Vans Remixes Authentic as a Retro Soccer Boot

The World Cup has brought an abundance of soccer-derived sneakers from the sports’ biggest players, but Vans is also getting into the mix by revamping its oldest model.

The Vans Authentic “Copa” takes after retro football boots with quilt stitching running throughout its bright red leather upper. The wavy lines follow the pattern of the model’s vamp on a typical build, and an added kiltie brings more quilting in concentric squares. A white leather stripe runs vertically on the heel, and an off-white outsole hosts black striping and branding.

Upon seeing the name “Copa,” soccer fans will likely think of Adidas’ boot franchise of the same name, which began with the similarly quilted Copa Mundial in 1979. But quilted boots are far from Adidas’ domain, and the term was more likely chosen because of its usage in Spanish tournaments, as it translates to “cup” in English.

Over the past week, the Vans Authentic has been at the center of conversations around originality because of Pharrell showing a Louis Vuitton sneaker with a similar style. Many on social media alleged the shoe was a copy of Vans’, and the California skate brand itself chimed in subliminally on social media. Others, however, have pointed out that the Authentic itself wasn’t the first shoe of its kind, as it followed the Sperry CVO generally considered the first boat shoe.

The Vans Authentic “Copa” has released through Vans’ European and Japanese websites, and a U.S. launch is likely right around the corner. Expect pricing to be around $130.