The adventure begins: testing the new VANS ULTRARANGE in the wild

We joined Vans for a surf-inspired adventure in northern Spain to test out the new VANS ULTRARANGE in the wild.

The journey began in Bilbao, from where we made our way down past Mundaka (home to a spot described as “a dream left hand barrel and possibly one of the greatest river mouth waves in the world”) before reaching our camp, perched on a hillside a few kilometres from Laga beach.

Once we’d set up camp we got our first glimpse of the UltraRange, a versatile shoe that brings the look of Vans together with the functionality needed for different terrains: city streets, boardwalks, mountain paths and everything in between. The shoe is designed to “bring the elements of comfortable, hearty and functional all in one shoe—it would have comfort and utility, but look like Vans no matter where you are” says Pat Gudauskas, pro surfer and a big influence in the creation of the UltraRange.

The next 72 hours were spent hiking, surfing and exploring the mountainous region of Spain to put the UltraRange through its paces. From the moment they went on in the morning the shoes screamed comfort and utility, whilst staying true to Vans’ timeless aesthetic.

The UltraRange features Vans’ first-ever co-moulded midsole, merging UltraCush™ Lite foam cushioning with rubber inspired by the famous Vans waffle outsole for elevated comfort and versatility. A LuxLiner™ internal sock-fit construction adds seamless comfort and a breathable, lightweight mesh upper offers increased airflow and enhanced flex.

The UltraRange is a perfect example of how to mix utilitarian function with classic design, and if there was ever a shoe that could represent multiple walks of life from the city to the mountain path then this is it. The VANS ULTRARANGE arrives online and in store with Vans Europe on 1 AUGUST, marking a major milestone in the brand’s impressive footwear design history. In the meantime, shop the latest releases with VANS by clicking on the banner below.