Surfer Alex Knost Collaborates with Vans to Create Shoes Inspired by a Classic Cadillac
Photo: Pedro Gómez
Basketball stars are constantly working with companies like Nike, Adidas, or New Balance to create shoes based on their personal style and preferences. But when it comes to other athletes, shoe deals don’t typically fall into their laps. However, pro surfer Alex Knost recently teamed up with Vans to create some new shoes with a very unique inspiration.
Knost’s second passion after surfing is sneakers and he is also the proud owner of a Cadillac Coupe DeVille. Combine these two things and you get some seriously cool shoes. The popular footwear brand offered up its 1977 Style 36 Deacon SF shoe for Knost’s project.
Why Cadillac? The trusted American brand has been around for over a century
The SK8-HI 138 Decon SF and Style 36 Decon SF Vans designed by Knost feature similar coloring as the interior of his 80s vehicle. Both shoes are made of shiny “Bitter Chocolate” and “Dress Blues” vegan leather. The high-top SK8-HI 138 Decon SF shoes, which cost $72, have the blue as the main color with a brown Vans stripe. The $67 Style 36 Decon SF Vans low-tops have opposite coloring with matching shoelaces.
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Described as being socially conscious, energetic, and happy by Vans, Knost wanted to be sure the shoes he created were a statement of these traits. But it’s not incredibly surprising that Vans was the company to work with Knost to create this car-inspired shoe in the first place, as the surfer has been a part of the Vans family since 2005. And staying true to his beloved vehicle, Knost took a creative risk with his shoes, as Cadillac did with the Coupe de Ville in the 80s with its updated design cues.
Ben never thought he’d be writing about cars for a living, but here he is, knowing more about the Kia Stinger than he’d care to admit. When he’s not devoting his time to researching engine specs and other oh-so-exciting car details, he can be found enjoying time with his wife and dogs. See more articles by Ben.