Anthony Van Engelen’s second Vans Pro shoe comes with big promises: “Unrivalled support and a precise fit that lives up to AVE’s standards of perfection.” We tested whether the Vans AVE 2.0 delivers what it promises!
Anthony Van Engelen is one of the greatest characters in skateboarding and can confidently be described as a living legend. His parts in the “DC Video”, Alien Workshop’s “Mind Field” or Fucking Awesome’s “Dancing On Thin Ice” are just unforgettable. For AVE, “good” is not good enough and therefore, he only puts his name on the best of the best skate shoes.
Technical details
If you are generally open to futuristic looks, the Vans AVE 2.0 is an absolute eye-catcher – on and off the board. The silhouette is superficially minimalist but a closer look reveals that it is packed with different materials and technical features. The AVE 2.0 is highly breathable, featuring a mesh sock liner, sides, heel area, and tongue. While it may not be ideal for temperatures below 10°C, this is a complete game-changer for the summer. The front area of the skate shoe is made from tried and tested suede and features eyelets for lacing. The small gap in between provides noticeably better freedom of movement when rolling the foot.
From the UltimateWaffle sole to the ULTRACUSH footbed, RapidWeld and DURACAP process – the Vans AVE 2.0 utilises all the technologies especially developed for skate shoes, whereby some essential areas are reinforced with the DURACAP. Thanks to RapidWeld, the different parts of the shoe are joined together using heat, which eliminates external seams that could rip. The UltimateWaffle sole and ULTRACUSH footbed provide improved cushioning and at the same time guarantee a high level of grip on the sole. In a nutshell, the AVE 2.0 is one of the best shoes tailored specifically for skateboarding.
Fit and board feel
In every respect, the Vans AVE 2.0 is a shoe created for a specific purpose – skateboarding, however, with a purely athletic approach. The out-of-the-box feel is very tight, but not squeezing, comparable to the fit of a football boot. The sock liner moulds perfectly to the ankle, preventing pressure points from forming in the first place. Generally, the laces are almost more of an ornamental feature and serve as an even better-fit adjustment, as the sock liner extends over the entire tongue. The toe box, on the other hand, is pleasantly spacious. You should have an affinity for close-fitting skate shoes to learn to love the AVE 2.0. They are true-to-size.
The insole consists of a thin, removable foam sole. The thicker insoles could cause the shoe to be uncomfortably tight and create pressure points. For those with narrower feet like me, the AVE 2.0 is incredibly comfortable.
In the heel area, the outsole is hard, but despite its stiff feel, it absorbs a lot of impact and keeps the foot extremely stable. Towards the front of the shoe, the outsole becomes more flexible, allowing for a comfortable blend of the cup and vulc soles in areas where they can showcase their best features. Such a mix of specialised properties, including the tight fit, makes the AVE 2.0 perfect for flip tricks and technical skating. You feel 100% connected to your board with excellent grip. Throughout the test, I didn’t experience an issue with performing any trick in my Vans AVE 2.0 skate shoes. From a purely athletic standpoint, these shoes are everything you could desire in a skate shoe.
Durability
The durability is very similar to the Vans AVE Pro, namely above average. The outsole is extremely durable, it doesn’t lose the stiffness and never lets you down until the end. The AVE 2.0 cuts a good, but not outstanding figure on standard flick points, especially in the kickflip area.
Remember that the shoe was designed with the right amount of material to achieve 100 % performance, not to accompany you forever. However, the mesh sock liner withstands wear even after 15 hours.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for an uncompromising skate shoe that’s 100% performance-orientated and the simple yet futuristic silhouette appeals to you, then the Vans AVE 2.0 is the perfect choice. If you prefer a snug and athletic feel in your footwear, the Vans AVE 2.0 might be the most advanced Vans shoe you’ll ever experience. I believe it lives up to its name as a worthy successor to the first pro shoe.
- noticeable technical upgrade to the VANS AVE PRO
- uncompromising performance
- excellent workmanship and good durability
- price
- only sustainable for narrow feet
- other insoles can make the fit too tight
