yellow details - alongside matching apparel.
But for those who want a head start, an all-black version dubbed the Curren VCU will show up early at select skate shops on May 1.
This release isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. It’s a skater working with a company that knows how to make shoes that hold up.
And that’s the point. The CURREN is made to be skated, not just looked at.