Summary
We spent 6.8 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what sneaker fanatics think:
12 reasons to buy
- More than half of the users recommend the Vans SK8-Hi MTE to other potential buyers.
- The sneaker fits true to size.
- A lot of users praised the ample comfort that the sneaker administers.
- The lug outsole which resembles a reverse waffle pattern was supremely efficient in maintaining grip and traction.
- Many wearers were highly satisfied with the sneaker that they even bought their relatives a pair.
- It was a common thing for users to be complimented while wearing the sneakers on the streets and in the office.
- Several buyers used the sneaker as their staple wear not only on cold weather.
- The Vans SK8-Hi MTE doubles as a fashionable office footwear.
- For skaters, the sneaker exhibits adequate boardfeel with its flat-to-the-ground structure.
- The sneaker is very versatile when it comes to sporting it in different activities from hiking to casual mingling.
- The faux fur lining gives warmth and a plush feel that was appreciated by some wearers.
- The sneaker even looks good and goes well with almost every wardrobe.
5 reasons not to buy
- Although there were many users who experienced dry and warm feet, some appalled buyers expressed their disgrace regarding the incapability of the sneaker's weatherproofing. One customer noted that water passes through the eyelets.
- As many wearers acclaim the sneaker's durability, a portion of the reviewers received pairs that easily broke down. The common points of tear are the rubber heel and the notoriously weak pull tab.
- Few customers mentioned that the sneaker is not water resistant but water repellent. The Scotchgard™ treatment on the uppers was not enough to keep moisture from penetrating.
- The SK8-Hi MTE does not offer a ton of cushioning.
- The metal eyelets sometimes rip the laces apart and were inconvenient to replace.
Bottom line
The high top sneaker has a lovable silhouette that kept user's feet warm and dry. Although the reviews regarding durability are almost polarizing, most users found the shoe to be very comfortable and stylish.
One of the major reasons that hinder the Vans SK8-Hi MTE to be the number one all-climate high top is its issues regarding weatherproofing. Several buyers were highly dissatisfied that their Mountain Edition SK8-Hi was mis-advertised and allowed water to penetrate. Overall, this kick is eclipsing a winter cleat with its lighter and non-hefty structure.
Facts
Rankings
Expert Reviews
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The sneaker is designed to run true to its size. Though the ankle shank is padded, its allows a comfortable entry while administering support. The high top sneaker also includes a lace-up enclosure that secures the fit on the foot. The lining may include fleece, flannel, or textile depending on the design.
The Vans SK8-Hi MTE is a unisex sneaker. Its sizing ranges from 3.5 to 13 both in medium widths. If a colorway is not available for women, women are advised to size down 1 1/2 sizes from the men's.
It is to keep track of the sneaker's colorway as it was reestablished in numerous designs. The more recent ones like the Glazed Ginger or the Knit Geo/ Tan exhibit easy-to-dress earth tones that are versatile to sport from the office to the outdoors. The high-top construction of the SK8-Hi MTE is perfect for winter clothes like pants or thick leggings.
The dark-tinted colorways of the sneaker would even be appropriate for semi-formal attires. The sneaker-boot appearance of the shoe enables it to be worn during recreational activities in a stylish manner, as compared to bulky cleats. The uppers of the SK8-Hi MTE also has varying materials from suede to leather and canvas, depending on the colorway.
The Vans SK8-Hi MTE is an extreme weather update of the classic Sk8-Hi. A heat retention layer is placed in between the sole and the footbed to keep the feet dry and warm. It is partnered by a lug outsole which is also vulcanized for traction and supreme tread. Stitches can be asymmetric at times on both the left and right sneakers.
It all started when a 14-year-old boy named Paul Van Doren neglected school and focused on what thrills his bones: horse-racing. But the talent he possessed for racing did not satisfy his mother, Rena. Rena insisted Paul to acquire for a job at Randy's, a shoe company where she also works. Paul obliged by sweeping the floors and making shoes.
After 20 years of working with Randy's, Paul was anointed as the executive vice president at age 34. Eventually, a struggling Randy's factory in California needed the Van Doren blessing after losing close to a million dollars per month. Paul and his brother James's families moved to Anaheim, California to help the declining factory. It took them eight months to restore the factory and three months after that, Paul decided to start his own.
The Van Doren Rubber Company first opened their doors on March 16, 1966 in Anaheim, California. The first shoe that the company released was now known as the "Authentic." As the years passed and the following for their shoes grew, other models were released like the Old Skool, which was originally named Style 36.
The Style 36, introduced in 1977, features a combination of leather and canvas for its uppers that coincide with skateboarding common wear-and-tear points. It was also the first sneaker to exhibit the symbolic "jazz stripe" that was developed by Paul himself.
The demand for ankle protection in the field of skateboarding grew largely and Vans responded with a revamp of Style 36.The subsequent model was called the Style 37, but the sneaker brand decided that it wasn't enough. In 1978, Vans released the Style 38 which was rebranded in 1995 as Sk8-Hi. It is assembled with padding on the ankles that provide support and protection for skaters.
Decades have passed and the SK8-Hi had traversed different aspects of music, sports, art, and fashion. Numerous collaborations with the brand were also prevalent during its half-century age. An outdoor-inspired remodel of the Sk8-Hi was introduced to the public in 2014 coined as the Mountain Edition. The Sk8-Hi MTE exemplifies weather proof elements which also upgrade the sneaker's durability.
- The vulcanized toe cap features mini protrusions for protection. The same design is observed at the heel with the standard red-patched Vans branding.
- Some iterations include lace hooks or loops for snugging on the top of the eyelet rows.
- The uppers are treated with Scotchgard™ that prevents moisture from penetrating the shoe.
- MTE stands for Mountain Edition which is a weatherproof innovation of classic Vans sneakers including the SK8-Hi MTE and the Era MTE.
- The pull tabs positioned at the heel aid in foot entry.