With Vans' deep roots in music and heritage as the original skate shoe maker, it only makes sense to work with a band as influential to action sports and youth culture as Metallica. For Spring '13, Vans and Metallica, one of the greatest rock bands of all time, collaborate on a footwear capsule consisting of a Sk8-Hi and Slip-On, each inspired by their debut studio album, Kill ‘Em All.
Sk8-Hi
(Metallica Kill 'Em All) Black/True White
Classic Slip-On
(Metallica Kill 'Em All) Black/True White
JAMES HETFIELD
Inspired by his favorite black boots, James added hex-bolt eyelets and a personal take on the skull and cross-bones, illustrated by Hetfield himself, to “Metallicize” his Vans Sk8-Hi Deconstruct.
LARS ULRICH
Putting a twist on one of Vans’ original Classics, Lars updated the Era Laceless with brushed twill materials and a print taken from the diamond plate pattern on his snare drum. He finished his shoe with a Dirty Donny Lars character on the inside heel.
KIRK HAMMETT
Tying back to a love of surfing and nature, Kirk chose an all-natural upper made of hemp for his collapsible Slip-On. The inside heel is accented with a guitar pick inspired by his Ouija guitar and designed by one of Metallica’s favorite artists, Dirty Donny.
ROBERT TRUJILLO
Robert grew up wearing Vans as a young skater in Venice Beach, California. For his shoe he took Aztec calendar artwork, designed by his wife Chloe, which is carved in one of his bass guitars and placed it in blue, on the side of the Escuela.

James Hetfield

James Hetfield image

Metallica

Kirk Hammett

Kirk Hammett image

Metallica

Metallica Group Shot

Metallica Group Shot image
Metallica Group Shot image

Metallica

Vans and Metallica Join Forces

Vans and Metallica introduce the limited edition Vans x Metallica 20th Anniversary Half Cab Pro! In early October, skate shops around the world will receive the latest release in the year-long celebration marking 20 years of the most popular skate shoe of all-time, Steve Caballero’s signature Half Cab. The heavy-duty canvas and suede "black to the floor" Metallica edition of the Half Cab Pro features classic band lyrics embossed in the side, exclusive Vans x

Metallica x Steve Caballero labeling and a unique clear rubber sole with Kill ’Em All album artwork showing through.

To learn more about the Half Cab and where you can find the special Metallica edition.

"I've been wearing Vans on stage my whole freakin' career (and way before that!)," said Metallica bassist Rob Trujillo. "Whether I'm walking the streets of Venice or San Francisco, Vans provides the funk in my stride!"

"To have Metallica, my all-time favorite metal band, collaborating with me on this 20th anniversary Half Cab shoe is an honor and a dream come true," said Vans’ skate legend Steve Caballero. "I’m very stoked that Vans is working with such a legendary band and the Half Cab is just the beginning."

The Vans and Metallica partnership will continue in Spring 2013 with two product drops: a four-piece "Passion Project" collection designed by each member of Metallica coming in February and a two-shoe salute to the band’s debut album, Kill ’Em

Metallica