Vans AV Rapidweld Pro Lite Skate Shoes Wear Test Review

Most durable skate shoes on the market?  The Vans AV Rapidweld Pro Lite Skate Shoes are pretty damn bulletproof.  Every brand is now boasting rubber toe caps, but Vans has been using Duracap rubber underlays for years.  The Rapidweld takes it to the next level with a seamless upper and fused abrasion resistant shell for long lasting durability.  Most rubber toe cap shoes provide strong protection against flip tricks, but fall short in the ollie area.  The Rapidweld provides complete coverage. 

Tactics team rider Beau Cummins skated a pair for a month and hardly made a dent in the upper.  However, the outsole is starting to feel pretty thin.  The Pro Vulc outsole offers great grip and durability, but something has to blow out first, and it wont be the upper.  Beau found that the vulcanized construction broke in quickly and he was able to skate them comfortably on day one, but the Rapidweld upper took a little more time to loosen up than the average Vans' skate shoe.  This helped the shoe hold its shape and offer better support over time without becoming floppy, which is very important for a shoe with such strong durability. 

The Rapidweld also features the Vans' LuxLiner, which is a breathable sock-like liner that extends from the start of the tongue to the toes of the shoe for a comfortably snug fit that prevents tongue slippage.  To provide support and impact protection, the Rapidweld features UltraCush HD insoles.  They're Beau's favorite because they protect your feet when running out of big tricks, even in a shoe with a flexible vulcanized construction.  Vans finished things off by using breathable mesh in every low wear area. 

It's hard to argue with the tech and durability, but we do admit that it's a pretty big departure from the classic Vans look.  If you want all the same tech with a seamless suede upper, check out the Vans AV Rapidweld Pro.

Shop Vans AV Rapidweld Pro Lite Skate Shoes

Shop Vans AV Rapidweld Pro Skate Shoes